November 21, 2005

Record-breaking attendance at two recent events – Parent’s Weekend and Corban Experience – indicate “word is getting out” about Corban College, faculty, staff and administrators say.

New buildings and new programs undergirded by a solid biblical foundation have brought new excitement to the campus that makes it a “must see” for parents of current students and for potential students and their parents, campus leaders say.

The response was due in part to the listing, for the fourth straight year, as one of U.S. News and World Report’s top ten schools in the West, said President Reno Hoff.

Meal times were crowded, but Campus Dining never ran out of food during the back-to-back, record-breaking weekends. Chapel was full, but organizers never ran out of chairs. Some events – notably the financial aid seminar – had to be moved to larger venues, but apparently everyone found their way.

Parents Weekend
“It was so exciting,” said Cathy Downs, who organized Parents Weekend. “We had parents here from every class, even seniors!”

In all, the 320 who took part in the weekend included 29 percent of freshman parents; 11 percent of sophomore parents; 7 percent of junior parents; and 4 percent of senior parents.

“In the evaluation, only five people said they wouldn’t be back to Parents Weekend next year, and all five said it was because their son or daughter was graduating,” Downs said.

Among parent comments written on evaluation forms:

• “Very warm and caring atmosphere. I appreciate the style and focus of the school. I am happy my daughter is attending this school with this great stuff. Loved all the music. Very talented students here.”
  
• “I enjoyed being able to go to classes with my son and meet the professors. They’re a wonderful group of Christian people.”
  
• “I am totally impressed with Corban. God is truly at work here. My daughter is in great hands.”
  
• “Have the same dinner next year! (really good) Very informative, entertaining and made us very glad our son is coming here for his education.”
  
• “Very pleased to have my daughter attending at Corban. Appreciate the concern for her spiritual maturity.”
  

The Friday night concert, which featured the four-movement Psalms of Dedication written by John Bartsch of the Corban music faculty, was one of the weekend’s highlights, many parents wrote. Many others wrote of the feeling of service they felt, or the warmth and approachableness of the faculty, staff and administration.
“Let’s do this again!” One parent wrote. “Everyone had great people skills. Way to go Corban!”

Corban Experience
People had a similar response the following weekend to the Corban Experience, which is a twice-a-year weekend event to introduce high school juniors and seniors, and their parents, to Corban College.

Nearly 220 people – including 133 potential students who “roomed” with current students, and several ‘walk-ins’ who hadn’t pre-registered – participated in classes, meals, chapel and fun events during the Corban Experience.

“It was exciting,” said Sandy Van Dyk, special events coordinator. “People everywhere, and they were all warmly welcomed by everyone they came in contact with.”

Among the many positive comments from parents and potential students:

• “What a warm place.”
  
• “I really enjoyed it. I saw the spiritual side of Corban.”
  
• “Amazing opportunities here. I’m coming!”
  
• “Wonderful place to learn; solid spiritual foundation.”
  
• “Such nice people, on fire for God.”

The next Corban Experience is Feb. 9-10. Van Dyk said she was preparing for another record-breaking turnout.

--By Karen L. Willoughby