With cooler temperatures thanks in part to an overcast sky, Elon University welcomed its freshman class on Aug. 29 as hundreds of students moved away from home for the start of their collegiate studies.
Fam
ilies packed the parking lots even before the official 8 a.m. start time. With physical plant workers on hand to move clothing and furniture, and upperclassmen available to direct the new students to their residence halls, many families found the process to be a positive harbinger of things to come at Elon.
“The way everything is going has been so organized,” said Brian McGerigle, of Boston, as he waited to move his belongings into his Smith dorm room. “My brother went to school in Connecticut and traffic was backed up for miles. It’s a lot smoother here.”
About 1,290 freshmen were expected Friday, a slight increase from 2007.
“Every decision point that comes where you might rule school out, we ruled it in,” said Frode Jensen, father of Carter Jensen, who was moving into Smith. “We’re pretty darn excited.”
Both students and parents raved about Elon and their expectations for the next four years. Some freshmen had vague ideas of what major they would declare, while others had so many interests that they wanted to wade into their classes before selecting an academic focus. The qualities of Elon are what attracted many people to the university.
“I really liked the size,” said Rachael Berman, of Baltimore, who was moving in Friday morning with her parents and sister. “It isn’t so small that everyone knows everything about each other but it isn’t so large that professors don’t know your name.”
Her father, Paul Berman, remarked on the efficiency of moving in. “It’s very smooth so far, very easy, and we’re thrilled to be here,” he said. “What was really cool was the policeman who gave us some shortcut directions so we didn’t have to wait in line. We really appreciated that.”
WSOE, Elon’s student radio station, had tents set up in different locations with prizes for students who could answer trivia questions. Sarah Oldham was one such winner.
As she waited in line to check into her West Hall room, Oldham, who lives in Raleigh, correctly answered a question broadcast over a loud speaker to the area in front of the School of Communications: Who is Pete Wentz of the music group “Fall Out Boy” married to? “Ashlee Simpson!” Oldham said into the microphone under the tent, thus winning herself free tanning sessions from a nearby tanning salon.
Moments later, Oldham was back in line, waiting to get the key to her room. “I like all the different programs here, like Study Abroad, and all the activities,” she said. “The campus is really pretty, I like the size of the schools, and it’s the right distance from home.”
Oldham was joined by her mother, Sue, at the sign-in tent. “I’m feeling good about Elon,” Sue Oldham said. “We’ve just heard so much about how wonderful it is to students.”