Sophomore student and volunteer Alexis Schreckengost helps load items onto carts to move into the residence halls at Slippery Rock University on Thursday in Slippery Rock. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
SLIPPERY ROCK — Unsuspecting people driving around Slippery Rock University Thursday morning may have been taken aback by the army of green-clad students ambushing cars and looting carpets, office chairs and suitcases.
As it turns out, the green pirates were smiling volunteers who offered help and muscles to the SRU class of 2026 as they moved on campus for the fall semester.
The Week of Welcome team stood outside the nine residence halls in groups of 20, approaching students as they drove up and unloading their goods.
Week of Welcome volunteers help move belongings into the residence halls at Slippery Rock University on Thursday in Slippery Rock. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
Sarah Irvin, a grad assistant overseeing the team of Building E, said the teams are made up of sororities and fraternities, sports teams, club members or other students who wanted to lend a hand.
“There’s three shifts of people working. In this building, we’re moving in about 150 freshman,” she said.
The university welcomed more than 15,000 freshman and transfer students Thursday, according to Justin Zackal, interim assistant director of communication at SRU. The remainder of students living on-campus will move in Sunday, he said.
Jacob Moore, a junior environmental science major, said the parents have been most excited about the move-in process.
“The parents are having a blast; they’re enjoying the experience of knowing their kids are coming to a good college,” he said. “I feel as though most students are excited and enthusiastic to meet new people, but some are very shy and keeping to themselves.”
Irvin said that Week of Welcome volunteers are actively promoting different activities to the new students.
“We have a bunch of events this weekend, including a carnival with rides and food to get people acclimated,” she said.
Senior Colin Curtin works as a volunteer to help move belongings into the residence halls at Slippery Rock University on Thursday in Slippery Rock. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
As parents clad in SRU merchandise helped unload cars, students were signed in and saw their rooms for the first time.
Mollie Wolfe, a freshman from West Virginia, was excited to begin her first year as a special education major. She said she hopes to become a teacher with the things she learns at SRU.
“I’m excited about meeting new people,” she said.
Marisa Napolitano, of North Hills, said she is moving into Building B with her best friend, and is hoping her time at SRU will propel her to becoming a child psychologist.
“We grew up as best friends,” she said of her roommate. “I’m most excited to start a new chapter of being on my own.”
Triston Cowan, of Dubois, was starting his freshman year as a physical education major in Building B.
“I’m looking forward to everything new here, every new experience,” he said. “I think the most important thing I brought with me is the thought of being open to everything here.”
New students, parents and volunteers move belongings into the residence halls at Slippery Rock University on Thursday in Slippery Rock. More than 15,000 freshmen and transfer students moved into the university in one day. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
Week of Welcome volunteers help freshmen and transfer students move in to the residence halls at Slippery Rock University on Thursday in Slippery Rock. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
Amy Squyres and her daughter Maria Squyres, of Butler, cheer after a performance by Slippery Rock University Marching Pride during move-in on Thursday in Slippery Rock. "I'm super excited," said Maria, an incoming freshman. Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle
