Students Settle into their New Homes During Operation Move-In

Students Settle into their New Homes During Operation Move-In

Mary Kate Niederhauser was all smiles as she and her parents maneuvered their way through the Recreation Activities Center (RAC) on Friday morning as part of Operation Move-In.

“I am just super excited,” Niederhauser said as she prepared to head to Eagle Village to decorate her new dorm room. “I came down here for a visit and I really liked the campus. The nursing program had everything I’m looking for, and my mom went here.”

Her parents, David and Gina (’88), were also excited for their daughter’s new journey. “It’s a great school—she wasn’t sure where she wanted to go, but I encouraged her come look and she liked it,” Gina Niederhauser said with a smile.

Niederhauser said she was anxious to begin classes on Monday, and looking forward to attending various events on campus throughout the semester.

Also looking forward to beginning classes, attending football games and social gatherings was Michael Reddaway, who made the four and a half hour drive from Suwanee, Ga., with his parents, David and Carol. All three said they felt great and were ready to get the day started as they waited in line at the RAC to find out more about Reddaway’s housing assignment for the fall semester.

And Reddaway and Niederhauser were just two of about 3,500 freshmen who made their way to the RAC and then to various residence halls on campus throughout the day, settling into their new homes for their first year at Georgia Southern.

President Brooks Keel, Ph.D., also made his way around campus on Friday with First Lady Tammie Schalue, taking time to greet parents and students at the RAC and also at residence halls as the new students unpacked their belongings.

“Tammie and I always look forward to Operation Move-In,” said Keel. “We were at the RAC earlier meeting some of the students and parents as they were coming in, and we usually try to get to some of the residence halls and make sure things are going smoothly—it’s a great opportunity to let them know that they are important to us and that we appreciate them being here.”

He also touted the work of the more than 1,200 volunteers who make Operation Move-In possible.

“We have one of the best organized move-in days that I’ve ever seen, and it’s not just my opinion,” Keel said. “We have a number of parents who’ve had kids that have gone to other universities throughout the country who will remark about how well organized this is compared to other universities. We’re very, very proud of that.”

Executive Director of University Housing, Chris MacDonald, noted the changes throughout the years in on-campus living. In 1985, there were just over 3,000 beds available for students. More than 5,000 beds are available through University Housing today, and 99 percent of housing options are occupied. -Crissie Elrick