GMC News

New GMC junior college cadets move in

New GMC junior college cadets move in Vaishali Patel The Union-Recorder The Union-Recorder Wed Sep 04, 2013, 05:50 PM EDT MILLEDGEVILLE — After nearly three years of service in the U.S. Army Reserve, Jarrod Young, 19, enrolled at Georgia Military College as the perfect institution to lead him on his career path. “I’m looking forward to new experiences. I’ve heard nothing but good things about GMC,” the Jacksonville, Fla., native said Wednesday before moving into Baugh Barracks. Young, along with more than 130 first time junior college cadets and their families were welcomed to the historic campus Wednesday as the newest members of the 135th Corps of Cadets during the annual Super Wednesday event. “We’re expecting 136 new students,” GMC Admissions Assistant David Bill said. “We have students from everywhere, including Arizona, New Mexico and other various states. We even have one student from China and another from London.” The event kicked off at 9 a.m. as students began processing in the Cordell Events Center to make their rounds to various tables to meet and greet representatives from campus clubs, student activities, admissions, local churches and other community organizations. “This campus is beautiful. It looks like any other military academy,” said Ann Lamb, Young’s aunt. “I expect [Young] to fulfill his desire as a military officer at GMC. I’m a veteran of the U.S. army, a lieutenant, so the military is in his blood. This is a step in the right direction for him to be able to go further to get that four-year degree. I can see that there’s great camaraderie here already.” Dana Lowe and Karen Brooks with the Oconee Regional Medical Center provided information about the local hospital’s services along with refrigerator magnets and snacks. “The students are so bright,” Lowe said. “We want the new students to get a feel for the medical services we have here.” Green Pasture Baptist Church Minister Denita Hike also set up in the mini-gym to introduce the church to interested students and families. “Our desire is to bridge the church with the campus. We want students to be able to continue to worship, and we can be that spiritual support for them while they’re here on campus,” she said. “You can tell parents are glad to see churches in the community represented here.” Taylor McLeod, 17, traveled from Covington, Ga., to attend GMC as she follows her sibling’s footsteps. “My brother went here, and he said good things about GMC. I want to join the military, hopefully the air force, so I figured going to a military college would be good for me,” she said while waiting to move into the barracks. “I’m looking forward to trying and experiencing new and different things.” Coordinated and sponsored by the Office of Student Activities, students obtained their parking permits, school identification badges and campus mailboxes. The new GMC cadets and families traveled to Parham Hall, Peter Boylan Hall and other designated areas across campus as they made their way to the GMC Bookstore where they received their initial issue known as the “Ditty Bag.” Atlanta native Alim Grant unpacked his belongings from the car with the help of his parents Fred and Denise Arnold. “I came to GMC for the early commission program,” Grant said. “I want to become a second lieutenant and a better leader.” “I hope GMC instills him with the military discipline,” Denise added. After completing the in-processing steps, cadets were welcomed into the battalion, and the plebe-period officially began. Click here to subscribe to The Union-Recorder print edition. https://tinyurl.com/6qdm4oj Click here to subscribe to The Union-Recorder e-edition and view this full article. https://unionrecorder.cnhi.newsmemory.com/