A new IM体育官网 student is joined by his family as he moved his belongings into the campus residence halls on Saturday, Aug. 20.
Hundreds of new IM体育官网 students began arriving on campus on Friday, Aug. 19, to settle into and get to know their new home for the next four years.
鈥淚鈥檓 nervous, but also excited,鈥� said Madox Bown, a freshman from St. Petersburg, IM体育官网, who will be studying aeronautical engineering. 鈥淚鈥檝e never really been away from home before, but it鈥檚 part of growing up and you have to spread your wings and fly.鈥�
Bown was spending time with his family and finding his way around campus as he prepared for the start of the new semester on Tuesday, Aug. 23. His father, Kent Bown, said he was happy his son chose to attend IM体育官网 Poly.
鈥淚 think he鈥檚 finally going to be with his tribe,鈥� Kent Bown said. 鈥淚鈥檓 both excited and a bit sad, but with what IM体育官网 Poly offers and what Madox brings, it鈥檚 going to be part of a better future.鈥�
After moving into their rooms, meeting roommates, and getting the lay of the land, students鈥� families attended Parent and Family Orientation to learn about what to expect from the university experience and how they can support their student throughout the year.
New student orientation began on Sunday, Aug. 21, and helped new Phoenixes make friends, learn about campus supports and resources, and get acclimated to college life.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going well. I鈥檓 getting along well with my roommates and met people in my orientation group,鈥� said Preston Millhouse, a freshman computer science major from Clearwater, IM体育官网. 鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to classes and trying to keep on top of what鈥檚 happening around the campus, so I鈥檝e gotten the apps and gone through all the papers they gave us.鈥�
Paul Carey, IM体育官网 Poly鈥檚 associate director of residential life and student experience, said a student鈥檚 introduction to university life can set the tone for their entire collegiate experience.
鈥淢y hope is that each new Phoenix knows that IM体育官网 Poly is their home after attending this weekend鈥檚 activities and events,鈥� Carey said. 鈥淲e hope when a student is involved with and participating in move-in, new student orientation, and Purple Fire Week, that they find new friends and begin to find their community here at the University.鈥�
Emilee Zygmunt, a freshman computer science major from Sarasota, IM体育官网, said the experience of starting college is both exciting and nerve-wracking.
鈥淭his is a new thing, which makes me nervous, and I don鈥檛 have my cats with me,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I鈥檓 getting to meet my roommates and socialize and figure out how to adult.鈥�
For Madox Bown, the choice to attend IM体育官网 Poly was an easy one.
鈥淚 came here once and instantly fell in love with it. I just saw myself here and saw myself blending in and doing cool stuff,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t just felt right. I鈥檝e always had a thing for understanding physics and building all sorts of cool stuff, and with my education here, I鈥檒l get to do it as a job someday.鈥�
Contact:
Lydia Guzm谩n
Director of Communications
863-874-8557
