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The early morning hours before heading to campus for Charge In were “a little bit hectic” said Aleah Shahbazi from Marlborough, Mass, a first-year forensic science major. “I brought a lot of stuff, well...two cars full,” she said and smiled.

Now she was at Westside Hall, her key in hand, as her parents and younger sister got the cars parked. Two Welcome Wagon student volunteers, Emily King ’26 and Jake Genovese '26, helped her pile boxes and bags onto carts. “It’s all going so well,” Shabazi said.

King and Genovese had been helping families unpack since eight in the morning. “I know how nervous you can feel,” King said. “I remember those feelings. So we’re trying to make everything go as quickly and smoothly as we can. I love to help.”

When Shahbazi’s key wouldn’t seem to fit into the door, Genovese gave it a try and, suddenly, she was in her suite. “I’m so excited to be here,” she said. “I can’t wait to meet up with the friends I made at Orientation. And I can’t wait to start studying – I love science.”

‘Everything that college offers’

Meanwhile, over by Bethel Hall, while Brett Kohler '28 dashed off to check in, his mother Leslie Kohler waited by the sidewalk with all of his stuff. They’d traveled from Virginia, and she chuckled at his packing method. “It was pretty last minute; he just put everything in garbage bags. He just wanted to get here,” she said. “He wants his freedom and independence, and I am happy for him to have that and to be part of everything that college offers.”

Brett was one of hundreds of students moving into Bethel Hall during Charge In, said Ajianni Blackman '24 M.A., Bethel’s residence hall director. By 12:30 pm. more than 350 students were already moved in and getting settled. “We are getting it done!” she said, as families poured in.

The Class of 2028 is the second largest and one of the most selective classes ever at the University. Forty-five percent of the students are the first in their families to attend college. Moving in were class valedictorians, salutatorians, athletic stars, community and student leaders, a survivor of pediatric cancer, an oldest child in a family of 11 siblings, a wildlife animal caretaker, students who’ve already conducted research, and others who’ve served as volunteer members of police, fire and emergency response departments.

‘I’m looking forward to meeting new people’

Outside Gerber and Bixler Halls, the sun was shining, with music spilling out of speakers and cornhole games set up on the quad. Charlie the Charger fist bumped students. Ophelia Cruz from Creative Event Services in Massachusetts was snapping Instagram-ready photos with silly hats and goofy poses with a social roamer camera. “They’re busy, carrying things, moving carts,” she said. “I capture the moment for them, creating a photo or a GIF and send it to their phones.”

Mason Bronczyk '28, a biochemistry major from Enfield, Conn., and his parents, Becky Whited and Scott Bronczyk, were waiting to move the rest of his gear into Gerber Hall. It’d been a whirlwind for them, as the day before they’d moved Mason’s twin sister in at Penn State. “I’m happy to be in a new environment,” he said. “I’m looking forward to meeting new people.”

His mother said she was thrilled by how welcoming and organized the move-in process was. “It’s phenomenal,” she said.

For Sullie Yungiacela '28, Charge In was a total family experience. Her parents and her sister and brother-in-law and their children drove in together from New York City, helping her with boxes and her favorite plants. “I’m looking forward to living in a new home – a dorm with friends,” she said.

‘A day for the ages, a day they’ll never forget’

Back at Westside, Orientation and Transition Leader Tom Fang '26 called it “a day for the ages, a day they’ll never forget” as he helped students pick out Charger t-shirts for the next day’s class photo and get vouchers so the students and their families could enjoy lunch at one of the many food trucks dotting campus.

Peter Thomas '28, who will be studying business management, said he was feeling “a little nervous but mostly ecstatic.” Kayla Chappell '26 who transferred to the University – along with several of her friends – said she liked the vibe. “I love it here – the music playing everywhere and the upbeat attitude everyone has.”

Emily Grable '28 had moved in earlier in the week and as Charge In started, she decided she’d give everyone else a chance to get unpacked in Bergami Hall. She found a bench tucked in a quiet corner of the Maxcy Quad, took her guitar out, and started to play a few of her own songs.

A communication major, Grable said she’s “excited about everything – my classes, trying new things, getting to experience college life, going to fun activities they set up for us, having meals with friends, and having a nine-month sleepover with my roommate.”

‘I love how energized everyone is’

Jordan Mancuso-Cermola '28, who will be studying political science, and Austin Mancuso-Cermola '28, who is pursuing paramedicine are brothers from Southington. They said they ended up at the University together “by chance. We both wanted to pursue a degree, and this was the best place offering what we each wanted.”

They will room together along with two other suitemates. “It’s reassuring knowing that he’s here and we can rely on each other,” Austin said.

“I love how energized everyone is,” Jordan said. “I’m looking forward to getting into everything and finding my footing.”

“You can have a fresh start,” his brother Austin added. “I love that.”