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• New beginnings, familiar reminders mark Class of 2030’s arrival at ������Ƶ
• Class of 2030 reminded of the ‘enormous opportunity’ of an ������Ƶ education at New Student Convocation

������Ƶ’s Class of 2030 committed to uphold the university’s core values of honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect during the annual Call to Honor ceremony Monday, Aug. 24, in Alumni Gym.

Student Government Association President Michael Swartz ’27 opened the ceremony by reminding students that the Honor Code extends to all aspects of life at ������Ƶ.

“These are more than just four words; they are a guiding star for every decision we make throughout life,” Swartz said.

As part of the ceremony, student leaders representing each class signed the Honor Code book, symbolizing their commitment to the four values.

Swartz encouraged students to view honesty as more than avoiding academic misconduct, noting that the relationships students build with peers, faculty and staff depend on fulfilling commitments and remaining true to their word.

‘Honor matters’

Emily Elrod, assistant teaching professor of mathematics and statistics, reflected on how honor has shaped her 20-year career in education, from public K-12 schools and community colleges to public and private universities.

“Honor matters,” Elrod told students. “To me, honor is reflected through honesty, integrity, responsibility, and respect. It matters in the classroom, in our professional relationships, and in the trust that others place in us as individuals and leaders.”

Elrod, who is beginning her fifth year at ������Ƶ, said the opportunities she has received throughout her career have been rooted in relationships built on trust. She encouraged students to think about academic honor not simply as a set of rules designed to prevent misconduct, but as an important part of the learning process and developing character.

Elrod said students can sometimes feel pressure to immediately have the correct answer or succeed from the beginning. Instead, she encouraged them to embrace mistakes, reflection and improvement as essential parts of learning.

“My hope is that students leave the classroom not only with stronger content knowledge, but also with a deeper understanding that honor is not simply about following rules, it is about becoming the kind of person others can trust, respect, and rely on throughout a lifetime,” Elrod said.

Building a strong foundation

Kenzi Maness ’27, a history and political science double major and president of ������Ƶ’s First Generation Society and Phi Alpha Delta, spoke directly to the Class of 2030 about respect, the Honor Code value their class will represent throughout their time at ������Ƶ.

Maness shared how the four values have shaped her own ������Ƶ experience as she prepares to graduate a year earlier than originally expected. Doing so, she said, required honest conversations with professors, organization, self-reflection and an understanding of how much she could reasonably take on.

“If you are not honest with yourself, then you cannot be honest with others,” Maness said.

She compared the four Honor Code values to blocks forming a tower: Removing one can weaken the others and eventually destabilize the entire structure.

“This is a new chapter so build your tower strong and lean on the amazing resources ������Ƶ has to offer when you need to,” Maness said. “The Honor Code sets a standard we are all expected to meet, a standard that strives to make us all better citizens, students, family members, and friends.”

Joining generations of ������Ƶ students

President Connie Ledoux Book then led students in reciting the Call to Honor.

Today we are entrusted with the honorable legacy of ������Ƶ, dedicated to the intellectual, personal and spiritual growth of all its members, to the advancement of knowledge for the good of all, and to the service of local, national and global communities. To that end, we affirm our commitment to the core values of our university:

• We commit ourselves to honesty, being truthful in our academic work and in our relationships with others.
• We commit ourselves to show integrity, being trustworthy, fair and ethical.
• We commit ourselves to responsibility, being accountable for our action and for our learning.
• We commit ourselves to respect, being civil, valuing the dignity of each person, and respecting the physical and intellectual property of others.

With these commitments, we join generations of ������Ƶ students as bearers of its honor.

Book signed the Honor Code book and offered the university’s commitment in return.

“We have pledged our commitment to live these ������Ƶ values,” Book said. “On behalf of the university, I pledge to you that ������Ƶ will do its part to challenge you to grow intellectually, socially and spiritually.”

The ceremony concluded with the singing of ������Ƶ’s alma mater and a final charge from Swartz to remain committed to honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect throughout their years at ������Ƶ.

As they departed Alumni Gym, students received commemorative coins inscribed with the word “Honor” and were invited to sign boards displaying the Honor Pledge on Young Commons, making a public commitment to the values they had pledged to uphold.

“We hope that this coin will help you recall this Honor Code ceremony and your commitment,” Swartz said. “It is what makes a community out of individuals and binds us together as ������Ƶ.”

Nearly 1,600 new ������Ƶ students gathered Under the Oaks for New Student Convocation on Saturday, Aug. 22, marking the formal beginning of their academic journey and receiving a challenge to embrace the “enormous opportunity of an ������Ƶ education.”

“We are intentionally seated here, under this beautiful canopy of century-old oak trees,” said Book. “These oak trees have weathered challenges and withstood change. They are symbolic of a strength that will unfold in each of you in the years ahead.”

A celebration of who you are

Rev. Kirstin Boswell, university chaplain and dean of multifaith engagement, opened the annual ceremony with the invocation, reminding students of this special moment in their life and college experience.

“It is a celebration of who you are—and who you are becoming,” said Boswell. “You have arrived at this place, at this crossroads, from which you will embark upon a journey that will increasingly become your own. So, begin from a place of confident centeredness.”

On their way to the ceremony from Alumni Gym, students walked through Alamance Building and passed the bell that once hung in Old Main before the building was destroyed by fire in 1923.

Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley used the history of the bell to remind students that ������Ƶ’s recovery from that devastating fire was possible because members of the community came together. Classes resumed within a day, and Commencement was held Under the Oaks that spring.

“That’s what that bell actually stands for,” Dooley said. “Not that hard things happen, you already know that. It’s that ������Ƶ has never rebuilt alone, and neither will you.”

Dooley encouraged students to build relationships with classmates, including those whose backgrounds and perspectives may differ from their own.

“The cure for loneliness, the real key to building community, isn’t finding people who agree with you; it’s finding people who take the time to actually get to know you, including the ones who don’t see it your way,” Dooley said. “Spend your time focused on the person you’re with, instead of the phone you’re carrying.”

Meet the Class of 2030

The nearly 1,600 new undergraduates at Convocation include members of the Class of 2030 and 80 students transferring to ������Ƶ from other institutions. The new students represent 40 states and 19 countries, including Spain, Singapore, Norway, Serbia, South Korea, China and New Zealand. Among them are 203 first-generation college students.

Vice President for Inclusive Excellence Randy Williams spoke of the “breadth and depth of the experience of our new students,” highlighting four students who represent the “well-rounded, talented, and compassionate” Class of 2030

• Josh Cox ’30 from Wilmington, Delaware plans to study engineering, and was a decorated high school athlete in football and track at Archmere Academy, where he was also recognized for his academic accomplishments with an AP Scholar Award. Cox has completed annual athletic training internships with the NFL Los Angeles Rams every year since 2018. He was also selected to participate iExplorers Post 9-week course on government-grade aircraft manufacturing.
• Laura Kate Galbreath ’30 is a high-level cyclist from Greenville, South Carolina who plans to study business analytics & AI. In 2023 she competed in the USA Cycling Amateur and Junior Road National Championships, demonstrating her well-rounded skills by finishing 3rd in the road race, 4th in the time trial, and 5th in the criterium. She’s also a cellist with her school’s chamber orchestra and taught leadership through mountain biking to younger girls in her hometown through the GRIT program.
• Anna Gratz ’30 from Sugar Land, Texas plans to major in public health studies and is this year’s recipient of the William R. Kenan Honors Scholarship, ������Ƶ’s highest academic award.  She earned the Girl Scouts Gold Award and developed a toolkit to help children with disabilities to explain their disabilities to classmates, along with a website that she shared with Texas Children’s Hospital, school counselors nationwide and disability advocates.
• Binita Shaw ’30 from Udhailiyah, Saudi Arabia plans to major in biology and graduated from Western Reserve Academy high school in Hudson, Ohio. Binita has been involved in immunology research on neuroblastoma, including studying the CRISPR knockout effects of a Glioblastoma gene through Cleveland Clinic, presenting the results at a national scientific conference, and publishing the study in the Journal of Immunology. She was also recognized for her efforts to secure a grant to support Read Nepal, an organization for which she served as a science and math tutor.

Students were also introduced to the faculty members who will help guide their academic experiences. Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Rebecca Kohn and Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs Deandra Little highlighted ������Ƶ’s teacher-scholar-mentor model and recognized four 2026 faculty award recipients: Scott Proudfit, associate professor and chair of English; Sandy Marshall, associate professor of geography; Ryan Johnson, associate professor and chair of philosophy; and Sandra Reid, associate teaching professor of human service studies.

Kohn encouraged students to get to know their professors, seek assistance when they need it and fully engage with their courses.

“������Ƶ has never rebuilt alone, and neither will you.”

Jon Dooley, vice president for student life

Keep moving

That message of relying on others was also at the center of remarks from Student Government Association President Michael Swartz ’27. He recalled struggling in a course during his first semester and wondering whether he belonged at ������Ƶ.

Rather than dropping the course, Swartz followed his parents’ advice to stay, seek assistance and give the class his best effort.

“I learned that asking for help is not proof that you are unprepared,” Swartz said. “But often, it is the first sign that you are ready to grow.”

Three years later, Swartz told the new students that the experience taught him a lesson extending far beyond the grade he eventually earned: don’t let challenges get you down.

“Remember that the goal is never to walk perfectly,” Swartz said. “It is to get back up, laugh when you can, accept the hand beside you, and keep moving.”

In her address, President Book emphasized that while students will learn about new technologies and the latest discoveries in their fields, an ������Ƶ education remains centered on human values and relationships, and a “very real sense of your own power, your own human intelligence to shape the future.”

“At the core of ������Ƶ are the fundamental values of honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect. Values embraced in our honor code. Human values that are impossible to capture via artificial intelligence,” said Book.

A symbol of hope

Book also led students through a “human bar graph,” an exercise illustrating the opportunity represented by attending a private, residential university and the network of faculty and staff prepared to support them. As she instructed groups of students to stand as representatives of different groups such as those who attend community college, four-year public schools, private universities, etc., one student, Ava Hunter ’30, was left standing representing “private, residential colleges and universities like ������Ƶ.”

“Ava, you symbolize the hope expressed in the model we have designed and deliver here at ������Ƶ,” Book said.

At the conclusion of Convocation, students received an acorn, an ������Ƶ tradition symbolizing the beginning of their growth at the university. In four years, the Class of 2030 will be Under the Oaks again for Senior Baccalaureate, where they will receive an oak sapling.

The ceremony concluded with a musical performance by Jocelyn Bogart, Maya Spencer and Keller Knight and the singing of ������Ƶ’s alma mater before students recessed through a line of faculty members.

Book left the Class of 2030 with a challenge to take ownership of their journey.

“This enormous opportunity of an ������Ƶ education requires action on your part, a commitment to taking full advantage of all we have here,” Book said. “We invite you to a powerful journey of questions and curiosity that will shine new light and new understanding.”

Nearly 1,600 new students arrived at ������Ƶ on Friday, Aug. 21, as the university welcomed the Class of 2030.

Despite a mix of rain and sunshine, staff members in Student Life and Residence Life worked to make the Move-In Day process as seamless as possible for students and their families. Student organizations and ������Ƶ Athletics teams also lent a hand, helping unload vehicles and carry students’ belongings into their new homes.

Familiar items in a new home

For many members of the Class of 2030, those belongings include more than the essentials for college life. As they begin a new chapter at ������Ƶ, students brought photographs, books, keepsakes and other reminders of the people and places they call home.

Ale Furano ’30 arrived at ������Ƶ from Greenwich, Connecticut, with three Polaroid photos of his family and friends. A Communications Fellow who plans to study sport management, Furano said he is looking forward to the opportunities ahead.

“I’m excited to meet new people and have a great opportunity and a new way of life,” Furano said. “I think the opportunities at ������Ƶ are really great, especially in the sport management field.”

Avery McTigue ’30, who plans to study nursing, is looking forward to joining clubs and organizations and exploring study abroad opportunities. Among the items making her new room feel more like home is an ������Ƶ-themed Jellycat plush toy with a special connection to her friends.

“The special item I brought from home is my ������Ƶ ‘Jellycat,’” said McTigue, who is from Bergen County, New Jersey. “My friends threw a ‘bed party’ for me, and it reminds me of them. Basically, they decorate your whole room, and it’s all ������Ƶ stuff.”

For George Schneider ’30, from Seattle, Washington, the move to ������Ƶ meant finding room for his vinyl collection. Schneider chose ������Ƶ because of its acting program. The Princeton Review recently ranked ������Ƶ No. 1 for Best College Theater, while The Hollywood Reporter included ������Ƶ on its list of the “25 Best Drama Schools in the World.”

“I’m very excited to be independent and expand on my training,” Schneider said. “I brought my record player and about 20 of my records. I knew I wasn’t going to bring a lot for my room, but I wanted to bring something to remember home by.”

An avid reader, Ryan Parker ’30, who plans to study journalism, made sure one of her books made the trip from Dallas, Texas. For Parker, attending ������Ƶ also means experiencing a new part of the country.

“I chose ������Ƶ because I felt it was the best for me, and I felt it would be a good transition as well,” Parker said. “I’m most excited to meet new people, especially being from Texas and being in a different part of the country.”

A class from around the world

The students arriving on campus bring a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and academic interests. Members of the incoming class come from 40 states and Washington, D.C., as well as 19 countries, including Singapore, Spain, Norway, Canada, Serbia, South Korea, China and New Zealand.

The most represented states are North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Illinois.

Fourteen percent of incoming students are the first in their families to attend college. The class also enters ������Ƶ with a strong academic record, with an average high school GPA of 4.09.

Students are bringing a broad range of academic interests to campus. The 10 most popular intended majors among incoming students are psychology, finance, biology, business analytics & AI, marketing, nursing, exercise science, elementary education, sport management and political science.

Several programs are seeing notable increases in interest compared with last year’s incoming class. The number of new students intending to major in elementary education increased 41%, while finance increased 39% and biology increased 16%.

The community classroom experience

Those statistics are reflected in the individual journeys bringing students to ������Ƶ.

Alexis Jacobs ’30 of Westport, Connecticut, was drawn to the university because of its size and sense of community. To personalize her new space, Jacobs brought handmade frames filled with reminders of the people, places and experiences important to her.

“I made these frames with different prints, photos, places I’ve been and family members,” Jacobs said.

Peter Matijevic ’30, who plans to study business analytics and applied mathematics, brought a reminder of his Massachusetts roots: a Drake Maye NFL jersey.

“It reminds me of Massachusetts and my favorite NFL player,” Matijevic said. “I chose ������Ƶ because it’s a beautiful campus and has small classes, so I could get to know my teachers.”

������Ƶ’s teacher-scholar-mentor model among its faculty is a touchstone of the university’s academic experience. For five years in a row, ������Ƶ has been ranked best in the nation for undergraduate teaching, and The Princeton Review recently ranked the university as No. 4 Best Classroom Experience.

Following Move-In Day, students attend New Student Orientation, including New Student Convocation on Saturday, Aug. 22.

The incoming class represents a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, with students coming to ������Ƶ from 40 states and Washington, D.C., as well as 19 countries. Among the countries represented are Singapore, Spain, Norway, Canada, Serbia, South Korea, China and New Zealand.

Fourteen percent of incoming students are the first in their families to attend college. The class also enters ������Ƶ with a strong academic record, with an average high school GPA of 4.09.

The most represented states include North Carolina, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Maryland, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Illinois.

Students are bringing a broad range of academic interests to campus. The 10 most popular intended majors among incoming students are psychology, finance, biology, business analytics, marketing, nursing, exercise science, elementary education, sport management and political science.

Several programs are seeing notable increases in interest compared with last year’s incoming class. The number of new students intending to major in elementary education increased 41%, while finance increased 39% and biology increased 16%.

The Class of 2030 will arrive on campus Friday, Aug. 21 for Move-In Day, kicking off New Student Orientation and the start of their ������Ƶ journey.

Friday, Aug. 21
Move-In Day

All students will be assigned a specific move-in time, which can be found on their Acorn Account. Upon arriving to campus, students and families must report to central check-in at Schar Center. Students will then receive orientation materials and directions to their move-in location. Each neighborhood has specific driving directions, which can be viewed on the map below.

New Student Orientation

All new students are required to attend new student orientation, which starts on the afternoon of Friday, Aug. 21, and goes through Monday, Aug. 24. On Friday, students will meet their orientation leader for the first time and, throughout orientation, they will have multiple opportunities to interact with their orientation leaders. More activities on Friday include students learning about their residential neighborhood or campus community (for off-campus students) and having fun at Late Night ������Ƶ.

Saturday, Aug. 22
New Student Convocation

The Class of 2030 will be welcomed to the university Under the Oaks by President Connie Ledoux Book during New Student Convocation on Saturday, Aug. 22. Students will first meet in Alumni Gym at 8 a.m. and hear from Jon Dooley, vice president of student life, before walking through Alamance Building and gathering with friends and families Under the Oaks. During the procession, students will pass the bell that hung in “Old Main” before the building was destroyed in the fire of 1923.

If family members want a bite to eat before New Student Convocation, they can stop by the special Parent and Family College Coffee in Citrone Plaza. College Coffee brings together students, faculty and staff each week for food and fellowship.

During convocation, students will receive their acorns, an ������Ƶ tradition since 1999, which symbolizes the beginning of their ������Ƶ journey. As they prepare to graduate in spring 2030, students will receive an oak sapling at the Numen Lumen: Senior Baccalaureate, a symbol of their transformation during their time at the university.

Later in the day, students can meet with their academic advisors and ������Ƶ 1010 Peer Educators and then say goodbye during the Family Send-Off Picnic at several locations: West Koury Lawn, West Moseley Lawn and Martin Alumni Center Wristbands are required and can be purchased at the Orientation Headquarters in the Moseley Student Center. Students eat for free with a meal plan.

Events are planned for families throughout New Student Orientation. However, if families cannot attend, they can always reach out to the Office of Parent Engagement with questions or concerns. Students have additional programming that afternoon and into the evening starting at 4:00 p.m. Orientation events are mandatory for all new students.

Monday, Aug. 24
Call to Honor

On Monday, all new students will commit to the university’s Honor Code with the Call to Honor at 9:30 a.m. in Alumni Gym. Each incoming class represents one of the four pillars of the ������Ƶ Honor Code: honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect. Students sign their name on a poster with the ������Ƶ Honor Code and receive a coin with the word “honor” engraved on it. Several other sessions are planned throughout the day, ending with a mesmerizing hypnotist show in Alumni Gym.

Classes begin on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

For full information on move-in and New Student Orientation, visit the New Student Orientation website.

Be mindful of campus construction projects, including the Stattery Center and Mooney Building. Information on traffic and parking can be found in the traffic and parking article.

What should I expect on move-in day?

Know your Schar Center check-in time, accessible to you via your Acorn Account, and print your dashboard sign, accessible to you via Phoenix Living.

All new students should have received one (including first years and transfers, living on and off campus). The Schar Center check-in is the one-stop shop for all things check-in related. New students will receive their new student packet, which contains their orientation materials, name tag, parking pass (if applicable), room key (if applicable), Phoenix Card (if you submitted a photo in advance), pre-ordered wristband and New Student Convocation rain tickets.

When you arrive, you’ll be greeted by volunteers who will walk you through the whole check-in process — you won’t even have to get out of your car! Make sure you are compliant with all immunization requirements to avoid any potential delays checking in.

After you check in, you’ll be given a hangtag. The hangtag corresponds with your move-in location, and it will get you access to that specific area. It is important to have that hanging in your rearview mirror during move-in.

Once you get to your move-in area, you’ll be greeted by a team of Orientation Leaders, Resident Assistants, Move-in Team members and ������Ƶ staff who will help you unload your car and get moved into your room. Students should know the names of both their neighborhood and building as signage around campus may vary.

Once you’ve finished unloading, you’ll move your car to a long-term parking location for the rest of the day. New Student Orientation begins at 4:30 p.m.

What should I bring and how should I pack?

The suggested packing list is available on the “Your ������Ƶ Bound Checklist” webpage through New Student Programs. There is also a Residence Life webpage that details the residential policies on what not to bring. Pack your belongings in a plastic tote (in case of rain) or boxes. Everything should be labeled with your name, room number and a contact phone number. This includes suitcases, boxes, lamps, loose items, shelves, etc. Dress comfortably, bring water and snacks, and enjoy the process.

While there are lots of helpers on Move-in Day, we do encourage families to arrive ready to help move their student in. Wear sneakers, bring a dolly if you have one and pack as if you’ll be carrying things yourself.

What if I forgot something?

It’s OK if you don’t have everything you need right away. In fact, less is more. Residence hall rooms are small and you won’t need to bring a trailer full of stuff with you. You can always have items sent to the mailroom or grab an ������Ƶ Express bus to local area shopping.

Will we have time to hang out with our family?

Move-In Day isn’t only for the students; ������Ƶ has programming planned for the entire family over the weekend.

All new students are required to attend New Student Orientation following move-in but the whole family is part of the ������Ƶ community. There are several events specifically for families during New Student Orientation, including a session with ������Ƶ’s senior leaders, a meeting with your student’s academic advisor, a coffee social for you to meet other ������Ƶ families, and a Family Sendoff Picnic. You can view the full orientation schedule online.

How can I make connections and get involved?

Get involved and go to the Student Organization Fair on Thursday, Sept. 4, to introduce yourself to different clubs and groups. Get on Phoenix Connect to join clubs, learn about upcoming events and more.

Talk to your student leaders as well. Orientation Leaders, Resident Assistants, ������Ƶ 1010 peer educators are all there to help you get connected to the ������Ƶ community. The Student Involvement Office also has Involvement Ambassadors who are here to help you explore the multitude of opportunities to connect. Visit the second floor of the Moseley Center to check out the Student Life offices and meet new people.

“It’s okay if your first few weeks at ������Ƶ feel a little uncomfortable—that’s often where the most meaningful growth happens,” said Kirstin Carrier, assistant dean of campus life and director of residence life. “College is full of new experiences that will challenge you, and stepping outside your comfort zone is one of the best ways to learn more about yourself. Whether it’s introducing yourself to someone new, attending a campus event, joining a club, or asking for help when you need it, every small step will help you find your community and make ������Ƶ feel like home.”

What if I don’t make new friends immediately?

College is a marathon, not a sprint. Take time to try new things, join a club or study abroad.

“Orientation is just the beginning of your college story not the finish line. You don’t have to meet your best friends during the first week,” said Destiny Payne, interim director of New Student Programs. “Every class, residence hall conversation, student organization, and campus event is another opportunity to connect with someone new. Give yourself grace, stay open to new experiences, and trust that your community will grow over time. The friendships that matter most are often built through shared experiences.

Late Night ������Ƶ also offers lots of fun options Thursday through Saturday nights and it is a great way to meet new people.

������Ƶ will soon welcome the Class of 2030 on Friday, Aug. 21, for Move-In Day, and ������Ƶ Campus Safety and Police have provided information on changes in traffic and available parking areas.

All new students and families must report first to the central check-in at Schar Center. All incoming traffic should travel to Schar Center from the northern entrance to campus along North Williamson Avenue. At Schar Center, students will receive orientation materials and directions to their move-in location for their residence hall. Please follow the driving directions to the Schar Center and then to your Residential Neighborhood.

Due to the logistics related to Move-in Day, ������Ƶ faculty and staff are asked to carpool if possible and to park in the following lots on Friday. The lots are highlighted in yellow on the map below.

• Koury lot
• Oaks lot (parking for staff working at Schar Center Check-in)
• Arts West
• South Campus (no parking in the spaces reserved for Acorn Academy at ������Ƶ)
• Station at Mill Point

Opening the celebration with remarks, Jon Dooley, vice president for Student Life, reflected on the division’s role in supporting and transforming students throughout their ������Ƶ journeys.

“We educate students and we transform lives,” Dooley said.

Throughout his remarks, Dooley emphasized the importance of relationships and the meaningful impact Student Life professionals have on students both inside and outside the classroom. “The relationships we build with students — and with each other — are our greatest assets,” Dooley said

The celebration highlighted milestones from across the division and university, including launching the division’s new five-year plan, signing the Okanagan Charter, re-energizing the Hazing Prevention Coalition, expanding resources and communications for graduate students and being named one of the most promising places to work in student affairs for the sixth consecutive year.

The event also celebrated staff service milestones, departmental accomplishments, graduate apprentices, upcoming retirees and the professional achievements of colleagues across the division.

Special guests in attendance included Provost Rebecca Kohn and Vice President Emeritus Smith Jackson.

As the academic year comes to a close, the event served as a reflection on the collective care, collaboration and commitment that continue to shape the student experience at ������Ƶ.

Division of Student Life Award Recipients

Academic Partnership Award

The Academic Partnership Award is presented annually to a Student Life professional and department that worked closely with academic partners to design a program or service that purposefully integrates curricular and co-curricular experiences or connects social and intellectual activities in an intentional manner.

Professional: Boaz Avraham-Katz, Truitt Center

Department: Counseling Services

Administrative Professional Award

The Administrative Professional is presented annually to a Student Life administrative professional (hourly staff member) who exhibits exceptional ability, commitment, and excellence in supporting student success and departmental/divisional priorities and projects.

Professional: Catherine Little, administrative assistant for campus life/New Student Programs

Collaboration Award

The Collaboration Award is presented to an individual and department that has excelled in forming partnerships within and/or outside the Division of Student Life to enhance the student experience by advancing the division’s and/or the university’s priorities.

Professional: Sam Lopez, Student Involvement

Department: Campus Recreation

Inclusive Excellence Award

The Inclusive Excellence Award is presented to a professional and department that has demonstrated a commitment to fostering a positive campus climate and community through advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

Professional: Emily Krechel, New Student Programs

Department: Student Care & Outreach

Innovation Award

The Innovation Award is presented to a professional and department that has developed new, unique programs, services, or ways of working to support our divisional mission and goals.

Professional: AK Krauss, Gender & LGBTQIA Center

Department: Gender & LGBTQIA Center

Mentoring Award

The Mentoring Award is presented annually to a Student Life professional who is an exceptional mentor to students and engages with them in purposeful student development activities.

Professional: Destiny Payne, New Student Programs

New Professional Award

The New Professional Award is presented to an individual serving in their first or second year at ������Ƶ who exhibits exceptional ability and commitment to work as a Student Life professional.

Professional: Ivie Shelton, Campus Recreation

Professional Achievement Award

The Professional Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the student affairs profession.

Professional: Jana Lynn Patterson

Professional Development Scholarship

The Professional Development Scholarship Award is designed to extend beyond those opportunities to provide employees with support for continued professional growth through participation in selected professional experiences. Participants are expected to develop a creative strategy for sharing insights and lessons learned with colleagues on campus.

Recipient: Callie Kelly, Health Promotion

Years of Service

5 Years 

• Kirstin Boswell
• Meredith Harrison
• AK Krauss
• Cara Plasencia
• Tumi Shadreck
• Christina Wittstein

10 Years

• Shane Atkinson
• Callie Kelly
• Peter Tremblay

15 Years 

• Jan Register
• Marilyn Slade

20 Years

• Susan Lindley
• Chris Troxler

40 Years

• Jana Lynn Patterson

Community Conversations & Civic Engagement

Deliberative Dialogue – America’s 250: What’s Next America?

Monday, Feb. 23, 4:30 p.m., Lakeside 212

As America marks its 250th year, this dialogue invites reflection on our shared past and the opportunity for diverse voices to share space and ideas to develop a collective vision for the next 250. Sponsored by the Kernodle Center for Civic Life and Political Engagement Work Group

Better Together: Breaking Bread, Building Bridges

Feb. 24 – May 5, every other Tuesday, 12:30-1:45 p.m.

Join us at Better Together this spring for connection and conversation. This time together invites us to live fully in the present and reflect on what makes this moment meaningful. Share stories, explore diverse perspectives, and build community. .

Dr. Habiba Sarabi: Education Rights of Afghan Women

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Alumni Gym

Join a conversation with Dr. Habiba Sarabi on the global impact of Afghanistan’s ban on women’s education and the fight for educational rights and gender equality. Dr. Sarabi, an Afghan politician, women’s rights activist, and medical doctor made history as the first woman to be appointed a provincial governor in Afghanistan, leading Bamyan Province. She previously served as Minister of Women’s Affairs and Minister of Culture and Education, where she focused on expanding education, protecting the environment and advancing the rights of women.

State of the Union Address Watch Party

Tuesday, Feb. 24, 8-10:30 p.m., Moseley 105

Join us for pizza and a live viewing of President Trump’s first State of the Union address of his second term. Come watch, discuss and stay informed. Sponsored by ������Ƶ Votes!

Love Your Body, Berry Much

Wednesday, Feb. 25, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Lakeside Entrance

Stop by for coconut-lime strawberries and a strawberry mocktail, courtesy of ������Ƶ Dining, while also learning tips for mindful eating. Swing through, grab a treat and discover ways to build healthier habits. Visit the for more information.

Cynthia Miller-Idriss – “Man Up: Understanding Misogyny to Prevent Extremism

Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Lecture

Thursday, Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m., Numen Lumen Pavilion, McBride Gathering Space

Extremism expert Cynthia Miller-Idriss examines how misogyny – online and off – fuels the rise in far-right and mass violence, and offers strategies for interruption and prevention rooted in everyday life. The Lauren Dunne Astley Memorial Lecture honors Lauren, who was set to join ������Ƶ’s Class of 2015 before her murder by a former boyfriend in July 2011. Established in her memory, the fund educates the ������Ƶ community on healthy relationships and building a culture free from violence. Visit the Spring Cultural Calendar for more information about upcoming events this semester.

Adventure Time with ������Ƶ Outdoors!

Adventures in Leadership Summer Staff Positions Available

Applications are now open for summer Adventures in Leadership staff positions, where you’ll guide incoming first-year students through exciting outdoor experiences. Earn potential internship credit and build leadership skills. Apply today on the ������Ƶ Job Network!

������Ƶ Challenge

The ������Ƶ Challenge is a great way to help classes, teams, organizations, corporations or cohorts grow through building authentic relationships, learning how to manage resources, developing creative thinking, and applying knowledge in new ways. Visit the ������Ƶ Challenge website to review the options, gather your group, and complete the interest form to schedule a customized, no-cost experience.

Last Chance to Become an Orientation Leader

Application Deadline is Friday, Feb. 27

The Orientation Leader application is still live. As an OL, you are an integral part of the orientation process. You will play a pivotal role in the transition of all the new students to ������Ƶ, serving as a guide and mentor to new students throughout their transition. by this Friday, Feb. 27.

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������Ƶ welcomed the Class of 2029 and new transfer students in August and celebrated the beginning of the 2025-26 academic year.

View some of the most impactful moments of the past month through the eyes of staff in the Office of University Communications.

The Honor Code

The ������Ƶ Law Flex Program in Charlotte enrolled its second cohort of 47 students during New Student Convocation on Tuesday, Aug. 12, at ������Ƶ’s Charlotte center. The Flex Program is a part-time, in-person, evening program for place-bound students in the Charlotte area.

Opening Day

President Connie Ledoux Book presented the ������Ƶ medallion, the university’s highest honor, to Rebecca “Becky” Olive-Taylor, retired executive director of the Koenigsberger Learning Center, and retired Vice President G. Smith Jackson as part of a ceremony that formally opened the new academic year at ������Ƶ.

Making the move

������Ƶ welcomed the Class of 2029 for Move-In Day on Aug. 22. New students arrived from 43 states and 15 countries, including Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Panama.

A unique welcome

New ������Ƶ students were invited to begin their ������Ƶ career, described by President Connie Ledoux Book as a “powerful journey of questions and curiosity,” at New Student Convocation on Aug. 23, 2025 Under the Oaks. Book led the students in the human bar graph exercise to show the uniqueness of an ������Ƶ education.

College Coffee

Classes began on Aug. 26, along with the first College Coffee of the academic year. College Coffee is one of ������Ƶ’s oldest and most appreciated traditions. This weekly campus-wide event brings ������Ƶ faculty, staff, and students together to build community and develop friendships.

The Class of 2029

The Class of 2029 was welcomed to campus Move-In Day on Aug. 22 followed by New Student Orientation, including New Student Convocation on Aug. 23.

Coffee and classes

Classes officially began on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and students were welcomed back with the first College Coffee of the year on Phi Beta Kappa Commons. College Coffee is one of ������Ƶ’s oldest and most appreciated traditions. This weekly campus-wide event brings ������Ƶ faculty, staff, and students together to build community and develop friendships.

Returning students will also see new developments on campus, including the beginning work on the HealthEU Center, and have the opportunity to major in new subjects such as neuroscience and digital content management.

On Sept. 4, 2025, ������Ƶ will hold the Fall Organization Fair on Young Commons from 6-8 p.m., allowing students to experience all the extracurricular activities the university has to offer. Then, on Sept. 26, students will welcome their families to campus for Family Weekend, including Fall Convocation with Olympic medalist Katie Ledecky, part of the ������Ƶ Speaker Series.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.

������Ƶ held the first College Coffee of the 2025-26 academic year on Aug. 26, 2025 on Phi Beta Kappa Commons.