UMO Gears up for Another Great Year
MOUNT OLIVE – The University of Mount Olive was a flurry of activity over the weekend as more than 265 new freshmen arrived on campus for move-in day. According to Vice President for Enrollment Dr. Barbara Kornegay, this year’s freshmen class is evenly distributed with 50 percent male and 50 percent female.
“Seventy-nine of the class of 2021 students are first generation college attendees,” she added.
In addition to freshmen, about 95 or more new transfer students have enrolled, swelling the UMO undergraduate traditional population to over 1,030. Nearly 60% of those students will reside on campus.
Thanks to the addition of one new residential housing unit in Kerstetter Commons, this will be the first year in long time that a housing shortage does not seem to be an issue for the University.
“Our campus housing continues to be an excellent option for students and we now boast some of the most competitive facilities in the state,” said Dr. W. Dan Sullivan, Jr., Vice President for Student Affairs. “Over the last few years, we have spent considerable resources to renovate our more traditional halls while continuing to expand on apartment style facilities with expanded amenities for our upper-class students. This continues to be a high priority for the University as we attract more students from out of state and internationally.”
While the majority of UMO students still hail from North Carolina, the number of out-of-state students account for 27 percent of the overall traditional student population. At least 45 new international students will call Mount Olive home this year, many of those will be student athletes.
“Due to the variety of academic programs and the many athletic opportunities for students at UMO, we continue to attract a broad range of new students from North Carolina, out of state and from abroad,” Kornegay added.
University of Mount Olive President Dr. David L. Poole said, “We have an outstanding group of new freshman students who are ready to begin studies in their respective fields. During freshman orientation activities, it’s clear that this group has a heart for service and will be a solid addition to UMO and the broader Mount Olive community. This is an exciting time in the life of the University and a great year to be part of the Trojan Nation.”
Classes for traditional students at the University start on Tuesday, August 21.
In addition to its traditional program, the University continues to expand its educational opportunities at its other educational centers throughout the region for nontraditional students using its one-night-a-week degree program format. The University also has seen significant growth in its online degree programs for nontraditional and graduate students.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, in Smithfield at Johnston Community College, and online. For more information, visit www.umo.edu.
Dr. David L. Poole talks to the incoming freshmen prior to having their group photo taken in front of the Alumni Cross Walk.
More than 265 new freshmen arrived in Mount Olive on Saturday for UMO’s Freshmen Move-In Day.
Dr. and Mrs. Poole greet and talk with parents and student in the residence halls during Freshmen Move-in Day on Saturday.
Dr. David L. Poole shakes hands with incoming freshman Jordan “Jay” Crandall during Freshmen Move-in Day on Saturday.