UMO welcomes freshman class representing 21 states, 14 countries

Cousins McKenzie Millard and Courtney Howell of Pikeville were anxious to finish getting their University of Mount Olive dorm room in order — they were ready to play bingo and embark on their higher education journey.

It was a scene that played out across the UMO campus Friday, Aug. 18, as the new class of freshmen moved in. Returning students moved in Sunday, Aug. 20, and the first day of class for traditional students was Monday, Aug. 21.

The majority of this year’s freshmen class hails from 48 of North Carolina’s 100 counties. However, students from all over the world made UMO their college of choice — 342 new students from 20 states, other than N.C., and 14 countries will be among the freshman class.

Also, two sets of twins and six siblings are joining the Trojan nation.

About 60 percent of UMO’s traditional students are residential students, bringing considerable revenue to the local economy, said Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Dan Sullivan.

Millard and Howell share a story with many of their classmates as to their reasons for selecting UMO.

“Mount Olive just had everything that I was looking for,” Millard said. “I am on the softball team so that was good. It’s close to home, and it has my major (math education), and it is a small campus. I love math. I want to be a high school math teacher. For travel and school ball I played short, but I can pretty much play anywhere. I have played since I was 5.

“I have been before (to the campus), but I am a little nervous about the classes, but I am excited. Pretty much everything is out of the car, we have just got to situate the room, but other than that everything is going pretty smoothly.”

Softball practice starts Sept. 5 and the season in the spring, she said.

“I am so excited. I am looking forward to it,” Millard said. “I am excited (about the small campus) because we are able to walk everywhere. It’s bigger than home, but you’re still able to kind of get around and know where you are going.

Howell is attending UMO on a tennis scholarship.

“I like that the class sizes are small, and I like the ratio of students to teachers,” she said. “I learn better in a smaller environment. I like that it is far enough from home, but close enough to go back. I am a homebody.”

“Me, too,” Millard added.

Howell is a bio-medical major.

“I want to transfer to Campbell (University) and do pharmacy,” she said.

Both said they were excited and a little nervous, but were ready for bingo.

“I am dragging her to bingo,” Millard said. “I love bingo — I like to win.”

That is the goal, she said, adding that it probably wouldn’t happen because she doesn’t have good luck.

“We are always so glad to have students back on the UMO campus,” said Dr. Edward Croom, UMO president. “They bring with them excitement and energy. Move-in is an exciting time, but for some it can be hectic and emotional.

“Our UMO faculty, staff, and student volunteers make every effort to help make the transition as smooth as possible. They assist with the heavy lifting, offer suggestions, and provide smiles and words of encouragement to both new incoming students and their parents.

This year an array of community businesses, organizations, and churches were on had to pass out free doughnuts, lemonade, candy, coupons, Bibles, hugs and handshakes, he added.

“It is always great to have this connection between with university and the community,” Croom said. “It gives our incoming students and their families a glimpse of Southern hospitality at its finest.”

Jasmine Gattis of Greensboro chose UMO because of its solid agriculture program.

“I believe we were doing free application week, and I saw this school on the list. I applied and got in. Actually, I had been here for AgFest. I do agriculture classes, and this school stood out to me the most. I like that it is a small campus and it is very collaborative.”

She plans to major in agribusiness and eventually work in agriculture, hopefully in agronomy and sales.

“It’s kind of like a new experience because I have only ever been in Greensboro, and I haven’t really been away from my parents,” Gattis said. “So I am kind of excited to do things on my own.”

Parents, grandparents, family and friends helped student move in — including Anna Fowler’s “Anna’s Move in Trojan’s Crew.”

Fowler, her mother Amy Fowler, her boyfriend Zander Carland and his mother Sandy Carland, all from near Tabor City in Columbus County, wore dark green T-shirts with “Anna’s Move in Trojan’s Crew” printed on the front and a large “23” on the back signifying 2023.

On the back of Zander Carland’s shirt was “Boyfriend.” His mother’s shirt had “Mrs. Sandy” on the back and “Mom” was on the back of Amy Fowler’s shirt.

“Anna” was on the back of Anna Fowler’s shirt.

Anna Fowler said the T-shirts were her mother’s idea.

“She was looking up ideas and she said, ‘I think we will do it. That way if we get lost, or just to show that we are a team and just have fun with the move-in day,’” Anna Fowler said.

Amy Fowler said she isn’t sure what gave her the idea for the T-shirts.

“I don’t know,” she said. “It just came to me. It was just a random idea. I was just thinking about it and just thought it would be really cute it we had some T-shirts that we could wear and represent Anna that day.”

She started looking online and came up with the idea for the T-shirts.

‘I called one of my retired teacher friends and asked if she would do that,” she added. “She said yeah that is a great idea. I came up with the design and what is on the back.”

Anna Fowler plans to major in elementary education and eventually teach kindergarten.

“I have said I wanted to be a teacher ever since pre-K,” she said. “I said specifically a kindergarten teacher. I just feel like I am called to do it. I just love kids.

“I do feel like I have a gift to be able to teach kids and held them, especially the younger ones, K-6, that no matter what they are going through that they are loved and be a shining light — not only teach them, but also be loving when they might not get that at home.”

As a member of the Original Free Will Baptist denomination, the university’s founding denomination, Anna Fowler has often been to UMO for events.

“So, I have known this place for a long time,” she said. “Every college that I have toured and gone to, I just kept coming back to Mount Olive because it just feels like home. It has great Christian values, which I strongly believe in.

“Everybody is just so welcoming, and I feel comfortable that if I can’t be in Tabor City, I am very comfortable being in Mount Olive. I believe this is the place to go.”

Fowler said she has friends, church members and relatives who have attended UMO. Also, some members from their church live in town and have told the family they are only minutes away.

“It makes my mama’s heart feel good to know that if she were to need something, that there are people here for her,” Amy Fowler said.

Despite her background with the university Anna Fowler said she was a bit nervous and had cried some.

However, she added that everyone had been so supportive and that she had a great support system.

“But I know it is going to be OK,” she said. “I know it is going to take a few weeks, but I am really excited, but obviously there is a little bit of nervous.”

Several events, including lunch, were on schedule for Friday afternoon.

“They said we would say our goodbyes around 5 o’clock, and then I guess I will cry all of the way home,” Amy Fowler said.