Teams ReturntoCampusEarly to PrepareforCompetition

'eeks betore the majority of Liberty s studen body returned to campus, some of the dorm rooms were already occupied and the ReberThomas Dining Hall had already begun to servemeals

While most Liberty students were enjoyingtheir lastfewweeksofsummer,others had already returned to campus to begin their school year early These dedicated students were members of athletic teams, leadership teams and academic teams, who gave up part of their summer inorder to practicetheir passing and kicking, marching and oratory skills, and prepare for the upcoming year of competition, entertainment and leadership.

The band arrivesearly practice theirroutines Long hours inthehot sun paid offwith theirflawless performances during half-time

"Sacrificing the last few weeks of summer vacation waswell worth itto shows Photo bV Meggan Moran attend debate camp. We got a huge head starton debate work," said Freshman Kirsten Porter-Stransky, a newcomer to the LU Debate team.

While the mutual priority ofeach team was towork hard and be prepared for the games and competitions ahead of them, another goal was togrow together asa group and fellowship with one anotherbeforetherushofstudentsreturned toLiberty forthe academic year.

"Even though we practiced with the band day and night, the best part of marching band camp was getting to know the other girls incolor guard,"said Sophomore Julie Phillips

Flames Running Back,Erick Harris,was justone of about 60 football players to stay in town to train "The firststep was being here allsummer. The next step isdoing it on thefield," saidHarris.

Hall leadership teams used the extra two weeks before students arrived and classes started to build unity on their halls and prepare forthe upcoming year ofactivities, hallmeetings and prayergroups

Teams started training and practicing as early as Augus 1,proving theirdedication and heart was well worth thesacrifio oftheirshorter summer vacation. Bg Jaaa Tlamm

Members of the football team stretch before beginning practice The football team arrived early to begin preparingfc the season - Photo directs the Spirit of the Mountain Marching Band during a summer practice The theme of the 2004 season was "Sketchesof New York."

Dr.

Liberty University Prepares for a Record Freshman Class

H o w did Liberty University prepare fort additionof nearly4000 studentstoaseemin overflowingcampus? Freshmen making Libe r new home needed aplace tosleep and food to eat; not tionentertainment.

Mark Chabot, Theresa Dunbar andIra Richards to< challenge as they planned meals,arranged housing nized theorientationevents.

At the start ofthe school year, 4,698 students had 1plan on campus. That was549more than the previoi

Mark Chabot, Director ofOperations atReber-Thom; ing Hall, planned fortheadditional students "That 5 ra students]means that'sanextra trailertruck [offood p k]," he said. Chabot went on toexplain, "The average year had 800 piecesoffood per truck.Nowthey car ,000 That's a28% increase infoodproduct."

The dining hall staff looked atstudent surveys, consideration what studentsdid and did notlikein plai enu tosatisfythestudents' growingappetites

With the addition of thirteen new resident h pus East,the Housing Office was able toofferthem, students a two-person room.

Theresa Dunbar, Housi ctor,said,"We've always wanted to beable to say wejus ttwo toaroom." Freshmen flocked toCampus East where were guaranteed only one roommate andother attractive nities.

IraRichards and Chris Misiano,responsible forStudent ivities, wanted thefirst week oforientationtobea memorable for the Freshman. "There's a whole lot ofplanning we for theFreshmen," said Richards, "Everything's new fi W e pullout all the stops."

The biggest event oftheweek wastheannual Block "y The eventwas for allstudentstoenjoyand came thenight re the firstday of classesand was, ". about kicking offthe olyear with abang,"Misianosaid.

The 'bang' was felt allovercampus aseveryone playeda inwelcoming thelargestFreshman classtohelp them make rtytheirnew home Bg Radd PouitH

A student works his wayto the top of the rockclimbing wall set upfor the Block Party. After hours of games and activities,fireworks followed the Tait concert PhotobyDeannaWall

Dorm 8 hitsthe streetson the Tuesday before classes started,canvassing the cafeteria and Block Party The guysleft no stone unturned intheir quest to save their friend -Submitted byDougBender

Zach Wilkinson and stand together at the football game. Thanks to hisfriends, Wilkinson was able to remain atLiberty -PhotobyRachel Pick

One Student'sNeed Unites the Entire Campus ^

It started with one person in need. Soon, two residence halls joined forces to help a friend What developed was an example of the unity and family atmosphere exemplified by Liberty University.

Zach Wilkinson had just arrived on campus but was facing thereality of packing up and heading home because he did not have the funds to remain atLiberty. Wilkinson had one day to come up with $3000 it would take for him toremain at school.

"They [Liberty University] had helped me as much as they could," Wilkinson explained "I was praying about it and trying tofinda way and then the guys on my hallgot together and we prayed."

Wilkinson's 'brothers'from Dorm 8 laidhands on him and prayed for an answer to hisproblem. Then they decided to get involved. They made tshirtsand developed the slogan, "3K by Wednesday" Their idea was toraise the money by asking students togivewhat they could.

Charlie Bussey,Dorm 8's SLD (Spiritual Life Director),organized the group and collected the money that was brought in Wilkinson's sister dorm, 19-2,joined the cause and helped collectmoney aswell

Fancy Dillard, one ofthegirls from Wilkinson's sisterdorm, said,"The unity ofthe brother dorm encouraged me to help."

It took only one day toraisethe $3000 thatwas needed forWilkinson remain on campus Donationscame in all sizes, from sparechange toa $160 contribution Only three of those collecting money knew Wilkinson from last year.The resthad only known him fora few days,but that didn't stop any of them from gettinginvolved Strangers contributed without knowing him at all Ittook one person with a problem to unite twenty essential strangers who formed a bond stronger than any campus activity would havebuilt

"It was coolthatwe gottoseea miraclehappen It strengthened all our faithand we gottokeep a great friend,"Bussey said

Wilkinson was quick to offer his gratitude to the brothers and sisters who united to help him in those first few days of the semester, but he also acknowledged the sovereignty of God as the biggest factor allowing him to stay

"It's all God's grace;that'sthebiggestthing,"he said Marcus Gaines, one of Wilkinson's friendsand brothers from Dorm 8 reported that Wilkinson received more than justthe $3000 he needed. "He got 10% more than what he needed - enough totitheand that'sexactly what he did." Bg RaetdPateM