Lindsey Wilson University Community Prepares for Class of 2030
COLUMBIA, Ky. (08/18/2026) — Less than a week after the Lindsey Wilson University community officially bid adieu to the last group of the Class of 2026, it will formally welcome members of the Class of 2030 to campus.
Lindsey Wilson's Welcome Week will be held Aug. 21-28, getting underway six days after the university's inaugural summer commencement was held on Aug. 15.
New Lindsey WIlson residential students will check-in at Biggers Sports Center from 9:30 a.m.-noon CT on Saturday, Aug. 22, followed by new commuter students at 1:30 p.m. CT in the Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship.
The Class of 2030 Kickoff & Academic Forum will be held at 3:15 p.m. CT in the Roberta D. Dining & Conference Center, followed by the President's Picnic at 4:45 p.m. CT at the Emily Hundley President's Home. The first days of classes is Monday, Aug. 24.
It takes a lot of people and offices to pull off a proper welcome for both new and returning Lindsey Wilson students.
"It truly takes a village to prepare for our students, both our residential students as well as our commuters," said Lindsey Wilson Dean of Students Chris Schmidt. "Every office on campus comes together to make sure that students and their family members feel welcome when they arrive on campus. Public safety, physical plant, the coaches, admissions and of course our residence life staff all work together as one big team. It's one of my favorite days of the school year."
Lindsey Wilson officials expect to welcome more than 500 new students this fall, and the university's residence halls are near capacity with more than 950 students living on campus this school year.
Some students enrolled for the 2026-27 school year arrived on campus even before the 2026 summer commencement ceremony. On the weekend of July 31-Aug. 2, members of the Blue Raider volleyball and football teams moved into their residence hall rooms as their respective teams started practice. They were joined a few days later by the men's and women's soccer teams and members of the Blue Raider Band.
"Our upperclass student-athletes help a lot with freshmen move-in," said Assistant Dean of Students Abe Cross. "They establish that Lindsey Wilson community feeling on day one. We want every student to know they are a part of something bigger than themselves when they come here."
Summer work
Preparations for students' arrival started much earlier in the summer, with dozens of projects undertaken by the university's assiduous and industrious Physical Plant Operations office. Residence halls were cleaned and painted; the sidewalk next to Biggers Sports Center was expanded to accommodate delivery vehicles; two sewers were relined; showers were updated in Harold J. Smith Hall, and new fans were added to improve ventilation; a second bathroom in Memorial Hall was renovated; the Dr. Shilpan M. Patel Amphitheater was scrubbed; 150 smart thermostats were added across campus; and the Lucretia C. Begley Art Gallery was updated.
On Fairgrounds Street, construction continued on the 4,200-square-foot Jessica Smith Golf Center -- Donated by Earl & Marlene Smith, which will be opened later this year.
And in the Doris and Bob Holloway Health & Wellness Center, two treadmills were replaced on the cardiovascular deck, and the racquetball and two basketball courts were refinished. The pools were drained, which is done about every three years so that masonry repairs can be made. During this cycle of repairs in the natatorium, lighting was significantly improved.
New food items at Cranmer Dining & Conference Center
Probably the biggest change returning students will notice on campus is a new menu at the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center. Five dozen new items have been added to the meals. New items that will be featured alongside the tradition of serving mashed potatoes and gravy include green chili queso potatoes, sweet and spicy Thai chicken, skillet corn, Korean barbecue pork and Beef vindaloo.
The additions and changes to the menu were made based on student responses at last spring's food show, according to Lindsey Wilson Director of Auxiliary Services Jeff Willis.
"That's the trend of young adults -- they're all gravitating toward international menus," said Willis. "These changes to our menus reflect these new tastes among students."
Many of the 60 new menu items are more labor-intensive and involve more complicated recipes than the traditional comfort-food items they replaced, but Willis says the changes were worth it.
"Serving the students is what we are all about, and the students have expressed a desire to have these food items added to our menus," he said.
Pictured: Lindsey Wilson University Plant Operations staff member Ty Jones changes a lightbulb outside the Robert D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center in late July. The Cranmer Dining & Conference Center will feature 60 new menu items this school year. Lindsey Wilson’s Welcome Week will be Aug. 21-28. Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 24.
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