Spreading our wings to welcome incoming freshmen

Taylor Clinton
The Signal
As the doors of the Student Services and Classroom Building slid open, one could feel the excitement and energy as the first potential UHCL freshmen entered the building.

The Hawk Premiere, which took place Feb. 2, was the first freshman information session on campus.

After more than 30 years of recruiting juniors, seniors and graduate students, UHCL will begin accepting its first freshman and sophomore students. Previously a two-year, upper-level university, in fall 2014 UHCL will expand to a four-year university that will introduce lower classmen into the academic community.

“This opens up doors of opportunity for those students who want the UHCL experience,” said Lori Lopez, assistant director of admissions. “Opportunities for doors to be open where they haven’t been previously.”

Inside the SSC building were booths full of smiling faces, volunteers and staff offering assistance. There was a DJ playing upbeat music and a photo opportunity with “Hawkins,” a live hawk representing UHCL’s new mascot.

Parents and prospective freshmen filed into the SSCB Lecture Hall for the welcome session. The room was so full that it quickly became standing room only.

Representatives from each school gave a preview of what exactly UHCL has to offer.

UHCL faculty and staff emphasized excellence, possibilities and integrity by talking in great detail about the success and accomplishments of their programs. They also promoted the small classroom settings that the university offers and the importance of individual success.

“The four-year initiative is an important part of UHCL’s history as well as the history of this area by giving high school graduates an opportunity to begin and complete their educational journey close to home,” said William Staples, UHCL president.

The Hawk Premier featured campus tours, parent workshops, financial aid and scholarship workshops, student services workshops, and freshmen advising and information sessions.

“I would be honored to be a part of this,” said Ashley Salter, attendee and potential freshman.

Students were not the only curious prospects who attended this event. Many parents were also interested in seeing what the university had to offer.

“I feel like with the smaller classrooms you would get a lot more personal attention and other schools lack that,” said Steve Schneider, attending father and UHCL alumnus.

Students in attendance said that they felt welcomed from those who represented the university.

Those representatives included faculty, student organizations and various student services offices on campus.

This historic event was attended by 83 potential students and their parents, families and friends.

“I feel like attendees left feeling like an individual more than a number,” Lopez said.

Faculty and staff at UHCL expressed high hopes for the possibilities that expansion will bring campus.

“By having freshmen and sophomores on campus we want to create new pathways for students in our community,” said Carl Stockton, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. “However, given the mission of UHCL, we will continue to support upper-level transfer and graduate students.”

UHCL is expecting 200 freshmen and 100 sophomores in fall 2014.

Slideshow created by The Signal reporter Dave Valdez.