Every year, Taylor University pairs incoming students with current students for a full-day event called "24 at Taylor," which provides prospective students with an up-close peek at campus life.
The purpose of the event is to introduce incoming students to campus life, and it has received recognition for creating a sense of community and fellowship. The hosts get to take part in the joys and difficulties of having new residents in their dorms.
Junior Max Otto, a student who has participated as a host for several years, described his role with enthusiasm.
"I’ve had the privilege of both working for admissions and hosting multiple students over the past three years," Otto said. “I still have connections and have kept in contact, even become friends with some of the students I’ve hosted. Just by meeting them at the 24, opening up my room and letting them stay on the couch, they get a glimpse of real life at Taylor.”
He highlighted how this unique overnight experience allows high school students to witness the university’s community beyond the classrooms, through casual interactions like football games, late-night Taco Bell runs and unique dorm traditions.
In order to give potential students a taste of Taylor life, the program also gives them the opportunity to dine with existing students and observe classes. These exchanges provide guests with "an authentic glimpse of what it means to be a student at Taylor," including the fusion of social and intellectual components that define the Taylor experience, according to Otto.
Junior Luke Beukelman, another long-time host, acknowledged both the excitement and demands of the event. Beukelman, who has hosted many prospective students over the years, noted that while he values showing new students his Taylor experience, hosting can sometimes feel burdensome.
“The first couple of times, I really loved it and if I have a personal connection to the student, I love it too,” Beukelman said. “But if it’s just a random person off the street, as I’ve gotten older, it’s become more of a burden than a joy.”
Beukelman’s experience reflects a sentiment shared by other students who frequently participate. With extra guests on the dorm floor, some find it challenging to balance their schedules while welcoming newcomers.
Still, he said he values the opportunity to share Taylor’s traditions and engage visitors in activities like Airband performances and other campus events.
Junior Tyler Smith, an admissions intern, shared his own outlook on the event’s impact, especially for hosts who want to show future students what Taylor is all about.
“Anyone who’s had a good experience should be willing to share that with someone,” Smith said. “Having students over and sleeping on my futon is a way to do that for me.”
Smith expressed admiration for how younger students in his wing have embraced hosting, seeing it as a chance to model community involvement for their peers.
Notwithstanding the sporadic difficulties, the initiative has facilitated the development of enduring relationships between present and prospective students; according to certain hosts, such as Otto, the ties forged have evolved into enduring friendships.
Beukelman said he hoped the university would think about offering additional rewards to student hosts, such as modest cash stipends or merchandise other than the standard event T-shirt.
"I believe that would readily alter the way things are perceived and make it more enjoyable for students," he said.
The 24 at Taylor experience has grown to be a crucial component of the admissions process for many, enabling current and potential students to connect and meaningfully share their experiences. The program keeps fostering a sense of community, acquainting newcomers with Taylor life and cultivating relationships that go beyond academic years.
