McNeese kicks off first day of fall semester
Chrissy Stephens / The American Press
<p class="p1">Incoming freshmen and returning students filled the halls of McNeese State University Monday morning, the first day of the fall semester.</p><p class="p1">Freshman Jessi Broussard said although she is “excited and anxious” about her first year of college, she is confident she will enjoy the process. Broussard is majoring in nursing.</p><p class="p1">Junior Katie Miller said her main focus this semester will be a marketing internship that she hopes to use to make “beneficial business connections.” </p><p class="p1">Monday was also the first semester for Blake Grundy, the new director of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. </p><p class="p1">Grundy spent the afternoon helping serve meals as part of the BCM’s free lunch program, set for 11:15 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. every Monday. </p><p class="p1">“Things can only pick up from here,” he said. </p><p class="p1">Also new to the campus is Student Central, a one-stop enrollment center in Chozen Hall — formerly a residential building — for the offices of the registrar, admissions and recruiting, scholarships, financial aid, general and basic studies, community services and enrollment outreach.</p><p class="p1">Sophomore Landon O’Quain said the university has made the campus “more student-friendly” with the redesign of Chozen Hall and the new community outreach programs. </p><p class="p1">Over the summer, Rowdy’s Dining Hall was renovated with new dining options added. Improvements were made to the serving line, grill and deli areas, the My Pantry area where students create their own meals was enlarged, the salad bar has been expanded and Pizza by Design and Burger 337 was added to the food court.</p><p class="p1">Construction is nearing completion on the new Health and Human Performance Education Complex.</p><p class="p1">Junior Haley Sanford said she is “thrilled” about the opportunity to take classes inside the new building, set to be complete in June 2018.</p>