For Bradley, an honors finance major, attending UD is a family affair — his older sister graduated from UD in 2022, and he’ll be rooming with his cousin.

Bradley’s sister, Alexandra Telenta, said dropping her little brother off at her alma mater was a bittersweet moment — and also a walk down memory lane.

“It’s like a blast from the past being here and helping him move in,” she said. “Going to UD was one of the best things I've ever decided to do for myself and for my future, and I’m excited for him to have all those same experiences.”

The excitement on campus was palpable as parents and family members unloaded microwaves, coffeemakers, sports gear, bedding, posters and more. Students arrived at residence halls decorated with streamers and balloons, and they were greeted by Blue Hen Helpers waving blue and gold pom-poms. University staff and faculty members, as well as UD Interim President Laura Carlson and José-Luis Riera, UD’s vice president for student life, also pitched in to greet students and help them move into their new homes.

“Move-in is such a time of emotions — for students and parents,” Carlson said. “Having done drop-off with my kids, I know the mix of happiness, sadness, excitement and nervousness. I am so glad to have spent the day with families welcoming students and sympathizing with parents. And the gorgeous weather really put a smile on the whole day.”

Riera said the start of a new academic year is a chance to make resolutions and set new goals.

“Move-in is a new opportunity, and there’s a really high level of energy on campus," he said. “These students have big dreams, big hopes, and this is the first step of actually setting on that path. I’m excited to see what the next few weeks will be like for this new class.”

Abby Martino, an honors student from upstate New York, was initially interested in UD because of its stellar chemical engineering program, but from the moment she first stepped on campus, UD just felt like home.

“When I toured the campus, I just absolutely fell in love with everything about it. There wasn't a single thing that I disliked — not anything that I felt like I was settling on,” she said. “I just absolutely loved everything, and I instantly felt like I fit.”

Thea Paxton, a music education major from Dover, Delaware, connected with her roommate ahead of move-in and is looking forward to meeting new people in her residence hall and classes. While she purchased a few new things for her room — a rug, some storage containers and some decorations — she brought her bedding, photos, books and a lamp from home to give the new space a familiar feel.

“I didn't go all out with buying new things,” she said. “I was afraid I was going to be homesick and miss my bed, but I'm excited to make this place into my home.”

For Mohamed Tunis, a financial planning and wealth management major from Sierra Leone, home is more than 4,000 miles and a full day’s worth of travel away, but he said the distance will help him grow personally.

“In a way, I’m a little bit excited to be leaving home,” he said, jokingly nudging his younger sister. “I’m ready to take on the experience. It's something new, but I'm willing to learn, adjust and adapt.”

Honors College Dean Michael Chajes, who greeted honors students as they moved into Louis L. Redding Hall, said he enjoys the energy and excitement of move-in.

“You see students coming here who are just picturing an open-ended future,” he said. “This is the start of a new chapter in their life, and it's really fun to be here to see the start of that chapter. And as dean, it's fun to know that in four years I get to see the end of this chapter and the beginning of the next chapter, which for honors students tends to be very exciting.”

Also excited to see new faces on campus was 11-month-old labrador retriever Baloo, who is being raised by resident assistant Emma Domenick through Collar Scholars, one of three UD student organizations that raises puppies to eventually help people in need. On move-in day, Baloo helped out families by opening the doors using the accessibility buttons — a skill he’ll be able to put to use in the future as a service dog.

Baloo lives in the residence hall with Domenick, attends classes and participates in all other kinds of campus activities. For many new students, seeing a dog on campus makes the transition to college life a little less intimidating.

“A lot of students who come, they're leaving pets at home, they're leaving their families,” Domenick said. “So being able to walk down the hall and pet a dog can be really comforting.”