Students Return for Fall Semester
Welcome Weekend festivities began with Move-in Day on Friday, Aug. 24, and ended with a bang — many of them, actually, along with oohs and aahs — with fireworks on Sunday.
- University President Geraldine M. Jones and Provost Bruce Barnhart visit with families.
- Amanda Andrews (left) and Natalie Reichard help first-year students move into Carter Hall.
- Anai'ya Jones smiles while moving her belongings into a residence hall.
- Kaylene Hallinan carries her guitar as she and Kimberley Melck move into their residence hall.
- Marcos Nina signs a banner welcoming the Cal U Class of 2022.
- Zander Johnson cheers during a Welcome Weekend activity.
- New Cal U students meander along the Monongahela River during a kayak excursion.
- Nicole Bernon takes part in yoga on the Quad.
- Students navigate an escape room in the Natali Student Center.
- Personalized signs make a residence hall feel more like home.
- Students play bean-bag toss.
- Blaze poses for a group portrait.
- President Jones addresses Cal U’s newest students at Convocation.
- New students participate in a candlelight ceremony on the Quad.
- A fireworks display lights up the night sky Sunday.
Cal U welcomed a class of first-year students during Welcome Weekend that included eight sets of twins, 20 international students from 18 countries, 20 Jacobs, 14 Alexises, students from 53 Pennsylvania counties and 13 U.S. states.
Many were born in 2000, making this the first class born and raised in the current millennium.
And they all brought lots of stuff.
A team of volunteers — including returning students from various clubs and organizations — was ready to help.
“They were all wonderful, and one of our helpers was an orientation leader for us this past summer, so this was really nice and a huge help,” said Roxanne Hoffman, of Reading, Pa., whose daughter, Samantha, moved into Residence Hall E on Friday.
“There’s so much to do, and this was just an appreciated beginning.”
Rachel Adams, of Latrobe, Pa., was excited to begin her physical therapist assistant program.
“I’m a competitive person, and it’s a competitive program, so I am excited for the challenge,” she said. “I’m nervous, but I’ve already seen some people I met at orientation over the summer.”
Vanessa Heyer, a criminal justice major, enjoyed getting her room in order before she and her dad headed to the Parent and Family Move-in Day Picnic at the Convocation Center.
“These halls are nicer than the ones we visited at other schools,” she said. “I thought the summer programs were really cool and helpful. I’m ready to get started.”
Busy weekend
Move-in Day was just the beginning of a packed Welcome Weekend for new and returning students before the start of the fall semester on Aug. 27.
Activities on Saturday and Sunday included yoga and cycling classes on the Quad, disc golf at SAI Farm, kayaking on the Monongahela River, and a shopping trip.
Students said hello to their neighbors in California borough during the town’s Riverfest celebration on Saturday and Sunday.
Welcome Weekend wrapped up Sunday night with a candlelight new student Convocation, followed by ice cream and fireworks.