2005 Miracle Yearbook

Beginning August 20 more than 900 new students arrived at Cedarville University in cars heavy with the trappings of 18-year-old lives. Cedarville Getting Started staff greeted them with Switchfoot's"Meant to Live" blaring in the parking lots; Ohio greeted them with threats of rain. Some students knew what to expect, while others, like freshman Daniel Pinkham, had never even visited Cedarville. They were all in for a very full weekend. Families settled students into their tiny rooms,took Polaroids with the bee, picked up IDs, and attended seminars on CedarNet and parenting. On Friday night the class of 2008 had its first informal gathering,complete with inflatable obstacle courses, homerun derby, golf, giant beach balls, and Nerf guns. Kristen Merkel admitted,"When I first got to the party I was overwhelmed by all of the new faces, but once I started mingling and getting to know people, it's like all the faces started coming into clear view." Saturday night, new students met their small groups and were introduced to the "5,000 Miles" tradition, among other things. Amber Cossaboom said,"The small group leaders were very helpful in answering questions about college life and classes." For the nextfew days,small group friends proved indispensable for negotiating the new world in which students found themselves eating at Chuck's and attending sessions. Sunday morning a special service allowed parents and students to worship,together one last time before saying goodbye. "It wasn't as hard as I expected it to be for me, but y family got all emotional and made it worse," Jenn Hertel said about bidding them farewell. SGA both welcomed and supported new students on Sunday night with a praise and worship time. They were in a new place and their parents had gone, but most students that night recognized that they were among family. April Hilgeman Students appreciated any help with unloading. "My mom and dad were both up here to help me move in. While my dad was doing the computer stuff and wiring everything, my mom and I set every thing else up," Brittany Donald said In line, Jacinda Gillette gets information about CedarNet."I was on crutches that weekend,so it was pretty tough," Gillette said. Alex Smith plays one of the games set up at the Early Arrival party in the Doden field house."The party was not that great, but it was cool to be able to meet people," Smith said. IMIIIIIIIIIMoscsirtsijijrjfl