Drive down Dalrymple and you can’t miss it. Five churches in a row, all beckoning students to enter their doors with a large sign and a promise of free lunch.
The fall semester is beginning, and LSU’s religious organizations are doing their part to welcome students back to campus.
Christ the King Catholic Student Center at LSU will welcome all students to a “Welcome Back Jambalaya Dinner” in the CTK activity center Aug. 25 at 5:30 p.m.
There are more than 3,000 students who regularly attend Mass at CTK.
“I feel that at LSU, there are a lot of faithful students, more so than on any other campus,” said Amy Soileau, director of stewardship and development for CTK. “We are so blessed with good students; we want them to get involved early.”
Students also have an opportunity to meet the parish pastors. Freshmen attending the dinner can register for the CTK freshmen retreat to be held Sept. 5.
“We think its important to invite students and let them know we’re here,” Soileau said. “We want to inform them of our Mass schedule, and weekly activities we have just for them, like Tuesday student Mass and Thursday student-led praise and worship.”
The LSU Baptist Collegiate Ministry already has begun its programming for welcoming new students. Last week, the BCM hosted a “Survival Week,” which included a cookout, midnight scavenger hunt and picnic on the Parade Ground.
“We start reaching out to freshmen their senior year in high school,” said Steve Masters, BCM director. “We encourage them to be involved in the BCM at LSU or at Christian organizations at whatever college they may attend.”
Freshmen are welcomed into the BCM by being assigned to family groups designed to encourage spiritual support among students. The groups of eight to 10 freshmen are led by upperclassmen who have been trained in peer ministry.
Freshmen also are welcome to attend Freshmen Encounter, a praise and worship program. During the first month of school, Freshmen Encounter will be held every Monday at 9 p.m.
“At the BCM, we encourage students; we want to see them involved in a Christian organization,” said Masters. “We are a beating drum announcing that the spiritual life is important.”
Chad Ramsey, a senior in construction management and BCM president, said an important component of the BCM is helping place students in a church home around Baton Rouge.
“I think the decisions we make in college have life-long implications. It’s important to make the right choices now,” Ramsey said. “You have to continue building your faith. We have to do it together.”
Ramsey also pointed out that less than half the students who are part of the BCM are actually Baptist. “All students are welcome here,” he said.
The Muslim Student Association will host its annual Welcome Back Party.
“Every year, we host some sort of gathering to welcome students,” said Abed Mubarak, Imam of the Islamic Center of Baton Rouge. “We do it to welcome them back and to inform them of our prayer schedule.”
There are five prayers a day at the Center: 5:45 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:55 p.m., and 9:15 p.m.
“We also have a service every Friday at 1:30 p.m. and a lecture every Friday at 8:30 p.m,” Mubarak said.
In addition to prayer, the MSA hosts various social activities every Sunday at 5 p.m.
The Refuge College Ministries at the Chapel on Campus has already hung its large, purple-and-gold sign to “Welcome LSU Students.”
“The Refuge Ministries provides a great way to meet people who truly care about your life,” said Lindsey Dyers, a sophomore in creative writing and a ministry leader for Refuge. “The people here are really passionate about Christ.”
To welcome students back to LSU, Refuge will hold its weekly Refuge College Service on Sunday, Aug. 31, at 7:37 p.m. The Chapel will provide free food and coffee for students.
“The Refuge believes in a wholistic approach to spirituality,” said Josh LaRavia, campus outreach director. “We nurture the whole person: physical, intellectual, emotional and social.”