Spring is a time of mixed feelings for me. On the one hand, the trees blooming around campus are spectacular, but at the same time, they trigger the seasonal allergies that I didn’t have until moving here. Those mixed feelings extend to the end of the academic year. The 2016-17 year is ending, and it has been another wonderful time at Maryville College. Good work has been done in the classroom, lab, concert hall and playing field, and students have been challenged to discover their potential and take steps to achieve it. However, I miss the students during the summer.
Our graduating seniors are preparing to take that next big step into the workforce or graduate school, while other students are dispersing for their own unique adventures. No one dares look too far ahead, though, because there are still papers to write, presentations to prepare and exams to complete.
It is an incredible privilege to be part of the Maryville College community. You have entrusted us with your most precious resource – your children – and we are mindful of that responsibility at all times. I am the parent of a current college student myself, so I am familiar with the joys and difficulties of helping her develop independence while counting on professors and staff to also have her best interests in mind. Recently, she pointed out to me that she was almost halfway through her four years, which amazed us both with how quickly it all goes.
I wish all of the graduates fantastic success and count on hearing from them as alumni. Their accomplishments as they “dedicate a life of creativity and service to the peoples of the world” are the true legacy of all we do here. I wish all of the returning students a refreshing summer and look forward to welcoming them back in August. Thank you for being part of the Maryville College community.
Students moving out of a residence hall must officially complete the check-out process. Students must either personally check-out with a member of the hall staff or turn in their key in an express checkout envelope. All personal possessions must be removed from the room before a student can complete the check-out process. Improper check-out will result in a $25 fine. The check-out process is explained, in detail, on our website.
Residence halls close for underclassmen at 9 p.m. on Thurs., May 18. Exceptions to this policy will be made on an individual basis by the Residence Life Office and will be subject to a $15 guest fee per night. All requests for exceptions must be made by 5 p.m. Thurs., May 11. Graduating seniors are allowed to stay in the residence halls until 9 a.m. on Mon., May 22. Seniors who are still here after 9 a.m. will be charged an automatic $25 improper check-out fee, and an automatic express check-out will be assumed by the student at that point.
For more information, please visit the MC website or call the Residence Life Office at 865.981.8192.
Residence Life: Summer Housing
Summer 2017 rooms will be available from Wed.,May 24 at 1 p.m. until Fri., Aug. 11 at 9 p.m. Students will need to notify the Residence Life Office if they need housing before or after these dates. If students need housing between spring finals and May 24, they will stay in their current room and must plan to move into their summer housing assignment between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m. on May 24, unless otherwise notified or approved. This date is non-negotiable and is based solely on the housekeeping schedule. If students are unable to move on May 24, they will need to find other arrangements for housing between the end of finals and the date they wish to move into their summer space. At the end of the summer, moving to fall housing spaces will happen as rooms are cleaned and become available. Please visit the “Summer Housing” section of the “Housing Applications” page for more information.
Student Development: Finals Breakfast
Finals Breakfast is an annual tradition at MC. On the first night of final exams, all MC students are invited to Pearsons Hall for a late-night breakfast, served by MC faculty and staff. This semester’s Finals Breakfast will be held on Mon., May 15 from 10-11 p.m.
Following the Major Declaration Fair in March, first-year students who have declared a major begin to build new connections in the department of their chosen field of study. For some students, the same first-year advisor remains the major advisor because of the particular discipline chosen. However, in most cases, the student is introduced to a new faculty advisor who will guide them throughout the remainder of their college career.
Depending on the discipline, new majors may have been invited to a welcome luncheon or a special meeting or celebration for new students in a particular major. In all cases, the student should have met with the new advisor in April for two purposes. First, the new advisor will want to get to know the new advisee and review their college experience thus far, including academic performance, career preparation plans and extracurricular interests. Second, in preparation for the advising meeting, the student will have begun planning for coursework in the sophomore year, and the advisor will lend guidance regarding choice and sequence of courses. Students might also discuss with the new advisor possible minors or summer work and volunteer opportunities. As rising sophomores, students will begin to be socialized into the academic and professional norms of the various fields of study they have chosen.
This process of developing their professional identity in a chosen discipline occurs very intentionally through continued foundational coursework in the major, as well as opportunities to get to know upper-class students in the major. In some departments, for example, there are end-of-year social events and celebrations for department faculty and students. Other departments may host alumni panel events where current students meet graduates in their majors and learn about their professional careers in the chosen discipline. The transition from freshman year to sophomore year is a great time to talk with your student about their developing identity as a college student and a young professional.
Senior Barbecue
Parents of graduating seniors, please remind your student to attend MC's annual Senior Barbecue on May 19 at noon at McArthur Pavilion. Sponsored by the MC Alumni Association, the barbecue allows seniors to mingle with MC classmates, faculty, staff and alumni. Graduates will receive their senior gift from the Alumni Association at this event -- be sure to ask your student about the gift!
Post Office: Reminder
It’s almost time for students to pack up their belongings and leave campus. Students will leave campus during the week of May 15 -- please keep this in mind when sending mail or packages. The Maryville College Post Office has no control over how long it takes for mail to get to campus, and students will need to pick up all mail before they leave for the summer.
Business Office: Billing Statements
Student billing statements for Fall 2017 will be available via Self-Service in early July 2017. To be assured that the courses for which they are registered remain active and to avoid a late fee, student accounts must be settled by Tues., Aug. 1. Now is the time to enroll in the Monthly Payment Plan and divide tuition and other expenses into 12 (first payment on June 5) or 10 (first payment on Aug. 5) smaller monthly payments, spread over the school year. You can access the online financial aid system to see your specific financial aid package and cost worksheet.
Athletics: Adidas Store
Make plans now to upgrade your orange and garnet attire with official MC Adidas-branded gear! This flash store was designed specifically for fans and parents of our Fighting Scots. The online store will be active until May 10. Go Scots!
Athletics: Presidents Cup
Following the conclusion of the 2016-17 season of USA South Athletic Conference competition, MC has claimed the USA South Men's Presidents Cup. This is the first USA South Presidents Cup of any kind for the Scots. Read more on mcscots.com.
Registrar's Office: Summer Courses
Summer school is a good way to catch up or get ahead on credit hours and/or course requirements! Students can register online for summer courses through May 12. After that date, students can still register prior to June 1 but must use the Schedule Adjustment Form with an advisor signature. (Advisor approval is always necessary whether students register via Self-Service or paper registration form.)
Students planning to take summer classes elsewhere need pre-approval to do so. They should process the Transfer Credit Pre-Approval Form, which requires an advisor and division chair approval (course transferability and acceptance for fulfillment of core or major requirement) and is kept on file in the Registrar’s Office until the official transcript is received from the other school.
The Senior Rites of Passage is an online “course” graduating seniors complete in The Tartan from May 8-17. Students will receive an email on Mon., May 8 with instructions for accessing the course, which will include information related to Commencement activities, as well as items students need to complete (such as returning library books, exit interviews for student loans, the graduate placement survey and resolving any outstanding fines). Questions about the Senior Rites of Passage can be directed to Denise Cantrell.
Career Center News
The Maryville College Career Center is excited to learn about the plans of graduating seniors. Graduating students will be asked to take a survey reporting jobs, internships and grad school plans for after graduation. Please encourage your students to provide feedback to the Career Center and report successes. If your student doesn’t have plans to work and intern this summer, please refer him or her to the Career Center for assistance. Don't forget -- the Career Center and its resources are still available to MC students after they graduate!
President's Office: Commencement Information
Baccalaureate and Commencement services are scheduled for Sun., May 21. Dr. Frances Henderson, associate professor of political science, will deliver this year’s baccalaureate sermon at 10 a.m. in the Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre of the Clayton Center. Jack Spencer ’65, retired president, Public Health Management Systems, Inc., will deliver the Commencement address, scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on the Anderson Hall lawn. For details about the day, please visit the MC website.
Advancement: Tartan Tuesday
Thank you for your support of Maryville College on Tartan Tuesday, MC’s annual 24-hour giving challenge! With 555 donors, we exceeded the 500-donor challenge – securing $67,500 in challenge gifts – for a grand total of $172,228.79 raised in only 24 hours. All gifts benefit the Maryville Fund, which supports MC’s most pressing needs and makes highly personalized, transformational experiences possible for MC students. You made a powerful statement about what the MC community can do when it comes together! There’s still time to make a gift to the Maryville Fund before our fiscal year ends - please visit the MC website or call 865.981.8191 to make your year-end gift by May 15.
Student Development: Family Weekend 2017
Save the Date! Family Weekend 2017 will be held Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 on campus. Held in the fall of each year, Family Weekend provides an opportunity for parents and families of Maryville College students to participate in the life of the campus. Hotels in the Maryville/Alcoa area fill up quickly, so we recommend making reservations early. Visit the MC website for a list of nearby hotels, and when making reservations, ask if the hotel offers a discounted rate for MC. The weekend schedule will be available in early August, so stay tuned for more details! If you have questions about Family Weekend, please call Student Development at 865.981.8213.
Center for International Education: News
If your son or daughter was selected to go on one of our 2017/2018 Travel Study Programs or a Spring 2018 semester program, here are a few things to do this summer:
Students should get/renew a passport. Be sure to double-check the expiry date of a current passport. Passports must have at least six months of validity of the return date of the study abroad program.
Visit the CDC Travel website to see what the recommendations are for vaccinations.
We will be emailing students an invoice outlining remaining payments for Travel Study Programs. The next payment will be due on Sept. 1 ($2,000) and the final payment will be due Oct. 1 (remaining balance minus any scholarship funds received).
Students should start learning about the culture of the place they are planning to travel to. A guidebook (online or print) is a great way to do this. (Example)
Congratulations to our summer and fall scholarship recipients! Ragsdale International Scholarships: Grace Costa (Mexico), Isabella Crockett (Italy), Jordan Early (Argentina), Aryne Feldman (Italy), Alex Gordon (Argentina), Hollie Householder (Poland), Chloe Kilpatrick (Norway), Hannah Kirby (The Netherlands), Marlena Madden (Japan), Franchez Marshall (Argentina). Tuck International Award: Ginnylyne Guisadio (New Zealand), Janelle Piper (Czech Republic). TRAAVEL Award: Byjan Kajaei (Japan) and Brittney Mack (Japan)
Also, congratulations the national Gilman Scholarship recipients for this summer: Byjan Kajaei and Brittney Mack, who received funding for their study abroad programs. This is a very competitive award, and these students were selected from over 5,300 applicants!
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