Move-In Day 2014

Brenau University Women's College first year students prepare to head from the Daniels Pavilion into Pearce Auditorium.

August 21, 2014

A little construction never hurt anything. First-year Women’s College students successfully unloaded their belongings, moved into their new dorm rooms and began a weeks worth of welcoming activities on Brenau’s Gainesville campus Wednesday, August 20, despite the construction of new sorority houses down Prior Street.

“We’re going to have empty nest syndrome now,” joked John Kosater of Macon as he helped move in his daughter Madison, a political science freshman. Kosater said it’s a little sad to see Madison move but it’s a reward knowing she is “off chasing her dreams.”

After moving in and lunch, Pearce Auditorium was abuzz with excitement as the first-years gathered for Student Orientation. Despite the gloomy weather outside, the incoming freshmen were aglow with smiles and high energy as they and their families became acquainted with the faculty and staff at Brenau during the 2 p.m. question-and-answer session. Afterward, while parents toured the Sellars Gallery, the freshman broke into groups led by resident and peer assistant students, who educated them on the Brenau experience and led them in spirited cheers.

“Today—our hype, our enthusiasm—sets the tone for the rest of the year” said Casey Slaughter, a senior in the nursing program.

The sun made a punctual return as students and parents continued outside for the traditional opening ceremony, the freshman donning their new Brenau T-shirts and coming together as a unified class. With a proud parade through the Daniel Pavilion, the students walked down the historic front lawn to the steps of Pearce Auditorium for their class picture, memorializing the Class of 2018 before heading off to the dinner party at Hopkins Dining Hall.

“I’ve enjoyed meeting new people and knowing that this is a good environment. I’ve gotten the sense from being here that as a student I’ll be able to focus [on my studies], not have so much stress, and the smaller class ratios will allow more one-on-one time with people,” said Jessica Stanley, a freshman in psychology.

: Becca Jonhson, a sophomore resident assistant at Brenau, made sure all her floor’s new freshman had all the help they needed unpacking their belongings into their new rooms.

: Natalie Williams, left, was one of the dozens of student athletes on hand during move-in day to help new first year students carry their belongings into the dorms.

: Emily Burgess, a sophomore at Brenau, helped greet new students as they arrived at the North East Georgia History Center on move-in day at Brenau’s Gainesville campus.

: Parents show their Brenau pride during move-in day on Brenau’s Gainesville campus.

: Prior Street on Brenau’s Gainesville campus was closed to all but incoming students during move-in day.

: Family, friends and Brenau athletes help move in first year students on Brenau’s Campus.

: Tyana Luna was one of the Brenau Student athletes lending a hand to help move in this year’s first year students on Brenau’s Gainesville campus.

: The footpaths outside of Crudup Hall and Owens Student Center saw lots of traffic as first year students moved into the dorms.

: Dozens of Brenau student athletes helped move in this year’s first year students to Brenau’s Gainesville campus.

: Natoria Fullwood was one of the first year students checking in at the Northeast Georgia History Center during move in day on Brenau’s Gainesville campus.

: First year student Madison Kosater begins to unload her belongings during move-in day on Brenau’s Gainesville campus

: Debbie Kosater, center, helps her daughter Madison, right, unload the car during move in day on Brenau’s Gainesville campus.

: First year students and their families explored Brenau’s Gainesville campus during move-in day.

: Madison Kosater celebrates her new freedom as a Brenau resident, but mom, Debbie, is not so sure.

: Madison Kosater, right, does a dance in her new dorm room as she unpacks with her parents Debbie and John.

: Brenau University President Ed Schrader addresses this year’s first year students during the opening ceremony on move-in day.

: Brenau University President Ed Schrader addresses the class of 2018 from the stage in Pearce Auditorium during move-in day.

: A group of first year students are taught the traditional Humpty Dumpty class song by resident assistants during move-in day.

: First year student Maggie Mae Robinson reads over the traditional Humpty Dumpty class song.

: Brenau Women’s College first year students and their parents sit for a question and answer session in Pearce Auditorium during move-in day.

: Becca Johnson, left, cranes her neck to watch the welcome video created by Brenau faculty member Juli Clay and staff member Annie Johnson.

: Karis Williams, center, sings along with her fellow resident assistants as they lead the student body in a round of the traditional Humpty Dumpty class song.

: Class t-shirts are handed out to first year students in Pearce Auditorium during move-in day.

: Marlene Robinson-Marshall looks on from the doorway as her daughter Maggie Mae Robinson bonds with her fellow first year students. Marshall said that she is very excited for her daughter but it’s still a little sad to see her off.

: A group of Brenau dancers wait to run onto the stage of Pearce Auditorium as part of the opening ceremony festivities.

: First year students march from the Daniels Pavilion into Pearce Auditorium for the opening ceremony presentation.

: Family and friends of Brenau first year students prepare to take photos as the students head from Daniels Pavilion into Pearce Auditorium.

: Brenau University Women’s College first year students prepare to head from the Daniels Pavilion into Pearce Auditorium.

: Debbie Thompson, director of the center of Greek life and campus traditions at Brenau, speaks with first year students before they head through the Daniel Pavilion into Pearce Auditorium during move in day.