It's an Exciting and Bittersweet Time as Students Move Onto Campus

Students and parents unpack anticipation and excitement during move-in days.

Students, siblings and parents were grateful for cloudy skies and cooler temperatures, with no rain on Aug. 15, as they moved their students’ belongings into residence halls on Kent State’s Kent Campus.

This was the first of three move-in days this week, with staggered schedules designed to reduce congestion as more than 4,000 students get settled in their rooms before the start of Fall Semester classes on Monday, Aug. 21.

President Diacon welcomes a student and her mother on move-in day.

Flashes Helping Flashes

Kent State President Todd Diacon and other senior administrators were on-site to welcome students, help unload cars and carry items along with teams of student volunteer “Movers and Groovers.” Other Kent State representatives were available for answering questions, wayfinding and to offer tech help, if needed. 

The Fall 2023 Move-In Team

New Campus Residents

Carson Borchers and his parents traveled from their home in New Albany, Indiana, to get him set up in the Beall-McDowell complex. Carson is excited to begin the architecture program here at Kent State. He said he chose to study here “because it was closer than some of the other schools I was looking at and more affordable, and because of the study abroad program.”

Carson Borchers and his proud parents on move-in day.

He said that when he learned that 80% of the students who want to study abroad are able to, he knew. “I think it would be cool to spend a semester in Europe.”

Aleysa Dell’omo is from Erie, Pennsylvania. She came to Kent State to study fashion merchandising. Some of the reasons she chose Kent State are the outstanding fashion program and the Kent State University Museum. “I love the museum,” she said. “It’s very nice.”

Aleysa Dell'omo brought an armload of plushies to campus.

Her decision to attend Kent State was cumulative. “I visited it three times and I liked it better than everywhere else, every time I came here,” she said.

Parents wore Kent State gear on move-in day.

Parents showed school spirit and supported their students with Kent State gear.

'It’s An Exciting Time of Year'

People all over campus have been working hard in anticipation of these move-in days and the start of fall classes. Jennifer Garrett is a Kent State alumna who is a custodial housekeeper for University Facilities Management. She said that she has been scrubbing floors and bathrooms and dusting. Garrett is excited and ready for students to come back.

Jennifer Garrett and colleagues at Tri-Towers.

UFM's Jennifer Garrett (right) and her colleagues get Tri-Towers ready for the return of students.


“They’re gone for the summer. Then during the summer you can’t wait for them to come back,” she said. “So I am ready to meet my students and start the semester on the right foot!”

 

Header photo by Sydney Weber, a senior, visual communications design (VCD) major with a minor in photography.

POSTED: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 12:26 PM
Updated: Friday, September 8, 2023 08:33 AM
WRITTEN BY:
Phil B. Soencksen