VCU Welcomes Class of 2015

By Cassie Williams Jones

Excited. Nervous. Eager. Those were the emotions felt by the approximately 3,800 incoming freshman moving into VCU’s residence halls this weekend.  

New students moved into their dormitories Saturday and Sunday, kicking off VCU’s annual “Welcome Week,” a series of activities scheduled throughout the week for new students on campus.

For incoming fashion design student, Samaiyah Brookins, who is coming to VCU from New Jersey, Saturday was filled with mixed emotions.

“I’m really excited,” she said. “I’m nervous that once my parents leave, it’s just me. However, I’m looking forward to meeting a lot of people, and seeing how different they are.”

Like Brookins, many were drawn to VCU for the diversity and urban setting.   

“I’m most looking forward to diversity,” said freshman Champrea Frye as she and her family moved her into Johnson Hall. “Even right now, today, I’ve seen everyone from every nation.”

“I chose VCU out of all the universities in the state,” said Kenneth Martin, incoming freshman and Richmond native. “It’s convenient, and I like the city life.”

His mother, Janet Porter, a VCU alumna and employee, is equally as pleased with his first choice in schools. She said, “I’m excited. I started at VCU in ’91, and 20 years later here we are.”

VCU President Michael Rao, Ph.D., came to show his support and to get to know some of VCU’s class of 2015. “It’s been a real pleasure for me to meet the newest members of our community,” he said, after chatting with several incoming students and their families about their plans for their time at the university.

The energy was high for all involved, and nostalgic for those who have done this before.

“For me and the students, it’s a great day,” said Reuben Rodriguez, Ed.D., associate vice provost and dean of student affairs. “When we get new students in, we feel like we’re all freshmen.”

Move-in weekend at VCU is a large, carefully orchestrated event. Besides the staff from Residential Life and Housing, approximately 100 faculty, staff and student volunteers were on hand to assist the university’s newest members.

“It takes all year to plan for this, and the tasks of hundreds to make this two-day event happen,” said Rodriguez.

Before starting classes Thursday, new students will have the chance to familiarize themselves with the university, and mingle with their classmates the rest of this week through numerous university events. To learn more and see the schedule of events, visit http://www.welcomeweek.vcu.edu/index.html.