New Welcome Center Broadens Campus Tour Experience

March 03, 2010 | Written By Sarah Reinhart '10

The newly remodeled Carl E. Wynn Academic Center not only provides current students with a host of new classrooms and research facilities, but gives prospective students their own space on campus as well. Located on the main floor, the Welcome Center is the gathering place for the beginning of each prospective student tour, and includes a 50-seat lecture hall outfitted with the latest media technology.

Each tour begins with a detailed video presentation about the overall “APU experience,” which features APU President [ Jon R. Wallace, DBA(/president/)], Vice Provost for Faculty Support and Special Assistant to the President Kimberly Battle-Walters Denu, Ph.D., and Associate Vice President for Internationalization Matt Browning, Ph.D., as speakers. Alumnus Everson Marsh ’09 serves as the narrator. The video touches on points that set APU apart from other Christian universities, emphasizing diversity, international engagement and missions, and APU’s underlying mission.

Tours are tailored to fit the needs and interests of those participating, but all begin with a walking tour of West Campus. Students are able to see the Mary Hill Building (including the theater)(/library/darling/, Duke Academic Complex, the )[Darling Library], and the Felix Event Center. The brand new Segerstrom Science Center is presented to students interested in studying a particular scientific field. On East Campus, the tour guide gives prospective students a glimpse of life in the APU community by taking them through Trinity Residence Hall and leading them down through the center of campus—Cougar Walk. Students and their parents are able to see popular APU dining venues and get an introduction to APU student-led organizations such as The Clause newspaper and Student Government Association.

Each tour is led by a current APU student, allowing visitors to hear about the campus from someone involved in many different aspects of student life, including academics, sports, clubs, and music groups. “Leading prospective student tours reminds me daily [of] what I love about APU. I get to experience over and over again how blessed I am, and hopefully pass on some of my enthusiasm to our guests,” said tour guide and undergraduate student Mandy Schendel ’12, a communication studies major. Enthusiastic tour guides not only provide helpful information about the university, but also display a contagious love for the campus they introduce.

For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (626) 812-3016.