A new year means new freshmen on Asbury’s campus. The Class of 2028, the Renewed Class, Asbury’s largest incoming traditional undergraduate class in 25 years, is defined by Isaiah 43:18-19. “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
The class is led by sponsors Sarah Grimes and Caleb Rushing and class advisors Kristi and Larry Boss and Don Mink.
Grimes and Rushing were prayerful in their selection of the class name, verse and advisors. There is no doubt that they will bring energy and fresh life to campus through their leadership of the freshman class.
Kristi Boss shares some of her hopes and prayers for the new class.
“I hope they quickly feel at home here.” Boss desires a seamless transition for every student into the community that is cultivated by the Residential Life and the Spiritual Life teams. She hopes every student will “find their people, their passion and most importantly find their own faith in Christ.”
Boss encourages every student on campus to “take full advantage of opportunities to be involved on campus.”
Boss also stresses the importance of presence, or simply being around, for the Renewed Class because so many students are coming in with many dual credit hours that only expedite the college experience. “[College] is challenging and these years go quickly, but it is such an important season of life. And don’t be discouraged if this is a hard semester for you. You’re not the only one.”
What Boss stressed the most was her hope and prayer that everyone would find their place of belonging on campus this semester. Even though Asbury has a lot of ways to be involved, it is important to be seen and deeply known.
To be known and seen is an important part of the Asbury experience to Boss because of her experience going to Asbury reunions with her husband Larry. “Seeing the inclusion of the class advisors even thirty years after the class has graduated, it’s just something you want to be a part of.”
When asked about how she got involved as a class advisor, Boss said, “Larry and Don [Mink] are both Asbury graduates. Larry was on his class cabinet and made lifelong friends in his class. He and Don were definitely excited about class advising. I kept asking myself, ‘Am I ready for this too?’ but the Lord was so clear with me. He is just looking for people that are available.”
Asbury is a place that many people just keep coming back to. It can be a life-changing three, four or five years. Whether you are a freshman or not, allow yourself to be interruptable and available for all that God has in store for you during your time at Asbury.
Photo courtesy of Kristi Boss.
