University of Scranton Welcomes Class of 2030 (Article + Photos)

When Corey Posa, an instructor in The University of Scranton’s Department of Nursing, greeted families along Mulberry Street during First-Year Move-In on Saturday, Aug. 29, she was helping carry on a tradition that has welcomed generations of Royals to campus.

“You could definitely tell the different emotions inside the car,” Professor Posa said. “Sometimes, the students are super excited; other times, you can tell they might be a little more nervous. So, we’re just here to be able to make them feel comfortable.”

Professor Posa’s observations were familiar to Mary Troy ’95, Ph.D., assistant professor of counseling and human services, who has experienced move-in day from nearly every perspective imaginable.

Beginning her second year at Scranton, Professor Posa spent the morning volunteering alongside Dr. Troy, who graduated from Scranton, later watched her son enroll as a student and has taught at the University for 25 years, including the past eight in a full-time role.

Having experienced move-in day as a student, parent and faculty member, Dr. Troy said she appreciates the care and coordination behind one of the busiest days of the year.

“It’s a really smoothly run operation,” she said.

Class of 2030 Facts and Figures

The University’s newest Royals traveled from across the country and around the world to begin their Scranton journeys.

There are approximately 920 first-year incoming undergraduate students and more than 45 incoming undergraduate transfer students.

The most common home state among the incoming first-year undergraduate students is Pennsylvania, followed by New Jersey and New York. In total, 17 states and six international countries are represented among the first-year undergraduate students. The most common major among incoming first-year undergraduate students is nursing, followed by finance, kinesiology, occupational therapy and biology.

Additionally, about 340 graduate students will have begun their studies in the summer and fall terms. Between on-campus and online learners, the incoming graduate class spans 23 states.

Hundreds Answer the Call to Help

First-Year Move-In is a massive logistical undertaking.

It is also, according to Michael Ritterbeck ’09, director of the Center for Student Engagement, “one of the best reflections of what our community means.”

“A lot of schools do have processes in place to welcome their students, but this is a real, organic collaboration between students, faculty, staff and facilities to make a seamless transition for new students arriving on campus,” Ritterbeck said. “It is a real community effort.”

According to Ritterbeck, about 380 student volunteers and more than 40 faculty and staff volunteers helped facilitate the day’s events.

Many student volunteers returned to campus with their sports teams, student organizations or friend groups, turning the day into a community-building experience.

“I think that’s really great to see, that they want to pass on that tradition,” said Michael Mancini ’27, a nursing major from Trumbull, Connecticut, and an Orientation Team Leader. “It’s community, it’s bonding with each other, and it’s also helping promote the new student community from the second that they step on to campus.”

Students Pay It Forward

For many of the upperclass student volunteers helping unload cars and carry belongings into residence halls, move-in day was an opportunity to return the kindness they received when they arrived at Scranton.

“I remember when I was a freshman and I came into my dorm room, everything was right there. It was great,” said Aidan Belverio, a cybercrime and homeland security major from Clark, New Jersey. “Helping out others at The University of Scranton and making the freshmen feel welcome and making them feel like this is the right place for them, it’s a very good thing to do.”

The work was not without its challenges, said Belverio, who helped carry refrigerators and heavy bags and boxes.

“I had to throw some on my back, carrying three bags at a time,” he said. “You gotta get strong, you gotta get gritty!”

Meghan Hooper, a nursing major from Harleysville, also volunteered because she remembered the welcome she received as a first-year student.

“I just remember it was a great day,” Hooper said. “Everybody was so helpful. I felt really welcomed.”

The first day of classes was Monday, Aug. 31. Commencement will be held Sunday, May 23.