Incoming freshmen, buoyed with anticipation and vehicles loaded down with personal belongings, moved into residence halls today at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. “Movers and Shakers,” aka sophomore, junior and senior SIUE students, helped their new classmates make the transition to college life. Watch the video on youtu.be
It took about seven hours for 500 “Movers and Shakers” to help 1,400 freshmen move into Woodland, Prairie and Bluff residence halls, according to Michael Schultz, director of University Housing.
The first vehicle to arrive at Prairie Hall was carrying Gurnee native Sarah Von Kampen and her mom, Sandy. “We were the first ones here this morning,” said Sarah, “and they were all smiles. It was a welcoming sight.”
“We packed our SUV so full, I needed a crow bar to get me out,” said Sandy Von Kampen. “And they had us unpacked in about five to 10 minutes.”
Freshman Alex Lukert of Chatham was also impressed with the speed in which his SIUE classmates helped him and his family unload. “I didn’t have to carry my own stuff. I’m looking forward to this year, new people and new experiences.”
The “Movers and Shakers” program began in 1996 and is critical in welcoming students to SIUE, said Schultz.
“I love SIUE, and I love helping out,” said David Hinkl, a junior, rolling a dolly piled high with the belongings of Kamrie Payne of Chicago.
Further down the driveway, sophomore Courtney Skaggs reached for boxes inside a SUV, showing words written on the inside of both her forearms. “criminal justice” is written in black magic marker on her left and “psychology” is scribed on her right.
“I’m a double major,” Courtney said. “If people ask, I can tell them about my major.”
“One girl we moved in today said, ‘You guys have a tough job,’ Courtney said. “I told her, ‘No, it’s really a lot of fun.’ ”
Logistically, moving a student into a new home can be hard work, said Mallory Sidarous, marketing specialist with University Housing. “We encourage our volunteers to not only carry heavy items,” she said, “but also to welcome new students, talk to them about their campus experiences and answer questions.”
Sitting outside of Woodland Hall waiting for his son (Elijah Adams) was Lee Langon of Flossmoor. “It was fantastic, a godsend,” Langon said. “We could have been forever trying to move in.”
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high quality, affordable education that prepares them for successful careers and lives of purpose. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottom land and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis, the SIUE campus is home to a diverse student body of nearly 14,000.
Photo Information:
“Mover & Shaker” Nick Glandon helps Kamrie Payne, a freshman from Chicago, move her belongings into Prairie Hall.
Freshman Shelby Tomanovich receives a welcome from SIUE Chancellor Julie Furst-Bowe. Kim Durr, executive assistant to the chancellor and one of the “Movers & Shakers” is in the foreground. Furst-Bowe both welcomed students and helped carry items during the Move-In Day.