Despite some light showers early in the day, the excitement on the University of Delaware campus was palpable on Friday, Aug. 25, during the first day of move-in, as parents and family members unloaded microwaves, coffeemakers, sports gear, bedding, posters and more. Blue Hen Helpers — representing a variety of UD clubs, organizations and athletic groups — assisted incoming students settle into their new homes.

The excitement on the University of Delaware campus was palpable on Friday, Aug. 25, during the first day of move-in. Blue Hen Helpers — representing a variety of UD clubs, organizations and athletic groups — assisted incoming students and their parents unload microwaves, coffeemakers, sports gear, bedding, posters and more into their new homes.

Moving in

Article by Amy Wolf Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson and Evan Krape August 25, 2023

New Blue Hens arrive on UD’s campus

As the oldest of three siblings and the first to go to college, Abigail Denney didn’t know what to expect as she moved to the University of Delaware campus in Newark on Friday, Aug. 25. Would everything she packed fit neatly in her new room? Would she get along with her roommate? What would it be like living on her own for the first time?

But as the daughter of Double Dels — meaning both parents are Blue Hen graduates — there was one thing she was sure of: UD would soon become her second home.

“Once my family leaves and I have to go and meet all these new people by myself — it's what I'm most nervous about but also most excited for,” said Denney, whose parents and siblings helped her get set up in her new room. “It’ll be a new experience, for sure. But I’m looking forward to it.”

Abigail Denney (center) moved into her residence hall room on Friday, Aug. 25, with the help of her parents, Emily and Brian, and siblings, Meghan and Connor. As the daughter of Double Dels, she knows UD will soon become her second home.

Abigail’s mother, Emily Denney, was thrilled her oldest daughter chose to attend her alma mater.

“We are assured that she's going to have a wonderful time and get a great education, so it’s of course wonderful,” she said. “It's very emotional to have your first [child] go away to school, but we're really excited for her, and she's going to have a wonderful time.”

Denney joined about 4,000 other first-year students in moving into their rooms in UD residence halls. The University’s 2023 move-in weekend is part of UD Welcome Days, which will include Twilight Induction on The Green Monday evening and the start of classes on Tuesday.

UD President Dennis Assanis and First Lady Eleni Assanis greet students and parents as they move into residence halls.

UD President Dennis Assanis and First Lady Eleni Assanis greet students and parents as they move belongings into residence halls.

Despite some light showers early in the day, 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 President Dennis Assanis and UD First Lady Eleni Assanis, also pitched in to greet students and help them move into their new homes.

“It's the start of a new beginning for everybody. People come here with wonderful dreams and aspirations,” Assanis said. Giving advice to students, he added: “Immerse yourself in the moment. These next four years in your life will never come back, so try to explore, truly discover yourself, follow your passions, and then your dreams will come.”

Resident assistants Tyran Rice (left) and Amy Deo welcome new students to campus.

Half of the first-year students moved into the residence halls on Friday, while the remaining first-year students will move in on Saturday, Aug. 26. Because move-in was spread out over two days, everything went very smoothly on Friday. José-Luis Riera, UD’s vice president for student life, spent the morning walking around greeting new students and their family members.

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

“Particularly for first-year move-in, it’s about the promise,” he said. “Everybody's looking forward and thinking about what this experience is going to be like. There's some anxiety in that, but I think, overwhelmingly, when you put it all together, there's this amazing promise around what you’re going to learn and how you’re going to grow.”

Welcoming students to campus on Friday were, from left to right, UD First Lady Eleni Assanis, President Dennis Assani and José-Luis Riera, UD’s vice president for student life.

Welcoming students to campus on Friday were, from left to right, UD First Lady Eleni Assanis, President Dennis Assanis and José-Luis Riera, UD’s vice president for student life.

Previn Langham, an environmental studies major from Stockton, California, said he was excited for all the opportunities that lie ahead, particularly getting involved with campus organizations. But even with many exciting things to look forward to, move-in day was still bittersweet.

“I didn’t think it would be hard to say goodbye to my family, but now that the moment’s getting closer, I think it’s for sure going to be harder than I thought,” he said. “But it's a fresh start. It's a blank slate. And I'm excited.”

Previn Langham and his roommate, Shaurya Kumar, meet for the first time on move-in day.

Langham’s roommate, Shaurya Kumar, said he was most looking forward to gaining independence.

“I've never done laundry before, and there are other things I’ll need to figure out to become independent, so I think that will be the biggest adjustment,” said Kumar, a computer science and finance double major from Camden, Delaware. “It’s all about growth. I think it's something that everyone has to go through at one point in their life, but it's a new chapter in my life and I'm just super excited to start and become my own person.”

Zoe Pecson (right), pictured with her roommate, Jessica Lattanzi, said she is looking forward to exploring the campus, meeting new people and learning.

For Zoe Pecson, a neuroscience major from Connecticut, UD already feels like home. Despite the torrential downpour when she first visited, she thought the campus was picturesque. Then she received her acceptance letter on her birthday — another sign that UD was the right choice for her.

“It just felt like home,” she said. “And now I'm just excited to explore the campus and meet new people. And learn too — I've always liked school, so it’s exciting.”

An extra set of hands can be very helpful when moving into a residence hall.

Both Dennis and Eleni Assanis said they were thrilled for the Class of 2027 to join the Blue Hen community.

“They're the most qualified class ever that we've had at the University,” Assanis said. “And I keep saying that every year, but it's true. Every year, the University is moving and is becoming more excellent, and the students that we bring in are phenomenal.”