Incoming freshmen and their families filed into Historic Neighborhood dorms Aug. 21 with bittersweet excitement.
Bill Malachowski sat outside Hook, Brannock and Barney assembling a piece of furniture while his daughter, Grace, set up her dorm room. He said that it is sad to see his daughter leave home but he’s excited for the opportunities and traditions at Elon.
“It’s kind of bittersweet, but otherwise we’re excited to get her all set up and moving out,” Malachowski said.
Elon parent Susan Davis also expressed her bittersweet excitement while moving in her daughter, Libby.
“I’m so excited for her to be at Elon — it has so many opportunities and it’s a great place, but it’s bittersweet for her to leave the nest,” Davis said. “But I know she’s ready.”
The family is also enthusiastic for New Student Convocation, scheduled for Aug. 22 Under the Oaks.
“Everyone has said that convocation is a beautiful ceremony, so I’m excited to see that and to watch her get her acorn,” Davis said.
Grace Malachowski is an incoming freshman in the Teaching Fellows program and said she is looking forward to spending more time with other fellows.
“Everybody that I’ve already met is so nice and the cohort is a good way to meet people,” Malachowski said. “And I know we do extra things, and sophomore year we go to New Zealand, so I’m really excited.”
In Smith Hall, Elon University’s only all-male housing, Alexander Urbanchuk also said he was looking ahead to studying abroad.
“I’m looking forward to meeting a bunch of new people and making new friends,” Urbanchuk said.
Urbanchuk met his roommate through the Elon housing portal, and the two have gotten to know each other this summer through texting and playing video games. Urbanchuk said they put Smith as their preferred dorm because his roommate’s friend is a current student and said he loved Smith.
“I’m feeling pretty excited for a new start,” Urbanchuk said. “It should be awesome.”