Hundreds of parents and new students converged on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas Sunday morning for the annual Move-In Day.
UCA faculty, staff, students and local organizations helped unload vehicles and hauled televisions, clothes, and mini-fridges to dorm rooms.
UCA President Allen Meadors greeted the students and their families and helped with the move in. Meadors along with other UCA faculty and staff answered questions. Numerous activities were scheduled throughout the day to provide parents and students additional information about the university.
Visit UCA’s YouTube page for more on Move-In Day. Sunday was a bittersweet moment for the parents. Sam and Eliza Longoria of Houston made the seven-hour drive to Conway to help their granddaughter, Chelsea Garza of Little Rock, move into her dorm. The couple planned the trip after Chelsea graduated from high school in May.
“We have been looking forward to this,” Sam Longoria said. “She has to get her feet wet a little bit, but she will be alright.”
Natalie Longoria, Chelsea’s mother, spent the last few days making sure Chelsea had everything she needed.
“It came so soon,” she said. “This morning, I was scared and nervous. This is her first time away from home.”
Chelsea and her roommate, Alicia Collard of Ozark, Missouri, had mixed feelings when they arrived on campus Sunday morning. The freshmen expressed their excitement about coming to UCA as well as their fears.
“I am the first grandchild to go to college so I am really excited and nervous,” Chelsea said.
For Alicia, being more than three hours from her parents was a concern.
“I am also worried about meeting new people,” she said. “We’re back at the bottom — freshmen.”
Darrell and Pam Collard, Alicia’s parents, sat at a concrete table with their daughter after moving in her belongings.
“I think Alicia will do fine,” Pam Collard said. “This is a nice size campus and the people are extremely friendly. I am confident that she is ready for a new experience and I am excited for her.”