Meredith Welcomes Class of 2022

Some places roll out a red carpet as a sign of welcome. At Meredith College, a Move-In Day welcome means a giant balloon arch across Main Campus Drive, followed by cheering crowds of students. These Meredith traditions welcomed the Class of 2022 on Saturday, Aug. 18, 2018.

Watch highlights of Meredith’s Move-In

The Class of 2022 includes approximately 400 new first-year students. Members of this class come from 17 states and countries including Ethiopia, Kenya, and Mauritania. When the new academic year begins on August 22, Meredith expects to enroll approximately 600 new undergraduate and graduate students. The College’s total student population is expected to be around 1,800 students.

Residence Life staff, including students who serve as resident assistants, have been preparing for days.

“Before Move-In Day, Residence Life does a lot of prep work to make sure that we are ready to welcome our newest angels with special door decorations, bulletin boards, and lots of knowledge about Meredith,” said Hannah Jones, ’20, who is a community assistant in The Oaks.

Delaney Rhodes, ’20, said as the first event of the academic year, Move-In Day sets the tone.

Move-In Day brings students, families, and Meredith staff together to create a positive experience that students can look back on fondly,” Rhodes said.

Alumnae who returned to campus to volunteer also enjoyed being part of Move-In Day.

“Move-In Day brings generations of Meredith sisters together to welcome the newest class into the family,” said Lauryn DuPree, ’09. “I volunteered at Move-In to pay it forward, to help the new class realize they, too, are capable of great things.”

Parents Council members who appreciated the welcome they, and their students, received on Move-In Day volunteered to do the same this year for new Meredith families.

“Move-In Day is so special because from the moment you drive into campus, you feel the excitement of being welcomed into a very special family,” said Jodi Schuh, parent of Kimberly Schuh, ’21. “I wanted to give those same memories of being welcomed to other parents who may be nervous about leaving their daughters at Meredith for the first time this year.”

Special Welcome for International Students
For international students, Orientation began on August 17. The Office of International Programs staff, along with other Meredith faculty, staff, and students implement programs to help international students feel more at home throughout the year. For students living on campus, International Programs staff offer to set-up their residence hall rooms in advance and pick them up from the airport.

“It helps to see a welcoming face and to have a cozy room after a long flight to a new place. We also hold international student orientation as soon as international students arrive on campus so we can connect them with campus resources,” said Traci Johnson, Assistant Director of International Programs. During orientation and throughout the year, we offer cultural and information sessions that help address concerns of being in such a new environment.”

Meredith Strong
New this year was the debut of Meredith Strong, a team of female superheroes. A fun addition to Meredith College | Going Strong, the team is made up of five figures: Halo, Onyx, Iris, Angel, and Lux. A large cutout of the new team and some Meredith Strong themed giveaways added to the excitement of moving on campus.