Comfort foods, icebreaker games and volunteers who helped students move into the residence halls were some of the activities designed to make students at Northeast Community College feel comfortable over the weekend.
From student athletes, some of whom arrived more than a week ago to begin practices, to first-year students, who mostly moved in last Thursday, the parking lots at the college are beginning to fill up again. New student orientation activities also began Friday and are taking place daily.
Blake Nunn, a second-year student from Geneva, was among the students moving into Burkhardt Hall on Sunday afternoon. After having lived in the residence halls previously, Nunn said he wasn’t nervous about the start of classes or living in the residence halls.
“I enjoy living on campus,” Nunn said. “I feel it gives you the full college experience.”
The secondary education major, who plans to transfer to Wayne State College after he graduates, was helped with his move by his parents, Kelly and Chris Nunn, along with brothers, Dakota and Caleb.
Cameron Zbylut of Omaha, a Vet Tech major, also was getting help moving in from her parents, Tammy and Paul Schwager of Omaha. They handed her items from the back of a pickup to put in a Hawk red cart, which were in high demand from the parking lots on Sunday afternoon. The carts were loaded with items such as clothes, tubs, electronics and TVs.
For many students, moving away from home can be emotional, although it was not so much for Zbylut. After having lived on campus before, she likes the freedom that comes with living in the residence halls while having things like meals taken care of for her.
“It’s nice to feel independent,” she said.
On Sunday afternoon, Lori Trowbridge was busy putting about 140 chairs in rows in the Lower Level of Union 73. She was getting ready for the student athletes to have a meeting later in the day. Several student icebreaker games were taking place inside the union, including cornhole.
Trowbridge, who is the executive director of College Engagement, said she enjoys seeing students back on campus and the flurry of activities that take place, many of them in Union 73.
Over the weekend, that included a community fair. Businesses and community organizations had information tables for students to stop by, learn about the organization or business, then pick up candy to make a “candy salad.”
With the heat, many of the games that been scheduled for outdoors were moved inside over the weekend.
“We’ve had a good amount of students coming out for the events,” Trowbridge said.
Other activities over the weekend included the bookstore being open so students could pick up books and supplies ahead of classes, tables where students could make pennants to hang up in their rooms or bring home, as well as a truck where students could pick up free mini-donuts.
“It’s exciting to see all the students here,” Trowbridge said. “I like this time of year.”
Classes for the fall semester were to begin on Monday, August 18.
Moving In
Leiah Allen, a second year Vet Tech major from Fairbury, moves into Burkhardt on Sunday afternoon. (Northeast Community College)
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