First Year Experience will host the second annual (P)Reunion dinner for first year students on April 19 in the Ganus Athletic Center (GAC).
According to First Year Experience Director Kevin Kehl, the dinner is all about connecting with people one last time before the year ends.
“People have gotten into clubs, into student organizations, they’re connected here and there, and this is really to help us bring everybody together, celebrate the year, help us reconnect with some old friends and remember and celebrate the fact that we did it,” Kevin Kehl said.
Freshmen and transfers will be able to come together not only with their peers, but also those who helped with their transition to Harding. Admissions counselors, freshmen dorm resident assistants, Impact energy group leaders and Bible class peer guides will be at the dinner as well.
Junior peer guide Brooke Kehl said she is excited about the peer guides attending the dinner.
“I think that it kind of solidifies the end of the year,” Brooke Kehl said. “By being a part of this event it’s kind of saying, ‘We were happy to be by your side the whole year, and we’re happy to see you connect with everyone again.'”
Connecting is not the only thing students will be able to do, though. Students will also get a chance to hear President Bruce McLarty speak, listen to music and play games. First year students who attend will also be eligible for one of several giveaways.
According to Kevin Kehl, there were more than 400 people in attendance at last year’s (P)Reunion. This year, he said First Year Experience is planning on having more than 500 people in attendance.
“Every year we want students to reflect, to celebrate this time and we want to have some non-cafeteria food,” Kevin Kehl said. “Those three things are never going to change.”
Kevin Kehl said that by reflecting on the year, it brings closure, an important thing for first year students. The dinner provides an opportunity for students to do that in a light-hearted manner.
The Administrative Coordinator for First Year Experience, Holly Bohnett, said she is excited to see how students react to this event compared with other events.
“For the First Year Experience package deal from beginning to end, there is an event that touches points with students,” Bohnett said. “To see that evolve into a kind of larger-than-life event, it’ll be fun to see how students react and how it goes in general.”
To sign up for the dinner, students can RSVP with their peer guides.
