“Excited but nervous.” That summed up the atmosphere around Widener University on Monday as the school began welcoming it’s largest-ever first year class of students to campus. In a time when many four-year colleges are struggling, or even closing, more than 900 students from 13 states and about a dozen other countries began moving into the 17 residence halls on the 110-acre Chester campus that has a total enrollment of over 5,600.
87 percent of new students live on campus. A steady stream of cars funneled along Old Main into the parking lot along Melrose Avenue where staff, student leaders and student organizations were waiting to quickly unload the new students belongings into carts for the walk to Moll, Kapelski and Sharples halls. Mary Allen, Widener University executive director of communications, said the school plans extensively to make sure move-in day runs smoothly.
Among those helping was longtime volleyball coach Donovan Anglin and his players. “We’ve been doing it for years. It’s good stuff, he said.
“So far everything has been smooth. Everybody has been helpful. Security and all the people helping us downstairs guided us in the right direction,” said Michael Acquarolo of South Philadelphia, who was bringing his daughter Gloria to campus.
“It’s a good school.” Acquarolo also has a son who attends Widener. Stacey Robertson , who is heading into her third year as Widener’s president, was on hand to greet the students and their parents as they.