Ozarks begins 179th year on Aug. 27

University of the Ozarks will begin its 179th academic year when classes for the 2013 Fall Semester begin on Aug. 27.

Ozarks, which was founded in 1834 in Cane Hill, Ark., and moved to Clarksville in 1891, was recently recognized by the Arkansas Business publication as the second-oldest institution in Arkansas. Only the Rose Law Firm of Little Rock, which opened in 1820, is older.

The University is expected to welcome more than 180 new students to campus during its New Student Orientation, scheduled for Aug. 22-26. The theme of this year’s event is “Exploring New Frontiers!”

The orientation begins on Aug. 22 when members of the university’s Student Foundation Board help the new students move into the residence halls.

“The first thing we do is get them into their residence hall rooms,” said Student Foundation Board President Tom Riddle, a senior from Magazine, Ark. “The Student Foundation Board has people standing by when they arrive, and we flock to the incoming cars, taking their stuff and putting it in their rooms. We move it all in for them so they don’t have to move anything. There are 60 members of SFB, plus the resident assistants in both King and Smith halls, and student peer mentors who are all on hand to help new students set up their room and get settled for a fun and full orientation weekend.”

The capstone of the weekend is the annual Matriculation Ceremony and Matriculation Dinner on the evening of Friday, Aug. 23. The Matriculation Ceremony, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in Munger Chapel, is the official welcoming ceremony for the new students.

“Members of the faculty and staff dress in full academic regalia to formally welcome the Class of 2017,” said Ozarks Dean of Residential and Campus Life Sherrie Arey.

Another highlight of orientation weekend is the President’s Picnic on the evening of Saturday, Aug. 24. Students and their parents will have the opportunity to meet new Ozarks President Richard Dunsworth and his family at the President’s House. Dunsworth began his duties as the University’s 25th president in June.

Among the other events planned for the new students and their parents are registration and an ice cream social on Aug. 23; a welcoming ceremony, small group sessions and a performance by hypnotist Eric Mina on Aug. 24; and a campus chapel service and farewell dinner on Aug. 25. There will be a one-day orientation for transfer students on Aug. 26.