Students move into William Woods

Come from near and far for small classes, equestrian programs

Dennis Hobbs of Mexico poses on William Woods Uiversity's campus after moving in to the school Wednesday. A transfer student, Hobbs he made the change for a smaller school than the University of Missouri-Columbia because of the smaller class sizes and small-town atmosphere Fulton provided.
Dennis Hobbs of Mexico poses on William Woods Uiversity's campus after moving in to the school Wednesday. A transfer student, Hobbs he made the change for a smaller school than the University of Missouri-Columbia because of the smaller class sizes and small-town atmosphere Fulton provided.

The William Woods University campus was alive with activity for its move-in day Wednesday. Music blared, fraternities and sororities held open houses to entice new members and administration officials rushed from dorm to dorm as incoming freshman and transfer students hauled furniture, snacks and supplies into their rooms with their families.

William Woods public affairs director Mary Ann Beahon said that official figures weren't in yet, but the estimated number of new students the university anticipated to make to begin the first part of their adult lives was around 300. One such student was Addie Carion, a freshman from Seattle. An equestrian science major, Carion knew she wanted to come the 2,000 miles when her horse trainer, a William Woods alum, told her about the school's equestrian program.

"It's a little nerve-wracking," she said. "I drove five days to get here, (but my trainer) encouraged me to go, and it's the only school I applied for. I'm excited to be here, it's a big step."

To help the tornado-stricken people of Dumas and surroundings, donations can be made to the Delta Area Disaster Relief Fund, care of the Delta Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 894, Dumas, AR, 71639, or through the Arkansas Community Foundation, 700 S. Rock St., Little Rock, AR, 72202.