The University of Mary Washington welcomed nearly 1,300 new undergraduate students on Wednesday, Aug. 22, marking the start of the five-day new student orientation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-hUWaNotH0&feature=plcpThe incoming students include 981 freshmen and 273 transfer students. Of the freshmen, nearly 30 percent identified themselves as Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Asian, African-American or multi-racial. About 15 percent are from out-of-state, including 28 states and several foreign countries.
The students started the day by moving into their residence halls, assisted by more than 200 UMW students, faculty and staff, including orientation leaders and members of athletic teams. Among the orientation events, President Richard V. Hurley gave a welcome address to students and families.
“It was easier than I thought it would be,” said Ebony Tunstall of Tappahannock, Va., who moved into Alvey Hall this morning. “I’m just excited to meet everybody.”
Zachary Eisig of Damascus, Md., finished moving into his room in Randolph Hall early, and awaited the arrival of his roommate who is from Sweden. “I’m excited and nervous at the same time,” said Eisig, who is a member of the Eagles swim team.
Korean exchange students, Hyelin Yang, Jihye Shin, Jimin Hwang and Seulkee Chung, already had settled in Ball Hall early in August and were excited to begin their first semester at UMW. The university they attended in Korea was much smaller than Mary Washington, said Chung.
“It’s wonderful here,” said Yang.
Returning students moved in on Sunday, Aug. 26 and classes started Monday, Aug. 27.
To hear from members of the incoming class in their own words, visit http://storify.com/UMWnews/umw2016.
Hood luck John Yox. You’re going to do great things for your school