Bethel University Welcomes 150 New Students During Summer Orientation

McKENZIE (June 3–11) — Bethel University welcomed 150 new admits and their families to campus in early June for Summer Orientation. The university will accommodate new students who were unable to attend the summer sessions during Welcome Week in August.

Summer Orientation days were June 3, June 4, June 10 and June 11.

During these all-day orientation events, students and their families began in the Dickey Fine Arts Building, learning about different facets of student life. As the day continued, students took tours of the campus that they will soon call home. Students also received their class schedules.

Bethel University's orientation usually looks a bit different, happening over a week in August after move-in. Bethel administration decided to begin earlier this year, preparing students and their families for college life well before move-in day.

"College is an important first step into adulthood for any student," said Lougan Bishop, Bethel University's Vice President of Enrollment and Advancement, "and it can be daunting, especially for first-generation students. We believe orientation is a meaningful part of the high school to college transition for both students and their families."

Summer Orientation is one of many changes Bethel University is implementing this year, with the start of its "Vision 2030" strategic plan.

Once all students arrive back to campus in August, Bethel University administration plans to build upon what students learned. Students will also have a chance to meet with their faculty advisors to answer any questions they may have about their schedules before classes start.

Students who were unable to attend Summer Orientation will receive all of the information they missed along with their class schedules during Welcome Week.

Bethel University saw an uptick in applications for the Fall 2026 semester compared to last year, according to Bishop. While many of those applicants were from West Tennessee, Bethel University received applications from approximately 30 states and from every continent except Antarctica.