Flow and Freshman Move In Day

Today is Freshman Move In day at Washington University in St. Louis! This is my 16th move in day at Wash U, and it is one of my absolute favorite days of the year. There is such excitement and hope in the air: new beginnings, new friendships, new opportunities--everything and anything are possible on this day.

This day brings me joy. My goal was to visit every freshman floor throughout the day, and I am happy to report that I achieved that goal. (I have to admit that with each passing year, it becomes more physically challenging to walk all the floors. What I could do easily in my mid 20s has become a bit more strenuous in my late 30s.)

I have a tradition of greeting all of the KY students (this year, there are 19 of them.) I write them a personal letter and usually hand out chocolate. I just want them to know that there is a friendly person who shares a common heritage with them and who can serve as a resource if they need anything.

I also go around and greet my academic advisees. I serve as a four year academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences, and this year I have 10 freshman advisees who all live in Lien House. I have met six out of the ten and can't wait to get to know them all and learn from and with them.

I just got back from Freshman Convocation--the official academic welcome from the university for the new students and their parents. The 1432 first year students all attend wearing their residential college t-shirts. The Athletic Complex was ablazen with a rainbow of the res. college brightly colored t-shirts accompanied by exhuberant, loud cheering! Res. College spirit abounded (and my ear drums are still recovering.)

At Convocation, there are several guest speakers including a faculty member invited by the Chancellor. This year, Chancellor Wrighton seleted one of our Faculty Fellows to address the class. Tili Boon Cuille, Associate Professor of Romance Languages and Faculty Fellow for William Greenleaf Eliot Residential College was the first ever Faculty Fellow to be chosen for this honor.

I am still reflecting on her remarks which captured both the spirit of undergraduate education and the role of learning in and out of the classroom. I will write more about her brilliant talk in my next blog.

As my feet (or as they call feet in the south--"dogs") are aching, I must prop them up and give them a rest. Tonight, I will fall asleep with a joyful heart and great hope for Washington University's Class of 2012.