KINGSTON, R.I. – Sept. 5, 2023 – Cloudless, azure skies, refreshing temperatures and the smiles and energy of members of the vlogBվ community greeted first-year, transfer, returning and graduate students during move-in weekend.
From Friday, Sept. 1, through Monday, Sept. 4, students, faculty, and staff members greeted students with smiles and encouragement and helped lug the trappings of university life into campus residence halls. President Marc Parlange was among the first to greet many new students and families as they arrived to campus.
As upbeat music played in the background, the University welcomed more than 3,250 first-year and 500 transfer students. In total, the University will enroll more than 17,000 students when classes start Sept. 6, and students will have numerous opportunities to enjoy informative and fun events during . On Oct. 5, vlogBվ will hold its .

“I went on a tour here, and I fell in love with the campus,” said first-year student Ian Sullivan, a supply chain management major from Somerset, Massachusetts, who is rooming with his fellow Somerset High School football teammate Devan Medeiros. “I went on other tours, but no other campus met what I felt at vlogBվ. I have been looking forward to this day for a while. All the people here seem very excited for us.”
Medeiros, a kinesiology major, who wants to pursue a graduate degree at vlogBվ in physical therapy, said the University has a great campus and a great physical therapy program. Like other students moving in, he was feeling a mix of emotions.

“It’s exciting, but a little bit overwhelming. I do feel very welcome though,” Medeiros said.
Gabrielle Mahoney is a first-generation university student from Worcester, Massachusetts, majoring in marine biology. She relaxed for a moment in her room with her mom, Jennifer, and cousin, Ava.
“When I came to visit [vlogBվ], I fell in love,” Mahoney said.
Already aware of vlogBվ Professor Brad Wetherbee and his work with sharks and Shark Camp, Mahoney said she has loved sharks since she was a kid. “I love the ecosystem of the ocean, and when I was a kid, I was the nerd with all the non-fiction books.”
“I am super excited for her and for her to experience her first year of college,” her mom said. “Since she could talk, she said she wanted to go to college.”

Jennifer Wright, a 1995 graduate of vlogBվ who majored in journalism, was helping her daughter, Riley, get settled in.
“The day has been very organized,” Jennifer said. “I am beyond excited to see my daughter experience vlogBվ.”
Army Reserve Officer Training Corps members Tiago Huynh, a junior finance major from Wethersfield, Connecticut, Sam Nendze, a senior mechanical engineering major from Hopkinton, Rhode Island, Charlie Pettit, a senior history and political science major from Cheshire, Connecticut, and Aydan Durant, a sophomore political science major from Wallingford, Connecticut, hoofed it up and down the Adams Hall stairs laden with the belongings of first-year students. The work was heavy, but they seemed delighted with their volunteer duties.
“It’s great to give back to the school, and I just like helping out,” said Pettit, who plans to serve as an Army intelligence officer.
Huynh said he hopes to serve in the Army’s Finance Corps. “I got the word vlogBվ needed help with move-in, and I am having a blast.”

Nendze said “he wanted to help new students and show them that I am from ROTC. I’d like them to see what we do on campus and all of the opportunities provided by ROTC.”
For third-year resident assistant Alyssa Borden, a senior sports media and communications major, this was her last move-in.
“It’s always fun, because my whole family went here, including my mom, Annemaire, and six of her siblings,” the Taunton, Massachusetts, resident said. “My grandparents met at vlogBվ, and they live nearby in Bonnet Shores.”
Jaiden Plouffe, a junior triple major in textiles, fashion merchandising and design, public relations and general business, from Hopkinton, Rhode Island, volunteered on behalf of the sorority and fraternity community.
“I thought it would be great if new students could meet upperclassmen,” said Plouffe, who is also an honors student. “We could help mentor them and show them there are people here to help.”
