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From “Welcome Home” banners and bright red-and-black balloons to directional signs along the walkways and music drifting across campus, every detail at the points to one event: Move-In Day. This week, the university opens its doors to a new class of Cardinals, welcoming them for the 2025-2026 school year.

More than 4,000 Cardinals will call the UofL campus home, including over 2,100 first-year students who arrived this week and nearly 1,900 upper-level and transfer students moving in over the weekend. This year brings a record-breaking number of students living on campus with  at full capacity.  

“I’m more excited than nervous for the school year to start,” said first-year student Stella Huber, of Floyd Knobs, Ind.

Huber will be a part of , an early admission program the offers to exceptional high school seniors who demonstrate a commitment to pursue a career in dentistry.

“ULEAD was the deciding factor for me coming to UofL since dental school is hard to get into,” Huber said. “We’ve spent some time getting to know each other this week and I’ve really enjoyed it so far.”

Huber’s move-in was made easier thanks to volunteer Isabella Spencer, a third-year student volunteering with the faith-based RSO , who helped wheel items from Huber’s car across campus to the residence hall. This was Spencer’s first time volunteering with , a (UHRE) program that provides various volunteer services from traffic flow to hands-on moving of items.

“It went smoothly today,” said Spencer. “I was happy to help new students get settled in and pay it forward.”  

A record-breaking Move-in Day required a record-breaking number of volunteers. Nearly 700 volunteers— including current students, student organization members, faculty, staff and alumni— assisted students as they moved in. They joined UHRE staff, who provide year-round support to residents through area coordinators and resident assistants.

Renelleda Saint-Hilaire, a second-year student, will serve as a resident assistant in . She said the best way staff can support families and students on Move-in Day is by offering directions and guidance during what can be an overwhelming experience. This is Saint-Hilaire’s first year on the UHRE student staff.

“My residents will be first-year students, and I am only a year older than them,” she said. “It’ll be interesting to be both a peer and mentor to them.”

UofL President Gerry Bradley was also on hand throughout the day to greet students and families on  extending a warm welcome to the newest Cardinals.

The fun doesn’t stop with Move-in Day. More than 100  have been planned for incoming students and returning students.��Some of the activities include a Cardinal Kickoff Picnic with Bradley and other UofL leaders; yard games and Bingo Like Never B-4; UofL night at Kentucky Kingdom; After Hours event at the Speed Art Museum; and a Student Government Association welcome lunch.

Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 18.��

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