23/08/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 24/08/2024 01:48
As families carried boxes and moving carts whisked along the sidewalks of East Stroudsburg University on Thursday and Friday, the campus officially welcomed its first wave of new Warriors ahead of next week's start of the 2024-25 academic year.
In all, 1,221 first-year and transfer students moved into their residence halls over the two-day span. By Sunday evening, approximately 2,681 students will be living on campus.
One of those new arrivals was Addison Seibert, a first-year nursing student from Allentown. Fresh off moving into her room in Sycamore Suites, Seibert was excited to shift her focus to making friends and exploring campus life.
"I'm definitely most looking forward to getting to know new people, going to all the events and just learning more about the campus," Seibert said. "It's going to be amazing."
Outside Lenape, meanwhile, first-year student Davon McClev steadied a few small boxes in his arms before heading into his room.
"I'm excited and ready to start a new chapter here at ESU," said McClev, a business management major from Bensalem.
Lending a hand in the move-in effort were more than 380 students, faculty, staff and alumni, including President Kenneth Long, who helped unload vehicles and carry belongings while welcoming students and their families to campus.
Long, joined by his family, then made his way inside Sycamore Suites and Lenape Hall to introduce himself to some of the New to ESU 2024 Cohort.
Senior men's soccer player Ignasi Cucurella was among the more than 160 student-athletes who volunteered during move-in. Looking back on his memories as a first-year student arriving on campus from Barcelona, Spain, Cucurella said it was important to him to pay his positive experiences forward.
"It's important for new students to meet other students and see that we're all part of the same community at ESU," the health and physical education major said.
He encouraged new students to get involved in activities right away.
"Go to everything," he said. "Especially during your first few days on campus."
Getting involved and engaged at ESU begins with Warrior Induction Weekend, said Jennie Smith, Ed.D., dean of student life.
Featuring four days of events designed to help students connect with classmates, learn their way around campus and get to know important services and resources, Warrior Induction Weekend began Thursday and will continue through Sunday.
This year's lineup featured activities like a cookout and block party, and traditional events like the Walk of the Warrior.
"Participating in Warrior Induction Weekend will be the first big experience and opportunity students will have to connect and engage with other students in their majors, take part in fun activities and to learn about the campus so that their first day is seamless and exciting," Smith said.
For more information, visit the online Warrior Induction Weekend schedule.