On Aug. 21, hundreds of first-year and transfer students and their families arrived on Arcadia University’s campus to move in and kick off five days of Welcome Week programming.

A few facts about Arcadia’s Class of 2028 include:

While the new resident students got situated in their rooms, new commuter students met in the Stein Fireplace Lounge for Commuter Students for some conversation and a tour of their dedicated space on campus.

First-year Media and Communication major Tyler Woods lives a five-minute drive from Arcadia and he’s “only been on campus a couple of times, but every time I have everyone’s been very nice and super friendly.”

New students gathered on Haber Green on Aug. 22 to get to know their peers, meet their future professors, and hear from University leaders including President Ajay Nair at the annual opening Convocation ceremony and welcome picnic, marking the official start of the 2024-2025 academic year. 

“Arcadia is the destination for dreamers,” President Nair said. “We strive to be a reflection of the world in which we want to live. With your authentic self, as a community, as one, we will transform the world around us because that’s who we are, who we’ve been, and who we will always be.”

Other speakers included Vice President of Enrollment Management and Technology & Innovation Rashmi Radkahrishnan, Dean of Students and Vice President of Campus Life Donavan McCargo, Provost Jeff Rutenbeck, Assistant Director of Campus Life for Orientation Staci Jo Palek, and Miranda Razzi ’26, and International Business major and student leader.

“I encourage you to broaden your horizons, to explore the full spectrum of human interests and endeavors,” said Dr. McCargo. “As you cultivate your passions, remember that true education goes beyond textbooks and lectures. It encompasses the connections you form, the relationships you build, and the difference you make in the lives of others.”

The welcome picnic that followed the ceremony provided a space for students to relax, eat lunch, and form new friendships.

“Welcome Week has gone really smooth,” said Deshawn Sanders, a first-year Chemistry major. “It’s been really calm, there’s great communication. I feel like a lot of colleges are pretty hectic, but this has been very calm. The staff have also been really nice across campus.”

On Aug. 23, Arcadia’s new Knights will participate in two community service projects: packaging meals for families in need through the organization Rise Against Hunger and creating back-to-school cards for young children across the region with Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia.

The Black Alumni Association of Arcadia University (BAAAU) will host the annual Welcome Black Picnic on Aug. 24 from 1-3 p.m. at the newly redesigned Blankley Hall.