‘They’re in good hands here’; UD moves in about 1,700 freshmen this weekend

University of Dayton students and family members move items into Marycrest Hall, one of the main freshmen dorms on campus, on Friday, Aug. 22. The university is welcoming about 1,700 freshmen this weekend. BRYANT BILLING / STAFF

Credit: Bryant Billing

Credit: Bryant Billing

University of Dayton students and family members move items into Marycrest Hall, one of the main freshmen dorms on campus, on Friday, Aug. 22. The university is welcoming about 1,700 freshmen this weekend. BRYANT BILLING / STAFF

The University of Dayton is welcoming about 1,700 freshman this school year, starting with move-in Friday and Welcome Weekend before culminating with the start of classes Monday.

Casey Gill, vice president of student experience at UD, said the incoming class is one of the most diverse and academically accomplished classes they’ve had so far.

Gill said while Friday was the first move-in day she’d participated in, it had gone smoothly and the university had great weather for it.

“Getting to see the students move in and enjoy college life for the first time is really exciting, and we have a lot of great events planned to kick off Welcome Weekend and get the school year started,” she said.

Chloe Koesters, an incoming freshman at UD from West Chester, said she had a smooth move-in on Friday. She and her parents dropped off several items last weekend during early drop-off, and she said she only had a few items to still move in.

University of Dayton student Camille Shiffer (left) and Sarah Khalil laugh while moving a box on Friday, Aug. 22, in front of Marycrest Hall. The two were among dozens of volunteers meeting freshmen in front of the building and helping them move in. The university is welcoming about 1,700 freshmen this weekend. BRYANT BILLING / STAFF

Credit: Bryant Billing

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Credit: Bryant Billing

Koesters and her mom, Dawn Koesters, both said they were excited for Chloe to have independence this school year.

“Being by myself, having my own routine,” Chloe Koesters said were two things she was excited for this year.

Dawn Koesters agreed, saying she was excited for her daughter to have something “that’s all her own.”

James Brown IV, a senior at UD, helped students move in on Friday. Watching the freshmen move in was “bittersweet,” he said, as he will be leaving the campus soon. But he was excited to greet the freshmen and their families, he said.

“Everyone’s really excited to get here, get to school, start classes,” Brown said. “Most of the volunteers are really excited to help move in people and meet all of the new families.”

University of Dayton students who volunteered to help freshmen move in haul belongings on Friday, Aug. 22, in front of Marycrest Hall. The university is welcoming about 1,700 freshmen this weekend. BRYANT BILLING / STAFF

Credit: Bryant Billing

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Credit: Bryant Billing

Brown suggested to students that they should be “open to new experiences.”

“I have tried so many different new activities since coming to college, and I’ve found some things that I’ve really enjoyed and have become my new favorite things,” he said.

Gill asked parents to remember that they planned for this moment with their kids.

“Take a deep breath, realized that you raised them to do well, and that they will be fine and they’re in good hands here,” she said. “Check in as you can, but know that they will be fine.”

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