THE PREMIERE OF AUN FRESHMEN WEEK: FEATURING DR.MARGEE ENSIGN & HER +TEAM
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| AUN President Margee Ensign is received by Rwandan President, Paul Kagame in Kigali. |
“Today is the Day thy Lord has Made Lets Rejoice and be Glad in it” Those Prayerful words could best be described on the 3rd Sunday of the Week in August 2011 on the Dance Step in Church as the Freshmen Adventure at the AUN Beckons…if that was a title of a Movie in Nigeria am sure it would be a Block-Buster; one whose detailed activities you would not like to miss if they were sold in Parts…So Grab a Copy Now!!! The Heavens opened to a wonderful weather with a Bright Spark of what is expected at the Greener Campus of the AUN with intensive security details as Residential Life Officers ,the ‘New FBI’ at the Gate and Members of the AUN Community Life barely had a Sleep as they work all Night and over weeks in Preparedness of “Successful Sunday” permit me to tag it as that cos my Joy knows no Bound to welcome you to highly anticipated Countdown of the Freshmen Week by the Dr.Margee Ensign Led Administration whose Present Administration as shown Nigerians that a World Class Education can be achieved in Nigeria and not just in Nigeria but a Semi-Urban area in Yola-South Local Government of Adamawa State in Nigeria. A woman I would best describe as a “Creative Trouble-Maker and Change Maker” recently received this year’s Distinguished Leadership Award in Educational Excellence, bestowed by the African Leadership magazine, based in the United Kingdom. The award was conferred in London on Sunday, July 31, during a special ceremony attended by the cream of the political and business class in Nigeria and the UK. More Brown Sugar to your Coffee…My Boss and Mentor and to the Exceptional Leadership of Dr.Byron Bullock,VP Enrollment Management & Dean of Student Affairs; a man with a Big Heart who recently celebrated his Birthday also with Charity shows the level of AUN commitment to community engagements. The Student Affairs, Public Relations & Communication, Security, Alumni, Information Technology and other Departments in the University has a greater responsibilities to play. Permit me to borrow the words of 'Mr. President’ a Breath of Fresh Air and Transformational Agenda at the American University of Nigeria in Fall 2011 will leave many doubting Thomases in Shock. They Welcome you to where students’ dream become Africa’s Future…Ok Enough of the Turenchi! Let me share with you Nigerian’s Bulletin Countdown to the Freshmen Week… Read on
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| D.S.A Dr.Byron Bullock Birthday with Charity |
Nigerian Bulletin: American University of Nigeria Resumption Bells Tolls
The countdown to the third week of August begins at the American University of Nigeria, Yola. New students, families and friends of freshmen will also partake in this new ambiance of a serene campus. As the program schedule for the kick-off of the August 14 orientation exercise nears perfection, it’s worth noting that the August 2011 Orientation is essentially significant as it comes at an auspicious moment when the university is undergoing a transformation in all spheres.
Barely a year in office as President of AUN, Dr Margee Ensign, has literally reworked the fields, equipped the schools with capacity, and enhanced teamwork in the University community. Sooner than later, returning students will marvel at the greener campus with more study-abroad opportunities. They will marvel also at the worth of new deans and faculties, plus the turnaround maintenance that is going on both campuses.
For freshmen, it will be a first encounter with the concept of service with attitude before the classroom experience proper. This novel activity will see them engage in community service and imbibe new ways of thinking outside of the box. It will also help them appreciate the sophistication of the real world.
The week-long orientation is an opportunity for fresh students to be immersed in the values and culture of AUN; the orientation is an opportunity for fresh students to be immersed in the positive values which are embedded in the University’s founding philosophy. These values include, but are not limited to, integrity, transparency and academic honesty. They are also expected to imbibe the culture of the university as well as life skills that will be part and parcel of their future.
On Sunday, August 14, enrollment begins for freshmen after which there will be a tour of Yola town. After the sign-up at Day One, enrollment continues on Monday, August 15, with the collection of the ceremonial dress (the initiation/matriculation gown). There will be a formal meeting of new students with the Resident Assistants (in the evening,) in their respective dormitories. There will also be another tour of Yola while a team game will be played in the evening.
These events will precede the formal welcome by the President, academic Deans and Faculty (on the August 16 morning) and then there will be two seminars conducted simultaneously. One will focus on the American-style Education (for parents) and the other will address life at AUN (for students). The students’ seminar will include talks on Safety and Security on campus, Residence, Athletics, Health, Career Services, Community Service, Big D, Advising and Study Abroad.
Other events lined up for the orientation week include seminars that will help the new students interact with one another, plus the guidance and counseling class on how to approach the degree program. That event will end with a rehearsal of the matriculation procession.
The matriculation comes up on Wednesday, August 17 with the special guest, His Excellency Terence P. McCulley, who is the US Ambassador to Nigeria giving the inaugural speech. Two placement tests in Mathematics and Writing will follow for all new students. This is a traditional practice at AUN where every new student takes the written tests to determine his/her strength in both subjects. The outcome usually helps determine where to place a student in class for further mentoring.
After the tests, students (with their parents) are treated to a dinner as guests of the University President, Dr. Margee Ensign.
On Thursday morning, there will be a discussion with current students as well as Advising/Registration workshop. Usually, a motivational speaker is invited to address all new students. This is scheduled to hold by mid-day. Also outlined for Thursday is a seminar on Drugs and Rock & Roll.
It’s a health talk specifically on drug and partying, which is a common feature of student life. Team sports on the various sporting activities at AUN will also feature. There will be other events like Scavenger Hunt, chat on general health, course registration, Students Serving Society, Club Showcase, Water Polo Game, library orientation, ‘Pool Party’ (party by the pool), Student Government Association (SGA) and the alumni welcome party and other social activities.
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| Madam President with the Class of 2014 |
The week-long program will wind up with the traditional American barbeque on Monday, August 22, 2011, while normal classes to kick-start the academic calendar for the juniors will begin the following day .
Story written by Chaste Inegbedion, Nigerian Bulletin credit to YouTube videos.
1 comment:
AUN Coordinator of Advising, Ms. Meagan A. McKee, challenged students across the three schools of learning in the institution to strive to become active participants in their educational goals.
http://www.americanuniversitynigeria.org/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=414%3Astudents-tasked-with-fresh-approach-to-studies&catid=15%3Aaun-news&Itemid=17
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