Freshmen IGNITE in preparation for college

  Health+Behavior  

They converged on campus the third week of September full of anticipation, excitement, and nervousness – approximately 375 young people about to embark on their college career as La Sierra University freshmen.

La Sierra University freshmen with the Golden Eagles athletics mascot during freshmen IGNITE Sept. 16-18. (Photos by Natan Vigna)
La Sierra University freshmen with the Golden Eagles athletics mascot during freshmen IGNITE Sept. 16-18. (Photos by Natan Vigna)
The famed IGNITE 'Hello Walk'! Hundreds of freshmen do the fist-bump with La Sierra administrators, faculty and staff beginning with university President Randal Wisbey, center.
The famed IGNITE 'Hello Walk'! Hundreds of freshmen do the fist-bump with La Sierra administrators, faculty and staff beginning with university President Randal Wisbey, center.
Freshmen fill La Sierra University Church for an IGNITE worship service.
Freshmen fill La Sierra University Church for an IGNITE worship service.
The large-scale version of 'Hungry Hippos,' a test in team playing and a load of fun.
The large-scale version of 'Hungry Hippos,' a test in team playing and a load of fun.

But before classes began, they were required to engage in a La Sierra start-of-school tradition designed to reduce jitters, forge friendships and gain knowledge that will help them better navigate the unfamiliar world of university life. They were required to IGNITE.

The annual three-day IGNITE event, culminating the summer freshman orientation process of registration and advising, was this year held Sept. 16-18 on the La Sierra campus. Freshmen were divided into ‘family groups’ led by 100 current students who served as mentors, guides and information resources. They participated in team-building games, attended workshops on how to succeed in college, fist-bumped faculty, staff, administrators and students during the famed Hello Walk, ate pancakes and joined together in worship services.

Games, such as a large-scale human version of Hungry Hippos, a water balloon toss, tug-of-war, and a kind of relay race called ‘Late for School’ involving quick changes of outerwear were held on Founders’ Green Sept. 17 along with a President’s BBQ. Several students paused to talk about their experiences.

“They should let us sleep in more,” quipped Kyle Hamilton, a freshman from Corona who will play on La Sierra’s Golden Eagles basketball team this year. When asked about his impressions of La Sierra University, Hamilton responded, “Everyone here is very nice and very sociable. It’s the right group for me.”

“It’s beautiful. The campus is so beautiful and the people are so nice,” said Christian Kolleh, a freshman arrival from Rogers, Minn. He is rooming with his sister, Pailah, who is a graduate student at Loma Linda University. Christian also liked La Sierra’s freshman orientation process which is offered on several days rather than crammed into one event, he said, and was a deciding factor in his selection of La Sierra.

“The music department is so amazing and I like how the professors put in a lot of time [with the students],” said Loma Linda Academy graduate and La Sierra music major Michaela Reid. She also likes La Sierra’s close proximity to Los Angeles and the professional music industry.

Sydney Gilbert, also a new LLA alum and now a La Sierra communications major and business minor said she came to La Sierra “for the people. I looked at a bunch of other colleges and I felt like I clicked with the people here.”

Gilbert most liked the family group experience she encountered during IGNITE. “You instantly make friends so you’re not alone,” she said. 

To view IGNITE photo albums and videos, visit www.facebook.com/LaSierraU.

← Back