25/08/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 26/08/2024 10:10
Photo Credit: Gaelen Morse
By David Levin
Julie Jette
August 25, 2024 • Student Life
On a sunny, bright Sunday morning, new students poured into residence halls, greeted new roommates, and settled in for their first year at Brandeis.
Outside of Shapiro residence hall, a small group of orientation leaders in bright pink shirts greeted every car with exuberant cheering. Over the sound of dance music playing on a small portable speaker, Vivian Hamui '26 explained what kept the group so enthusiastic:
"Starting college is hard. I wanted to make it as easy as possible for new students," she said. "I still look up to some of the orientation leaders that welcomed me in my first year at Brandeis, and it's been a great opportunity to be able to do the same for the next incoming class."
Hamui's classmate, Ria Escamilla-Gil '27, agreed wholeheartedly. "I know how scary it can be as a freshman. That's why I think it's so important for us to be cheerleaders for incoming students. If I see a family smiling, I know I'm doing my job right," she said.
In Usen residence hall, these families were already busy unpacking students, setting up beds, and making their dorm rooms feel like home. Savannah Kellman '29, who drove up with her family from Brooklyn, New York, said she was particularly confident jumping into school because she knew Brandeis would offer her an education few other schools could match. She is about to begin an accelerated five-year program with the International Business School, where she'll earn both a bachelors and masters degree while gaining skills to grow her startup hair care business (the company, S Beauty, hand-makes hair butter out of all-natural ingredients).
Photo Credit: Gaelen Morse
Luke Struss '28 felt similarly about launching his Brandeis education. A native of Boulder, Colorado, Struss decided to come to campus for the unique research opportunities he'll have as an undergraduate. "When I came to visit a biochemistry class, I must have picked an off day, because we had a quiz," he said, laughing. "But after talking to students and professors, it was so interesting that I knew I wanted to come." Struss is looking forward to getting hands-on in the lab-and, as an avid fencer, he's also looking to get blades-on with the Judges in the fall.
Photo Credit: Gaelen Morse