Asbury Welcomes the Surrendered Class of 2023

August 16, 2019

This week, Asbury University welcomed the newest group of Asburians — the Surrendered Class of 2023. Through orientation events, academic advising , Transition and Guidance (TAG) groups, panel discussions and much more, students are already being integrated into Asbury’s vibrant community.

President Kevin J. Brown addressed the freshman during the President’s Welcome on Tuesday evening.

“Education is not simply information, but it’s formation of character, intellect, spirit and soul,” Brown said. “Freshmen, when you’re done, I don’t want you to simply be able to describe your Asbury experience and your education as what it meant… I want you to be able to describe what it will do in you, and what it will do to you… You will be educated in mind and body and spirit.”

After the President’s Welcome, the Surrendered class spent time in their TAG groups. Some groups play games to get to know one another, while others simply talk about the experience of moving in and what they’re looking forward to this year. These groups, facilitated by returning sophomores, will serve as a starting point for many freshmen in their Asbury community. These groups will meet regularly throughout the semester to discuss their faith, hopes, and what they’ve been learning in their classes.

The next day, the class clumped together for a massive group photo on the steps of Hughes Auditorium, as parents took shelter under the shade of nearby trees. Among them was Sarci Walker Eldridge, whose son Cameron is looking to study Media Communication. Eldridge says she isn’t worried about her son, and that she trusts the safety of the Asbury community to guide and teach him.

“It feels awesome, I’m really excited to actually watch him out here and… let him loose on the world!” she said with a laugh. “I’m excited for him to learn from some others.”

After the class photo, Associate Dean of Spiritual Life Greg Haseloff prayed over the class, dedicating them to the Lord and praying for their experiences at Asbury. Class Advisor Rich Wright ’89 encouraged the class to “Go swimming,” meaning that they should take hold of all that is offered to them at Asbury during their time here. He also added that The Luce Physical Activities Center’s pool was available, should anyone decide to interpret his message literally.

Throughout the rest of Welcome Week, the Surrendered class will be participating in a variety of engaging events to help them settle in before the start of the fall semester, and during the evenings the freshmen will be able to spend time on their halls with other students in their dorms, where they can play games, grab a late-night meal and build a community that will last them through college and beyond.

Brennen McFarland ’23 is an incoming freshman from Jackson, Kentucky. He hasn’t decided on a major, but he’s considering Christian Ministry.

“I came to visit on a weekend and loved it, and I knew I needed to come here,” said McFarland. “I’m just looking forward to getting to know people more!”

Fun Facts:
The incoming class brings with it a new wave of diverse and unique individuals from around the world. Here are just a few: three sets of twins, the great-grandchild of former Asbury University President Dennis Kinlaw, an immigrant to the United States, a cancer survivor and the last sibling in a family of six to attend Asbury.

— by Cooper Boss ’22