Franklin Pierce University’s Rindge campus was abuzz with excitement and energy on Saturday as first-year and transfer students arrived for their move-in day.
The new students come from 28 states and 15 countries. The students and their families were met by the move-in teams of coaches, faculty, staff and early-arrival fall athletes and student leaders.
Some Ravens journeyed farther than others to make it to the nest this year. Freshman Brooke Shoemaker and her family drove to Rindge from De Pere, Wisconsin, as she gets ready to join the women’s ice hockey team and start her studies as a criminal justice major. She said the tight-knit community she felt at Pierce helped her decide this was the right place for her.
Rowing recruits Kirsten Wiese from Garden City, New York, and Leni Lefevre from Solms, Germany, also said they were excited to be on campus and are ready to start the year. Wiese plans to study human services, while sports and recreation management major Lefevre said she always wanted to study in the States.
The college welcome mat, organized by the Student Affairs and Residence Life Teams, helped new arrivals and families learn about resources on campus for all Ravens, took photos with new friends, family and even Rocky the Raven at the Luxury Photo Booth, and heard from President Peter Eden, Provost Catherine M. Paden and other FPU staff at lunch.
Eden welcomed new students and their families, as well as returning students.
“We’re all really excited to have you here and we’re all here for you, to help you,” he said. “I am here, and you can always come to talk with me, or any member of the leadership team. We’re here to support you.”
Paden echoed President Eden and reminded students about academic supports and resources such as the Student Success Center.
Parents said they appreciate all that Pierce has to offer. Eric and Keri Darcy of Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, said they thought FPU was the right fit for freshman Charlotte, who plans to study psychology, in part because of the wide range of support services Pierce offers, including the ASCEND program. Eric and Charlotte came for a tour last fall; the family attended the overnight program earlier this year and then came back to Rindge once more for a summer Raven Ready Day, so the family felt ready and excited come move-in day.
Classes for the fall semester start Tuesday.