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A Record Crowd, New Blue Raider Bob Attend Final Lindsey Wilson University New Student Orientation of the Summer

'There's so much excitement and enthusiasm about being part of the first group of new students to attend Lindsey Wilson University.'

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (08/09/2025) — The final Lindsey Wilson University New Student Orientation is usually a rather uneventful campus event, often sparsely attended by students and family members who could not attend previous summer sessions.

But if this summer's final New Student Orientation was any indication of the school year to follow, 2025-26 could be pretty electric on Lindsey Wilson Hill when fall classes begin on Aug. 25.

More than 100 students and their family members attended the final New Student Orientation, held Friday, Aug. 8. That's a record crowd that was more than 67% larger than most previous New Student Orientation finales.

And according to Lindsey Wilson Director of Admissions Charity Ferguson '01, the day was yet another example of the energy surrounding Lindsey Wilson's first year as a university. Lindsey Wilson transitioned to Lindsey Wilson University on July 1.

"There's so much excitement and enthusiasm about being part of the first group of new students to attend Lindsey Wilson University," said Ferguson. "It has caused some people to take another look at Lindsey Wilson, or maybe a first look. Then when they actually see Lindsey Wilson, they are very impressed by our strong academic programs and the many opportunities to be part of campus life."

A new Blue Raider Bob

Another layer of excitement at the final New Student Orientation came at the welcome segment with the debut of a new university mascot, Blue Raider Bob. The previous Blue Raider Bob had "LWC" written across his chest; the new edition features "Lindsey Wilson" written across his chest, and he sports a more stylish cape.

Dallas Sullivan '29 of Louisville, Kentucky, said the day made him "feel like we are pioneers."

"The people running the day made it light-hearted, and they made the day a lot less stressful," said Sullivan, who plans to major in psychology and be a member of the track and field team. "It made us feel like we are pioneers."

Sullivan was joined by fellow Louisvillians Landon Cowan '28, a transfer student, and Jayson Gasaway '29, both of whom will be members of Blue Raider men's basketball team.

"I tend to be kind of a self-described hermit crab, and this brought me out of my shell," said Gasaway, who plans to major in business administration along with Cowan.

New Student Orientation student leaders Connor Wilhoit '27 of Campbellsville, Kentucky, and Jay Woodall '28 of Science Hill, Kentucky, said that emerging from your shell is one of the chief benefits of attending the summer event.

"You can relax and breathe at New Student Orientation," said Wilhoit, a psychophysiology major. "That helps encourage students to get involved with campus."

Woodall was even inspired to become a New Student Orientation student leader because of the student who led her New Student Orientation group -- Holly Blaydes '26 of Edmonton, Kentucky.

"Holly was my leader, and now we're friends who are encouraging new students to be part of the campus at this really exciting time," said Woodall, a human services and counseling major.

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

Media Attachments

Student Success Counselor Jordan Nelson ’22 shows new Lindsey Wilson University students gathered in a packed Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship how to register for the school’s online services during the final Lindsey Wilson New Student Orientation of the summer on Friday, Aug. 8.

The new Blue Raider Bob mascot makes his first appearance at a Lindsey Wilson University event at the opening of the final New Student Orientation of the summer, held on Friday, Aug. 8, in V.P. Henry Auditorium.

Four Adair County residents were among the more than 100 new students who attended the final Lindsey Wilson University New Student Orientation of the summer, held Friday, Aug. 8. From left: transfer student Amber Said ’28, Ava West ’29, Kaylei Neat ’29 and Addisyn Hatcher ’29. The students were participating in an icebreaker in the Cralle Student Union Building.

Lindsey Wilson University Director of Admissions Charity Ferguson ’01 instructs new Lindsey Wilson student Aiden Eastridge ’29 of Louisville, Kentucky, and his mother, Megan Fields, to the correct table in the Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center during the final Lindsey Wilson New Student Orientation of the summer, held Friday, Aug. 8.

Lindsey Wilson University New Student Orientation student leaders Aimee Flynn ’28 of Powell, Tennessee, center, and Connor Wilhoit ’27 of Campbellsville, Kentucky, welcome new students Momo Hampton of Jackson, Michigan, left, and Hannah Garcia of Deland, Florida, in V.P. Henry Auditorium at the final Lindsey Wilson New Student Orientation of the summer, held Friday, Aug. 8.

Lindsey Wilson University freshmen Vallie Kate Carver, left, and Zoe Gray, both of Burkesville, Kentucky, participate in an icebreaker in the Cralle Student Union Building on Friday, Aug. 8, as part of the final Lindsey Wilson New Student Orientation of the summer.

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