From Move-In Day to Song Fest: A Great Start to the Year
It’s been a fun and energizing start to the academic year! I’ve had the opportunity to connect with so many new and returning faculty, students, parents, and staff and to experience firsthand the enthusiasm that comes with the beginning of a new year.
One of the early highlights was hosting our staff awards presentations, a wonderful opportunity to recognize and thank the many people across Emory College whose hard work, expertise, and dedication behind the scenes do so much to support our community and make everything we do possible.
I also really enjoyed welcoming the new faculty joining Emory College this year. It was exciting to learn more about them and their work, and I know their scholarship, teaching, and mentoring will bring new energy while adding to the already considerable strengths of their departments and the College.
Move-in day was another highlight. I joined Nichole Fazio, senior associate dean of undergraduate education; Keiko Price Carter, vice president and dean of Campus Life; Justice Leah Ward Sears, president; Christopher Augostini, president-elect; and many others in welcoming first-year students and their families. Also joining us were Maria Augostini and their golden retriever, who was a huge hit, enthusiastically wagging her tail with each greeting.
Everywhere we went, we encountered volunteers helping our newest students get settled. The swimming and diving teams were out in force, as always, welcoming and helping new members of their teams move into student housing. RAs and SAs cheered as students arrived at their residence halls, and each group confidently assured us that their hall was going to win Song Fest this year!
Over the following days, I had many more opportunities to meet students at FirstSTEM orientation, Convocation, the transfer student lunch, the academic showcase, and a reception welcoming Oxford students who are continuing their academic journey in Atlanta. The energy at these events was infectious. Just as impressive was the remarkable number of faculty, staff, students, and other volunteers who gave their time and brought such enthusiasm to making everything run smoothly. It was a wonderful reminder of how much people across the College contribute to creating a welcoming community.
And then there was Song Fest on Thursday evening! It was great fun, and judging was no easy task. Every residence hall brought creativity, enthusiasm, and plenty of volume. Congratulations to Eagle for best banner, AlaDobbs for best T-shirt, and Turmilton for best performance. But congratulations really belong to all of the residence halls for making the evening such a spirited and memorable celebration. My ears are still ringing!
After all of these events, what has stayed with me most is the tremendous energy and sense of community I’ve seen everywhere I’ve gone. It has been a terrific way to begin the year, and I’m excited about all that lies ahead.