1.2 New Student Orientation

2. So one Wednesday in late August, they and their parents got in a car in south Florida and started driving north. A day and a smidge later, they pulled onto the campus, turning up a steady incline, over a river and up into its beautiful stone campus. Most of the buildings donned stone from the nearby riverbed, a remnant of a previous era of scarcity.

During the first world war there had been a shortage of brick. But someone had the idea of using stone from the river to build what would become the central building. It turned out so well that all future buildings were made with the stone.

The college itself was founded in 1867 just after the Civil War, when the Erie Canal was still going strong. There were visions of tributary canals reaching out over the state and the emergence of trading towns bustling with prosperity. Unfortunately for these dreamers, the railroad soon dashed all their hopes, leaving the small hamlet of Culloden isolated in the beautiful hills of western New York.

In the mid-twentieth century it had grown to the size of 1200, and had largely stayed the same until the great recession, which led it to think deep and hard about its identity. It was long known for its demanding academics and Christian faith and had no interest in becoming a large university. But when it dipped to 1000, its board and leaders went into creative mode. Within five years they were back to their desired spot and now have to turn students away each year.

3. They turned into campus to find a group of enthusiastic students cheering and jumping at the sight of their car. A quick stop amid the students and they were directed across the river to their respective residence halls. Lucy was in Deborah Hall, named after the woman who led Israel into battle in Judges 4. Mac was in Maxwell Hall, named after the great Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell. Following an old tradition, men and women lived in different halls, although they were allowed to visit each other's rooms until midnight.

They were early enough to get into their dorms and dawdle a little at the Information Fair before lunch. Lucy and Mac perused a variety of clubs, churches, banks, and volunteer opportunities nearby. The cafeteria had been an important part of Lucy's visit day back in the spring. She had followed the normal process of admission, including a trip to campus. She had liked the cafeteria--you could steer clear of the starch if you wanted, some good veggie options, pizza and ice cream as needed.

Mac had not come for the visit. He had used a track meet as an excuse. His parents had pushed him to apply just in case, although he really had no intention at the time. He was as surprised to be there as anyone...

4. At one o'clock parents and young people separated for the first time...