Last night, UMHB had soooo much going on that it just really didnt seem that you could do all of the events that were going on around here. After work, I went home and I changed so that I could go to the UMHB football scrimmage that started at 6:30 pm. I LOVE CRU football but most of all, I love CRU athletics. I strive to attend at least one game of every sport, but sometimes I just dont get to. I know that today UMHB soccer has a game...in fact its going on right now as we speak. But that is besides what I was writing!

Last night, events on campus started in the early afternoon w/ the Aloha Party, hosted by the B.S.M. (Baptist Student Ministries). BSM is a place that you can go and be a part of any ministry that you wish...current or new (if you start it?!). I didnt go to this as I wanted/needed to go home and change, but they threw a mixer for current and new students. Gotta love fellowship. Whether you are a Baptist or not, the BSM is a great place to get involved in ministry opportunities. Shawn Shannon is in charge of our UMHB BSM and if you wish, please feel free to inquire more by emailing at Sshannon@umhb.edu or by calling 254-295-4234.

At 6:30 pm, our CRU football team had its 1st scrimmage. Wow. It was great. I love football and am so very excited about this year. UMHB is the current 2007 ASC champions and the ONLY team that we lost to last year was the NATIONAL Champions (White-Water Wisconsin). Last night, we played a team from Mexico that our football coaches got to work w/ this summer in a clinic. I was skeptical to see how good they would be and I was very shocked to see that they gave us a run for our money! If I kept score correctly, we won by 3 points! It was close. They had some great hits and very extremely fast. We have some polishing up to do as its early, but I do hope that by conference start, we are running on all cylinders!

Finally, our students had the option of attending the Wipe-Out party at Summer Fun USA, which is our local water park. Yes, Belton, TX, does have a water park. If you dont believe me, look it up! LOL...I went last year, but it was on a Saturday. This year, it fell on a busy night and I didnt get to make it, but I know it is a fun event. I also didnt go cause the doctor told me that I couldnt swim for a month cause I had Swimmer's ear recently. 

Here at UMHB, its nice to have that option of doing stuff. Now, not all the time is there always THIS much stuff to do, but people always ask, "What is there to do?" Well, I am showing you and I hope that you keep up w/ me as I show you all about UMHB this year 2008-2009!!! So...Stay Tuned!!! 

So...tonight, we had ended our tradition called Welcome Week. When freshmen and transfers come to UMHB, we have an orientation called Welcome Week. It is very much like church camp, but not?! Basically, students get put into family groups of either other freshmen or transfers (depending on the status of each student). Freshmen w/ freshmen...transfers w/ transfers. They get oriented in these "family" groups. The "family" groups do everything together from registration to recreation...you name it, they do it all together. Its a great way to get to know people and have a sense of "team" or "family." Welcome started this year on Saturday as that was the 1st day of move-in. Welcome Week is not required for all new students, but it definitely is strongly suggested. When I did Welcome Week as a 1st time freshman, I was voted "Most Spirited Male" out of my entire class! 

Tonight, as I mentioned, we completed Welcome Week w/ the Dubbing ceremony. Basically, we have a candlelight service and our student are "knighted" or "dubbed" a Crusader Knight forever. Its an amazing feeling as when you are done, there is some mass chaos as the other classes have some traditions to partake in. The freshmen get dubbed as that is their special event. After the ceremony is completed, then the sophomores go and ring the sophomore bell at Luther Memorial. The junior class meets at the Eternal flame, and finally, the seniors go the the quad and ring the Senior bell. All classes participate in this event and so everyone is involved...not just the freshmen. So now...the Class of 2012 is officially a part of the UMHB Crusader Family!!! Welcome...and we hope that you will be a part of our family soon too, class of 2009!!!

Well...I cannot say that there is a whole lot around campus going on except that Crusader Connection has begun for our 1st time freshmen! CRUco began on Monday and we are in full swing. Today is the 3rd day of CRUco and it will go on for this entire month. For you students that have been accepted and everything, we will see you this month. If you have not registered, you can register here: www.umhb.edu/crusaderconnection. For you students that graduated high school and didnt think about the next step and have nowhere to go...we would love to have you here w/ us! Its not too late. Just let me know how we can help. Email me: Henry.Morin@umhb.edu.

Its been great to see our in-coming class come and get registered. Its like a game of memory for me. I get to see all of the students that I have worked w/ this year and hopefully remember everyone's name?! I'm actually pretty good at it, but sometimes the memory slips. When you have as many students as I work w/, its a challenge, but I am always up for a challenge! As for you class of 2009ers and beyond, I'd love for you to come to campus this summer and meet! Its a great time to check us out. Things are very lax and I think its a great time away from the hussle and bussle of the regular school year.

Since there isnt much going on here at campus for the summer, I went and visited my best friend up in Fort Worth. We had a guys' weekend for the most part. It was another race weekend! I cannot say that I'm the biggest race fan as I dont really get all into the race, but its all about the experience and fellowship. Also, you have to love the wrecks! That is the best part! Friday, my driver was going so great...until he wrecked. I was sad. I have never seen my driver ever win a race when I go live. It saddens my heart! The Truck race on Friday night was fun as it was just my roommate and I. Saturday, a bunch of buddies and I went to the INDY race. Champ Car and INDY combined to make a series. TO many that means nothing, but to me...it means more cars in the field and that means...MORE Wrecks! It was a great race. My driver got 5th.  

So...things around campus have been really quiet since classes got out in early May. Man oh man! As much of a people person that I am, this summer thing is killing me?! Any of you juniors that are about to be seniors or even seniors that are about to graduate and dont have a place to go for the fall...we are still an option for you?! Just contact me by email here: Henry.Morin@umhb.edu or give me a call at 254-295-4153. I'd love to visit w/ you?! The last several weeks, I have been keeping busy w/ emails and phone calls galore! Its been crazy. I have been very appreciative about two in-coming students that sent me a graduation invitation!!! Thanks Hayles...thanks Brittany! I'll have something for you when you come and see me when you are here for Crusader Connection next month!

Last weekend, I took a road trip to South Padre Island! I love the RGV!!! Its such a great place. My friend and alumnus, Chad and his girl friend, (who is also an alum of UMHB) Jen, rode down w/ me and my mom to SPI for the weekend. It was such a great visit and very much well needed. (The only negative that came from this trip was that I lost my Oakley sunglasses when I rode a wave on my boogie board, and the wave dropped me and crashed causing me to gasp for air as I was taken under water and my Oakleys came off...other than that, everything was great.) My other friend and alum, Rachel, and her road trip pal, Brooke, met up w/ us down on the island. It was a very quick trip but a great trip. At least 1/2 of the people that went, had never been to SPI. It was cool to provide that experience for them. We got some sun, caught some waves, took a dolphin watch sunset boat ride, and got to just fellowship between each other. I think all of us got sunburnt and all of us came back w/ pictures! I was so sad for it to end, but the trip back was fun as I got to ride back w/ Rachel and Brooke, and got to know each other more through 7 hours of conversations and music! Its amazing how road trips help you get to know each other better?! I recommend a road trip at least once a year...even w/ high and increasing gas prices. There is nothing like a road trip to get to relax and get to know people!!!

Next weekend, I am going to the NASCAR truck series race on Friday and the INDY car race  on Saturday up at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth!!! Its not the beach, but its another cool summer event that I enjoy!!! Hopefully, you will come and visit me here at UMHB in the meanwhile?! Again, give me an email or give me a call...either way...I'd love to hear from you!!! Until then...

So...I have not kept up w/ the blogging like I did last year and I apologize?! This year has been so much fun and i know that I need a new camera cause I missed some awesome shots due to my lack of quality in my camera. Last entry, I talked about the men's basketball team winning the ASC title and also Crusader Knights. Since then, I did get to attend other events like Stunt Night and the Faculty/staff softball game vs. the UMHB all-stars to even graduation. That is right, graduation occured this past weekend. I got to see my 1st class that I recruited, graduate! It was something that I didnt think I'd still be around for, but it was great to see students from high school come in, and then change after four years of attending UMHB. Some are still the same while others grew up and matured physically and spiritually. I got to attend two graduation parties. One was for Ashlee and one was for Natalie! Way to go girls!!! Im proud of you and your accomplishments!!! Go CRU!

As graduation has occurred, campus is left kind of quiet. I am not a fan of this time of the year; however, it is a great time to come and check us out here?! Please feel free to set up an appointment time to come and see campus if you have not already?! My office line is 254-295-4153 and my email address is Henry.Morin@umhb.edu. I'd love to see you?!

Finally, I do want to give a shout out to the UMHB softball girls for still being alive in post-season play as we are having a fantastic season. The girls went 24-0 in ASC conference play the 1st time in ASC history! (I got that stat from a very proud momma over in financial aid that her daughter, Kelsey, plays for UMHB!) I got to go to the last home regular season game and these girls are the stuff!!! Continue to keep up w/ the Lady Crusaders as they continue down the road in Tyler, Texas, this week!!!