MOC prepares for new school year
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on July 18, 2004 2:13 AM
MOUNT OLIVE -- College officials are making final preparations for incoming freshman and returning students at Mount Olive College.
Freshman will move in on Aug. 22. Returning students are expected to arrive on Aug. 24, and traditional classes begin in Mount Olive on Aug. 25.
Barbara Kornegay, vice president for enrollment, said overall enrollment for the college's five locations -- Mount Olive, Goldsboro, New Bern, Wilmington, and the Research Triangle Park -- is expected to reach more than 2,650 by the end of the fall semester.
College officials credit the steadily increasing enrollment to several factors, including the fact that it is rated as one of the top five least-expensive of the 35 private colleges in the state, according to studies by the North Carolina Independent College and Universities.
Other advantages of Mount Olive College are its small campus atmosphere, the personal attention students receive from the College's faculty and staff, and the availability for students to compete in 14 NCAA II athletics teams, say college officials.
Included in Mount Olive College's fall enrollment numbers will be a great deal of nontraditional students, typically working adults returning to college to obtain their degrees. Enrollment in these programs occurs every month except December and July.
The nontraditional programs give working adults the opportunity to complete their degrees while continuing their employment.
Students enter as a class, meet four hours once a week for a specified number of weeks and complete a sequence of courses toward a bachelor's degree in criminal justice administration, management and organizational development, religion, or early childhood education.
Courses are discussion-oriented, emphasizing critical thinking and research papers more than tests.
George Futrelle manager of the Duplin County Airport and recent Mount Olive graduate had this to say about the nontraditional programs:
"Mount Olive College offers the flexibility that working people need. The college is an extraordinary place. I have lived around here all my life, but I never knew what we had right here in Mount Olive."
More than 3,400 donors contributed more than $2.2 million to the college during the 2003-2004 fiscal year.
"From the maintenance crew and the cafeteria staff to all of our staff in the admissions office, registrar, bookstore, library, health services, student services and all of our faculty, every department is gearing up to make this a successful academic year for our incoming and returning students," said Dr. J. William Byrd, president. "It takes all of our individual efforts to keep the college running smoothly and efficiently."