Grade school students weren't the only ones returning to class yesterday (Sept 5th) in Lacombe, it was also the opening of a new school year at Burman University.

A Welcome Back Bash gave students an opportunity to mix and mingle and learn about all of the different clubs and groups they can get involved with to help enhance campus life.

Vice President for Marketing and Enrollment Jr Ferrer says their student body is diverse.

“We have students from all over Canada, and not just all over Canada, but really, all over the world.  We have a number from the US and international as well.  We like to think of Burman as sort of a big, small pot of bringing everybody from all over Canada and the world so when people come here they get to experience a lot of different cultures and people and they can learn from that and wherever it is they are coming from they can take a little bit back of the world from here to their place”.

Last year students travelled from as far as the Middle East and Southeast Asia to study at the University and they had kids from every Canadian province enrolled.

Spencer Page is returning to study English Literature and International Studies at Burman for a 3rd year and he says it's been an awesome experience.

“At first like, because I am from Toronto, so coming from like a really big city to like a small town like this was kind of a shock.  But something that I have found and that I tell every new student that I meet now is that there is so much more opportunity here in Lacombe than people seem to think.  I’ve just been really trying to not only like just get involved here on campus but as much as I can when I have time I like to go into town and try and interact with some of the people in town”.

Among the locals Page has had the opportunity to get to know is Darrell the Barber and he says he also enjoys supporting local restaurants.

Students are also eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new President, Dr. Lorne Agrey on campus according to Ferrer.

“Previously he worked here as Academic Vice President, went away and was President at South Asia Pacific University and now he has come back with a mountain of experience.  We’re looking forward to see what he has in store for us, what his vision is for Burman.  If the students get a chance to talk with him, right away they will see he’s a down to earth guy, he will listen to them, take their concerns and really put the students first in whatever Burman is doing”.

Burman University is one of 15 Adventist Universities in North America, but the only Seventh - day Adventist University in Canada. 

(Top - students were led in prayer before enjoying a meal together, Bottom - Spencer Page gets his hair cut as part of student celebrations)