Helping to haul students’ belongings into the schools’ residence halls was just another way to make real, said Miami President Gregory Crawford, the university’s new school-year motto proclaimed on signs throughout campus — “Welcome To The Family.”
“This is the first year I get to go out and about and meet a lot of people,” said Crawford as he took a quick break in the second floor hallway of Morris residence hall. “We’re so excited with almost 8,000 students moving in today and this weekend.”
Stephanie Hamilton arrived with her family from Pennsylvania and was surprised to see the president of her new school taking such a hands-on approach.
She said that sight — and the many activities planned for freshmen — made her feel all the more welcomed.
“Their efforts are amazing,” said Hamilton. “They’ve given us so much help and everyone is so nice. I’m excited for the next four years.”
More than half of the Class of 2021 comes from Ohio, with classmates enrolling from 43 other states and 18 countries, according to school officials.
This year’s incoming class was selected from a record number of 30,255 applicants featuring high academic achievement. And the class comes to campus with an average ACT score of 28.3.
“Students and families are recognizing the outcomes associated with a Miami degree and its reputation as a Public Ivy whose alumni are consistently recruited by the nation’s top employers and graduate and professional school programs,” said Susan Schaurer, assistant vice president for enrollment management and student success and director of admission.
Thursday was the start of a series of campus events and activities for students at the school, which enrolls more than 17,000 undergraduates and about 2,400 graduate students.
Miami University is Butler County’s largest employer and has regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, with a Learning Center in West Chester Twp.
Classes for all students start Monday.
Officials said the “Welcome Weekend” and the “First 50 Days” program for the incoming class is a seven-week merge into college life and the community.
Programming focuses on “what it takes to be a successful student and includes a menu of events that highlight resources from academic to wellness and all things Miami.”
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