BUIES CREEK — There are few days more important and more exciting than Move-In Day for a college freshman.
But it’s also a big day for mom and dad, and emotions were high Sunday on Campbell’s Buies Creek campus as parents helped carry luggage and supplies to the dorms before one final good-bye. Sunday marked the end of Campbell’s move-in weekend, and University officials expected roughly 1,175 freshmen alone for the afternoon’s Convocation and Medallion ceremony.
Among the Class of 2015 welcomed to her new home Sunday was Meredith Gore of Whiteville. Her parents, Evan and Selena Gore, spent the day getting her situated in her dorm before packing up their SUV with leftover supplies. Selena Gore said she remained strong and successfully fought off the urge to cry after leaving behind her first-born.
“It was hard, but she was ready for this day. And I was ready for this day,” she said outside of Campbell’s newest women’s dormitory. “Campbell has done everything to prepare us for this. The communication has been great … Meredith is already emailing her advisors over the summer. I’ve truly been impressed.”
The Gores said Whiteville is approximately a 90-minute drive from Buies Creek, by no means a terrible distance. The separation was made easier, they said, by their trust in the University.
“It just seems Campbell truly wanted her to be a part of this campus,” Selena Gore said. “And we’ve heard the same thing from other parents we’ve spoken to. They know our daughter’s name — she’s not just a number here — and they’ve really made her a part of this family.”
The distance factor is a little greater for Mark and Lydia Schneider of Richmond, Va.. The couple said good-bye Sunday to their freshman daughter, Alyssa, before making the nearly three-hour trip home.
Like the Gores, the Schneiders made it through the day without tears — a difficult feat for Lydia Schneider.
“So far, so good,” she said leaving the campus Sunday. “It’s actually been a good day. There were a lot of people helping us, and her advisor has been on the ball answering all of our questions.”
“It’s been a good transition,” added Mark Schneider. “She wants to be here, so that makes it easy.”
The family made it to Buies Creek Saturday morning and spent the weekend getting their daughter prepared for the fall — which meant a late Walmart run Saturday in Erwin.
Move-in Day does get easier for parents of upper-classmen, according to Jimmy and Lisa Noble of Fayetteville. The two were helping their daughter, sophomore Pre-Pharmacy major Chelsea Noble, into her dorm Sunday before making the short trip home, one county away.
“We were better prepared this time,” said Lisa Noble, “knowing what she can and cannot have.”
Chelsea Noble joked about the easier transition for her parents this time around.
“They practically kicked me out of the house,” she said.
Perhaps the Gores will feel that way in 2012. But for now, Selena Gore is already planning her next trip to Buies Creek to see her daughter.
“I told her I was coming Wednesday,” she said, half-jokingly. “But she said ‘nope.’ I have to stay home.”
— by Billy Liggett
UPCOMING
Campbell’s Welcome Week 2011 continues through Saturday, Aug. 20, with the first of two Camel 101 freshman seminars beginning Monday, Aug. 15.
Day 1, set for 9 a.m. Monday, will provide a two-hour crash course in subjects helpful to most college students, such as campus safety, who to turn to for academic support and money management. Day 2, which begins at 10 a.m. Tuesday, will focus on tips for staying fit and using the campus’ recreation facilities, keys to academic success and student rights and responsibilities.
The rest of the Welcome Week 2011 schedule is as follows:Monday, Aug. 15
8-8:45 a.m.: Mini orientation check-in at D. Rich
9-11 a.m.: Camel 101 Session I in Turner Auditorium (D. Rich)
11 a.m.: New student registration in the Convocation Center
11 a.m.: Sign-ups for the Water Park trip open at the Info Desk in the Wallace Student Center.
2 p.m.: Library orientation (last names A-F) in front of the Library; ETS test for G-L in Ellis Theater
3 p.m.: Library orientation (last names G-L) in front of the Library; ETS test for A-F in Ellis Theater
4 p.m.: Department meetings at your department’s assigned location
5 p.m.: President’s Picnic (cookout with faculty and students) in Gore Arena
8 p.m.: Dave and Ethan, comedy dating coaches, in Turner Auditorium
10 p.m.: Speed Social with Dave and Ethan in Rumley
Tuesday, Aug. 16
9 a.m.: Registration in the Convocation Center
9 a.m.-noon: International student orientation in Lynch Auditorium (Inside LF School of Business)
10 a.m.-noon: Camel 101 Session II in Turner Auditorium (D. Rich)
10 a.m.-noon: Staying Fit/Campus Recreation, Keys to Academic Success, CU Athletics, Rights & Responsibilities
2 p.m.: Library orientation (last names M-R) in front of D. Rich; ETS test for S-Z in Ellis Theater
3 p.m.: Library Orientation (last names S-Z) in front of D. Rich; ETS test for M-R in Ellis Theater
6-8 p.m. Street Fair and Poster Sale in Fellowship Commons
9 p.m.: Outdoor Movie “Thor” in Fellowship Commons
Wednesday, Aug. 17
8 a.m.: Classes begin
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Poster sale in the Student Center
7 p.m.: United Campus Ministry Night in Turner Auditorium
10 p.m.: Residence Hall meetings
Thursday, Aug. 18
7 p.m.: “Meet the Men’s Soccer Team” Night and Black and Orange Game at Eakes Athletics Complex with free food
9 p.m.: Concert: Safety Suit in Turner Auditorium
Friday, Aug. 19
1-5 p.m. Drop/Add
2-6 p.m. Party in the Park (includes mud volleyball, water slides, food and entertainment in Saylor Park
9 p.m.: Movie “Pirates of the Caribbean 4” in Turner Auditorium
Saturday, Aug. 20
8 a.m.: Emerald Pointe Wet ‘n Wild Water Park Trip departs. You must sign up prior to the trip.