Furman’s first-year move-in day welcomes more than 400 students

More than 400 first-year students and their families made their way onto campus Thursday morning, but before the bustle of move-in day, Amelia Hatley ’25 was feeling emotional.

As one of the orientation leaders helping the new students get settled into Lakeview Hall, Hatley said the excitement on the faces of the incoming students reminded her of her own orientation three years ago.

“Furman is such a tight community,” she said. “Your time here can be priceless.”

William Haisten ’28 carries bags into his dorm room in Blackwell Hall during move-in day on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University

Carter Roelofs ’28 visited Furman once before deciding he’d become a Paladin. His parents were excited for the opportunities Carter will have at Furman, and the Paladin Football team was on hand to help them and other families unload their vehicles and move in.

At Blackwell Hall, professor and Chair of Business and Accounting Sandy Roberson was helping her daughter, Sabe Roberson ’28, move in. With 25 years as an educator at Furman, Roberson said Thursday’s move-in put the university in a new light.

“I’m pretty emotional right now – we came in and saw the welcome home sign, and we had to stop and take a picture,” she said. “Sabe loves to learn about lots of different things, so this is the perfect place for her. ”

On Lakeview’s fourth floor, RA Woody Greene ‘26 and First Year Advisor Diego Hernandez ’27 greeted new students, handing out keys and nametags and answering questions.

“I just get so excited meeting people and building these relationships,” Greene said.

The wide staircase of the newly renovated Lakeview Hall gave people all the room they needed to bring furniture and boxes upstairs to the dorms. The $27.6 million renovation expanded Lakeview to 210 beds, with pod-style bathrooms, ADA-compliant rooms, large windows that offer a view of Furman Lake and common spaces that encourage socializing.

Blackwell saw 126 students move in, Geer had 96 and Manly had 54.

Ron Thompson, associate dean of students and director of housing and residence life, said he was excited to see the renovated Lakeview serve its purpose as the living environment for a new class. Thompson said 437 first-year students moved in that day, but early arrivals had been moving in since late July. Click here to learn more about the Class of 2028: https://www.furman.edu/news/facts-and-figures-for-the-furman-class-of-2028/

Football team members help move students into Lakeview Hall during move-in day on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Photo by Nathan Gray, Furman University

“With them comes the optimism of a new year,” he said. “Their joy for arriving to this special point in their life, a destination they’ve been excited about for some time, is contagious.”

At Manly Hall, orientation leader Emily Berg ’25 had a group of student volunteers cheering the first-year students on as they arrived. For the upperclass students, sharing their excitement and passion was a way to make sure the Class of 2028 feel welcome.

“I think it shows them they belong here, and they’re wanted,” Berg said. “You have a lot of people advocating for you, whether it’s other students, athletes or faculty.”