Updated as of 12:36 p.m. on Aug. 22 to include video.
East Neighborhood on Elon University’s campus was bustling with energy and new students on Aug. 22 as the freshmen class began to move into their dorms. Olive Steadman, a freshman from North Carolina, said she was thankful for the help student volunteers were providing.
“Everybody was really helpful,” Steadman said. “We had eight people bring our stuff into the elevator and they were all cheering.”
Steadman chose Elon largely because she got accepted into the Communications Fellows program, but said the welcoming atmosphere made her feel at home here.
Freshman Kaleb Stanley, who is from Atlanta, said he was surprised by how much room he had in his dorm and is excited to meet new people at Elon.
“I am most excited about meeting new people and finding groups of people where I can make friends,” Stanley said.
Hannah Abraham, a freshman from New York, said she was happy with how easy the move-in process was.
“It’s going pretty smoothly,” Abraham said. “Everyone got everything up here really quickly, so now we’re just unpacking and we’ve only been here for 15 minutes and already have all of our stuff.”
Abraham said she is feeling nervous right now, but is excited for her roommate to arrive.
“Definitely nervous, but once my roommate gets here, I’ll be excited,” Abraham said. “Her and I have been talking the whole summer, so it’s nice to have somebody to connect with.”
Abraham cited the business program as a reason for her attending Elon, and she is excited to make new friends amid a southern culture that she said has been so nice coming from New York.
Matthew Steinberg, a freshman from Atlanta, said he is looking forward to beginning classes and said they sound interesting. He is also excited about the small class sizes.
Freshman Isabelle Drake is from South Carolina said the move-in process was smooth.
“The carts downstairs were really helpful with just getting everything out of the car,” Drake said. “There were a lot of people helping bring things upstairs into the elevators and just made it really easy.”
Drake said she is a little nervous about meeting new people, but generally is excited for her college experience to begin.
“I’m excited to just get a college experience, just to see what everything’s about, meet new people and just make good memories,” Drake said.
Freshman Tim Oddo, a New Jersey native, said he was both excited and nervous, but is happy to have met his roommate. He said he chose to attend Elon primarily for the study abroad program.
“I want to study abroad a lot. I know it’s not going to happen this year, but that’s probably what I am most excited about.”
Maise Russo, a freshman from Boston, said she decided to go to Elon because she liked the area and heard positive things from friends who attended. She said she is excited about the social aspect of Elon.
“I’m excited to meet new people, I just met my roommate, and I’m so excited,” Russo said.
Russo’s roommate, Olivia Porter, said she is happy with how nice the campus looks and that it played a role in her decision to attend.
“It’s a really pretty campus and I’ve only heard great things,” Porter said.