Stetson’s DeLand campus was brimming with the excited voices of students and their families during Move-In Day on Saturday, Aug. 16, as students embarked on their college journeys.

“Move-In Day is one of my favorite moments of the year, it marks the beginning of an incredible journey for our newest Hatters and the families who support them,” said President Christopher F. Roellke, PhD. “The kindness and spirit of the Stetson Community shined as everyone came together to welcome them home. You could truly feel the energy our students have brought to campus. It has awakened the ‘Soul of Stetson,’ and I couldn’t be more excited for the year ahead.”

New Hatters all around campus welcomed the challenge of decorating their rooms and filled the campus with smiles, music, chatter and bittersweet moments.

“It was energizing seeing students transform their room from blank canvas into warm second homes away from home,” said Jessica Day, executive director of Residential Living and Learning. “Families, from just a few blocks away to thousands of miles across the country, shared how eager they were for their students to find their place at Stetson.”

Levin McCoy

Levin McCoy drove in with his parents, Amanda and Ron McCoy, from Longwood and was excited to decorate his room in Carson-Hollis Hall with them.

“I’m scared, but I’m so comfortable here already,” he said. “I met with everyone and got to know the school before I even came here officially, and I’m just glad to have my parents supporting me through all of this.”

A double major in Business Administration and Finance, McCoy is a member of the Presidential Fellows Program and looks forward to joining the Roland George Investments Program in the future.

“We are really excited for him,” said his mother. “The opportunity that he has here is amazing, so that makes it easier for us to let him go, even though it is hard because he’s our only child.”

Reynalis Gomez-Malave

A first-generation student, Reynalis Gomez-Malave was feeling a mix of emotions while she organized her room in Gordis Hall with the help of her mother, Haydee Malave, and her stepfather, Carlos Valcarcel.

“I’m excited but also nervous,” she said. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next few days, but it’s definitely a new experience.”

Her mother and stepfather were emotional when they talked about leaving Gomez-Malave after her room was setup. But they were thrilled for her to live the college experience to the fullest.

“This was the first campus we visited, and we were like ‘this is the one,’” Malave said. “It was just the perfect fit, we loved the homey feeling of the campus and the warmth and kindness with which you are treated from the moment you arrive. … This is her chance to spread her wings, and we will be here to support her in any way we can.”

“She has the opportunity to absorb knowledge and study, and that means the world to us,” Valcarcel said. “I’m so happy for her.”

Gomez-Malave will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Aquatic and Marine Biology, and is looking forward to growing personally and professionally during her years as a Hatter.

“I always had a fascination with animals, especially the deep sea because there is so much we don’t know about it, so I’m excited to learn,” she said. “I feel like meeting new people here definitely will be beneficial because I’m really timid, so I am looking forward to the overall college experience.”

Marcos Parra

For Marcos Parra, moving into his room in Smith Hall felt surreal.

“Honestly, it’s unbelievable thinking about where I was a couple of months ago and then realizing that I’m here right now,” he said. “It’s a really good feeling. I’m really excited to making new friends, learning more about computers and hopefully getting a job or an internship, too.”

Parra’s mom, Irina Damianoff, said it was a bittersweet moment for her and the family, but they “fell in love with the university from the beginning and we know this is the right place for him.”

Malik Hernandez

Malik Hernandez is a native of the Canary Islands and had always dreamed about going to college in the United States. After several flights and a couple of stops, arriving to Stetson meant his lifelong dream had become his new reality.

“Florida is a state that I’ve been looking to go to ever since I was a little kid,” he said. “I chose Stetson because I prefer smaller schools and because they offer generous scholarships, and because I have heard that the professors and the community are very tight-knit.”

Hernandez will be part of the Presidential Fellows Program and will be majoring in Business Systems and Analytics. He moved into his new room in Conrad Hall before his roommate arrived, and he’s excited for the opportunity to make new friends and create new memories during his years at Stetson.

“At the end of the day, I come from a little island where there is not many opportunities,” he said. “So being able to come here and expand and develop my leadership skills, it’s a really amazing opportunity.”  

Claire Simmonds

For Claire Simmonds, choosing Stetson was a completely different experience than Hernandez’s. Originally from Toronto, Simmonds was recruited to play beach volleyball as a Hatter.

“What stood out to me about Stetson was the beautiful campus,” she said. “I’m from Canada, so we have long winters and extreme snow. So, getting out of that for four years will be super nice. I love the sun, and the coaches and the girls on the team were super nice and it’s just a very welcoming community.”

Simmonds will be majoring in Business and is part of the Honors Program. She will be living in Smith Hall with her teammate, EJ Cudmore, with whom she played with back in Canada for Team Ontario.

“We’re good friends,” Simmonds said. “We get along really well, so I feel like it helped us in making the decision. It’s also nice having someone around with whom you are comfortable, especially being an international student.”

– Andrea Mujica