Caldwell College Freshmen Make the Big 'Move-In'

Crates, tubs, bags and boxes packed with everything from shampoo to Ramen noodles are no doubt a major part of Caldwell College's Move-In Day.

But just as important as those everyday necessities are to the new freshmen who will be residing on campus is the need to feel welcomed—a sentiment that was in high supply on Friday morning.

More than 180 incoming Caldwell College freshmen were greeted by the friendly faces of upperclassmen who are resident assistants, orientation leaders and athletes, as well as members of the college's faculty and administration, including President Dr. Nancy Blattner.

Blattner, who was joined by her husband, Tim, "moved in" just last year when she became president and is excited for her second year on campus.

"It's always easier the second time around of any process," she said between trips to and from dorm rooms at Mother Joseph Residence Hall. "This year, I really feel that my husband and I have become part of the Caldwell community.

"You can't help but feed off the energy," Blattner added. "It's a great day on campus."

From 9 a.m. until about noon, students began arriving in batches that were scheduled according to floors, with students assigned to the third floor arriving the earliest. If there were enough volunteers around when a car pulled up, everyone grabbed something, creating the need to make only one or two trips.

 "They kind of opened the [car] door and took everything and it was all gone," said Jessica Stryker, 18, of Jamesburg. Stryker had many of her things unpacked before noon, but was still looking to add some finishing touches, like pictures. "We still have more shopping to do," she said.

Meanwhile, Stryker's roommate, Samantha Procaccini, 18, a psychology major from Hamilton, was all unpacked and decorated, from her zebra-striped and lime motif bedding to framed photos on the wall.

Procaccini had the advantage of having experienced Move-In Day for four years when she came with her parents to drop off her sister, Katrina, a 2009 Caldwell College graduate. "I want to be just like her," Samantha joked.

But Procaccini did receive plenty of serious advice from her big sister about what to leave behind and what to definitely bring, such as a mattress pad to make the dorm beds feel more like home.

Mother Joseph, or "Mo Jo" as the students affectionately call it, is a three-story building with mostly double rooms, as well as student lounges, laundry facilities and a chapel. The college's new Center for Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis will also soon be completed on the lower level.

David Reeth, 18, of Vernon, said he was "pleasantly surprised" by his double room, which includes two single beds, desks and chairs, as well as a closet and sink.

Reeth, who is studying business marketing, is proud to be paying for his own room and board with money he earns detailing cars. His full tuition will be covered through scholarships.

"He should graduate without loans," David's mother, Val Reeth, said proudly.

She said she has an older son in college, so she's been through the moving-in routine before and is not as anxious with her younger son. "It's not as stressful for us this time," she admitted.

According to Albert Cardona, the college's director of residence life, the school's two residence halls are almost at full capacity for the 2010-2011 school year. Mother Joseph, a mostly freshman dorm, is just shy of its 277 capacity with 270 residents. Dominican Hall, which houses mostly upperclassmen, is at full capacity with 199 residents.

"I think it's a terrific welcome," Cardona said of Move-In Day. "It speaks volumes of the true spirit of the college."

Upperclassmen were scheduled to do their own "moving in" on Saturday. The first full day of classes is Tuesday.

The Caldwells Patch.com is collecting photos of "Move-In Days" from around the country, featuring local graduates of the Class of 2010. Please send to Teresa.Akersten@patch.com and we will post them next week.