1:27 p.m., July 27, 2010----Through a one-month period from June 21 to July 21, the Trabant University Center bustled with activity as more than 3,106 freshman and transfer students officially began University of Delaware careers during New Student Orientation (NSO).

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The students, who came from 34 states -- including 1,184 from the First State -- were accompanied by parents and guests who also participated in a full day of learning about the opportunities and services available for their students at UD.

Following Delaware, states with the greatest number of new arrivals at UD include New Jersey (571), New York (429), Pennsylvania (393) and Maryland (230).

Students came from as far away as the Aloha State of Hawaii, as well as Georgia, California, Oregon and Nevada. Connecticut led the number of students from New England states, with 88, followed by Massachusetts, with 77. New arrivals also represented Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Also beginning their UD academic careers were students from the District of Columbia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana, as well as several Midwestern states.

During these daylong programs, members of the Class of 2014 met new classmates and the assistant deans of their respective colleges. These newest arrivals also received advisement from faculty and graduate student assistants.

Vice president for student life addresses NSO

Michael Gilbert, vice president for student life, welcomed the first group of about 400 students and parents to UD on the first day of New Student Orientation.

“This was an extremely competitive admissions year, and it's a credit to your hard work and talent that you are joining UD as members of the Class of 2014,” Gilbert said. “To the parents, I also want to congratulate you on your student's success and thank you for entrusting them to our care.”

Gilbert also noted the importance of the principles of diversity and student engagement as key components of the University's Path to Prominence^TM strategic plan.

“I'm excited to talk to you today about two things that we believe promote community development and student success, and they are diversity and student engagement,” Gilbert said. “They are really important to this University, and are something we value and nurture, and something we consider to be enormous assets.”

By tolerating different opinions and respect for those who espouse them, the University will cultivate critical thinking and also support intellectual freedom, Gilbert said.

“Our very first goal is to create a diverse and stimulating undergraduate experience. If ever you feel you're not getting these things, if you're having problems fitting in, if you feel shut out, don't keep it to yourselves,” Gilbert said. “There are plenty of people here to help you. You can talk to your RA or your hall director. You can talk to your faculty and the dean of students. You can talk to me.”

For the complete remarks by Gilbert, see the PDF.

NSO activities also gave parents a chance to attend information sessions about student life, academics, registration, campus safety and wellbeing.

Parents also were encouraged to partner with UD in order to give the students that they will be leaving behind in August the opportunity to have a positive experience both in and out of the classroom during their stay at UD.

NSO team speaks from experience

Helping to guide students and parents through this busy slate of activities were members of the New Student Orientation team, who drew upon their own experiences as first-year students to reassure the new arrivals.

Alex Kirik, a NSO senior team leader who graduated from UD in May with a triple major in Spanish, Russian and Arabic, described her New Student Orientation role as “the best job in the world.”

“Parents are a bit stressed when they come here,” Kirik said. “Mostly, they are worried that their students might not ask the right questions during orientation, but by the end of the day, everybody is more comfortable.”

Safety issues and student meal plans dominate parent concerns, while students are curious about how to get along with their new roommates. Students also want to know more about the many clubs and recreational and volunteer activities that enhance undergraduate life at UD.

Because NSO staffers have been in the same situation, they can draw upon their individual and collective experiences and expertise to help new students and parents get the specific advice they need.

“Students also are curious about their classes and what their professors are like,” Kirik said. “They want to know what those experiences were like for us.”

For Kirik, a significant part of her undergraduate experience included study abroad trips to Spain, Tunisia and Chile. She also served as a tour guide as an undergraduate.

While she plans to pursue a graduate degree in higher education administration, Kirik also enjoys the daily interaction with students and parents during orientation.

“A father came up to me this week and said that initially his daughter did not want to come here, but participating in a campus tour and information session helped to change her mind,” Kirik said. “She said it was during this experience that she really began to feel that she belonged to UD.”

NSO: A day in the life

For NSO staff members, the day begins early as they check registration lists and facilitate program activities for parents, said Heather Maginnis, director of New Student Orientation.

“We actually greet some 200 new students daily, a figure that translates into 400-500 visitors,” Maginnis said.

Parents and students separate at the beginning, rejoin for lunch and then attend individual classes during the afternoon, Maginnis said.

“Most parents appreciate the opportunity to leave their students on their own in the morning,” Maginnis said. “The lunch break at noon gives students and parents a chance catch their breath and talk about their individual morning experiences.”

The road to UD

Because the new freshman class is comprised of students from across the state and around the country, some parents and their students were on the road for hours before arriving in Newark.

Jackie Cawley, an elementary education major from Brattleboro, Vt., said she and her parents had driven for seven straight hours to reach UD.

“It's been a very busy day. I had to take a math exam this morning, then there was a program about curriculum, a safety orientation and a meeting with NSO leaders,” Cawley said. “I'm looking forward to meeting new people and getting acquainted with other elementary education majors. I'm also excited because I will be able to start working with children.”

Dennis Cawley said that the experience with his wife and daughter had been great, and that with another student at college in New York, the family had been through a version of NSO before.

“We thought UD would be a good fit for Jackie,” Cawley said. “I'm very happy. Delaware is far enough away not to come home every weekend, but not that far away that we can't come down here once in a while.”

Lindsey Calabro, an elementary education major from Wayne, N.J., said, “I like the Old World feeling the school projects. People here are enthusiastic, and this spirit comes out in all areas of the University.”

Her mother, Julie Calabro, said she was moved by the acceptance letter her daughter received, and by the follow-up email from Lou Hirsh, director of admissions.

“I want to tell you the feeling here is so warm and genuine,” Calabro said. “We're from northern New Jersey, and we can be here in a couple of hours. Newark is a nice town, and the campus is so very beautiful. I feel comfortable that Lindsey is here.”

Julie Calabro said the family also had seen and enjoyed Delaware: The Musical and the Blue Hen ambassadors who accompanied them during their Decision Days visit to UD.

Lindsey's dad, Steve Calabro, said, “It's been a great experience walking around the campus. I can't say enough about the student orientation staff. I'm really glad my daughter is coming to this school.”

Diamond State students

Among the many students from the Diamond State attending UD this fall is Anaya Randolph, a biology major from Middletown.

“I've always dreamed of coming to UD,” Randolph said. “It's a bit overwhelming, but I feel better now that I have my schedule planned out. It's nice to have an idea of what you want to do and have the people here to help you move in the right direction.”

Her mother, Stacia Randolph, a veteran of Delaware Days, said the din of the conversation in the food court was symbolic of the high energy level that greets student and parent visitors to UD's Newark campus.

“Everybody here has been great, including the student staff at New Student Orientation,” Stacia Randolph said. “I'm excited that my daughter is coming to the University. I'm looking forward to see how well she does at UD.”

Article by Jerry Rhodes
Photos by Evan Krape