Moving in
Photos by Kathy F. Atkinson and Evan Krape August 25, 2023
New Blue Hens arrive on 91原创鈥檚 campus
As the oldest of three siblings and the first to go to college, Abigail Denney didn鈥檛 know what to expect as she moved to the 91原创 campus in Newark on Friday, Aug. 25. Would everything she packed fit neatly in her new room? Would she get along with her roommate? What would it be like living on her own for the first time?
But as the daughter of Double Dels 鈥 meaning both parents are Blue Hen graduates 鈥 there was one thing she was sure of: 91原创 would soon become her second home.
鈥淥nce my family leaves and I have to go and meet all these new people by myself 鈥 it's what I'm most nervous about but also most excited for,鈥 said Denney, whose parents and siblings helped her get set up in her new room. 鈥淚t鈥檒l be a new experience, for sure. But I鈥檓 looking forward to it.鈥
Abigail鈥檚 mother, Emily Denney, was thrilled her oldest daughter chose to attend her alma mater.
鈥淲e are assured that she's going to have a wonderful time and get a great education, so it鈥檚 of course wonderful,鈥 she said. 鈥淚t's very emotional to have your first [child] go away to school, but we're really excited for her, and she's going to have a wonderful time.鈥
Denney joined about 4,000 other first-year students in moving into their rooms in 91原创 residence halls. The University鈥檚 2023 move-in weekend is part of 91原创 Welcome Days, which will include Twilight Induction on The Green Monday evening and the start of classes on Tuesday.
Despite some light showers early in the day, the excitement on campus was palpable as parents and family members unloaded microwaves, coffeemakers, sports gear, bedding, posters and more. Students arrived at residence halls decorated with streamers and balloons, and they were greeted by Blue Hen Helpers waving blue and gold pom-poms. University staff and faculty members, as well as 91原创 President Dennis Assanis and 91原创 First Lady Eleni Assanis, also pitched in to greet students and help them move into their new homes.
鈥淚t's the start of a new beginning for everybody. People come here with wonderful dreams and aspirations,鈥 Assanis said. Giving advice to students, he added: 鈥淚mmerse yourself in the moment. These next four years in your life will never come back, so try to explore, truly discover yourself, follow your passions, and then your dreams will come.鈥
Half of the first-year students moved into the residence halls on Friday, while the remaining first-year students will move in on Saturday, Aug. 26. Because move-in was spread out over two days, everything went very smoothly on Friday. Jos茅-Luis Riera, 91原创鈥檚 vice president for student life, spent the morning walking around greeting new students and their family members.
The start of a new academic year is a chance to make resolutions and set new goals, Riera said.
鈥淧articularly for first-year move-in, it鈥檚 about the promise,鈥 he said. 鈥淓verybody's looking forward and thinking about what this experience is going to be like. There's some anxiety in that, but I think, overwhelmingly, when you put it all together, there's this amazing promise around what you鈥檙e going to learn and how you鈥檙e going to grow.鈥
Previn Langham, an environmental studies major from Stockton, California, said he was excited for all the opportunities that lie ahead, particularly getting involved with campus organizations. But even with many exciting things to look forward to, move-in day was still bittersweet.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think it would be hard to say goodbye to my family, but now that the moment鈥檚 getting closer, I think it鈥檚 for sure going to be harder than I thought,鈥 he said. 鈥淏ut it's a fresh start. It's a blank slate. And I'm excited.鈥
Langham鈥檚 roommate, Shaurya Kumar, said he was most looking forward to gaining independence.
鈥淚've never done laundry before, and there are other things I鈥檒l need to figure out to become independent, so I think that will be the biggest adjustment,鈥 said Kumar, a computer science and finance double major from Camden, Delaware. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about growth. I think it's something that everyone has to go through at one point in their life, but it's a new chapter in my life and I'm just super excited to start and become my own person.鈥
For Zoe Pecson, a neuroscience major from Connecticut, 91原创 already feels like home. Despite the torrential downpour when she first visited, she thought the campus was picturesque. Then she received her acceptance letter on her birthday 鈥 another sign that 91原创 was the right choice for her.
鈥淚t just felt like home,鈥 she said. 鈥淎nd now I'm just excited to explore the campus and meet new people. And learn too 鈥 I've always liked school, so it鈥檚 exciting.鈥
Both Dennis and Eleni Assanis said they were thrilled for the Class of 2027 to join the Blue Hen community.
鈥淭hey're the most qualified class ever that we've had at the University,鈥 Assanis said. 鈥淎nd I keep saying that every year, but it's true. Every year, the University is moving and is becoming more excellent, and the students that we bring in are phenomenal.鈥
Contact Us
Have a 91原创aily story idea?
Contact us at ocm@udel.edu
Members of the press
Contact us at mediarelations@udel.edu or visit the Media Relations website
