Interim University of Akron president Matthew Wilson surprised freshman students and parents as he mingled with them Wednesday as the students moved into residence halls.
“You know what I was really impressed with was getting to shake the president’s hand,” said Glen Wagner of Pittsburgh, who was there with his wife, Jill, to help settle son Maxwell, 19, into a dorm room. “That doesn’t happen, having him [Wilson] right here.”
The Wagners were also impressed with how smooth the move-in was for Maxwell, who was one of about 1,000 students who checked into rooms in UA’s North and West quad residence halls. On Thursday, another 1,200 students will move into the South and East quad dorms.
They are part of the 3,334 freshmen enrolled this year, down 813 students from last year’s fall enrollment.
More than 400 volunteers were on hand to help the students move in. Most of the volunteers were from various campus fraternities and sororities, but some were UA staff members or other freshmen who moved into their dorms just last week.
UA staff members drove trucks or Polaris vehicles with a truck bed to haul items from cars or U-Hauls to the central parking lot of four area dorms. Staff and student volunteers then transferred the goods into shopping carts, which were pushed over to the dorms and taken to students’ rooms.
There was also lively music by UA radio station WZIP (88.1-FM) at the event and Residence Life and Housing supplied water and chips.
“We have music and balloons and T-shirts as a fun distraction,” said John Messina, vice provost for student success, “to distract all the volunteers from lifting heavy stuff on a hot day into a small room and to distract parents who are sending their child off to college and to welcome all the new students who are leaving home and beginning their adult career.”
Jill Wagner said: “This is great. We didn’t have to move anything, it was well organized and the weather is perfect.”
The family particularly appreciated Wilson, who spent several hours walking around welcoming students and their families.
Passing out cards
Wilson gave Maxwell Wagner his business card, which had his office and cellphone numbers on it as well as a message on the back.
The message signed by Wilson read: “So happy you are here. Please feel free to contact me with any questions.”
Wilson continued to pass his card out as he introduced himself to students and parents and engaged in conversation.
“She’s my baby. We’re a little nervous, we have no other children in college,” Colleen Stewart of Wauseon told the president. “We have three children. We are officially empty nesters. She’s it.”
Wilson told Stewart he has four children himself and every time one leaves home, he is sad.
“What are you studying?” Wilson asked Emalee Stewart, who is 17 and wants to become a nurse.
After a few minutes as the line moved on, Wilson handed Emalee his business card and told her to feel free to call or text if she had any questions.
“We are so excited to have you here,” Wilson said. “Have a great day.”
Shannon Greaves of Bridgeport told Wilson that moving her daughter to college was hard for her because her daughter, Lexie Willoughby, is her only child.
The fashion merchandise designer major said the University of Akron was her favorite of the five campuses she visited.
“I chose this university because it was a little far, but still a little close to home,” said Shannon, whose family lives near the West Virginia/Ohio border.
Her mom was surprised by all the people there to help and greet students.
“The fact that the president is walking around is amazing,” Greaves said. “It’s a nice surprise. I work in a corporate world and I can tell you, that would never happen.”
Emerging leaders
The president also talked to volunteers helping with the moves, thanking them for their help. Some were freshmen who are part of an emerging leaders program.
“Hi, Mr. President,” said Ellie Ewing, 18, of Akron, when she saw him.
“Normally, you wouldn’t see the president unless you went to a special event on campus, but he was at our weeklong leadership training program last week and even ate lunch with us,” she said as she pushed a shopping cart full of items for another freshman. “He gave us his business card and I feel like I can totally call him.”
Wilson, who plans to greet students and parents on Thursday, said meeting students is the “best part of my job.”
Marilyn Miller can be reached at 330-996-3098 or mmiller@thebeaconjournal.com.