Students, faculty, and staff at The Baptist College of Florida (BCF) in Graceville spent days preparing and praying for the open house event known as Preview Day. For many prospective students, it is a special day when the Lord makes it clear to them that BCF is where they should continue their education. This semester, on October 11, prospective students were able to get a feel for campus life and determine if BCF is where the Lord will equip and prepare them for the future.
After arriving on campus, potential students and their families gathered in the BCF Wellness Center where they were greeted with smiling faces and lots of information. The guests were given welcome bags filled with material relating to campus life and the different degree opportunities available at BCF, as well as, promotional goodies. Immediately following registration, campus visitors were encouraged to visit the different exhibit displays with information on campus housing, financial aid, student life activities, BCF Campus Safety, intramural sports, mission opportunities, collegiate disaster relief, and all of the degree programs. Additional booths were available to help students enjoy and succeed in their college experience, including the student organization Tribes, library, writing center, First Year Initiative (FYI), and the computer lab. To add to the excitement was a colossal balloon arch photo booth, complete with fun props, where guests could take a picture to remember their trip to BCF’s Preview Day.
BCF Director of Student Life and Marketing Sandra Richards started the day off with a huge welcome and thanked everyone for being a part of such a special day in the life of the campus. After the welcome, Richards invited guests to make their way to the R.G. Lee Chapel where chapel services are held two days a week. The Preview Day chapel service began by highlighting the talented musical groups on campus such as the BCF College Singers, One Voice, and the Guitar Ensemble. BCF President Thomas A. Kinchen preached during chapel encouraging everyone in attendance to be agents of change. He shared the three main requirements, according to Micah 6:8, is to do justly, walk humbly, and love mercy. He emphasized this by saying, “If you do justly and love mercy, then you are going to walk humbly with God. We are not exempt from heartache and trouble because we are called by Him; if anything, we can expect more because of that.”
At the conclusion of chapel, Admissions Counselor Collin Dollar, joined by Kinchen, presented a $500 scholarship to Ashlyn Miller who came the longest distance to attend Preview Day driving all the way from Columbus, Ohio. Before presenting the schedule for the day, Dollar shared three things that make BCF a special place saying, “You’re going to get personal instruction, develop persevering friendships, and see that this is a purposeful location to come to school.” Prospective students were given the opportunity to experience a typical day in the life of a BCF student as they visited a class of their desired degree interest. The classroom visits included mission/evangelism/theology, teacher education/ general education/ psychology, music, dual enrollment, business leadership, and a financial aid briefing. The classroom visits were designed to provide information on the student's academic interest, meet the professors in that area, and learn more about financial aid and dual enrollment.
Following the classroom visits, an amazing lunch was prepared by the college dining facility, the Deese Center. During lunch, guests had the chance to meet current students and faculty while enjoying the electric sounds of the BCF Jazz Band. After lunch, visitors were able to tour campus housing with the BCF Resident Assistants (RAs) while current students lined the hallway eager to answer any questions on dorm life.
The day concluded with a faculty and staff team vs. students (intramural championship team) in volleyball. Both teams left the building as winners, although the student team can say they had the higher score. After the game, a BCF gift basket was given away and several more $500 scholarships were awarded. As prospective students and their families left the campus, they were encouraged to take advantage of the waived $25 application fee and apply to The Baptist College of Florida. Although Preview Day is over, prospective students can still tour the campus or request more information about The Baptist College of Florida by calling 800.328.2660 or visiting the website at www.baptistcollege.edu.