Elmhurst University recently welcomed more than 750 new students, along with hundreds more family members and friends, to campus for New Student Orientation and the start of the 2023-24 academic year.

Laughing and lively despite periods of sweltering heat, more than 580 first-year and 170 transfer students participated in a variety of orientation activities before joining returning students and graduate students for the first day of classes on Monday, Aug. 28.

For many first-year students, college life began on Aug. 23, with the move into their residence halls. Students brought parents, siblings and stuffed animals for support as student-athletes helped to carry boxes, fans and mini-fridges to the rooms.

In Niebuhr Hall, Bob Butow sat in the kitchen area, putting together a shelving unit while fully aware that his daughter Kacy would never be able to stuff all her shoes into it.

“She wanted the dorm experience, wanted something new,” he said, adding that while she was thrilled to be there, his feelings were more mixed.

“I’m excited that she’s going to nursing school, something she’s really wanted—otherwise I’m a nervous wreck,” he said, laughing. “No, like any parent, I just hope she feels safe, makes friends, makes the right decisions—she’s a great kid.”

Brooke Sartin, a sport management major who will play on the women’s basketball team,  brought not only her parents but also her aunt and grandmother to help with the move.

“I’m there for all the most important events in her life, so I would not have missed this for the world,” said Sartin’s grandmother, Alma Baltimore. She was confident that her only granddaughter would embrace this new adventure, saying, “She’s going to be fantastic.”

Sartin seemed to agree. “I just want to explore whatever I can around campus, meet new people, make new friends—everything,” she said.

Over the next few days of orientation, students learned more about each other and about life at Elmhurst U. They met their classmates, faculty members and other students in their major; participated in a community service project and a zipline adventure course; and took some time to explore their values and learn about making the transition to college life.

During New Student Convocation, President Troy D. VanAken urged the students to “keep an open mind and an open heart, whether it’s about meeting new people, hearing new ideas or taking on new experiences. You’ll never get such an opportunity again to learn, to reflect and to grow.”

• View highlights from New Student Orientation 2023 on our Flickr page.