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.��

View the photo gallery on��.��

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More than 3,900 are expected to be filled this year at the , marking a record-breaking 97% occupancy rate. Of these, nearly 1,900 first-year students unpacked their belongings in their new college homes this week, contributing to the unprecedented demand for on-campus housing.

UofL President Kim Schatzel and her husband, Trevor, were on hand to greet students and families on ��extending a warm welcome to the newest Cardinals.

Lindie Hunter, a proud parent from Charlestown, Ind., is excited and nervous as her children embark on their college journeys. While all of her children will be attending�� UofL this fall, only her daughter has chosen to live in the residence halls.

“It’s very exciting but also nerve-wracking. It’s the next step of adulthood,” Hunter said.

She emphasized that UofL’s affordability and free tuition benefit for dependent children offered by her employer�� were key factors in their family’s decision.

“We are taking advantage of the tuition assistance,” she said. “I’ve been a student here for two semesters taking classes online and now my daughter gets to experience on-campus life.”

Three first-year students, Massia Diomande, Amy Davis and Madelyne Moser, explored campus after moving into Kurz Hall, a residence hall known for its . These students are all members of the

“I’m looking forward to living with people I’m taking classes with,” said Moser, a Louisville native. “It’ll be a close-knit community.”

Diomande, from Hardin County, shared that move-in went smoothly and she’s excited about her new, comfortable room.

Davis, from Paintsville, Ky., expressed anticipation rather than nerves about the first day of classes. “I’m ready to have a schedule and start going to class,” she said.

Dozens of����have been planned for incoming first-year, commuting and transfer students.��Some of the activities include a Cardinal Kickoff Picnic with Schatzel and other UofL leaders; yard games and Bingo Like Never B-4; UofL night at Kentucky Kingdom; sunrise yoga; nachos at Ekstrom Library; After Hours event at the Speed Art Museum; and a Student Government Association welcome lunch.

Classes begin Monday, Aug. 19.

View more photos from Move-In 2024 on��.

Watch the short .

“She’s going to do big things so watch out for her!” said Ted Sauer, who was pushing a cart filled with dorm essentials for his daughter Kelsey Tyler at Belknap Residence Hall.��

Tyler, accepted into the School of Nursing, is one of about 2,000 first-year students moving into campus housing for the 2022-2023 academic year. Almost half of them are settling into twin residence halls that are part of an $87 million construction plan to transform the heart of Belknap Campus. One opened last fall, the other opened Tuesday near the Swain Student Activities Center.

Alli Edwards and her mother, Mary Edwards, of Cincinnati, couldn’t contain their excitement — or their tears — as they hugged.

“I was really excited that she picked Louisville because the campus seems very safe and the opportunities here, it seems like there’s a lot of them,” Mary Edwards said, holding a shopping bag filled with items.

Nolan Macklin, a track star from Dallas, Texas, who committed to UofL about six weeks ago, walked around Belknap Campus with his mother, Elisa Macklin. He is eager for track season to start, he said.

Mom’s best advice to her only child?��

“I want him to really enjoy college life. I want him to make sure he focuses on his studies. I know he is going to run track but the important thing is getting the grades and getting a good education and everything else will fall into place,” she said.

Other residence halls on Belknap Campus are Unitas Tower, also primarily for first-year students; the suites in Community Park, Kurz Hall, Louisville Hall and Billy Minardi Hall, and apartments in Cardinal Towne, Bettie Johnson, University Pointe and University Tower.

UofL Athletics has also opened a new residence hall this year on Belknap Campus near the basketball practice facility and closer to Cardinal Stadium, where the UofL football team plays and practices. Denny Crum Hall, named for the legendary UofL men’s basketball coach, will be dedicated in September.

Dozens of have been planned for incoming first-years, commuting students and transfer students.

Just some of the activities include a Cardinal Kickoff Picnic with UofL interim President Lori Stewart Gonzalez; the traditional SOUL community service day; a pep rally and late-night outdoor games at Cardinal Stadium; a “Taste of Louisville” lunch; a “Looking for Louie” scavenger hunt; yoga classes and late-night ice cream treats.

Classes begin Aug. 22.

Gabrielle Ayers, marketing communications coordinator for UofL’s Office of Communications and Marketing, contributed to this story.

While some early move-ins had already taken place, Wednesday’s official start saw a stream of anxious first-year students and their families hauling belongings and sharing laughs, hugs and tears under warm, sunny skies.

Three mini Cardinal Marching Bands provided that traditional college sound at different locations to add to the celebratory mood.

Approximately 3,500 students — 2,000 of them first-year students — will move into university housing before the start of classes Aug. 23.��

More than 450 will be the first residents of the just-opened Belknap Residence Hall, the university’s first new residence hall in 31 years. It joins two other traditional-style halls that are primarily for first-year students, Miller Hall and Unitas Tower.

“The whole experience has been so pleasant,” said incoming first-year student Mary Schook, who was moving into BRH. “The [Belknap Residence Hall] is super nice, my room is much bigger than I thought it would be and everyone I’ve met along the way has been so friendly and so welcoming.”��

Mary’s mother, Nancy, said the pleasant move-in experience calmed some of her parental fears.

“It’s been very easy to move in and everyone is very helpful and I feel comfortable leaving her here,” she said.��

Over at Unitas Tower, Katina Carroll said she broke down in tears a couple of times as she helped her son, Brayden Miller, move onto campus from their home in Corbin.

“It’s pretty emotional. I’m proud of who he is and where he’s going in life, but then again, he’s still my baby,” Carroll said, adding she thinks she’ll probably cry all the way home. “That’s why I brought somebody with me to be able to drive me home, because I don’t know that I can even handle that.”

Other residence halls on Belknap Campus are the suites in Community Park, Kurz Hall, Louisville Hall and Billy Minardi Hall, and apartments in Cardinal Towne, Bettie Johnson, University Pointe and University Tower.

Dozens of Welcome Week activities were planned for incoming first-years and second-years who didn’t get a chance to experience Welcome Week in 2020 due to COVID-19 cancellations. Commuting students and transfer students also have specific activities aimed at getting them settled at UofL.

Just some of the activities include a free welcome-back concert at Cardinal Stadium, the traditional SOUL community service day, a scavenger hunt, yoga and other exercise classes, playtime with puppies, lawn games and late-night ice cream floats.

Natalie Uhl, digital content coordinator in the Office of Communications and Marketing, contributed to this story.

While UofL’s 2020 move-in brought out similar emotions, there were some noticeable differences due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eva Gover, an incoming freshman from Somerset, Kentucky, who is majoring in Biology and minoring in Spanish, seemed to capture the overall feeling of students as they arrived on campus.

“I’m a little nervous, but I’m just happy I get to be here,” Gover said.

This year the crowd was smaller as students were required to schedule one-hour move-in appointments to ensure social distancing in the residence halls. Everyone wore masks, which hid any smiles from students and their parents.

Like last year, President Neeli Bendapudi was there to welcome students and their parents to campus with a (masked) smile and friendly banter. While excited for students to return, Bendapudi acknowledged the steps the Cardinal family must take to remain healthy.����

“We are so excited to see freshmen getting their first taste of college and beginning their college journey,” Bendapudi said. “For all of us, this is an opportunity to show we are a community of care, so today you’ll see people wearing masks, social distancing and hopefully some very good hygiene.”

For incoming freshman and industrial engineering major Daphne Chong, moving to UofL was an easy decision, despite the long journey it required and the pandemic.

“I’m from Newport Beach, California, so it’s definitely going to be weird not knowing anyone here,” Chong said. “But I chose UofL because I felt like this was where I would get support and community. From my tour guide to my admissions counselor, everyone was just so nice here.”

Chong took an online course from UofL to help prepare for college this summer, which helped her gain confidence in herself and her new school.

“I already did the Brown Forman Engineering Academy and it was run so well that it really made me a lot more confident because I was still able to make those personal relationships with my teachers and peers and get the help I needed,” Chong said.

For Oliver Fister, an incoming Biology student from Lexington, Kentucky, moving into UofL was a day to remember.

“I’m as excited as I probably would be if we weren’t in the middle of a global pandemic,” Fister said. “I’m a little nervous about some things like staying in my dorm more than usual or not going to the library as much, but I’m really excited to live somewhere different and take some interesting classes this semester.”

Fister’s parents echoed their son’s excitement, even though it was bittersweet.

“We’ll miss him, but I’m more excited for him than anything,” Zach Fister, Oliver’s father, said. “This is his next step. And we’ll always remember this, especially during these times.”

Check out video from the first day of Move-In Day 2020:

“This is our first experience moving a kid into college, so I’m going to have to try to control my emotions today,” Holly said.��

Sydney was one of approximately 2,248 students ��who moved in on UofL’s official Move-In day. Even more students were to move in over the weekend before the start of classes Monday. ��

“We are so excited to welcome over 3,450 students to the Belknap campus this fall, a new record for the on campus population. We have been preparing all summer long for their arrival and look forward to contributing to their academic success this coming year,” said Thomas Hardy, director of campus housing. ����

Like most families, the summer months for the Dunigans were filled with college prep.��

“There was lots of packing, a couple trips to Target and IKEA here and there. We got a couple days of just mom and Sydney shopping time, so we’ve really had a great experience doing this,” Holly said as she held back tears. “I’m excited for her to have a new experience. When I came to UofL, I didn’t have the dorm experience. I commuted every day, so I didn’t feel like a part of it. With Sydney, it’s fantastic because she’ll be in the dorm and be immersed with the activities, so she’ll really have the full experience.”

Max Correard, an incoming freshman from Connecticut majoring in sport administration, moved into Louisville Hall with help from his parents, Greg and Kris Correard.

Max said he decided to come all the way to UofL from his home in New England because of the people he’s met on campus and the positive feeling he got while being here.

“I came here and I just loved the campus. It felt like a big school, but it’s actually not huge and it just felt right. I met with people here and they made me feel like I was more than just a number. I felt like people were actually interested in me and making sure I got the best education that I can,” he said.

Greg said he and his wife are thrilled to see their eldest son begin his college career.

“I’m excited for him to try everything new and to dive in and find out about all the new traditions on campus,” he said. “I’m excited for him to spread his wings and start out on this new journey.”

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Check out more from Move-In Day 2019 below:��

The series of events and activities help first-year, transfer and returning students get a jump start on the fall semester.

“This time is designed to help students meet new and upperclass students, connect with faculty and staff and make UofL their new home,” said Dr. Glenn Gittings, director of Student Activities Center and Special Programs.

There are a number of new elements this year. For the first time, co-hosted Welcome Week with . But, starting next year, Student Affairs will be the primary sponsor of Welcome Week.

“Student Affairs has always been critical to Welcome Week,” Gittings said. “This transition is meant to maximize synergy opportunities and connect with all Student Affairs facilities and departments.”

moved from Wednesday to Thursday, which created a four-day welcome week. Key signature events, like the �� and , remain.

Friday will feature academic and student success programming. In the morning, all first-time freshmen . In the afternoon, students are encouraged to take advantage of , where they can get questions answered and meet faculty, staff and students from their intended area of study.

Those events are a “purposeful opportunity for students to develop more personal, individual connections even before class starts,” Gittings said.

Research shows that establishing those kinds of connections is important for boosting student retention.

The Welcome Week schedule was published in time for , which allowed students and families to plan ahead to take the full advantage of all the events and activities.

Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to download and use the .�� It includes Welcome Week schedules, frequent contacts, interactive campus maps, dining services, hours and more. Students may access the app’s robust resources all year long.��

Gittings said a majority of the incoming freshmen have downloaded the app so far.

“I’m worried about adjusting from a small town to a big city. I’m excited to meet new people and expand and grow and try new things,” said Freshman Chandler Howerton.��

The number of students living on campus or in affiliated housing near campus has grown to more than 7,000 students — triple the number from 10 years ago.��

Check out more from Move-In Day in the video below:��

“Welcome Week is an important traditional program that promotes new student engagement and success by providing students with opportunities to develop fundamental skills, knowledge and personal connections essential for their transition to UofL,” said Loni Yost, director of First Year Initiatives.��

Some noteworthy events include:

Aug. 16

• Move-In Day, 8 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Move-In Day will feature volunteers, complimentary drinks and pizza for everyone courtesy of Papa John’s.
• Cardinal Kick Off, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Library Lawn West, UofL’s Interim President Dr. Greg Postel helps kick off Welcome Week. Enjoy free food, photo booth, UofL swag, music and a chance to win a new bike.
• Bid Day, 3-10 p.m., Students receive an invitation to the sorority they were matched with through the mutual selection process.

Aug. 17

• SOUL: Student Outreach Uniting Louisville, 8 a.m. check-in; 8:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. service projects, Student Activities Center, includes a free t-shirt, interactive group discussion and group service project featuring Mayor Fischer with the keynote.
• Kick Back in the Stacks, 6-8:30 p.m., Ekstrom Library, The library features a mix of dancers, magicians and other novelty performers; bingo; interactive service project; a photo station; scavenger hunt; local food samples, etc. Learn about the Library and other important campus resources.

Aug. 18

• Alumni Association Picnic, 6-7:30 p.m., Humanities Quad, Enjoy food, music, giveaways, and fun. Hear from SOAR (Student Organization for Alumni Relations) on how to bridge the gap between current students and alumni.
• Night at the Museum: What’s Your Speed?, 7-10 p.m., Speed Art Museum, Enjoy a night of tours, snacks, games, art-making and adventure as students explore the galleries and get to know the Speed Art Museum.

Aug.19

• CARDnival, 8-10:45 p.m., SAC West Plaza, Join the Student Activities Board for a night out at the CARDnival complete with arcade and casino games, featuring free food, music, inflatables, and prizes.

Aug. 20

• 25^th��Annual Icebreaker and All Campus Cookout, 6-8 p.m., Red Barn/West Plaza, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and National Pan-Hellenic Council’s (NPHC) fraternities and sororities welcome all new students to the campus.

The full schedule of events is .��