This quote from T.S. Eliot often rings true on a college campus in April, when students may be experiencing a great amount of stress. Spring Break has come and gone, and with only five weeks left in the academic semester, assignments and deadlines loom large. Seniors are coping with comprehensive exams and wrapping up their Senior Study projects. Underclassmen are coping with academic demands, as well as the stress of room selection and putting together that ideal living situation. Students are looking for summer jobs in a panic, and seniors are wondering about the future. This is a good time, in particular, to support your MC student with encouraging contact, goodies and visits (if possible). If you observe that your student is especially overwhelmed, suggest contact with our staff and/or call us yourself. This is the most challenging time of year for many of our students, and we want to make sure that we are meeting their needs.
Vandy Kemp
Vice President & Dean of Students
Academics: Academic Awards Ceremony
The annual Academic Awards Ceremony recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of Maryville College students. The ceremony is a formal affair with faculty, in academic regalia, and students seated on the stage. The academic dean, Dr. Barbara Wells, presides, and academic division chairs present awards in their respective fields. In addition to individual academic awards, students are also recognized for membership in several academic honor societies, and five seniors are nominated for the Alumni Association Outstanding Senior Award. This year’s ceremony will take place on Sat., April 23 at 7 p.m. in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre. Invitations are sent to students receiving awards; however, students do not know which award they will receive until the night of the ceremony. Parents of award recipients will receive invitations soon via email.
Advancement: Tartan Tuesday
In only a few short weeks, the Maryville College community will come together to celebrate Tartan Tuesday, our first 24-hour giving challenge. On April 12, from 12 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. EST, you can participate in this historic day and show Scots Pride by making a gift of any size to a very important cause – the Maryville Fund! Be sure to check the College’s website often that day to participate in interactive challenges, and post, tweet, link and share Tartan Tuesday messages to encourage those in your social network to give. For more information, please visit the Tartan Tuesday website or contact Meghan Fagg at 865.981.8191 or by email.
Commencement 2016: Speaker Announced
Many-Bears Grinder, Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services, will deliver the commencement address to Maryville College’s Class of 2016 during a ceremony scheduled for 2:30 p.m., Sun., May 15 on the lawn between Anderson Hall and Sutton Science Center. Grinder’s address to the approximately 225 graduating seniors is “Call to Serve."
Vandy Kemp, MC vice president and dean of students, will be this year’s baccalaureate speaker on May 14. The title of her sermon is “Lessons of Love from MC and Me.” Read the press release for more details.
Academics: Summer Term 2016
The summer course schedule is available for review and will soon be open for registration according to class level. A variety of courses are offered that fulfill general education requirements, as well as those that can help move students along in their selected major. Students benefit from both the condensed format as well as the variety of class meeting times. Both foundational courses and capstone core courses are available. First-year students can use the summer term to make up any needed courses or take the opportunity to get a head start on the next year, while upper-level students can take advantage of upper-level courses, Senior Study or an internship. Please note the deeply discounted tuition for these terms. Most classes begin June 1, although some classes begin July 6 and run through Aug. 9.
Academic Support: The Final Stretch of the Spring Semester
Now that Spring Break is behind us, it’s time for students to focus on the critical time remaining in the semester. How they perform during these next six weeks will in many ways define their spring term. It’s important to remind students to focus and use their time wisely, and, when in doubt, to follow the four Tenets of MC Academic Success: 1) Stay Organized 2) Utilize Campus Resources 3) Ask for Help! 4) BE A FULL-TIME STUDENT.
We tell students, “Find what motivates you and tap into that power source for this last stretch of the academic year. You all possess the ability to succeed at the highest possible level – you just need to self-actualize and Make IT Happen!!!”
For more tips on academic success or to learn how to access the College’s numerous academic mentors, language and math tutors, Cooper Success Center Mentors, Supplemental Instruction Leaders, and MC Writing Center Consultants, students should visit with the Academic Support Center staff located in the ASC on the Garden Level of Thaw Hall.
Student Development: Leadership Awards
The Leadership Awards are approaching! The ceremony celebrates the accomplishments of students and organizations who have demonstrated excellence over the past academic year and will take place on Tues., April 26 at 7 p.m. in the Clayton Center’s Harold and Jean Lambert Recital Hall. Students being recognized for their accomplishments will be invited to the event, but all MC community members are invited to attend.
Athletics: Senior Student-Athlete Celebration
The Maryville College Athletic Department will host its 2015-16 Senior Student-Athlete Celebration at 6 p.m. on Thurs., May 5 in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre. The Scots will celebrate the accomplishments of their 62 seniors, as well as this year’s recipients of the prestigious J.D. Davis Awards and Carl H. Black Award.
Business Office: Form 1098-T, Tuition Statement
Your student’s Form 1098-T was mailed to your home address in mid-January. The Business Office provides a “Frequently Asked Questions” section on the website to assist you with this form. We will be the first to admit that the Form 1098-T is confusing because of the timing of the tuition/fee charges and the corresponding financial aid. You may automatically assume that this form is wrong, but we assure you that it is correct. The vast majority of higher education institutions use this same billing process (i.e., billings for fall semester in July, fall financial aid credited in September, billings for spring semester in December, spring financial aid credited in February), so we are not alone. A color-coded chart found on our FAQ page helps illustrate the process (#04: “Why is Box 7 checked?”).
Please do not call the Business Office to obtain copies of your 1098-T. You can access the 1098-T via this website, (click “Access My Record,” then follow the prompts). A friendly suggestion is to always keep copies of student statements (available on your student’s Self-Service account) and document the numbers that you put on your tax forms. NOTE: Please be advised that Maryville College cannot provide legal, tax or accounting advice to students or parents. We urge you to check with your tax advisor about this and other tax-related matters.
Tuition and Fees: 2016-17 Update
You should have received a letter from President Bogart announcing a 2-percent increase in tuition and fees for the 2016-2017 academic year. The increase will translate into an additional $658 on your student’s bill. Questions about financial aid, bills and/or payment schedules should be directed to staff members in our Financial Aid and Business offices.
Career Preparation: Internships & Career Center Resources
Why are MC graduates a step ahead? In a national survey of 700 employers, in industries across the board, employers viewed an internship as the single most important credential for recent college graduates. Realizing this advantage, Maryville College Works requires all students to complete a Significant Practical Experience (SPE). An SPE is anything that helps students obtain career skills such as a research project, an art performance or an internship (anticipated No. 1 choice). As part of their tuition, all students have one-on-one access to their faculty advisor as well as to our state-of-the art Career Center to help plan for an SPE. Our goal is that our students leave MC with everything necessary to be successful in whatever career path they choose.
The Career Center can assist students in finding and securing internships for the summer. The Career Center holds career workshops every week on career topics such as: job and internship search strategies, resume and cover letter writing, interviewing and LinkedIn. Encourage your students to schedule an appointment with the Career Center to help locate and apply for internships this summer. Examples of summer internship opportunities include: DENSO, Clayton, ORAU, First Tennessee, ProNova, Wesley House and many more.
Center for International Education: CIE News
Upcoming Dates & Deadlines: April 1: January/May 2017 travel study applicants will be notified about program placement and scholarships. (In 2016-17, MC is offering several travel study programs, including New Zealand, Costa Rica, the United Kingdom, India and Denmark/Sweden) April 11: Study Abroad 101: How to Make Your Study Abroad Experience Vocationally Significant? (International House) April 15: Spring 2017 semester abroad program applications and travel study confirmation forms due.
Did you know…
… that students can use an approved study abroad program as their significant practical experience as part of the Maryville College Works program? Sophomores who want to use study abroad to develop the skills necessary for the workforce should be meeting with their advisors and applying to programs now. The Center for International Education and academic mentors will help students determine how study abroad can align with and enhance their vocational goals. Here are a few great resources outlining the value of study abroad:
-Why Study Abroad? -What Statistics Show about Study Abroad and Employability
Graduating Seniors
Graduating study abroad students and international students can order a special graduation sash designed with their country's colors and flag or their study abroad country's colors and flag to wear during commencement. MC has recently approved international graduation sashes to be worn at graduation by all international students, and also by any student who has studied abroad for MC credit. The cost will go down if more students order, but we expect the cost to be $31 (including shipping) or less. Students can have a sash with multiple countries for an additional cost. To get a discount, students need to order by April 25 by emailing International House. (To order one for your son/daughter – contact us directly.) View the design options.
Summer Programs and Camps
Horizons, Maryville College’s weeklong summer youth theology program, is scheduled for June 12-17 on the MC campus. The program is designed to give rising 10th, 11th and 12th graders of any faith background the opportunity to live on campus in a small group setting while exploring how Christian faith connects to modern challenges and discovering how to make a difference in the world. The program emphasizes personal growth, as well as developing leaders for the church, school and community.
Residence Life: Closing Procedures and Summer Housing
Packing Up and Moving Out!
As the year comes to an end, and your residential student is making plans to pack up and leave for the summer, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Students are often so excited to finish final exams and leave that they forget that they are responsible for leaving their rooms tidy and clean. Rooms will be inspected, and students will be billed for any damage repairs or extra cleaning that is required.
Students are expected to vacate within 24 hours of their final exam or by 9 p.m. on Thurs., May 12.
Graduating seniors and other students who must remain for graduation must move out by 10 p.m. on Sun., May 15.
Visit the MC website for detailed information about our closing procedures, or call us at 865.981.8111 if you have questions.
Summer Housing
Housing is provided at a reasonable price for summer school students. Students interested in this option should contact the Residence Life office. There is no meal plan option during summer school.
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This quote from T.S. Eliot often rings true on a college campus in April, when students may be experiencing a great amount of stress. Spring Break has come and gone, and with only five weeks left in the academic semester, assignments and deadlines loom large. Seniors are coping with comprehensive exams and wrapping up their Senior Study projects. Underclassmen are coping with academic demands, as well as the stress of room selection and putting together that ideal living situation. Students are looking for summer jobs in a panic, and seniors are wondering about the future. This is a good time, in particular, to support your MC student with encouraging contact, goodies and visits (if possible). If you observe that your student is especially overwhelmed, suggest contact with our staff and/or call us yourself. This is the most challenging time of year for many of our students, and we want to make sure that we are meeting their needs.
The annual Academic Awards Ceremony recognizes the outstanding academic achievement of Maryville College students. The ceremony is a formal affair with faculty, in academic regalia, and students seated on the stage. The academic dean, Dr. Barbara Wells, presides, and academic division chairs present awards in their respective fields. In addition to individual academic awards, students are also recognized for membership in several academic honor societies, and five seniors are nominated for the Alumni Association Outstanding Senior Award. This year’s ceremony will take place on Sat., April 23 at 7 p.m. in the Clayton Center for the Arts’ Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre. Invitations are sent to students receiving awards; however, students do not know which award they will receive until the night of the ceremony. Parents of award recipients will receive invitations soon via email.
