VINCENNES, Ind. - A steady stream of vehicles began arriving at Vincennes University on Thursday as students prepare for the start of classes on Monday. The first wave of students arrived at 8:00 a.m. (EDT) to begin moving into VU’s six residence halls.
“I’m looking forward to having fun, getting educated, and doing what I’ve got to do to get a good job,” said Aaron Bradon, a graduate of Richmond High School, who pushed a cart loaded with supplies for his room in Harrison Hall. His roommate, Otis McDoy, also a graduate of Richmond H.S., said he is beginning his second semester as a Massage Therapy major. “I like helping to rehabilitate people. It seems like a good field to be in,” McDoy said.
On Friday students can participate in a Community Fair at the P.E. Complex beginning at 9:00 a.m. followed at 12:00 noon by a Welcome Ceremony for parents and students at the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center. At 2:45 p.m. students will go to a Playfair at the Student Recreation Center while parents remain at the Skelton Center for their own orientation program. The culmination of the day will be a comedy performance by Ronnie Jordan at 8:00 p.m. at the Skelton Center.
Toni Beasley said she has mixed emotions about her son Steven’s move from home to VU. “I am really excited and happy for him - and proud of him - but it is hard to see him go,” Beasley said. Steven is majoring in Physics and Engineering.
Beasley’s good friend, Yvonne Bagshaw, accompanied the family to provide support. As an employee of Indiana University-Southeast, where she serves as assistant for non-traditional students at the Adult Student Center, Bagshaw says she always enjoys the start of fall semesters. “It is so emotional and yet so exciting and invigorating. You watch people grow up. Moving-in day is a day you can make a difference with a simple smile,” Bagshaw said while grinning at Beasley.
Freshman Aaron Bellgraph, a graduate of North Central High School in Farmersburg, brought his whole family with him to help move into Harrison Hall. “I look forward to coping with the new college surroundings,” Bellgraph said. A successful basketball player at North Central, Bellgraph said he plans to try out for the Trailblazer basketball team while majoring in Criminology.
Freshman Dalton Allen, a graduate of Covington High School, admitted that he does not enjoy the moving process but does look forward to majoring in the John Deere Ag Tech program at VU. “Anything
mechanical interests me. I’ve always worked on the farm,” Allen said. After hearing good reports from his friends who attended VU last year, Allen said he looks forward to having a good time at VU.
This weekend many VU offices will be open. On Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. these offices will be open: Academic College Offices, Bursar, Financial Aid, Registrar, Veterans Affairs, Housing, ResLife, Career and Employer Relations, Disability Services, Admissions and Health Services. These offices will be open from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
VINCENNES UNIVERSITY - Indiana’s First College
VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional sites such as Indianapolis and the Gibson County Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics. VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.
In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, secondary education programs in mathematics and science, and special education/elementary education.
VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 28 other states, and 30 countries. Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses with residence halls. VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States. William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory. More information is available at www.vinu.edu.
