Over 150 Freshmen Attend Second Mississippi College Summer Orientation

Photo: Doug Olienyk and his daughter, incoming Mississippi College freshman Jessica Olienyk, 17, of Van Buren, Arkansas, wrapped up a two-day MC orientation on June 5.

Jessica Olienyk traveled more than six hours from Van Buren, Arkansas to pursue her dreams of playing volleyball, studying psychology and building lasting friendships at Mississippi College.

Joining the Fellowship of Christian Athletes on the Clinton campus is another top priority, Jessica said as she wrapped up her two-day MC orientation in early June.

“I’ve met a lot of great people and feel more at ease here,” Jessica said Friday morning. “I like the atmosphere of the school – it’s so much different than the others.”

The Arkansan was among 156 MC freshmen on the Clinton campus for non-stop orientation sessions – from athletic breakfasts to informal gatherings for slices of watermelon on the Quad.

Sandwiched in-between were informative sessions on financial aid, trips to the campus bookstore, an overnight stay in residence halls and meetings with professors.

Jessica’s dad, Doug Olienyk, joined her for the journey from the Natural State. There were sessions designed for parents on how to help their freshmen cope with college life, build their faith and explore career options.

“This is really family,” Doug Olienyk said before making the long drive back to their home near Fort Smith, Arkansas. “It’s not so big.”

An all-region volleyball defensive specialist in Van Buren, Jessica can’t wait to start playing for the MC Lady Choctaws this fall. She’s equally focused on what’s ahead career-wise. “I’m thinking of going into missions. Maybe that’s where God will call me to be.”

Olienyk will be the first in her family to attend Mississippi College. Jessica and her parents heard positive things about the Baptist-affiliated university from First Baptist Mulberry Church pastor Kevin White and his wife, Vicki. The two Arkansans are proud Mississippi College graduates.

Other freshmen in the MC Class of 2019 didn’t travel nearly as far for orientation.

Madison resident Audrey Bennett was first introduced to Mississippi College when she saw the MC Singers perform at her middle school choir camp a few years ago.

A member of a student choir at Madison Central High School, Audrey says she would love to join the MC Singers and will pursue a tryout this fall.

Emily Hankins of Oxford and Abby George of Madison are both excited to begin their studies as new freshmen at Mississippi College, although it will require lots of late nights hitting the books. Both plan to become nursing students.

Wrapping up summer orientation on June 5, freshmen Preston Broadhead and Todd Goodwin, both of Locust Fork, Alabama, north of Birmingham, are eager to return to MC in mid-August for football practice. The MC Choctaws open the 2015 football season with a home game September 5 against Texas College.

Mississippi College’s Office of Student Life will host a third summer orientation for incoming freshmen July 9-10.