More than 850 Students Move Into Residence Halls
Kym Heighes anticipated tears after helping her daughter, Emily, move into her residence hall at the University of La Verne. But it was not because she would come home to an empty nest. After all, she has nine children.
But with two older daughters already moved out, Emily was her last daughter to leave home.
“I will bawl before I leave, for sure,” the Cherry Valley woman said.
University of La Verne move-in day kicked off Aug. 24 with new and transfer students bringing carloads of belongings to fill their new homes. More than 850 students moved into university housing.
Psychology major Alexa Withers of Corona had her hands full with a truck and van packed full of items for her room. The Norco High School graduate felt excitement, but also nervousness about being an independent 17-year-old freshman.
That nervous energy turned to humor for her father, Rodney.
“If you ask me today, we should have held her back for one more year,” he said.
Greek organizations, athletes and residence hall workers turned out by the dozens to help new students get settled. They carried clothes, refrigerators, computers and televisions into students’ rooms.
Edwin Escobar, a senior computer science major with Sigma Alpha Epsilon, said he has volunteered the past three years.
“It’s a really good way to meet new people and to help them be welcomed into the community because that’s what La Verne is all about,” he said.
While parents and new students experienced mixed emotions about the transition, some siblings saw an upside.
“I get her room, so that’s a good point,” said high school freshman, Robert Williams, whose sister, Alayia Williams, moved in.
Jacob Galeazzi, a Damien High School graduate, said living on campus will grant him some independence even though his family lives nearby in Rancho Cucamonga. His mother, Marcy Galeazzi, works as an administrative assistant for the College of Business and Public Management.
“It gives me a little taste of real-life responsibility,” he said.
