MILWAUKEE -- Marquette’s freshman class moved into campus residence halls Wednesday.
According to statistics provided by the university, the newest group of Golden Eagles is 2,007 students in size. They come from 41 different states and 22 countries.
“This is absolutely one of the best days of the year on our campus,” said Chris Jenkins, the associate director of university communication. “You get to see the emotions of families as they’re dropping their kids off.”
Meredith Hunt, from Ferndale, Michigan, was one of the freshmen moving into McCormick Hall.
“Yesterday I was kind of sad and I was freaking out a little bit,” Hunt said. “But overall, I’m excited and ready to start the next chapter of my life.”
Hunt said she and her parents spent the night in Milwaukee on Tuesday so they could be up bright and early for move-in day Wednesday.
Despite the sadness of moving away from home, Hunt is confident she chose the right school.
“I visited a lot of different campuses. But from the time I got here, Marquette felt like home,” Hunt said.
Helping Hunt and other freshmen with the moving process were volunteers and resident advisors.
Resident advisors Nycole Fassbender and Jesi Mankowski said they would use their own experiences on campus when advising the new students.
“Not making friends is always a big concern they have,” Mankowski said. “But you’re going to meet your family here. I tell them just to have confidence that will happen.”
“Get involved. No one really told me to do that my freshman year,” Fassbender said. “There are so many different activities to get involved in on campus and that’s how you’ll meet a lot of your friends.”
Marquette Police Chief Paul Mascari said he also has a message for new students.
“First of all, welcome,” Mascari said. “You need to lock your doors and to make sure you’re not leaving your property in your car,” he said.
While that may sound like basic advice, Mascari said many freshmen aren’t familiar with life in a large city.
“This may be the first time they’re living in an urban environment,” the chief said. “They may be coming from a community where they leave their doors unlocked at night."
Jenkins said new freshmen will be participating in orientation activities the rest of this week. He said that includes some basic safety and life skills training.
“You have to be aware of your surroundings and you have to take care of each other,” Jenkins said.
Transfer students, as well as sophomores through seniors living in residence halls, will move in later this week.
Classes at Marquette begin Monday.
