Approximately 400 new students are expected to arrive on the Freed-Hardeman University campus Saturday, Aug. 13, for a week of making new friends, learning about their new home-away-from-home, worship and service, and planned and impromptu recreational activities.
Leading them through all these new experiences will be a 36-person team of current FHU students. Interface coordinators Julie Gann, a junior kinesiology major from Harvest, Ala., and Patrick Frans, a senior youth ministry major from Mount Juliet, have chosen a theme, organized the team and planned activities.
Among the students assisting with Interface is LeighAnne Dugger, of Henderson. Dugger is earning Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
The following students will also serve as Interface directors this year: Brooke Roberts, Connor McAlister, Emily Christensen, Elijah Brewer Jr., Jacob Pollard and Noah Stuart.
Gann and Frans have dubbed the 2022 edition of Interface “Ohana,” a Hawaiian word loosely translated as “family.” “We decided that since ‘Ohana’ means family, and family means no one gets left behind, it sums up what Freed-Hardeman is as a school, community and people. We are welcoming the freshmen class to an unfamiliar environment. They are probably really scared and nervous for this new phase in life,” Gann said. “Interface is all about taking away the fear and unfamiliarity of college life.”
“The theme conveys that, number one, we are God’s family, and we will take care of one another and, two, we are a family here at Freed-Hardeman who love each other and feel at home here.” Franz explained. “We want the freshmen to come in and feel God’s love and that they are a part of His family and that as the week goes on, they will feel a part of the FHU family and call this place home.”
The fun begins Saturday evening with Interface opening ceremonies, followed by a luau. The day will conclude with a campus devotional in the Commons and dorm musters for an introduction to residence hall life.
The next week will feature a service project consisting of students packing 31,000 food packets for hungry children. In conjunction with the Kids Against Hunger Project, FHU students will fill the packets. Healing Hands International will ship 6,000 meals to Honduras and 25,000 meals to Ukrainian refugees.
Other events include a float trip down the Buffalo River, a concert at Besso’s, Interface Olympics at Mid-South Youth Camp and a carnival hosted by University Program Council. Students will also have numerous opportunities to worship together.
The semester officially begins Wednesday, Aug. 17, when classes start, and the new academic year is ushered in with the annual Tolling of the Bell.
The mission of Freed-Hardeman University is to help students develop their God-given talents for His glory by empowering them with an education that integrates Christian faith, scholarship and service. With locations in Henderson, Memphis and Dickson, FHU offers bachelor’s, master’s, specialist’s and doctoral degrees. More information is available at http://fhu.edu.
