Special to The Star



Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus will host an Open House on Monday for prospective students or anyone interested in learning about its educational opportunities.

A come-and-go event, the Open House will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Kahlmus Auditorium.

“This will be a great opportunity for prospective students who are planning to enroll in the summer or fall terms to visit our campus, learn about the admissions and financial aid processes, meet our faculty and staff, and schedule an appointment to register for classes,” said Admissions Counselor Candy Adams.

“We also encourage anyone who may be interested in taking college courses in the future to come out and learn what MSU-Meridian has to offer,” she added.

Participants can take a tour of the campus. They can meet with academic advisors and representatives from the divisions of arts and sciences, business, and education to learn about undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered at MSU-Meridian. They also can meet with admissions and financial aid personnel to learn about enrollment policies; tuition and payment options; financial assistance; and other procedures.

“Students can learn what pre-requisites are needed to transfer to MSU-Meridian from a community college or another institution,” Adams said. “They also can find out about our admission process and what scholarships and financial aid we have available. More than 40 percent of our students receive some form of financial aid, including grants, loans and scholarships.”

Registration for summer and fall terms will begin on Tuesday.

While at the open house, prospective students can also take the opportunity to schedule an appointment with an advisor to plan a course of study and to register for the summer and fall terms.

Linda Butler, who directs public relations and marketing for MSU-Meridian, said the Open House will have a very relaxed atmosphere.

“Prospective students can drop by anytime between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tents will be set up throughout the Kahlmus Auditorium with representatives from the various departments, and refreshments will be available,” she said.

“This will be a good opportunity for people who have been a little hesitant or nervous about just showing up during regular school hours because they did not know where to go or who to see,” Butler said. “Some may have been away from college for years but now want to complete a degree; others may be interested in enrolling to update degrees earned years ago for a competitive edge in their career advancement; and there may even be those who want to check things out to assure themselves that they are not too old for college.”

People in this community should not let the “unknown” keep them from registering for college, she said.

“In this uncertain economy, it is more important than ever to be thinking about attending college whether you are an older adult or a traditional college-age student,” Butler said. “A college degree can make you more marketable if you are just beginning a career, can help you switch to a new career if you have been downsized or can simply provide you with both personal and professional enrichment.”

For more information about MSU-Meridian’s upcoming Open House, call (601) 484-0227 or toll free in Mississippi at 1-800-824-5288, ext. 40227.