On Wednesday, he and his wife, Linda, who will teach Spanish this year, surprised freshmen moving into their dormitory rooms by delivering bottles of cold water to each floor and personally greeting the students. The lower photo shows the Parkyns greeting two of the students.
“It just seemed like the natural thing to do,” says Parkyn. “Move-in day is a day to welcome new students and their parents to the campus. Because we are new to the university this year, and because we have experienced move-in day with our two children during their years in college, we wanted to do our part in extending a warm welcome to these new members of the campus community.”
The Parkyns zipped around the campus on a golf cart to deliver the water bottles. Students and family were surprised to be greeted by the couple, Parkyn says. “Everyone seemed delighted to meet us, though sometimes it may have been the water that they really appreciated!”
Parkyn enjoyed the experience as well. “We also got some exercise, sweated a bit along with everyone else, lost a bit of weight, and worked up an appetite for the picnic lunch.”
“In our early days at North Park, we’re looking to learn as much as possible about the university,” he adds. “Meeting our new students and their parents is one way, and a very good way, to do this.”
The picnic was one of the events on the first day of the new students’ Threshold experience. Freshmen arrive on campus early for five days of orientation and registration. Students are introduced to services and stores in the neighborhood and given a tour of the city as part of the experience.
The opening convocation service was held Thursday evening, and Parkyn believes the earlier visits made for a better all around experience. “Many of the students recognized me and I recognized many of them because we had met earlier in the day,” he says. “This may have helped to overcome some of the newness that we were all feeling, and that may have helped to make the convocation program, and my words to the incoming students, more meaningful and personal.”
The Viking football team (top photo) got an extra workout, helping the students unload and carry in all the items the freshman believed they needed to feel at home away from home – mostly stereos and TV sets.
Classes begin on Monday. On Wednesday, campus activities to welcome the Parkyns will begin with observance of “David Day” from 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m., prior to the first chapel, when Parkyn will speak.
As part of the observance, all students, faculty and other personnel with the first or last name David or Davidson will have their picture taken with the president on the steps of Old Main. All other alumni with the same names are invited to have their picture taken with the group as well and receive a “David Day 2006” tee-shirt. Anyone interested in participating should RSVP to Britta Heintzelman, assistant director of external relations, by email at Britta Heintzelman or by telephone at 773-244-5750.
Copyright © 2011 The Evangelical Covenant Church.
