SOAR preps new UNA students; 2 more scheduled

Emily McDonald just wanted to catch her breath as she collapsed in a chair the morning of June 3 after taking part in a CPR competition with fellow future University of North Alabama nursing students.

“It’s tiring,” was about all McDonald could get out between breaths.

The contest at the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions served as an ice breaker for the future students who were part of the first SOAR program of the summer.

SOAR student counselor Devin Hill, right, leads Group 11 through the Guillot University Center during orientation Monday at the University of North Alabama.
CONTRIBUTED/DAN BUSEY

UNA conducts the student orientation sessions every summer, bringing incoming students and their family to campus to learn about the university and student life, and maybe even find new friends ahead of the fall semester.

“It’s fun seeing who all is going to be in our class,” incoming student Edith Themas said.

Getting acquainted with the surroundings is part of SOAR. It also helps to hear from older students, including Brynna Gautney, who was among student ambassadors taking the incoming students around.

“All the professors are wonderful,” Gautney told a group of students. “They make you feel at home.”

She grew up in the Shoals and initially went away to college before realizing UNA is where she wanted to land.

“I love to recruit people because I always love to tell my story about how I never thought I’d go here, but here I am,” Gautney said.

SOAR is for incom ing freshmen and transfer students. They learn about the university’s services, resources and organizations, as well as instructions on matters such as financial aid, parking decals, meal plans, student housing and tuition.

Incoming students can select from one of the two more daylong sessions, or opt for a two-day overnight session on June 22-23.

The other sessions are on July 7 and July 14.