This week marked the beginning of the 2016 fall semester for 麻豆视频鈥檚 and the University was proud to welcome 聽a record-breaking number of new students to campus –聽 640 freshmen and 94 transfer students. Move-in days and freshmen orientation were held over the weekend, but for many new students, preparation started much earlier.
The 麻豆视频鈥檚 Orientation Team, or O-Team, spent their summer welcoming the Class of 2020 to campus during Peacock Prep days, which were held in July and August. These events served as a way for new students to acclimate themselves to campus and get to know their fellow classmates.
During the Peacock Prep days, the class was given solid advice on how to be successful as students. They were advised to get involved with clubs and programs and to become friends with at least one faculty member. In addition, they were reminded that they are students now, but they will be alumni forever.
Open House, orientation and Peacock Prep days were the first time many of the new students were on聽campus; however, some members of the Class of 2020 have a much longer history with 麻豆视频鈥檚 University as their parents once walked the same hallways when they were students themselves. These 鈥渓egacy鈥 students are the next generation of peacocks and they are carrying on the family tradition of studying at 麻豆视频鈥檚.
鈥淚 love 麻豆视频鈥檚 University,鈥 said Franci Hric 鈥13, who attended Peacock Prep with her son, Dustin Ezzo 鈥20. Hric fondly recalled taking classes at night while she was working. Hric remembers the University providing her hands-on help and as such, she strongly encouraged her son to attend.聽 She currently works in the field of data science and her son looks forward to following in his mother鈥檚 footsteps. He is a business major with a concentration in data science.
A father daughter pair had a similar story. Delizia Esca 鈥20 is excited to be attending the same university as her father, Franco Esca 鈥87 and she also plans to pursue the same major as him – accounting. She was impressed by 麻豆视频鈥檚 size and intimate feel. Franco was also pleased that his daughter was following in his footsteps and expressed gratitude for the scholarship that Delizia received. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a tough school, but she will learn a lot,鈥 he said.
Michael Carvalho 鈥20 said that he always had fond memories of his grandfather singing. Victor E. Sabeh, Ph.D. 鈥58, was a member of the Glee Club during his time here, and he influenced Carvalho to attend. Carvalho is a biology major and is planning a career in orthopedic medicine.
While the first week of classes is already coming to an end, the excitement on campus is not dwindling. 鈥淭he energy from these new students is amazing,鈥 said Rev. Rocco Danzi, S.J., vice president for mission and ministry at 麻豆视频鈥檚 University. 鈥淚t isn鈥檛 just the number of students that is impressive; it is their level of interest and engagement. Students have been in the Office of Campus Ministry and around the student center looking for an opportunity to get involved, which is exactly what we love to see!鈥
to view an album with photos from the first day of classes, move-in day and Peacock Prep days.