What college or university president in his right mind would invite a bunch of prospective students and their parents into his home for a meet and greet event?

The answer to that question is Millsaps College President Rob Pearigen and his wife Phoebe. They are also in their right mind and have events like that throughout the year.

Scott was invited to attend the event Thursday night, and of course my wife and I weren’t going to miss the opportunity. As Scott has researched his college choice and attended events on different campuses, Millsaps has continued to impress us.

During the gathering Pearigen addressed the prospective students and their parents about the importance of community and civic responsibility. He also talked about his love of the college and his and his wife’s involvement in events on campus.

“If the idea of going to a college and not seeing much of the president or president’s wife is appealing to you, then don’t come here,” Pearigen said. “You will see a lot of us.”

At the house we were invited to wander around, mingle and speak to other parents, prospective students, current students, alumni and faculty.

Scott struck up a conversation with political science assistant professor Nathan Schrader and soon the two began to realize they knew each other.

Scott spent a night on campus and attended several classes one day and was excited when we picked him up. He went on and on about a history class he sat in and how he enjoyed it.

As Scott talked about his favorite book and how he has read it over and over again I could see a light click on for Schrader. He told Scott that either they had met before or that there was another guy on campus with similar interests. That’s when it dawned on both of them that Scott had sat in on Schrader’s class.

At every event we have attended on campus the one thing that stands out the most is the way members of the student body and faculty interact. There is a sense of familiarity and closeness that is genuine.

Scott made his decision about Millsaps before Christmas, but Thursday night seemed like a great photo opportunity to seal the deal. My wife and I paid his deposit and took his first “college family” photo.

Outside of the quality of education, what mattered most to Scott was the size of the student body. He did not want to feel like a number or a face in the crowd. He wanted to feel like he belonged and was part of a family.

We think he found it.

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Paul Barry is the managing editor and can be reached by email at paul.barry@vicksburgpost.com or by phone at 601-636-4545 ext. 123.