‘I’m thrilled for the new adventure of starting college’
An entourage of family members helped freshman Amy Gonzales move into West Hall on Aug. 22, signaling the start of the fall semester and a new beginning at The University of Texas at Arlington.
“I wanted to come to UT Arlington so I could be close to home and still see my family on the weekends when I have free time and I’m not studying,” said Gonzales, who is from Dallas and will start her academic career at UTA in the College of Nursing and Health Innovation. “I’ve heard such great things about the nursing program at UTA, and after looking into further I felt like the program really fit my goals for the future.”
Students from across Texas and beyond began moving into UTA’s four residence halls and seven apartment communities over the weekend in anticipation for fall semester classes beginning this week. Volunteers from the campus and community, including Interim President Teik C. Lim and Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, were present to greet students and help with check-in and moving boxes and suitcases.
Move-In Day also kicked off Maverick Stampede, a series of events that welcome all new and returning students back to campus. Lisa Nagy, vice president for student affairs, said all Mavericks are invited to join the stampede and start off college on the right foot.
“Maverick Stampede is a tradition for our campus to roll out the red carpet with an array of activities for students,” Nagy said. “We are excited to provide a variety of opportunities for students to make academic and social connections with health and safety measures in place. This is a time to create lifelong memories and develop continuing success with an unparalleled Maverick experience.”
Some highlights of Maverick Stampede include:
- MavsMeet Convocation: Tuesday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. in College Park Center
- Waffleopolis: Wednesday, Aug. 25, at 8 p.m. in Brazos Park
- Movin’ Mavs Back-to-School Game: Thursday, Aug. 26, at 4 p.m. in the Maverick Activities Center
- Maverick Cookout & Activity Fair Day: Wednesday, Sept. 1, at 10:30 a.m. on the University Mall
- Super Service Saturday: Saturday, Sept. 11, beginning at 9 a.m. in the University Center
"Move-In Day is one of my favorite UTA traditions,” said Molly Albart, assistant vice president for student transition and success. “There is so much excitement among our students and their families as they get settled into their on-campus homes. The community comes together to help our residents feel welcome, and it’s truly a campus-wide effort.”
Freshman Ronan Brown from Newport Beach, California, said he was excited to move to Texas for his new "home away from home." He’s looking forward to studying economics this fall and learning out more about the University’s rising esports program.
“It’s a growing industry, and merging something like that with economics is a great opportunity,” Brown said. “Both of those subjects piqued my interest in UTA, for sure. I’m really thrilled for this year and just ready for this new adventure of starting college.”
His father, Brett, said Ronan decided to attend UTA after visiting several other colleges.
“As a family, we felt like the fit at a university is just as important for success, somewhere where he would feel the most comfortable and at home,” Brett Brown said. “I’m really confident with my son coming here because of the curriculum he’ll be experiencing in his classes and friendly staff.”
Aaron Samuels said he is most looking forward to making friends and new connections and building relationships with people. The junior majoring in math and computer science has lived on campus for the past three years and encourages new Mavericks to get involved.
“I keep coming back to live on campus because it’s so diverse, it’s the best place to study and it’s such a fun experience,” Samuels said. “College is a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and I want to make the best of it. The more fun you have and the more friends you make by getting involved on campus, the better life is at UTA overall.”
Among the volunteers helping at Move-In Day were Arlington City Council member Raul H. Gonzalez (’85 B.B.A.) and his wife, Kerry (’92 B.A., History), both UTA alumni. The council member was the guest speaker at UTA’s summer commencement the previous week.
“I love this university,” said Raul Gonzalez. “I have lots of great memories here.”
Kerry Gonzalez said she enjoys staying involved because “UTA is a university that really cares about the community.”
“These students are moving away from their families for the first time, and that can be really hard,” she said. “But hopefully we volunteers can help make it easier for them and just let them know that someone is here to help them out.”