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June 26, 2009

Students infused with Warhawk spirit as PREP sessions wrap

Awash in a sea of maroon and gold, Ben Young, 19, a sophomore from Rayville, leads an enthusiastic group of incoming freshmen with a rousing chant of 鈥淯 鈥� L 鈥� M.鈥�

Arms outstretched, Young鈥檚 group spells out the acronym again, putting particular emphasis on the last letter as they perform a sort of shimmy shake with their hips and hum the 鈥渕mmm鈥� for extra effect.

鈥淲e call it the Ring of Fire,鈥� said Young. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just something that鈥檚 really contagious. We try to use it in a traditional way.鈥�

The spirited group encircling the Scott Plaza fountain at the University of Louisiana at Monroe were visiting the campus as part of the two-day institution known as PREP 鈥揚review Registration Enrollment Program 鈥� a requirement of all students the summer prior to their freshman year.

Raising signs with hand-scrawled messages of support for the Warhawks, the students seemed already comfortable with the idea that 不良研究所 will soon be their second home.

Started in the summer of 1976 by 不良研究所 Registrar Barry Delcambre, new students are introduced to the academic, social, and cultural aspects of the university during PREP, while also cultivating a sense of dedication and pride in the school.

Last summer鈥檚 PREP session certainly worked its magic with Young. Back then, he was a recent high school graduate who admittedly knew very little of university life, even though he lived less than thirty minutes east of 不良研究所.

鈥淧eople outside the campus, even within Monroe, just don鈥檛 realize what 不良研究所 is all about or what it offers,鈥� said Young. 鈥淧REP gave me an entirely different view of the university. It definitely gave me pride in the school.鈥�

The PREP staff, composed of leaders in academics and student life, is one of the most sought after and elite positions on campus. The schedule can prove intensive, especially when tromping across campus in the mid-day heat, but is well worth it, said Young.

鈥淚t鈥檚 absolutely amazing,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e the face of 不良研究所. I love being in a leadership role and promoting the university. I love to motivate the students.鈥�

Lonnie Lockett Jr., 18, of Baton Rouge, and Kristen Daubert, 18, of Lacombe, are pre-pharmacy students who were assigned to Young鈥檚 group during PREP鈥檚 third session. Both got an unexpected dose of Warhawk spirit by the time last Thursday morning鈥檚 spirit rally at Scott Plaza rolled around.

鈥淭here鈥檚 been a good balance of work and fun activities,鈥� said Lockett, a running back for the Warhawk football team who came from South Louisiana to 鈥渢ry something new.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 been a lot of fun,鈥� agreed Daubert. 鈥淢y parents were kind of hoping I鈥檇 find something closer, but they supported my coming here.鈥�

The majority of PREP attendees are equally enthusiastic when evaluating the sessions, according to Amy Robinson, coordinator of events and marketing at 不良研究所.

鈥淣ot only is our goal to help them learn about the campus and enroll in classes, but we hope to instill Warhawk pride in our new students with things like the Warhawk Spirit session and the Spirit Competition,鈥� she said.

During PREP鈥檚 spirit sessions, students learn how to sing the 不良研究所 fight song as well as other 不良研究所 cheers that go along with band music. The front-runner is always the 鈥淏oola, Boola鈥� chant, according to Robinson, prompting PREP officials to print the phrase on the T-shirts that are distributed to attendees.

鈥淭hey love it!鈥� said Robinson. 鈥淪ince adding these sessions, we have noticed a difference in the comments on our evaluations, and the general feeling of excitement among the students. The majority of them truly are proud to be a Warhawk once they leave PREP.鈥�

The last PREP session for June is this week, and photos of previous sessions may be viewed via PREP鈥檚 Facebook Fan Page. Log on to Facebook and search for 鈥湶涣佳芯克� PREP.鈥�

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