By: May Willcox, Psychology and Communication
The day of my campus tour was a cold and dreary February afternoon. As I drove with my mom to campus for the first time in my life, I was certainly not looking forward to it. Frankly, I had my mind made up on another school and I thought I would rather
spend that gloomy day napping. But when we drove under the archway and into Centro’s parking area, I decided to give it a shot.
I had my mind made up on another school and I thought I would rather spend that gloomy day napping.
Our parking spot was labeled as “Specially Reserved for May Willcox, Class of 2024.” I liked that my experience with Bellarmine was personalized from the start; way more so than any of the large universities I was considering. My mom encouraged
me to lighten up and we went inside.
Slowly, as we waited for the tour to begin, I felt the disinterest and pessimism subside. The greenery-filled, skylit main hall helped diffuse the dreariness of the day, and one of my favorite songs was playing over the speakers. I saw the students
with coffees and laptops laughing and studying together. Anxious to get out of high school, I wanted to live that life. Even on a dark and rainy day, the atmosphere seemed inviting.
Everybody seemed to know everybody on campus, and those who didn’t offered a welcoming smile anyway
The tour itself took me all across campus, from the food options in Café Ogle and University Dining Hall, to the accommodating study spaces
in Centro and the Library; from a dorm room identical to the one I might live in, to the surrounding shops and restaurants on Bardstown Road. My tour guides were fantastic at showing off the campus and answering all the questions that popped into my head.
As they walked us across campus, they were greeted with “hi”s from their passing friends, and they waved happily in return. Everybody seemed to know everybody on campus, and those who didn’t offered a welcoming smile anyway. It struck
me how friendly the entire community seemed.
By the end of the tour, something genuinely unusual had happened: my mindset completely reversed. The gloomy skies didn’t bother me anymore; I was feeling cheerful and enthusiastic despite them. The campus was beautiful, even in the rain, and
each resource I toured was more appealing than the last. The area surrounding campus was flourishing with things to do, yet all the on-campus activities and events I learned about would be more than enough to stay busy. Perhaps more than anything, I couldn’t get over the welcoming sense of community among the students and staff. Even as a visitor, I felt like I belonged there.
I left Bellarmine’s campus that day feeling truly excited for college and what was to come, something none of my other school choices appealed in me. The tour was a defining moment in my Bellarmine Story
I left Bellarmine’s campus that day feeling truly excited for college and what was to come, something none of my other school choices appealed in me. The tour was a defining moment in my Bellarmine Story. Other things, such as the scholarships
I received and my acceptance into the Honors Program, only
further swayed my decision. By the time I needed to commit to a school, I truly could not see myself anywhere but Bellarmine University. Now that I have been here for a semester, I could not be more confident that my decision to attend BU was
the right one. And because my tour guides were such positive influences that kickstarted by Bellarmine journey, I decided to become an Ambassador so I can inspire the same excitement in other prospective students.