Anna Remus never expected to enroll at the University of Rochester.
“My sister went here, and I was determined to do something different,” the Des Plaines, Illinois, native says. “But the more I looked at Rochester, the more I realized this was the best place. I applied the final day I could, and I’m so glad I did.”
Anna’s sister, Angela, graduated with the Class of 2016. On Wednesday morning, Rosemary and Ken Remus were back on the River Campus to send Anna, their youngest child, off to college as hundreds of other first-year students, from 42 states, officially moved in. (The Class of 2021 also includes nearly 500 international students, who moved in Monday.) The three sat in their car in Park Lot, waiting to be directed to Anna’s dorm, while being serenaded by student a capella groups.
“It’s a different kind of hard,” Rosemary said, fighting back tears. “We’re excited for her.”
Orientation director Eleanor Oi ’13S (MBA) estimated that close to 1,000 cars pulled into Park Lot. From there, families were directed to dorms, where Orientation volunteers carried luggage up to the students’ rooms.
“It’s new and exciting, and fresh,” Oi said of Move-In Day. “It’s a new beginning for everyone.”
One family arrived at 7 a.m.—two hours before Move-In Day officially commenced—and brought three cars.
“Lots of family members, and lots of luggage,” said Oi.
Alicia Tavitian drove with her father and brother from their home in Los Angeles, a 3,000-mile trip that began last Saturday. Alicia first learned about Rochester while enrolled in an International Baccalaureate high school. She plans to major in neuroscience and said being so far from home is exciting.
“I like the adventure,” she said. “The atmosphere here is just great.”
Her father, Martin, wasn’t sure how he feels about his only daughter being so far away.
“I’ll let you know next week,” he said.
Not everyone waited in the line of cars in Park Lot. Elliot Tai-Brownlee of Missoula, Montana, walked over with his mother from their hotel room at the Staybridge Suites, across the river from campus.
They had quite a week before Move-In Day even began. On Monday, he and his mother, Clare, sat in Grand National Teton Park in Wyoming and watched a total solar eclipse. On Wednesday, under sunny skies, they embarked on a new adventure far from home.
“I can’t wait to start,” said Elliot, who joins his brother Andrew, a senior at Rochester. “It’s a great engineering program, I have a family history here, and it’s a great campus. It’s all good.”
Students and families also toured a Campus Expo in Feldman Ballroom, where various University departments provided information. On Wednesday evening, President Seligman and other University officials greet the students at the annual Convocation ceremony in Eastman Quad, followed by the signing of the Class of 2021 roll, a Celebration Dinner, and a Candlelight Ceremony.
Classes begin Wednesday, August 30.
In photos
Students arrived on River Campus and the Eastman School of Music on Wednesday, as new members of the Class of 2021.
(University photos / J. Adam Fenster)
