Hopes, Dreams and Instant Ramen Noodles: New Rutgers Students Bring the Essentials on Move-In Day
By Chuck O'Donnell,
2024-08-27
City employees such as Ivan Adorno and Rutgers student volunteers did much of the heavy lifting Tuesday as new students arrived for Move-In Day at Rutgers' Honors College. Credits: Chuck O'Donnell
NEW BRUNSWICK – Kate Gundersen dreams of becoming a geneticist, toiling away in a research lab to unravel the mysteries of disorders or diseases.
Andrew Lisa is going to be studying mechanical engineering with the hopes of one day applying his expertise to revolutionize the automobile industry.
Justin Gomez’s career goal is to become a plastic surgeon, helping people improve their appearances and working to restore function for those with congenital conditions.
Students brought their hopes and dreams, and 24-count cartons of instant ramen noodles, Hello Kitty message boards and cherished comforters, as they arrived at Rutgers’ Honors College on Tuesday morning.
Move-In Day is an annual rite of passage at the university, where teams of student volunteers scramble like NASCAR pit crew members to offload SUVs stuffed to the gills with everything from Keurig coffee makers to shower caddies to gaming systems.
Mayor Jim Cahill and a handful of city employees also helped unpack cars, Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway personally welcomed families, members of the New Brunswick Police Department managed traffic on Seminary Place and sword-wielding mascot Sir Henry plopped down in some of the red moving carts and posed for photos.
And as teary-eyed parents got back into their cars to head home, they left behind their sons and daughters eager to begin the next phase of their lives.
“I’m a little nervous, but that’s just how it is,” said Gomez, who arrived from Bloomfield with his 4-foot-tall, four-speed oscillating fan to keep him cool at night. “I’m ready to start something new, adapt, make new friends, play some sports and just enjoy the college life.”
Gomez will have a lot of company.
Current enrollment projections by the university put this as the largest incoming class in school history. The 10,350 incoming students (with an average SAT score of 1,390) represents a 7% increase over last year, with increases in first-year students (6%) and transfer students (9%).
The university attracts students from 45 states and across the world. Out-of-state students represent 14% and international students represent 10% of the incoming first-year class.
Say what you want about tuition increases, the sometimes unreliable bus schedule and the infamous RU Screw, Rutgers officials say they take their job of custodian of these hopes and dreams seriously.
“I see it as an honor,” Rutgers-New Brunswick Chancellor Francine Conway said. “I consider myself a servant leader and that’s what I’m here to do. I’m here to make sure students are successful.
Dean J.D. Bowers said the Honors College attempts to give students an experience that transcends the things that happen in lecture halls and labs. For instance, the college is embarking on a new initiative made possible by a generous gift to increase LGBTQ+ engagement across the community.
Another gift will allow the new class to be the first to participate in a leadership program.
“That’s really going to allow us to bring in some mentors for leadership and professional development, and do some more training programs,” Bowers said. “It’s going to start out with what does it mean to be a servant-leader through our service.”
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