Amid the hustle and bustle of several hundred students moving into the residence halls on Sunday, University President Dr. Joseph I. Castro’s familiar figure made the rounds.
Smiling, he greeted students and their parents waiting in a line that stretched from the northwest corner of University Courtyard to the parking lot off Shaw Avenue. Castro welcomed everyone to the campus.
Another well-known figure was an instant hit with people waiting in line. Victor E. Bulldog III was on hand to greet everyone. And boy was he popular.
Around 1,000 residents were expected to move into the residence halls this fall semester, according to Fresno State spokeswoman Lisa Boyles. Check-in began at 9 a.m. on Sunday. As that got underway, the lines swelled up under the tall pine trees and the tents in front of University Courtyard.
Several student organizations were on hand as “university baggage buddies” to help residents unload their belongings and move them to their rooms. Members from groups, including Lambda Chi Alpha, Delta Sigma Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Pi, were busy helping, too.
In the early evening, several hundred students and parents enjoyed the warm weather and a barbecue tri-tip and chicken dinner under the trees and tents between Baker and Graves halls. Golden oldies rock music played softly, entertaining dinner goers.
Housing director Erin Boele welcomed everyone to the dinner and then introduced Castro, who briefly spoke. He first welcomed the new students, saying they “are among talented, hardworking students.” He assured the listening parents the university would do everything it could to support their sons and daughters who would stay behind to study.
Dr. Frank Lamas, vice president for the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, urged all the students to “seek engagement” on campus. He reminded everyone to be sure to “advocate for yourselves because we aren’t mind readers.” He also urged parents to check in with their students to make sure they were doing OK.
Dr. Janell Morillo, associate vice president for Student Health, Counseling and Wellness, and Lt. Jim Watson of university police also briefly spoke. Watson reassured the audience that “safety is the No. 1 priority at Fresno State.”
Boele concluded the comments by saying,”I love seeing students come in now and then see them leave in May totally changed.” She added that’s a major reason she enjoys doing what she does.
Shortly after the speeches ended, the 2018 rendition of the Bulldog Marching Band marched in to entertain everyone. The musicians were led by two baton-twirling members of the cheer squad. The band just wrapped up its weeklong camp.
The band began its performance with pep tunes from “Run-on;” “Montage,” which is a medley of Fresno State music; and the “Fight” medley. Later on, it played “Bulldog Boogie” and the “Fresno State Fight Song.”
The new residents were to conclude their first day on campus with a dance and color games opening on the lawn near the Atrium. It was due to start at 8 p.m. with DJ Kay Rich presiding over the turntable.