JU’s Class of 2017: Moving on in!

The freshmen invasion is well under way.

An enthusiastic team of JU staffers and students — and even the JU Board of Trustees’ chair, Fred Pruitt, and his wife, Debbie — greeted new JU students and their families Wednesday, Aug. 21 and Thursday, Aug. 22 at the dormitories on the JU campus’ south end.

The incoming freshmen didn’t have to lift a finger as the JU team, which included President Tim Cost, unloaded the new students’ clothes, lamps, mini-refrigerators, curling irons and other provisions and carted them to the dorm rooms.

In addition to beginning to move into dorms on Wednesday, some students attended Dolphin Express Orientation at Terry Concert Hall while others participated in a “Getting Underway” session with their family members at Swisher Theater.

As the “Getting Underway” session wound down, Cost took to the Swisher stage to welcome students and encourage them to “get out there,” especially during their first few weeks on campus.

  

“Our fantastic staff is here to help you,” he said. “We will get to know you. This isn’t a 50,000-student Ohio State campus. We are like family.  And we’ve been hard at work preparing for you. We want you to stay, study, excel and graduate.”

Cost discussed recent campus upgrades such as Riverview Café renovations, adding Chick-fil-A and expanding food service and wireless locations, and added that much more is to come.

Najja Taylor, 18, an incoming freshman from Tampa majoring in communications, said after the “Getting Underway” session that she is nervous starting college, but likes what she sees at JU so far.

“I’ve been meeting new people and professors – and I really liked the massage chair they offered during Orientation,” she said.

Jamila Cowans, Najja’s mom who attended Orientation activities along with her husband, Antonio, said she was impressed with how faculty and staff members made “a personal investment” in her daughter.

Benedito Agostinho, of Miami, said the warm welcome he has received from JU staff and students has calmed his nerves some.

“This is a new life for me. It is going to be different, but everyone is here is friendly. Everyone wants to help,” he said.

Agostinho’s father, Francisco Itembo, said JU has made a great first impression on him, and that he thinks his son made a good choice to pursue his accounting studies.

“We have learned a lot and gotten a lot of advice. This is a very good start,” he said.

Later Wednesday, JU hosted an Orientation dinner at Riverview Cafe, pool and pizza party, and other activities for Class of 2017 members. Meanwhile, Thursday’s Move-In proceeded through heavy rainfall and, due to the weather, the Opening Session for freshmen was moved from Strom Amphitheater to Swisher Gym, while the Family Dessert Reception was moved from the Negaard Rowing Center to the Alumni House.

A host of other special events are planned for new students through Sunday, Aug. 25, and for the entire student body during Week of Welcome Aug. 26-30.

For information on Move-In & Week of Welcome, click here or visit the JU 2013 Week of Welcome Facebook page.

Here’s a photo gallery from Move-In and other JU events welcoming incoming freshmen on Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 21-22.