So with Welcome Week being over many of you may be wondering what is welcome week at Judson?

    Well Welcome Week at Judson is the first week that freshmen and transfer students are living on campus. This year the week was kicked off by first time Judson students moving in on the afternoon of Sunday August 16th. Even before the new students had a chance to park there was a herd of returning students gathering around the back of the vehicle. This group of returning students like to refer to themselves as L.A.M.P.s (Leading and Mentoring Peers). L.A.M.P.s were there to help with the moving process and to later help the new students to adjust to life at Judson. The herd of L.A.M.P.'s was  a little, ok, a lot intimidating for some of the new arrivals, but when it only took 10 - 20 minuets to move rather then the hour they were expecting, they were thankful for all of the help.

   Now that all the new students are moved in it is time to say goodbye to the family and for the fun to begin. Students met their L.A.M. P., then as a group took part in several fun activities to get to know each other. When all the fun that could be had was had everyone headed to the dorm for group devotion and bed.

   Unfortunately all week couldn't be all fun and games and Monday and Tuesday had to be spent going over the  rules and learning the expectations at Judson. By the time everyone went to bed Tuesday the rest of the upper classmen had returned and everyone was as ready as they were going to get for classes the next day.

   Wednesday and Thursday marked the beginning of classes. The new students were finally getting their first taste of what  college life was really like. Tryouts for the Equestrian team also  took place Wednesday afternoon and we are glad to welcome two new members to the team.

   Friday, L.A.M.P's and many of the new students took part in Marion Matters. Marion Matters is a number of community service projects being performed at the same time. This year we had 15 different groups who reached out to the community in different ways including; reading to 1^st graders, scraping paint and painting at a church, cleaning up the local cemetery, and many other projects. The project that excited me the most was walking two of the horse to a  nearby nursing home and letting residents pet horses and take pictures with them. It is just amazing to me how 30 minuets with a horse can make such a difference in a persons life. This summer I took a class, while at Judson for May block, called Animal Partnership. In that class we took horses to nursing homes twice a week. Even after taking them that many times I was still excited about taking them again during Marion Matters. Marion Matters really is a great way for the students of Judson College to give something to the community.

   Saturday Morning the Freshmen wove the Ivy Chain in preparation for Rose Sunday. That afternoon students attended the picnic at MMI after which the Cadets from MMI attended a Step Sing and reception at Judson.

   Sunday was what is known as Rose Sunday at Judson. All of the students walked to Siloam Baptist Church together led by the Senior Class. Rose Sunday is a deep, beautiful tradition that celebrates the schools rich heritage and the strong bond of sisterhood that can be found there.