More than 400 first-year students and their families flocked to campus Thursday morning, but before the hustle and bustle of move-in day, Amelia Hatley (class of 2025) was very nervous.

As one of the orientation leaders helping new students settle 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 close-knit community,” she said. “Your time here can be priceless.”

William Haisten (Class of ’28) carries bags to his room in Blackwell Hall on move-in day on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Photo: Nathan Gray, Furman University

Carter Roelofs (Class of ’28) visited Furman once before deciding to become a Paladin. His parents were excited about the opportunities Carter would have at Furman, and the Paladin football team was on hand to help them and other families unload their vehicles and move in.

In Blackwell Hall, Sandy Roberson, professor and chair of the Department of Business Administration and Accounting, helped her daughter Sabe Roberson (senior ’28) move in. Roberson, who has been a faculty member at Furman University for 25 years, said Thursday’s move-in puts the university in a new light.

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

On the fourth floor of Lakeview, RA Woody Greene (senior class of ’26) and academic advisor Diego Hernandez (senior class of ’27) welcomed the new students, handed out keys and name tags, and answered questions.

“I’m just so excited to get to know people and build those relationships,” Greene said.

The newly renovated Lakeview Hall’s wide staircase provided plenty of room for people to carry 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 overlooking Furman Lake, and common spaces that encourage socializing.

126 students moved into Blackwell, 96 into Geer and 54 into Manly.

Members of the football team help students move into Lakeview Hall on Thursday, August 22, 2024. Photo: Nathan Gray, Furman University

Ron Thompson, assistant dean of students and director of housing and residence life, said he is pleased that the renovated Lakeview is serving its purpose as a residential environment for a new class.

“With them comes the optimism of a new year,” he said. “Their joy at having reached this special point in their lives, a goal they have been looking forward to for some time, is contagious.”

In Manly Hall, orientation leader Emily Berg (Class of 2025) had a group of student volunteers cheer on the freshmen as they arrived. For the seniors, sharing their excitement and passion was a way to make the Class of 2028 feel welcome.

“I think it shows them that they belong here and they are welcome,” Berg said. “There are a lot of people who are committed to you, whether it’s other students, athletes or faculty.”