All along Bobcat Way, hundreds of Quinnipiac community members brought their enthusiasm and ready hands to help unload family vehicles filled with new students and their belongings.

Chief Experience Officer Tom Ellett said the huge number of volunteers, together with the faculty and staff leading the move-in day initiative, demonstrated a “university effort” to welcome Quinnipiac’s newest students.

“It sends a message that we not only take care of our students once they’re here, but in the onboarding process. The fact that parents and students can meet the student volunteers and see the faces of faculty and staff in a non-administrative role helps to break the ice and break down barriers,” said Ellett.

About 300 first-year students moved into The Grove, where they were greeted by their mentors, nearly 100 sophomores, juniors and seniors who will live with them in the environmentally forward building that’s part of Quinnipiac’s new South Quad. As mentors to the new Bobcats, the older students will lead The Grove in undertaking an academic-year initiative culminating in a service project benefiting the community of Hamden.

“What’s most important today is to see that the mentors are so involved in trying to connect and provide a sense of spark for these students who come in with their families, who are at times a bit intimidated about the college process,” said Ellett. “To have 93 upper class students besides our 17 resident assistants at The Grove really makes a difference in their transition to college.”

Residence Hall Director Mike Collins said The Grove’s mentors and resident advisors are excited and prepared to provide their full support.

“They’re a very, very special group of student leaders here on campus that are absolute role models for these students. We’re so looking forward to our students to engage with our resident advisors and our mentors,” said Collins.

Each mentor is connected to three first-year students. Mentor Ryan Hagerman, ’25 said he was excited to begin his senior year at Quinnipiac contributing to the purpose of The Grove.

“I’ve always liked mentoring younger students, and when it became this formal role that also gave us the opportunity to live in this incredible new building, I couldn’t pass up the chance,” said Hagerman. “I’m excited to spend my final year here, on the main campus, living in The Grove and being a part of this great community.”

Hagerman, a political science major, said synthesizing The Grove’s blend of student ages, interests and disciplines will further enhance the community experience and add to engagement.

“We have a wide variety of students and so we have all the different types of expertise to really build the best community here. We’ll be working together to use all our different skill sets and do some good for the community both on campus and the greater community,” said Hagerman.

Charlie Bennett ’28, arrived from Medway, Massachusetts, to begin his Quinnipiac journey as an English major. Bennett said he was excited get started on making a difference in the lives of others as a resident of The Grove.

“I really like the message of the building,” said Bennett. “I was a Boy Scout, and the overall aspect of improving the community is something I feel strongly about. I know that putting a little effort into something can go a long way.”

Finance major Jake Gallose ‘28, a first-year member of the men’s lacrosse team, arrived with his parents, Stacy and Todd Gallose, from Ronkonkoma, New York. In addition to looking forward to his athletic team experience, Gallose said he’s glad to be among the diverse group of community-minded students at The Grove.

“I like what we’re doing together. I think it’s cool because you’re learning a little bit from everybody,” said Gallose.

As his daughter, Natalie Meyers ’28, set up her new space at The Grove with help from move-in volunteers, dad Chris Meyers said the family was impressed by the building and the help they received. The Meyers drove in from Montauk, New York to settle their daughter in.

“The dorm is gorgeous, and everyone is very hospitable,” Meyers said. “We’re excited for her. It’s a great opportunity to be a part of Quinnipiac academically, and one of the main reasons she applied to The Grove is to be a part of a process where she’s involved in being able to do something to make a difference.”

Nursing major Racheal Chamberland ’28, of Wethersfield Connecticut, said her first day as a resident of The Grove is something she’s been anticipating for many weeks.

“When I found out I would be living at The Grove, I was so excited. Not only is it new and nice, but I love how they want to make it a community and have the older mentors here, which is so helpful, especially being a new student,” said Chamberland. “Everyone who helped me move in was so nice. They all gave me their contacts. They were awesome.”

Student volunteers Gabby Ricci ’26 and Kaitlin Joy ‘27 teamed up with their sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma, to help out at The Grove on move-in day.

“This is my first time doing this and I’m here because I really want to greet the new members of the Quinnipiac community,” Ricci said. “I remember it was really nerve-wracking starting my first-year year so I think it’s great if we can make it easier for them.”

“It definitely made it easier for me when I was first-year,” said Joy. “They literally came to car, grabbed our stuff and brought it in. So if we can help them, that’s all that matters.”

Outside The Commons residence hall, staff volunteer Kevin MacDougall, associate director of telephony, cabling infrastructures and administrative services, was providing information, directions and other details to arriving family vehicles.

“It’s a super-exciting fun day,” said MacDougall. “I’ve been doing it for years and it’s always great to meet and greet all the families and to make sure everyone gets in here in an efficient manner, and gets where they need to go.”

Quinnipiac alumna and new nursing assistant professor Jennifer Wethje FNP ’11, DNP ’22, said she was enjoying experiencing her first move-in day as a faculty volunteer.

“It’s nice to be involved and to help out. I’m excited for the students, because there’s so much for them to be involved with academically and socially,” said Wethje. “Quinnipiac has such a great, positive community.”

Having a group of older students help them to move in first-year year made the transition smoother for nursing major Tessa Low ’27 and Nicolette DiSerio ’27, DPT ’29. Both volunteered with their sorority, Kappa Delta, to help settle in new students at The Commons this year.

“To have a group of older kids there to move you in and help you relieves a lot of the stress for the kids and also the parents,” said Low.

“It was nice for me to have that help last year,” said DiSerio. “They were so passionate and energetic that it made me even more excited to be coming here. So, it’s nice to be able to share that same excitement with them, and to tell them what I love about Quinnipiac, and help them get settled in.”

For parents Marci and Sean Norton, the Quinnipiac community welcome was a reassuring start to a new experience for them and their daughter, occupational therapy student Sara Norton ’28, a Prospect, Connecticut resident.

“I thought the whole welcome process and unloading was very well organized and went very smoothly. I thought it was very well done,” said Sean Norton.

Marci Norton said she felt reassured by the outpouring of assistance the family received on move-in day.

“She’s our first child going to college, and the greeting she received was really very good. I’m very excited for her. It’s been a great start,” said Norton.

As the Mount Carmel Campus residence halls filled up with new Bobcats and came roaring back to life, Collins said the addition of The Grove to this year’s move-in experience made it especially memorable.

“I definitely think there’s something different in the air,” said Collins. “Obviously the students and parents are really excited to arrive, and for us as staff, it’s really full circle to see it all come together.”

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