High humidity and the occasional rain shower couldn’t dampen the mood as the Class of 2019 arrived on campus Thursday.

More than 650 first-year students checked in at Iacocca Hall and were greeted with exuberant cries of “Welcome to Lehigh!” from orientation staff members.

Later, hauling bags and boxes filled with the necessities of dorm life, the new students and their families approached the residence halls. There, they were met by swarms of M.O.O.V. (Made of Our Volunteers) representatives—more than 300 fellow students, faculty, staff and administrators—who approached, cheered “Pop that trunk!” and swiftly unpacked belongings and delivered them to student rooms. Many of the more than 500 students who had arrived earlier for Prelusion, band camp, athletic training and other activities were on hand to help as well.

“It’s kind of nice because I’m living in M&M, so when I see people in my hall I can show them around,” said Kristen Hoy ’19, who arrived early for the pre-orientation Prelusion experience.

The members of the Class of 2019 represent 43 U.S. states and 27 international countries and territories. Just over 10 percent of first-year students are from countries other than the U.S., and new countries represented include Albania, Indonesia, Syria and Egypt. It is also one of the most diverse classes ever admitted to Lehigh, according to Bruce Bunnick, director of admissions.

Excitement abounds

If “welcome” was the chorus, excitement was the theme of the day.

“I’m really excited. I’ve been waiting a long time to come,” said Gillian Gude ’19 as she prepared to enter Iacocca Hall to check in.

“It’s bittersweet,” said Gude’s mother, Debbie. “I’m going to miss her—she’s my first going off to college.”

“I’m very excited,” said Chris Kagan ’19. “I’m looking forward to meeting all these new people and getting acclimated—just being a college kid.”

Kagan’s older brother is a 2015 Lehigh graduate.

“It’s easier for us than most people, I have to admit,” said his mother, Lisa, of bringing their second child to Lehigh mere months after attending the graduation of their first. “[Lehigh is] like a family, it really is.”

Kendall Glynn ’19 unpacked her belongings in her room in M&M, assisted by her parents, brother and sister.

“I was really anticipating this,” she said. “I’m kind of nervous, too, but now that I’m here, it’s all good.”

“We’ve been thinking about this since we found out she was accepted,” said her mother, Kia. “We’ve been so excited. And you know, it’s bittersweet. She has a journey ahead of her.”

“Cutting the strings is going to be difficult,” she added with a laugh.

Lisa Collins’ son, Kyle, moved into Caruthers Hall.

“I’m good right now,” she said. “Maybe when we drive away I’ll feel differently, but right now I’m okay. I’m excited for him.”

Jean Pierre Villamar ’19 spoke of nervous excitement as he walked to M&M with his parents. His parents, however, like most on Move-In Day, were filled with pride.

“I’m from Ecuador, my wife is Dominican,” said Villamar’s father, Johnny. “We’re so pleased and happy for [Jean Pierre] to become a Lehigh University student. We hope everything will go well for him. He’s nervous and excited, but I think he’s going to do well.”

Move-In Day offered students and their family members many options, including campus tours, a welcome lunch on the University Center lawn, a visit to the Campus Bookstore or the convenient I Forgot Shop on Library Drive, a campus safety resource tour, information sessions and open houses, and a carnival with food and music.

Orientation activities will continue throughout the weekend, with events arranged through the Office of the First-Year Experience. Students will dine both on and off-campus, attend residence hall and orientation group meetings, and participate in summer reading discussions, the first-year student and alumni rally, and the academic convocation. Other activities include a make-and-take session, a rise-and-shine morning bootcamp and a work-study job fair.

Students will visit ArtsQuest at Steel Stacks on Saturday night for the Lehigh After Dark Kick-off, an evening of entertainment including mentalist Craig Karges, live music, free food and trivia. The Lehigh After Dark program offers students alcohol-free social options on weekends throughout the academic year.

‘This is my class.’

Thursday afternoon activities began with the “Farewell to Families,” after which students and their families parted ways: students to residence hall socials and family members to Grace Hall for the family orientation kick-off and president’s welcome.

President John D. Simon welcomed the families of the Class of 2019 to Lehigh.

“From our family to yours, welcome,” said Simon. “Lehigh is a very special place. It’s made up of special people. You got to meet a lot of them today.

“Move-in day is a great Lehigh tradition and I hope you, your sons and daughters feel at home,” said Simon. “As I plan to tell the class on Sunday at convocation, I have something very important in common with them—this is my first year as well. ... We’re going to begin this adventure together, so I think of this as my class, and I’m confident that we all made the right decision in coming to Lehigh.”

Simon listed some of the accomplishments of what he called “an amazingly talented class of young men and women” before easing parents’ anxieties with an assurance as a parent himself.

“Nothing is more important to you than your child’s future,” said Simon. “You have my assurance that we will take good care of your child. This is how I make that assurance: I have something in common with you. I have a son starting this year at Lehigh. So I have selected one parent, who for the entire group can be that helicopter parent. That parent is me.

“I will be vigilant about it,” he said, smiling. “I’ll be out and about on campus. I’ll be gauging the students. I plan to keep my thumb on the pulse of what goes on at this university. Nothing will escape my watchful eye.

“Please know you are always welcome here,” said Simon. “We want all of you to be as much a part of the Lehigh family as your sons and daughters, so please don’t be strangers. Come and see us often.”

Simon was preceded by Sharon Basso, assistant vice provost and dean of students, who encouraged parents to support their children but also to foster their independence. Allison Gulati, associate dean of students and director of strategic initiatives; Stefanie Burke, assistant dean and director of the Office of First-Year Experience; and Kara Gensamer, assistant director for first-year experience and orientation, spoke about programs and resources available to support first-year students in their transition to college, including Lehigh’s bLUeprint program.

Video by Stephanie Veto

Photos by Christa Neu