Record freshman class moves into Miami University with new features this year

Miami University President Gregory Crawford, left, meets with triplets Luke, second from left, Jonas and Dominic Keller, right, with their mom, Theresa, as they help Dominic move into his dorm while students and parents negotiate the crowded streets and dorm halls for move in day Thursday, August 22 at Miami University in Oxford. The brothers are all starting as school at Miami but living in different dorms. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Miami University President Gregory Crawford, left, meets with triplets Luke, second from left, Jonas and Dominic Keller, right, with their mom, Theresa, as they help Dominic move into his dorm while students and parents negotiate the crowded streets and dorm halls for move in day Thursday, August 22 at Miami University in Oxford. The brothers are all starting as school at Miami but living in different dorms. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

A record number of freshmen students moved onto the Miami University campus on Thursday, beginning a new year for the main campus of Butler County’s largest employer.

More than 4,300 first-year students spent the day moving into residence halls at the university’s Oxford campus. That is hundreds more than the previous record of 3,900 freshmen who started at the school last year.

“The Miami family grew by 4,300 today,” said Miami President Greg Crawford. “In offering meaningful courses, 600-plus student groups, leadership and research opportunities, numerous athletic teams and cultural events, we are anxious to support our new students in charting their courses for personal success.”

Kristal Humphrey, assistant editor of university news, said among the new things at Miami include a provost, student-focused initiatives, a campus-wide online events calendar and renovated spaces.

All returning students will also find newly renovated facilities at MacMillan Hall, Pearson Hall and the Mallory-Wilson Center for Healthcare Education unveils upgraded research labs, graduate student offices and study spaces on the second floor and an updated greenhouse on the third floor.

MacCracken, Richard and Porter halls are open after being renovated. The halls include improved accessibility and safety features, additional community and study areas.

Stanton Hall is closed for renovation and will reopen in August 2020 and Wilson Hall was demolished and the site was restored with a lawn.

Miami officials said the move-in day went smoothly thanks to hundreds of school volunteers – including Crawford and his wife Renate – lending a hand as the new students toted their belongings from cars, trucks and trailers into residence halls.

The freshmen, along with 19,700 other undergraduates and graduate students, begin classes Monday.

The freshmen class of more than 4,300 breaks last year’s record large class of 3,900 students.

Miami University is annually ranked among America’s top academic universities.

Bethany Perkins, director of admission at Miami, said “with students from 43 states and two dozen countries, it’s clear the word is out among students and families about Miami’s unparalleled commitment to undergraduate education.”

Miami also has two regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, which together enroll 5,000 students.

The Miami University network of campuses, which also includes the Miami University Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester Twp., is the largest employer in Butler County.

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