You could feel the excitement across campus today as York College of Pennsylvania welcomed the Class of 2029 to campus during first-year student move-in. Hundreds of students, along with their families, filled residence halls with everything from mini-fridges to musical instruments, ready to begin the next chapter of their academic journey.
“It’s a big day not just for our students, but for their families as well,” said Thomas Burns, Ph.D, President of York College. “We’re thrilled to see the energy and enthusiasm they bring to campus.”
The Class of 2029 is York College’s largest incoming class in five years, representing 26 states.
For many students, the move to campus represents both excitement and nerves as they adjust to a new environment and community.
“I’m ready to meet people because everyone has been so nice to me,” Crystal Amador, a Medical Imaging major, said. “As soon as I got here the first day, I was like, ‘This is it.’”
Parents also shared the mix of emotions that comes with move-in day.
“College is a big step,” Crystal’s father Frank said. “And going to, especially, York College, she has the opportunity that she needs for her career. We are very fortunate that she’s close to home, and you have all the resources that we were looking for in a college.”
“I’m excited to start college,” History major Erik Barbacci said. “There have been people helping me move in, and it’s been great.”
Student leaders and residence life staff were on hand to welcome new Spartans and ease the transition.
“Our goal is to make students feel at home from the moment they arrive,” said Robbie Bacon, Vice President of Student Life and Success. “Move-in day is the first step in building the supportive, close-knit community York College is known for.”
With move-in complete, first-year students will spend the next few days participating in Welcome Week activities designed to help them connect with classmates, faculty, and staff before the start of classes on Monday.
“The school is a good-sized campus for me, not like ginormous huge, but also, you get to know people around you,” Psychology major Emma Migala said.
“When I first toured, it was the people, my orientation/Spartan leaders. They were amazing,” Crystal said. “They treated me so well. Everyone treated me so nicely, and I really loved that.”
With move-in day behind them, these new Spartans now look ahead to four years of discovery, growth, and lifelong connections at York College.
