Completely Different—Still the Same
- September 1, 2020
In carefully timed arrivals, the incoming students pulled carts heaped with their belongings—bins, games, pillows, guitars—to their new home at Moody Bible Institute.
Students and parents were wearing face coverings while moving into the residence halls, then came the quick goodbyes and maybe a few hugs amidst all of the social distancing.
When classes started, students benefited from new video technology that had been installed in classrooms over the summer. The hybrid-flexible format, known as hyflex in campus jargon, allows students to attend class in person or participate offsite through a live video feed. Students quickly adopted another bit of jargon—roomers to describe students who attended in the classroom, and zoomers who attended online.
“I’m just excited for something new—new adventures. I’m looking forward to it,” said Micah Nicklas, who arrived from Charleston, South Carolina, with his parents, Jon ’98 and Erin ’95.
The adventures started right away, with COVID-19 masks, news of looting on Michigan Ave., and a tornado warning—all on the first day.
And then Micah adds something else: “The gospel is why I chose here.” Like every other generation of Moody students, they arrive ready to learn God’s Word in practical ways as they serve in their new mission field, Chicago.
- Read more news from the fall semester, including the latest COVID-19 updates.