Georgia Southern welcomes record-breaking freshman class on move-in day

STATESBORO, Ga. (WTOC) - Georgia Southern University welcomed its largest freshman class in school history Friday, with more than 6,700 new students moving onto campus as total enrollment approached nearly 34,000 — a university record.

Faculty, staff and volunteers will be stationed at welcome tents across campus throughout the first week of classes to help new students navigate their surroundings. Classes begin Aug. 19.

Operation Move-In and the Eagle Experience

Move-in day at Georgia Southern is organized under “Operation Move-In,” part of the university’s Eagle Experience — an orientation and transition program designed to help new students get acquainted with campus communities and connect with faculty, staff and peers.

The Eagle Experience includes orientation events and convocation ceremonies scheduled throughout the coming days. The program focuses on helping students become familiar with campus traditions, enrollment milestones and support resources.

More than 500 faculty, staff and volunteers helped facilitate move-in day across all three campuses, according to Marrero. In addition to the main campus in Statesboro, Georgia Southern operates the Armstrong Campus in Savannah and the East Georgia Campus in Swainsboro.

University president helps haul bags on move-in day

GSU President Kyle Marrero visited all three campuses Friday morning, meeting families and helping carry bags from cars to dorms.

“Right from the start they pull up, if you’ve seen it we literally take everything out of their car, their truck and we move it in for them, because we want them to know we are alongside with them in this journey,” Marrero said.

Marrero also addressed families directly, emphasizing the university’s commitment to student outcomes.

“I always tell parents, in four years, I’m going to be shaking your hand and you’re going to be graduating, you’ll be career ready, and that’s our promise here at Georgia Southern,” Marrero said.

New Eagles share excitement — and nerves — about college life

For many students, Friday marked their first time living away from home. Freshman Georgia Ackermann said the emotions were already running high before move-in day officially began.

“My mom kissed my head goodnight last night and I started crying,” Ackermann said. “But my mom’s definitely going to cry as soon as I shut the door to my dorm.”

Freshman Lydia Garcia said she is looking forward to her coursework, drawing on experience from dual enrollment classes.

“I’m really excited for all my classes that I’m taking. I already did dual enrollment so I’m like, I know how hard these classes are,” Garcia said.

Some freshmen got a head start on campus life — student athletes moved in over the summer to begin training. Freshman Dom Titus, who moved in at the end of June, said the arrival of new students changed the atmosphere.

“Seeing all these new students’ new faces it’s no longer that small little town you start feeling that true Statesboro pride,” Titus said.