The Course:
ORN110: Perspectives on the College

The “ORN” in ORN110: Perspectives on the College stands for “Orientation,” but after completing the five-week course, students will not only know their way around the campus, they’ll know its policies and procedures, history and mission. They’ll make friends and have a lot of fun, too.

And according to Bruce Guillaume ’76, coordinator for ORN110, that’s mission accomplished.

“There’s so much evidence in the realm of student development that says the sooner you can connect students in meaningful ways, the easier their transition and the greater likelihood that they’ll stick around,” Guillaume said. “It’s common sense, actually.”

ORN110 starts with five jam-packed days before the first day of fall semester classes. Composed of approximately 15 students each, ORN110 classes are led by faculty and staff members. Rounding out each group is a peer mentor, who is an upperclassman selected to advise new students and give credible, “current student” perspective to issues that first-year students discuss.

The course commences with a welcome session in Cooper Athletic Center, where students sit with their Orientation groups for the first time. With remarks from the Dean of the College and the Dean of Students, the opening program serves as first steps in achieving the course’s two objectives: to introduce new students to Maryville College and to build cohesive groups.

“The idea is that the more students understand our mission, the more they can understand all of our institutional actions,” Guillaume explained. “Its OK when students don’t like some of our requirements, but it’s not OK when they ask ‘Why am I doing this?’”

Class lessons are based on seven words and ideas in the Maryville College Mission Statement, which reads: “Maryville College prepares students for lives of citizenship and leadership as we challenge each one to search for truth, grow in wisdom, work for justice and dedicate a life of creativity and service to the peoples of the world.”

To spur discussion on topics like citizenship and leadership, students are asked to consider tough questions like “Is citizenship a privilege, right or responsibility?” and “Are you leading if no one is following?” Following the class lesson on service, students are required to attend the College’s annual “Opportunities of a Lifetime Fair” to learn more about campus organizations and envision where and how they might contribute to the life of the College.

The College’s mission is further emphasized when students read Maryville College: The Founding Story. The 24-page history, which tells the College’s story from 1801 to the mid 1950s, includes interesting stories about MC notables and lesser-known figures who left their mark on the College. The story has inspired a Jeopardy-like trivia game and timeline that ORN110 instructors can use in their classrooms.

Among the most popular – and most unique – activities of ORN110 is Mountain Challenge, a program headquartered out of Crawford House that provides high-quality safe outdoor experiences that are designed to build teamwork, enhance communication and teach problem-solving skills. Climbing the 55-foot Alpine Tower, struggling through the College’s ropes course and canoeing down a river does a lot to build cohesive groups, Guillaume said – and to reinforce the “challenge” language present in the College’s Mission Statement.

To further knit groups, students also attend various events together, like the Community Worship Service held the first Sunday after new students’ arrival on campus. Led by the Rev. Anne McKee, campus minister, the service brings together members of the College’s Cabinet and all new students.

Students also bond by playing together in the New Student Olympics and Student Programming Board Luau.

“[ORN110] bridges FRS120: Perspective on the Individual nicely,” Guillaume added. “For example, when students go through the section on identity [in FRS120], they will have already thought about things like ‘What is the hardest thing I’ve faced?’ and ‘When was I most afraid?’ These questions from ORN110 really get at identity.”

ORN110 comes to a close toward the end of September, when all Orientation groups meet outside on the lawn surrounding the Covenant Stone. Before touching the stone, they’re asked to sign the Maryville College Covenant, signifying that they promise to uphold the tenets of scholarship, respect and integrity and that they accept full responsibility as active, knowledgeable and committed members of the Maryville College community.