Louis Simpson of Boulder, Colo., right, receives Orientation materials during freshman move-in day. > Photo Gallery
Cicadas are singing an end-of-summer song, and a warm morning breeze stirs the trees around the brick-faced residence halls of Centennial Village at The Catholic University of America. There's excitement in the air.
It's 9 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23 - move-in day for the 970-strong Class of 2016. Throughout the morning, incoming freshmen arrive from all over the country, families in tow, ready to start the next stage of life as college students.
And this is just the first day - their next three days are packed with Orientation meetings and getting-acquainted activities with time to meet their housemates, as well as take in the local sights and even a late night Movie on the CUA Mall.
In front of the residences halls, moms and dads, aunts and uncles, little sisters and brothers, all haul boxes, bags, laptops, and fans from vans and trunks, assisted by teams of Orientation Advisers, resident assistants, and campus ministers wearing brightly colored T-shirts and big smiles.
"Welcome to Catholic!" the girl in the yellow T-shirt says pleasantly. Bridget Maley, a resident assistant stationed outside Walton House residence hall, consults a computer. "OK, you're all checked in," she says, and points the young woman over to the next table, where two Orientation Advisers in red T-shirts stand ready to assist the freshman in completing her check-in process.
Taylor Sias of Flemington, N.J., smiles and looks pleased - and maybe just a tad relieved - to finally receive the key to a room destined to be her home for the next year. Clutching her packet of Orientation materials, she heads over to a small group of relatives standing in the grass near her pile of belongings. They all pick up an item and head inside to Sias' new room.
Emily Curato, left, with her parents Sue and Mike standing behind her, and Taylor Sias, right, discuss how to arrange the room. > Photo Gallery
Her roommate, Emily Curato of Cumberland, Maine, has already checked in. Curato plans to study architecture, and is really looking forward to the program, she says. She and her parents, Sue and Mike, are busy finding places to put her belongings. The room is full of chatting relatives.
Marissa Sias, Taylor's mom, says she's excited to have her daughter starting at CUA. "We toured a lot of schools, and we definitely liked Catholic. This was by far her favorite." As for move-in day, she says with a smile, and looking at Taylor's belongings, "we're waiting to see what comes home with us. We don't know what's going to fit yet."
Sias plans to study Spanish. CUA attracted her, because it's in Washington, D.C., and it has a strong language program. "I'm just really excited to be here," she says. "To meet new people and explore the city and learn new things." CUA has "a lot of great programs, and the people are so nice."
Back at the Orientation table, Orientation Advisers Kathleen Lavoie and Mike Jabar, both seniors, say they will work the remainder of freshman check-in until 2 p.m. They offer name tags, Orientation packets, and schedules.
A stream of information greets each student approaching the table - "Here's your name tag. Keep that on at all times. That will give you access to the food tent. The back of your name tag has Orientation information. And this one is for you and this one is for your parents."
Lavoie, who's worked the freshman orientation for three years, says her favorite part of the program is "having the opportunity to welcome in the new students."
At another check-in station, Louis Simpson and his mom, Sue Simpson, of Boulder, Colo., along with Louis' aunt, Sharon Augustyn, find their way to Louis' room in Engelhard House. Louis, whose grandfather and great-uncle attended CUA, plans to study biomedical engineering.
He admits to be a bit "stressed out," but he's looking forward to being on campus. His move-in is accomplished simply, as he's traveling light. The remainder of his things are being shipped.
"It's a different move in for the guys," chuckles his mom. "The guys are very compact and ready to go."
She says her son is ready for college life. "It's great," she says. "He's ready to move into the next phase of his life, and enjoy campus and all the new opportunities that await."
