Union University’s annual Welcome Week, held on Aug. 12-16, introduced 409 new students to the Jackson campus for the 2021-2022 academic year.
The group of 356 freshmen and 53 transfer students is the largest Union has admitted since 2018, and the figure is an increase of 43 students from the previous admission in 2020. Out of the 409 new students, 250 are female and 158 are male, resulting in a class makeup more gender-diverse than all other currently enrolled classes as well as the student body average. Tennessee residents constitute 244 students; 156 come from out-of-state, and eight are international.
“It’s really cool to see that after a hard year at admissions,” said Jodee George, a senior marketing major and admissions student ambassador. “We weren’t even sure if Union was going to exist after COVID. So many people were leaving and didn’t come back—and that’s completely understandable. Having a complete 180 this year has just been like ‘wow, our hard work has paid off.’ The Lord has been great, and we get to be together again.”
“What’s so fascinating is that you can’t pinpoint it. It’s not just one school or one group. It’s a wide variety of different things that God uses to draw students here,” said Connie Teel, director of enrollment operations.
On July 22, Union University announced plans for normal campus activity to resume for the year. Co-curricular and extra-curricular events are included in the policy.
“Our audience is very appreciative of the fact that our leadership at Union is doing their dead-level best to give students as normal a college experience as possible in these trying days,” said Robbie Graves, assistant vice president for undergraduate admissions. “People notice that. They appreciate that, and they are coming here because of it.”
At the time of publication, the student activities council, greek life and intramurals are open to freshman recruitment. Other campus organizations and clubs will recruit throughout the fall semester.
“There’s a lot going on. There’s a lot of campus life, which is good. It’s been an exciting experience—especially because I came from an online experience—so it’s very different,” said Travis Kershner, a freshman applied linguistics major. “It’s been very good. It’s strong. There are a lot of different groups to choose from, and a lot of different activities to do. There’s been plenty for students to choose from, enjoy and keep themselves busy with.”
“I would so recommend that they take advantage of every opportunity,” Teel said. “Take advantage of all the opportunities given. Show up for chapel and for classes. Go to Cobo. Put yourself out there—it’s so worth it.”
