IN THE NEWS
By Rhonda Jessup & Gianea Bennett
SprINg SEMESTEr HAS SuCCESSful STArT New and returning Mount Olive College students began classes on Tuesday, January 8. Approximately 40 new students enrolled in the College’s traditional programs for this spring, bringing the traditional student enrollment to 857. Nontraditional enrollment for the College’s seven locations throughout eastern North Carolina is also steady at around 2,175. The spring semester will end May 4, with the College’s 59th commencement • Photo by Matt Stevens
rECrEATIoNAl THErApy MAJorS
blACk HISTory
ATTENd ANNuAl CoNfErENCE
MoNTH CElEbrATIoN
Twelve recreational therapy (RT) majors recently traveled to Western Carolina University to attend an annual Student and Professionals Issues Forum put on by the North Carolina Recreation Therapy Association (NCRTA). While there, students engaged in networking, heard keynote addresses by two national leaders, met the executive director for their national certification, and attended professional sessions. Dr. Albers stated, “It was a very rich learning experience for the students, both professionally and personally.” • Photo Submitted
The Mount Olive College Campus Activity Board and the Office of Campus Ministry co-sponsored a Black History Month Celebration on February 21, 2013, in Southern Bank Auditorium. MOC students and faculty gave presentations honoring significant blacks in history including sports stars, poets, activists, saints, and artists. • Photo Submitted
STudENTS ATTENd AMErICAN fArM burEAu yf&r CoNfErENCE Eight Mount Olive College students studying agriculture education and agribusiness recently attended the American Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher Conference in Phoenix, Arizona. The group attended workshops that focused on various agricultural topics including being advocates for the agriculture industry, developing resources for educating elementary age students about agriculture, and understanding how policy impacts agriculture. Students were also given the opportunity to attend the national level Collegiate Discussion Meet competition. • Photo Submitted
groWINg food, groWINg fAITH, groWINg CoMMuNITy Mount Olive College hosted the Third Annual Faith and Rural Life: Down to Earth Ministry Conference on March 4. The theme for this year’s conference was “Growing Food, Growing Faith, Growing Community.” The Reverend Dr.Will Willimon was the keynote presenter. When asked about the conference, Dr. David Hines, dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, said, “Those of us who live in eastern North Carolina know something about connections. While we may worship in different churches, we face similar concerns about how to best serve our communities, how to be good stewards of the land God has given us, and how to be faithful to the Gospel. This conference explored and celebrated the connections and concerns we all share.” • Photo by Matt Stevens
8 | TODAY | SPRING 2013
Dr. Will Willimon