For Immediate Release
September 6, 2017
Contact: Luanne Bibbee Interim PR Director bibbeel@lcc.edu 517-483-1426
Welcome Week at Lansing Community College
Lansing - How often can you party with the president of your college? And what does that mean? Last Wednesday was Party with the Prez at Lansing Community College, one of the special events of Welcome Week, and President Brent Knight was there to join students in all the activities.
“We want our students to have a great college experience,” said Dr. Knight. “This is the best time of their life, and we want them to be successful and enjoy being a college students.”
BBQ, ice cream and cotton candy were free. The weather was great. And while the band played, students joined Dr. Knight in rounds of musical chairs, booty ball and other outdoor games. Employees from the Student Affairs office drew names for lots of giveaways and raffles.
Many activities were planned for returning LCC students all week long. Welcome Week started on
Saturday, September 2, with an ENGAGE Family Day on the LCC Washington Mall. As it sounds, families
were welcomed, and there were tours of the campus, free food, outdoor games, and music.
A scavenger hunt on Tuesday sent students all over campus to “Discover Keys to Success.” Students
received incentive gifts for learning how to navigate the buildings, student life programs, and meet
representatives from many student organizations.
Thursday’s Campus Resource and Student Organization Fair brought students to the outdoor mall where they received information from many of the college departments and resources. Academic Success Coaches offered help to students to achieve success whether academic, financial or personal issues need to be addressed. Extension center staff were on hand to pass out schedules of classes at LCC East, Livingston County Center, and LCC North. Fire Science instructors guided students on how to hold a fireman’s hose to practice by putting out a digital fire.
Staff from the Learning Commons told students about tutoring that is available for all courses. The Learning Commons is located in Arts & Sciences 108. Students can call for appointments at (517) 483-1206, make an appointment online at tutoring@lcc.edu, or they can walk-in for professional tutors to help with courses.
Many of the thirty registered Student Organizations at LCC exhibited at the Resource Fair. Students learned about Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society, Black Student Union, and even the Historical European Martial arts where students could wield replicas of the ancient swords. Other clubs include Recovery Club, Sign Language Club, History Club, and the American Marketing Association. Campus Disciples, the International Club, and the ITSA Information Technology Student Alliance were on hand to outreach.
Patty Ayers, Student Life/Leadership Academy Coordinator, said, “ This is a great opportunity for students to learn about the resources and organizations at LCC to help them get acclimated to the college. We’re all about student success, and these resources will help students succeed.”
LCC Student Aide Bridget Hudson said, “Students could swing by the Mall between classes. There were give-aways, and best of all, lots of networking, to help students get connected.”
Asia Wright, who is an LCC Student Aide, agreed. She said, “It’s important for students to get to know other students, and to learn new skills. They can find out what interests them and get engaged.”
The average age of students at most community colleges is 25-27, so many new students do not come directly after graduating from high school. All have a story.
Natalia Luna is from Portland, and it’s been five years since she graduated. After working in an Alzheimer’s facility, Natalia said she wanted a better career and knew she needed a degree. So she saved for two years, and gave up lots of outings with friends so she could build her savings and afford to go back to school full-time, while still living on her own.
Several students mentioned they loved the changes on the campus common areas and buildings. “The LCC campus feels like college,” said student Lexi Cornwell. “There are lots of gorgeous changes.”
Erica Crandall, from Dansville, agrees the campus is beautiful. “I know exactly why I’m here – to earn a dental hygiene degree,” she said. “I came to LCC because it is cheaper than other schools around, and high tech.”
Because it was difficult to succeed while at a larger four-year college, Taylor Twombley is coming to LCC.
“I like it better here because the classes are smaller, the tutoring is helpful, and the professors seem to want to teach and care about students.”
Jordis Numinen came to LCC from a much smaller alternative high school in Charlotte. “I want to help people, but I don’t have the time or money to go into a medical career, so I’m earning a certificate in professional fitness training,” she said. Jordis earned LCC college credit through dual enrollment at Eaton RESA, and she said this helped her feel comfortable with the LCC people and campus.
Welcome Week at LCC continued through Friday, September 1. For more details, visit lcc.edu.
About Lansing Community College
Lansing Community College, founded in 1957, is the third-largest community college in Michigan, serving a six-county area with nearly 15,000 students attending each year. LCC offers courses in general education for those interested in transferring to a four-year institution, career and workforce development, developmental education and personal enrichment. To meet the professional development and training needs of regional employees, the college offers customized programs for credit, non-credit and continuing education. The University Center at LCC offers students the opportunity to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees from five partner universities on the downtown LCC campus. For more information, visit lcc.edu.
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