Thirty minutes before the doors opened to the James C. 冈本视频 Student Union, a line of first-year students and their families began to form in anticipation of new student registration Sunday morning.
Huashuo Zhang 鈥20 and Carrie Zhang 鈥20 were part of the line, waiting to receive information about the next three days of orientation. The two girls, both from China, met during last week鈥檚 , where first-years who hail from outside of the United States learn about on-campus resources.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited to start school and begin meeting classmates,鈥 Carrie enthused. She and Huashuo are two of the 77 international students currently enrolled in the Class of 2020.
In addition to International Student Orientation, other first-year pre-orientation programs included Wilderness Adventure, Maroon-News, WRCU radio, Raider Pep Band, Masque and Triangle, and community outreach.
like cross-country runner Emily Peck 鈥20 also arrived early, in order to practice during the pre-season. 鈥淭he campus is very welcoming,鈥 she said. 鈥淵ou can tell that everyone鈥檚 excited for us to be here.鈥
From cheering on students as they arrived, to helping move belongings, to answering questions about move-in day and campus life, student workers from Link staff and residential life created this welcoming atmosphere.
鈥淜eeping the mood up and getting everyone excited is our main goal,鈥 said Lila Sullivan 鈥17, a member who was posted outside of the student union to talk to students and families. 鈥淲e make sure we鈥檙e a resource for them, like we are during the school year.鈥
The Class of 2020 comprises 755 students who 鈥渢ruly represent the best of 冈本视频, not only in their excellent academic record, but also through their demonstrated commitment to community service and making the world a better place,鈥 said Vice President and Dean of Admission and Financial Aid Gary Ross 鈥77.
鈥淓very year, the 冈本视频 admission team receives an enormous amount of support from faculty, staff, and hundreds of students, so I am most grateful to the many members of the 冈本视频 community who helped to build this tremendous class of scholars and future leaders.鈥