NEWS

Freshmen move into Muskingum University

Shelly Schultz
Reporter
Muskingum University Freshman Carmie Shook gets a little help from her bowling coach Doug Smith as she moves into Memorial Hall on Friday.

NEW CONCORD - Totes full of snacks, bags filled with clothes and bedding lined the corridors of Memorial Hall on Friday morning at Muskingum University; it was Welcome Weekend, when hundreds of freshmen move in.

"It's a big day for admissions," said Beth DaLonzo, senior director of admissions and student financial services at MU. "This is what we've been working toward for months."

Classes begin Monday at MU. Tours and seminars fill the daytime schedule this weekend. The evenings are reserved for games, movies and special treats, such as s'mores under the stars.

"There is a lot of meet-and-greet stuff and activities designed for kids to get to know one another and begin to feel comfortable," DaLonzo said.

Inside Caldwell Hall, parents helped first-year students through the registration process before moving into their new homes.

Carmie Shook climbs the stairs in Memorial Hall on the Muskingum University campus in New Concord during move in day on Friday.

"It's bittersweet," said Lori Shook, whose daughter, Carmie, is leaving home for the first time. "You wait for this day to come, then when it's here, you can't believe it's here."

Carmie Shook, a 2016 graduate of Zanesville High School, isn't completely alone in her new atmosphere. Doug Smith, the former bowling coach at Zanesville High School, is now head coach at Muskingum University.

Carmie Shook was named player of the year on the high school's bowling team for the past three years. She has more than 10 all-time bowling records, according to the school's website.

"I've been bowling since I was 5," she said. "I went to a birthday party at a bowling alley, and I was like: 'Mom, I want to do this.'"

Carmie Shook was the 2016 recipient of the Ted Hannahs Scholarship, named for the 1975 ZHS graduate and professional bowler Ted Hannahs, who has three PBA Tour titles.

"She could have played soccer but she chose bowling instead," Lori Shook said. "She had two 299 games."

In addition to bowling, Carmie Shook was named third in her class, class treasurer and vice president of student council. She also is a member of Students Against Destructive Decisions and had a job, her mother said.

"I'm pretty excited about this new chapter, but nervous at the same time," said Carmie Shook, who is majoring in chemistry. "I am looking forward to the independence and learning to do for myself, but I am not looking forward to being away from home."

She is minoring in Spanish and psychology, which she hopes will help in her planned career as a crime scene investigator.

Lori Shook says her daughter will do fine.

"She is very active in the community so she wasn't home a lot anyway," she said. "The only thing that will change is she won't be sleeping in her bed at home."

Christi Hill, of Beverly, was slightly more emotional about her daughter, Carlee, going off to college.

"It's a very emotional day for me," she said. "Carlee is the first to go to college. She's strong and smart so I know she'll do great, but she won't be home every day."

Her daughter, a psychology major, plans to work with children after finishing her degree.

"I'm pretty excited, but pretty nervous too," the incoming student said. "I'm looking forward to meeting new people, and I am ready for the new experience, but I will miss the home-cooked meals."

Muskingum University was founded in 1837. According to its website, MU's mission is to "educate the whole person — intellectually, spiritually, socially and physically."

MU offers a number of degrees in its undergraduate, graduate and adult completion programs.