In this issue:

• Editor’s Notes, Dr. Mark Waters
• Academic Freedom and Liberal Education: Thirty Years in the Religion Department, Dr. Philip LeMasters
• Religion and Politics vs. Church and State, Dr. Mark Waters
• V.O. Key and Me, Dr. Paul Fabrizio and Jax Melbourne
• Mucking About with AI: Claude.ai vs. ChatGPT, Joel Whittemore
• The Professional Leadership Program: Advancing Our Servant Leadership Reputation, Jeff Scott
• Rhodes Scholarship Finalist
• Accomplishments and Honors

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April 2025

In this issue:

• Alumni Corner: Flight Plans, Kristina Jones ’92
• Faculty and Student Contributions:
  • When Faith Meets the Silver Screen, Joanie Burns
  • Podcast Update, Dr. Paul Fabrizio
  • 51������ Students Shine at the SSSA
  • Annual Conference, Dr. Tina Bertrand
  • The Division of Academic Affairs Approves Exciting
  • Updates to the Servant Leadership Program, Jeff Scott
  • Christian Higher Education, Dr. Mark Waters
• Accomplishments and Events:
  • Dr. Robert Wallace Honored with Distinguished Service
  • Dr. Philip LeMasters’ Recent Publications
  • Before, During, and After the Badge,
  • Ms. Myra Kirkwood Montique
  • Wilson-Bennet Lecture, Dr. Willie James Jennings

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Spring 2025

In this issue:

• Alumni Corner: Care for the Widow, the Orphan, and the Foreigner, Rev. Taylor Smith
• Happenings:
  • Career Panel for Social Sciences
  • Careers in Criminology, Ms. Kirkwood Montique
  • Bennett-Wilson Lecture in Religion, Dr. Willie Jennings
• Travelogue:
  • Taizé Spiritual Pilgrimage, Taizé, France, Rev. Ricky Harrison
  • Toronto and Boston, Dr. Philip LeMasters
• Faculty Projects:
  • Interfaith Informatics, Dr. Aravind Mohan
  • Poetic Pedagogy, Mr. Lucas Cardona
  • Faculty Accomplishments
  • Student Accomplishments

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Fall 2024

In this issue:

• November Election: The Election of 2024, Paul Fabrizio
• Student Engagement:
  • No One is a Single Story, Mark Waters
  • Academic Rigor in the Study of Religion, Philip LeMasters
  • Bridging Faiths: My Journey of Interfaith Leadership and Understanding, Faez Mufti
• Servant Leadership: Pop Quiz on Servant Leadership at McMurry, Jeff Scott
• New Faculty:
  • An Introduction & My Teaching Goals, Gretchen Bullock
  • Welcome to the Search, Lucas Cardona

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April 2024

In this issue:

• Embracing Diversity: Navigating Dialogue Across Difference
• Celebrating Diversity at SALO: A Feast of Culture and Unity!
• McMurry Serves: Do Good in Your Community this Month
• Interdisciplinary Learning
• Faith and Science in the Classroom
• The Intersection of Science and Faith in Our Conceptions of Time
• McMurry Faculty and Students to Attend Social Sciences Conference
• A Gathering of Orthodox Theologians
• The IRB: Your Research Process May Require Review in Advance

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Spring 2024

In this issue:

• A Culture of Belonging
• A Ministry of Presence
• McMurry Minds
• Model UN in Germany
• Walking the Camino de Santiago
• Faith and Mental Health
• Honoring the Memory of Dr. Joseph Stamey
• Accidental Texan
• Harlaxton College: A Tour of the UK
• America’s Third World Society
• McMurry 1923 Blog
• Human Trafficking Panel

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Fall 2023

Welcome to the inaugural newsletter for the Division of Humanities, Religion, and Social Sciences! With this publication, we hope to inform the McMurry community and prospective students of our passionate commitment to �ѳ��ѳܰ�����’s 100-year tradition of advancing the Liberal Arts.

In this issue:
• Division Note
• Adventure’s Call
• The Parliament of the World’s Religions
• Luke Mendez Visits Harvard Divinity School
• Dr. Stephen Hardin’s Speaking Engagements
• Communications Studies Major
• LeMasters Travels to Cambridge, & Södertälje
• The Annual English Club Friendsgiving

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Your host, Dr. Paul Fabrizio, a respected professor in the Political Science Department at McMurry with over two decades of experience in radio and television, guides you through this insightful exploration with his colleagues. McMurry Minds is a production of the Division of Humanities, Religion, and Social Sciences at McMurry University. Tune in for a thought-provoking and enriching experience.

Season 2

A conversation with Dr. Joel Brant, Professor of Biology. We talk about biological life, COVID, and Wichita.

A conversation with David Wahl, Professor of Sociology and Criminology. We talk about sex Trafficking and discuss how to recognize it and what to do about it. Warning: Explicit Content.

A conversation with McMurry University students Jaclynn Ramirez and Isaac Gutierrez. We talked about their new podcast “Talking Cents,” which will debut shortly, and financial issues in the life of college students.

A conversation with Dr. Mark Waters, Professor of Religion at McMurry.

A conversation with Dr. Paul Fabrizio Professor of Political Science at McMurry. Paul is the regular host of “McMurry Minds” and he was interviewed by Dr. Bryan Stewart, Professor of religion at McMurry. We talked about car guys, politicians, and Hollywood.

A conversation with Dr. John Miller, Professor of Religion at McMurry University. We talk about Las Vegas, Berkeley, and speaking Greek.

A conversation with Dr. Lynne Murray, the new president of McMurry. We talk about her journey from Maryland to McMurry, her ability to speak Sign Language, and her elevator speech to the McMurry community.

Season 1

A conversation with Dr. Sandra Harper, president of McMurry University. We talk about her career, impending retirement, and how a university president spends her day.

Interview with Beth Laurence on how write a paper; we talk about different writing techniques, time management, and procrastination.

A conversation with Lucas Cardona, Visiting Assistant Professor of English. We talk about Sylvia Plath, Barcelona, and Chicago style pizza.

This is the first episode of Season 2 of McMurry Minds. In this episode, we revisit with Mr. Thompson; we talk about life in the oil field, Philosophy, and the act and study of creative writing.

A conversation with Dr. Jose Gomez, Professor of Spanish. We talk about the Ecuadorian Air Force, immigrating to the United States, and how to study a language not your own.

A conversation with Jeff Scott, the Director of the Servant Leadership Program and the First Year Experience. We talk about the town of Happy, Texas, social welfare, and the homeless populations.

A conversation with Dr. Larry Bonds, a professor of English. We talk about Shakespeare, deer hunting, and Theresa Great Vowel Shift.

A conversation with Dr. Tina Bertrand, Professor of Political Science. We talk about the United Nations (UN), Model United Nations (MUN), and Audrey Hepburn.

A conversation with Dr. Mary Anna Kidd, assistant professor of Communications Studies. We talk about Thailand, the Texas Panhandle, sojourner readjustment.

A conversation with Jim Quinnett, the author of Memories Time Can’t Heal: A Vietnam War Novel, and the retired webmaster for McMurry University. He discusses the San Francisco Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, being in the army during the Vietnam War, and writing a book during lunch hour.

A conversation with Dr. Robert Wallace, Professor of Sociology and Criminology. We talk about the Texas Panhandle, New York City, and people wrongfully convicted.

A conversation with Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth, Professor of Sociology and Criminology. We talk about the Vietnam War, child poverty on Native American reservations, and long distance running.

A conversation with Garrison Shin, a student born in Russia and now sophomore at McMurry University. We discuss his winning a prestigious Hatton Sumners Foundation scholarship for students interested in public service.

A conversation with Juan Nava, a senior from Mexico graduating from McMurry in spring 2024. We discuss his receiving a graduate fellowship from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio to study Public Administration.

A conversation with Dr. Stephen Hardin, Professor of History. We talk about San Marcos; Clio, the Muse of History; and vampires.

A conversation with Beth Laurence, Instructor of English and the Coordinator of the writing Center. We talk about writing and how to get over a fear of writing.

A conversation with Dr. Bryan Stewart, Professor of Religion and Chair of the Department of Religion and Philosophy. We discuss the Church Fathers, Presbyterian preaching, and Western Pennsylvania.

A conversation with Dr. Philip Le Masters, Professor of Religion and Director of the McMurry University Honors Program. We talk about theology, ethics, and Beaumont, Texas.

A conversation with Dr. Jori Sechrist, Professor of Sociology and Director of Institutional Effectiveness at McMurry University. We talk about the McMurry family, student success, and data.

A conversation with Cole Thompson, Professor of English about a new movie based on his book. Cole is the author of “Chocolate Lizards”, which was adapted into a movie called “Accidental Texan.” The movie opens in theaters on March 8.

A conversation with Dr. Ann-Marie Lopez Esquivel, Professor of English. She talks about the craft of writing and the teaching of writing. Her family, fifth generation West Texans have a long relationship with McMurry.

A conversation with McMurry Minds host Dr. Paul Fabrizio about the upcoming Texas primary election. Dr. Fabrizio is a Professor of Political Science.

A conversation with Dr. Annette Wren, an assistant professor of English. We talk about Sherlock Holmes, zombies, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

A conversation with Dr. David Wahl a professor of sociology and criminology. He is a researcher of social psychology, human sexuality and, human trafficking.

An interview with Dr. Mark Waters Professor Religion and Chair of the Division of Humanities, Religion and Social Sciences.

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Q&A for Parents’ Burning Questions

Dear McMurry,

I am sending my child off to you after nurturing them their whole life. How do I know that you will take care of them?

Signed,
Concerned Parent

Dear Concerned Parent,

We get it. A parent’s love is often shown in their concern. We’re here to answer your questions, put your mind at ease, and provide an environment for your child to gain a quality, fulfilling college education.

Signed,
The Caring People of McMurry University

A student heading to college is one of life’s most significant milestones. While proud of their student, parents naturally have apprehensions, especially if their student will be away from home. �ѳ��ѳܰ�����’s small size is a benefit because it enables faculty and staff to get to know students more easily.

“Parents can take comfort in knowing that McMurry is a nurturing environment with a faculty and staff who all care deeply for students,” Mariah Fusco, assistant dean of students for student engagement.

Where can I get more information on topics parents care about?

The McMurry website Parents and Families page contains key information, FAQs, and significant phone numbers.

What if I have a question? Will anyone at McMurry take my call?

Of course! If you are unable to locate the specific resource you need, our University switchboard operator may be able to assist you by calling 325-793-3800. The entire staff and faculty, including senior leadership, are here to help answer your questions and make the transition to college as seamless as possible.

What if I need to contact my student in an emergency?

In a life-threatening emergency, contact the Campus Security office at 325-793-4780. They can look up your students’ schedules and find them in class. The 24-hour emergency number is 325-793-4666.

McMurry is a small campus. Will they have enough activities to keep my student engaged?

Yes! With 20 sports, fine arts, dozens of clubs, and a constant array of campuswide activities, students have many opportunities to participate.

What if my student faces challenges academically?

Every student has a success coach to help address challenges such as adapting to college, using tools for academic success, overcoming obstacles, and navigating college processes.

What if there are issues with my student’s living arrangements?

We encourage students��to address any issues and include their��Residence Life team proactively. Student Affairs is available to help as needed.��

Financial aid is essential for our family. How can we ensure we are taking advantage of all available resources?

The Financial Aid office is happy to talk with you to help you better understand the award letter and review options and resources.

Are there any resources to help with mental health?

The McMurry Counseling Center provides free, on-campus professional counseling to all students.��

When are some good times for parents to visit campus?

Anytime. Weekends with athletic contests, theatre productions, or concerts provide built-in activities to do together and a great way to meet your student’s friends. Some events, like Homecoming and the Ring Ceremony, may seem student-centric, but they are open to all. Family Weekend is a perfect time to bring the whole family together.��

How can I connect with other parents?

SOAR, move-in day, and Family Weekend are great times to meet other parents.

These are all typical questions many parents experience. Open communication with your student can alleviate many concerns. And the McMurry community is in your court to ensure students have a healthy, safe environment that gives them a strong foundation for the future.

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Resources Available to Navigate College

You did it. You were accepted to McMurry and your entire family is immensely proud of you because you are the first in your family to go to college. Learning how to navigate the world of college can be daunting, especially as a first-generation student. McMurry offers many resources to guide you and your family.

“First-generation students often face challenges of navigating the policies and procedures of college, determining the resources available to them, and how to balance academics, extracurriculars, and sometimes jobs. Financial pressures also can accompany the challenges of being successful in college,” said Dr. Cindy Martin, interim vice president for academic affairs and associate vice president for student success. “This is all new to them and their family. Having a support system surrounding the student ensures a higher likelihood for success.”

Approximately 31% of the McMurry student body are first-generation students, who contribute to the rich diversity on campus. We honor those students, faculty, staff, and alumni each year on November 8, First-Generation College Celebration Day. This national day of recognition is designed to raise awareness of contributions of first-generation students and their determination to overcome economic, language, and social barriers to achieve college success.

“�ѳ��ѳܰ�����’s approach is to meet you where you are. Every student has a different level of familiarity of college processes and the rigor of college. Even if you had parents who went to college, higher education has changed so much since they were in college. Systems and norms are different now,” said Martin.

First-generation students often need help navigating what it’s like to be in college and its protocols. As they say, you don’t know what you don’t know. McMurry offers resources to help guide students through their college journey.

• Success Coaches. All students are assigned a success coach, who meets with students to address everything from study skills to how to how to navigate the policies and procedures of campus life and connect them to other available resources on campus.
• . The TRIO program is funded by the Higher Education Act and is designed to help low-income and first-generation students succeed. To qualify, you must be eligible for Pell Grants, be a first-generation student, or have a disability. A limited number of enrollment slots are available. Services provided include:
  • Academic coaching
  • Financial aid coaching and assistance with the FAFSA
  • Assistance looking for scholarships
  • Tutoring
  • Financial literacy and planning workshops
  • Assistance with applying for graduate or professional school
  • Accommodations for participants with disabilities

“The TRIO program can be quite beneficial to first-generation students because it offers the support they need to be successful and graduate from college,” said Dr. Jessica Thompson, project director for TRIO student support services.

• The STEM Student Success Center (S3C) is an academic support center for any STEM major or those taking a STEM-related course. S3C has a plethora of resources to assist in all aspects of college life.

While these are not the only resources on campus that assist first-generation students, they are a strong starting point and can connect you to other valuable resources. First-generation students should be proud of your accomplishments and know that your college futures are bright. Sometimes you just need a helping hand on how to deal with the details and a coach in your corner to ensure you have the tools you need to have a successful college career.

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Theatre Students Learn the Hard and Soft Skills That Pay Off On and Off the Stage

If you love live theatre, the marquee for McMurry theatre is always bright! Fueling a dynamic slate of live entertainment is a vibrant group of theatre majors and non-majors who learn the skills of the theatre are both hard and soft and prove useful in a theatre and many other settings as well.

The McMurry theatre department produces three to four productions on the main stage per semester and two to three shows in the summer. Plus, in the spring, eight to 10 plays derive from the directing class, as each student produces a 10-minute play for their final project. If you can’t get enough, every other year, three to five original works written by students in the playwriting class are staged. If joining in is more your vibe, every show is open to anyone to audition for on-stage and behind-the-scenes roles.

“Being involved doesn’t necessarily mean acting. For example, if you really enjoyed doing tech in high school but you aren’t a theatre major, we’d love for you to come join us. It’s a big time commitment, but can be quite rewarding,” said Neena McLain ‘91, department chair and assistant professor of theatre.

A Well-Rounded Degree

Smaller theatre programs like McMurry carry big advantages. While large school programs are concentrated on building a professional resume, small schools are all about you and delivering personal attention. In some larger programs, students can’t even audition until they are a sophomore.

“If a student asks to do something specific, we try to make it happen,” says McLain. For example, a student asked to learn scene painting. Her painting was seen in a recent show.”

Here, it’s about hands-on experience in all aspects of theatre, from acting and set building to costuming and props to lighting and tech to box office and marketing. Learning by doing gives students perspective and true understanding of how to make a successful production.

“Our goal is to put hands on every aspect of putting together a show. It’s not just about getting on stage and playing. In fact, it takes a lot of courage to do theatre,” said McLain. “The deeper intangible and transferable skills are often overlooked.”

Theatre teaches many of the soft skills vital to stand out in today’s workplaces. Theatre majors are trained to communicate, express empathy, budget, pivot and problem solve, negotiate, manage people, and stick to a hard deadline (remember, the show must go on.) You also learn how to supervise your peers, and because people process information differently, you have to learn how to communicate with each person in the way they can process for it to be effective.

What can I Actually do With a Theatre Degree?

“Anything! It’s a legit, valuable degree. Your skill set can fit into so many different roles,” shared McLain. “The wide variety of skills learned in theatre are transferrable skills for numerous jobs. I know a marketing manager who always hires theatre majors because of the strong work ethic theatre requires.”

Theatre graduates work in theatre and many other fields. McMurry gives a broad, solid foundation. For example, theatre directors and educators need to know all aspects of the theatre. Theatre for youth is consistently hiring, so McMurry developed a partnership with Young Audiences of Abilene to give McMurry students direct experience. Skills learned working the McMurry box office helped a 2023 graduate land a job leading the box office and marketing at Abilene’s Paramount Theatre. To give perspective, a stage manager is actually an events coordinator by another name in many other fields. Some theatre majors excel in law school because they know how to convince an audience of what they say.

�ѳ��ѳܰ�����’s theatre department delivers more than entertainment. It prepares graduates for a lifetime.

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Take a Break from the Usual and Find Fun for All Ages

It’s summer – time for McMurry Summer Theatre. A McMurry University staple for decades, starting in the 1980s, the popular summer theatre shows are back and sure to delight with fun for all ages. The slate of summer shows gives a taste of what summer should be about – light-hearted and a great time for the whole family to enjoy.

Summer shows are often directed by alumni and open to the community to participate. Doing shows with both students and community members has its benefits. Students get to work with people in addition to their fellow students, learn from theatre veterans, and experience a multi-generational cast.

“It also establishes McMurry as welcoming, positive theatre experience that community members want to gravitate toward, as well as an opportunity to work with our talented students,” said Neena McLain, department chair and assistant professor of theatre.

“We have a great slate for the summer and will give you a sneak peek into a unique opportunity for the fall.”

Check out this summer’s shows below and get your ��tickets online.

“Curses, Foiled Again!”

Directed by McMurry alumna Tabitha Wilson ’23, this family friendly old-fashioned musical melodrama livens up things by giving the audience the chance to boo the villain, cheer the hero, and maybe even toss a bit of popcorn at the villain in good fun.

• August 1: 7:30 p.m., �ѳ��ѳܰ�����’s Ryan Little Theatre, free
• August 2-3: 7:30 p.m., �ѳ��ѳܰ�����’s Ryan Little Theatre, $12-$20
• August 4: 2 p.m., McMurry’s Ryan Little Theatre, $12-$20

“A�Գپ����DzԱ�”

Mark your calendars! McMurry theatre will perform “A�Գپ����DzԱ�” OUTDOORS in the evening. In a first, the newly renovated northeast outdoor area of the Garrison Campus Center will give the feel of Greek theatre.

• September 19-21, Garrison Campus Center

Homecoming Production

Save the date for the Homecoming’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors,” October 31 – November 2.�� You won’t want to miss the charmingly tongue-in-cheek comedy based on the beloved 1986 film.

Follow Us

The best ways to learn about auditions, upcoming shows, and to buy tickets, is to follow McMurry Theatre on social media.

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Ward-Bottom Scholarship Available for Science Majors

Some professors have monumental, long-lasting impacts on students. Dr. Virgil Bottom, former McMurry physics professor was one of those. Roger Ward ‘67 never forgot the impact Dr. Bottom had on him and turned that appreciation into a substantial award to McMurry University so that future students like him have an opportunity to fulfill their potential.

Ward came to McMurry on a Methodist scholarship from a small Texas Panhandle town. He studied under Dr. Bottom, whose work helped develop quartz crystal production in the U.S. during World War II and later served on an advisory board to advise the Eisenhower administration on technical matters. At McMurry Dr. Bottom continued his research on quartz and invited students to Saturday classes to conduct undergraduate research. Dr. Bottom’s guidance prepared Ward and most students in that class for successful careers in quartz crystal devices.

Named a McMurry Distinguished Alumnus in 2015, Ward built a highly successful career and became president and CEO for Quartzdyne, Inc., which makes sensors to measure oil well pressure. Because he wanted to give back for what Dr. Bottom had given him, Ward created the Ward-Bottom Science fund in 2015. He has given generously to the fund over time, including a $1Million gift in 2022.��

The fund established the Ward-Bottom Scholarship and provides resources for faculty to enhance their courses and add to student experiences, such as support for students attending conferences, equipment to improve undergraduate research and faculty training.

“The fund provides for a stronger department. We can offer undergraduate research and opportunities beyond the campus. For example, we try to take students to conferences twice a year, tour commercial entities, and attend Texas Section of American Physical Society meetings,” said Dr. Tikhon Bykov, chair of the divisions of science and mathematics.

The focus on undergraduate research and opportunity to showcase it has grown. �ѳ��ѳܰ�����’s Undergraduate Research Symposium, a university-wide event encourages students from all fields to submit their research. It enables students to witness their peers’ research and affords students an opportunity to learn how to present their research through posters and presentations.

“We want students to conduct high quality research,” said Bykov. “Some of the equipment students actually work on at McMurry is only available at the graduate level elsewhere.”

A portion of the Ward-Bottom funding supports senior research projects. Depending on the science major, students perform solo or team research projects or an internship. Such research projects teach students how to design a project, timeline, budget, and effectively perform research on their own. Such research and internships give students an advantage when applying to graduate school.

Scholarship Criteria and Application

The Ward-Bottom scholarship covers half of a student’s expenses, including tuition, room and board, and books. Originally offering scholarships in physics, Ward saw the impact of his gifts and the success of recipients during and after their time at McMurry. He made additional gifts and broadened it to additional disciplines. The program now offers four scholarships to physics majors, and one each in chemistry and biology.

Roger Ward attributes his success not only to physics, but the overall McMurry experience. Criteria for the scholarship reflects that, such as focusing on students from small towns, living on campus, and being an involved student.

Faculty in physics, chemistry, and biology select students for the Ward-Bottom Scholarship, based on the following criteria:

• Declared a major in physics, chemistry, or biology.
• Must live on campus.
• Must be from a Texas town with a population of less than 25,000.
• Recipients must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA to continue to receive the scholarship.

Interested students can log into the student portal to apply.

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STEM Students Invited to Summer Lift Off Program to Launch Their College Careers

Program Applications Due June 21

�ѳ��ѳܰ�����’s Lift Off program is a summer bridge program that gives incoming freshman STEM majors an opportunity to earn up to six credit hours in three and a half weeks. Courses and projects are paired with peer-assisted learning and mentoring that affords students a jump start on their college careers.

Students follow one of two tracks. Each student’s declared major and provided placement test are components that help establish which track a student should take.

• Track I: Pre-Calculus and First Year Seminar
• Track II: Intermediate Algebra and Introduction to Sociology

“The best way to know if Lift Off is a good option for a student is to ask,” Tammy Werner, said. “Students have many different goals in participating in the Lift Off program, and adding a second track this year opens opportunities to even more students!”

So Many Benefits

Lift Off is packed with benefits:

• Students complete two college classes before all other freshmen, giving them a leg up on their degree plan before the long semester and a potential boost to their overall GPA.
• Designed to be experiential, faculty developed the classes to be significantly hands-on and interactive. Students will work hard, but have a lot of fun too.
• Success coaches are a key part of the program, and students will begin to see how the “success coach” concept can enhance their college experience.
• Students interact and learn from peer leaders and faculty who are focused on their success.
• Socially, it’s a time to bond with peers and make friends in the living and learning community.
• Financially, it’s a less expensive way to earn credit for two classes.

Peer Mentors

Peer mentors, a key component of the Lift Off program, are older McMurry students who can easily relate to being an incoming freshman and are keen to be a mentor for others. “Each course has a peer mentor that attends class and holds evening tutoring sessions (similar to a supplemental instruction [SI] leader). The difference is that these mentors live in the community with participants during Lift Off,” said Werner.

“The mentors plan and attend outings, answer questions that many first semester students have, and generally show them the ropes of what it means to attend McMurry,” said Werner.

Logistical Matters

The Lift Off program is an in-person program with students housed in Gold Star Residence Hall. Living and learning in the same community affords students an opportunity to get to know other students with similar interests and have a peer mentor to help with courses and adjusting to college life. Students have the option to stay in their assigned room throughout the academic year.

• Lift Off move-in day is Sunday, July 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Classes run Monday through Friday with Saturday projects.
• Courses begin July 15 and end Wednesday, August 7.
• For reference, Welcome Week for incoming freshmen starts Wednesday, August 21.

Fees and Financial Aid

The entire Lift Off experience costs $600, which includes tuition, housing, a meal plan, activities, and learning materials. Applying for summer financial aid is recommended. Simply follow the same process to apply for Fall aid, but choose the previous year’s form. Deadline to apply for summer financial aid is June 28. Students eligible for the Pell grant may receive aid to cover some costs.

How to Apply

Ready to or have more questions? Start on the student portal or reach out to an admissions counselor. Application deadline is June 21, 2024.

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Meeting and Connecting with Other Students on Campus

A college campus with a world of possibilities before you is exciting. Finding new friends and activities can also be daunting. College is supposed to introduce you to connections and truly close friends. You know, the friends that will be in your wedding and that you’ll talk with decades later. College has meaningful activities to add to your resume and intriguing people that will write that first-job recommendation someday. Simply put, they are “your people.” But how are you supposed to find your people?

Students are often concerned about making friends. You don’t have to force it. Talk to the people next to you in your classes and go to any social events planned by the college. If you find someone you click with, invite them for coffee after class or go to a game together. Joining clubs will help too. The more you’re involved with, the less lonely you’ll feel.

Kiya Oleru, a senior psychology major from Merkel, Texas, leads a busy life. She’s involved in TRIO, Psi Chi, Student Ambassadors, and Promoting African American Heritage and Traditions (PAATH). That level of involvement didn’t magically appear. When she transferred to McMurry, she started saying yes to things she wouldn’t normally do.

“Just sign up, especially if they give free food or hold an event,” said Oleru. “Just go. Get out of your comfort zone. Enjoy your college experience to its entirety.”

McMurry’s new “living room,” an expanded and modernized Garrison United Methodist Campus Center, is a hub for student activity. Newly opened, it includes a fitness and wellness center, a coffee shop, a food court, private study rooms, the McMurry Spirit Store, and enhanced event spaces. It is a great place to bring students together in formal and informal ways, with new places to meet and congregate.

Joanie Burns, a sophomore religion major and psychology minor from Snyder, Texas, is deeply involved on campus. She is in the Honors Program, Religious and Spiritual Life, Promoting African American Heritage and Traditions (PAATH), is manager for the McMurry volleyball team, a Martin residence assistant, vice president of Christian Student Ministries (CSM), and a former Lift Off peer mentor.

“Be open to try new things and things you don’t expect yourself to like,” said Burns. “Try it, determine if it’s for you, and be willing to say no to what’s not right for you. Also, be open to failure. You can always try again later.”

College is about more than your major or playing a sport. McMurry has a lot to offer, including extraordinary faculty that truly want to engage with you. Take advantage when you are invited to participate in special and alumni events on campus. Attend events like the Garrison Lectureship or Women’s Luncheon each year to begin networking. Developing relationships with community leaders and McMurry alumni takes time and effort, but when you merge into the “real” world, you’ll have a network to guide and support you.

“We want to ensure our students develop a wide variety of skills, have a good time, and meet new friends. After they graduate, we want them to look back fondly on their college experience and seek ways to get involved helping the next generation of students to come,” said John Yarabeck, dean of students and campus life.

Sage advice from those who found their people?
“Be thoughtful about choosing your friends,” advised Burns.

“Be the best version of yourself. Give the benefit of the doubt and don’t judge,” said Oleru. “Then start building your community on how you see yourself.”

You get out of college what you put into it. And you will find your people.

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A Coach’s Perspective

This is part two of a two-part series on balancing athletics and academics.��

The path to winning on the field and in the classroom goes hand in hand. With hard work and finding a balance, excellence will follow.

Transitioning to College

Transitioning from high school to college is a significant step. Scholar-athletes have their own set of challenges.

“Support systems change in college. My family came to all my high school games. Now my parents make a few games a year. They watch online, but it’s different when they are not in the stands,” said Trista Brown, first baseman and sophomore biology major from Crosby, Texas.

College is also a time of growing up, managing classes, athletics, jobs, and social lives. “The hardest transition to college is time management. Professors treat you like an adult and expect you to take care of academics,” said Head Softball Coach David McNally ‘07. “College is harder than high school, and strong study habits are important. Ultimately, it’s on the player to take responsibility, but we’ll support and connect them to resources to help them.”

“In college, I realized that school and sports are serious business, and you must stay on top of things,” said Brown. “I had to show Coach McNally that I wanted to be here, who I was, and how much I care about softball.”

Dual Success

“The reality is that the skills to be successful in academics or athletics (or anything) are roughly the same. To be successful in any endeavor, you need to focus on a goal, have tenacity and dedication (i.e., work ethic) to achieve the benchmarks that lead to that goal, and be able to manage your time to ensure success in achieving the goal. In athletics, it takes practice, performance fundamentals, and game/match management. In academics, it takes homework, study, and assignment performance,” said Dr. Joel Brant, McMurry professor of biology and department chair.

He continues, “The key to both is preparedness (developed by the day-to-day activity). Assignments and games are simply tests of an individual’s preparedness. The true difficulty is attempting to excel in more than one endeavor. This adds a complication to the time management calculus. However, true scholar-athletes will have the work ethic to succeed in academic and athletic endeavors.”

Softball has the highest McMurry team GPA. “Softball is an extension of the university. If we don’t take academics seriously, we won’t be successful in the field either. This group of women has great leadership and confidence. They also set good examples and are mentors to the first-year students,” said McNally. “Players see what others are doing to balance athletics and academics. Whether at team dinners at my house, on trips, or at the hotel, you always see them with their laptops and books.”

Team Relationship

McNally and his wife Julie ’08 know that personal relationships matter. “If you build a relationship with players, they want to work for you and the team,” said McNally.

In softball’s seven-year McMurry history, this year’s team is as good as ever. As McNally says, the past builds the future.

“We get better each year and have a good core. It’s important to continue to recruit those with buy-in. We want a championship,” said Brown.

Softball becomes part of an extended family. “The answer to all is a home-cooked dinner. They eat, study, and hang out at team dinners at our home. It’s a laid-back atmosphere and builds relationships,” said McNally.

Students need to find what works for them. “I don’t bring homework to team dinners. That’s my time to set it all aside. I’m so passionate about softball, but I can’t let stress outweigh the big picture,” said Brown.

“Scholar-athletes work hard. Nothing in life is easy. They know how to keep a balance, too,” said McNally. “Success is based on effort. Challenge will make them successful in life.”��

Part I: Excellence on the Field and Off: Balancing Athletics and Academics

In case you missed it, check out��Part I��of our two-part series on balancing athletics and academics, where we explore the student perspective.

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