New Blue Hens arrive
UD welcomes members of the Class of 2019 to campus
2:46 p.m., Aug. 31, 2015--For freshmen, arrival at the University of Delaware’s Newark campus is part of a process that began in high school, with letters of application, and continued with letters of acceptance and New Student Orientation.
College life became reality on move-in day, Saturday, Aug. 29, as more than 4,000 members of the Class of 2019 began setting up their new homes at UD, coming from the First State and the Golden State and locations across the nation and around the globe.
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With an abundance of helpers to greet the new Blue Hens, move-in day definitely proved to be a family affair, with moms, dads, siblings, uncles, aunts and grandparents helping their UD students unload, unpack and get started on the next stage of their own personal and academic journeys.
Sierra Carter, a University studies student from Wilmington with an interest in computer sciences, was accompanied by her mother, Marsha Carter, brother Richard Carter, friend Henry Brown and grandparents Rick and Deborah Morrison.
“I’m excited to be here, and we like it that she’s so close to us,” Rick Morrison said. “Sierra visited about six and seven colleges, and UD was the last one she saw, and she just loved it.”
Marsha Carter added that “UD is a great choice, and going here will open a lot of doors for my daughter.”
Grandmother Deborah Morrison said, “I can’t believe it. I remember when Sierra was born. I’m so happy and I’m so glad she is going to UD. It’s so close.”
Greg Driscoll, a mechanical engineering major from West Grove, Pennsylvania, also was looking forward to new academic challenges and meeting new friends.
“I’ve always been interested in working with my hands,” Driscoll said. “I like the fact the UD is close to home and that they excel in engineering, so I thought it was a good match.”
Rachel Dunscomb, an art conservation major from West Chester, Pennsylvania, picked UD because of the prominence of its undergraduate and graduate art conservation programs.
“It’s very hard to get into this program, and you really can’t get anything like it anywhere,” Dunscomb said. “My classes will be a lot of hard work, but it will be fun, too.”
Gabby Kowalski, a mechanical engineering major from Pike Creek, also chose UD because of its reputation as a top level engineering school.
“I wanted to go into engineering, and I wanted to study prosthetics,” Kowalski said. “They have a great program here. I am very excited and ready to start the next chapter in my life.”
Emily Schreiber, a psychology major from Ramsey, New Jersey, was attracted to UD’s Honors Program and wanted to be part of a close community of students in a larger school.
“It’s exciting and I’m looking forward to having new experiences,” Schreiber said. “Being at UD gives me the chance to find out what I really want to do.”
Jonathan Chang, an international relations major from Irvine, California, who likes to travel, wanted to find out what living on the East Coast was like.
“I wanted to see what the college experience was like on the other side of the country, and I wanted to see what the snow is like in the winter” Chang said. “The University of Delaware was the best of all the schools we saw.”
Chris Blackwell, a chemical engineering major from Newark, liked the idea of going to school at UD because his mother and four sisters also are Blue Hens.
“I wanted to go into chemical engineering, and UD is one of the top schools in the country,” Blackwell said. “With UD’s reputation, coming here was a real easy choice.”
Nikita Patlolla, a biological sciences major from Mount Laurel, New Jersey, said she liked the location and the chance to be part of the Honors Program at UD.
Aitha Bhavana, a nursing major from Newark, selected UD because it was close to home and because of the interesting and challenging selection of Honors Program classes.
Shane Gorman, of West Chester, New York, picked the University for its elementary education program and the chance to participate in an Honors 4 +1 undergraduate and masters program.
Welcoming new students
On hand to meet the Class of 2019 and their family support teams were UD Acting President Nancy Targett and Provost Domenico Grasso.
“What a great weekend to start the year. I loved meeting so many new and returning students, as well as their families,” Targett said. “They made a great choice by becoming Blue Hens, and I hope they continue making smart choices in both their academic and social lives.”
“I love move-in day,” Grasso said. “It one of the most exciting times of the year, because both the faculty and students are full of hope.”
Jeffrey Garland, vice president and University secretary, said, “It’s a great time to meet new students and their families. I’m also excited that we have a member of the City Council here because it symbolizes the partnership we have with the city of Newark.”
Marge Hadden, City Council member representing District 4, said, “I think we are looking at another exceptional group of students. They did their research and chose UD, and we are glad they are here.”
Rick Deadwyler, UD director of government relations, said, “I rejoice with the return of the students. The city becomes vibrant again, and it’s also a great opportunity to highlight the partnership between the city of Newark and UD.”
The University of Delaware’s 1743 Welcome Days provided new Blue Hens with a wide variety of campus programs during move-in weekend.
Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson, Evan Krape, Wenbo Fan and Doug Baker