On Aug. 10, Hastings College students and staff welcomed the new first-year class. While this class was smaller than anticipated, 279 first year students and 59 transfer students joined the HC community.

It was a busy day for everyone. Student Association members handed out T-shirts and other freebies in the Student Union while others were helping students move into their dorms; Tropical Sno brought snow cones to the students and families, all the while HC mascot Bosco was making his trips around campus to meet the new students.

President of Student Association, Alyssa Baker, said that she was “super excited to have campus fill up again and I think that the class that’s coming in is already super enthusiastic, so I think that activity on campus and in general will be huge all around [Hastings].”

She was not wrong. From move in day until August 24, there were welcome home activities all across campus. FYRE on the field was hosted by Lexi Graboski from Playfair, and it’s safe to say first year students, along with the RA’s and Student Association Members, were having fun meeting all the new people. 

Alexah Maguire, first year student from Lincoln, said that she is looking forward to “a new start [in] a new city and [she] doesn’t know anyone here.” With renovations to Altman Hall, Scott Resident Management introducing changes to the dining hall, and more around campus, Alexa and all other first year and transfer students have the opportunity for a fresh start.

As is expected every August, it was hard for parents to leave their kids on move-in day. The college, however, welcomes all new students with the hopes that they find another home within the HC community.