Another Year

Last night we were blessed to host the new students for the annual president's cookout. LaRee and I are so impressed with the new students God has blessed us with. Now starts the long process of trying to learn all their names. As usual, we made several mistakes for those we have met before, but they are gracious in correcting us. It is interesting to put a face with the name of students called during the summer and to reacquaint with some who made campus visits last year. Of course, they all expect me to remember the individual conversation which is beyond the capacity of my memory. I appreciate that they are all so gracious in forgiving my lack of recall for all those details. However, we will soon get to know each other on a more personal level and become the York College family which recreates and renews each and every year.

​Even though it is early, everyone we talked to seemed to be finding their place. We have the usual few who are homesick and some who still wonder about this place and whether they have made the right decision. Saturday night Sam Garner gave his first devotional talk to over 200 students. Last night Justin Carver did the same. Both got a great response. We are off to a great start and I sense a deeper spirituality and great leadership from this group. There are many who come with a deep faith in God and some who don't know that relationship. Our mission is to give them the opportunity to make and strengthen that connection.

What a great place to be. Those of us who attended here in years past remember it with fondness, almost romantically (and for some of us, romance was a big part of the experience). It is gratifying to see that we re able to pay forward that experience to new generations. York College is stronger, healthier financially, and has the opportunity to be more spiritual than ever. All this is due to God who continues to bless us. I think I had more parents comment on the fact they feel good about leaving their kids here because they know we care about them.

We have challenged the faculty and staff to be relentlessly intentional this year about our mission, who we are and what we do here. York College always has been and always will be about relationships; with God, with faculty and staff, with students. The growth and strength of our academic programs is making the experience even better.

Returning students come on Tuesday. Classes and chapel begin on Tuesday. At that point we will "settle in" to a regular schedule. But there will be nothing regular about this year. We have more activities planned and more spiritual emphasis than ever before.

Go Panthers!