Rainy skies met with showers of smiles at Utica University Move-In Day

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Rainy skies met with showers of smiles at Utica University Move-In Day

Two students under umbrellas shout excitedly with arms in the air and smiles on their faces as they greet new students.

“Move-In Day is pure energy. It’s the start of a new chapter not just for our students, but for their families as well."

President Todd Pfannestiel helps students with plastic bins during move-in day.

Even rain showers couldn’t dampen the spirits of Utica University Pioneers as they greeted parents and new students with bombastic energy, dance moves, and smiles as they arrived on campus for Fall 2025 Move-In Day.

With the help of staff and returning Pioneers, first-year and transfer students moved in on Wednesday, August 20 with orientation events that ran through Sunday, August 24 to get students better acquainted with the campus, the community, and each other.

Utica University welcomed roughly 515 first-year and 135 transfer students to campus for the 2025 fall semester, a 20% increase over last year.

Students, staff, and administrators were on-hand throughout the day, helping first-year students and their families move items into rooms and get settled into their news spaces.

“Move-In Day is pure energy,” says Associate Dean of Students and Campus Engagement Lauryn Moore. “It’s the start of a new chapter not just for our students, but for their families as well. Watching students take that first step into college life and seeing out campus community rally around them is what makes this day so special.”

Utica University President Pfannestiel was moved about campus, greeting new students to the community and getting to know them from the very moment they stepped foot on campus and into their new surroundings.

Students in blue shirts carry large pieces of luggage onto campus for Move-In Day 2025.

“It’s been fairly smooth,” said Katie Briggs of Fort Plain, who was moving her son, Zachary into the residence halls. “The kids are helping us unload the car, which is great. My daughter just graduated from here in May. My son loved the small family atmosphere so much that he chose to come here too. It’s admittedly a little different the second time around. He’s the youngest, so it might be a little harder this time. He’s in good hands, though.”

“We know sending your student to college is a big transition, and we want parents to know their students are in great hands,” assured Moore. “Our orientation Mentors, staff, and faculty are here to guide, support, and cheer them on every step of the way. They’ll quickly find that Utica isn’t just a campus…it’s a family.”

A student wearing a rain poncho carries two large blue bags into a residence hall amid rain on Move-In Day 2025.

Many Utica Pioneers athletes arrived to campus early, ready to help alongside the President, faculty, and staff and get students moved-in, going out of their way to make sure new students feel a part of the campus community.

“Despite the rain and gloomy weather, the move-in is going very well,” said Tess Barrett ’26, a member of the Women’s Hockey team, who, along with her teammates, was helping new students unload cars and move into the residence halls. “The first-year students seem really excited. We’ve got a lot of helping hands. And all the sports teams being out here is bringing cheer to this cloudy day.”

Students under an umbrella hold boxes and smile for the camera.

“My favorite part is seeing the connections form,” Moore says. “Whether it’s Orientation Mentors leading icebreakers, new students finding their roommate for the first time, or families meeting staff, those moments of belonging set the tone for a student’s entire experience at Utica. This is my 10th year leading New Student Orientation at Utica University, and it’s been amazing to see a decade worth of connections that have led to lifelong friendships.”

Orientation began once students were moved in and continued throughout weekend, with highlights that included:

the “Class of 2029 Kickoff” where students will meet everyone in their class,
the “Pioneer Pride” Pep Rally down at Gaetano Stadium under the lights
“Pioneering Your Path to Success” to prepare our students for academic life
Sessions like “Shot of Reality” and “Community Health & Safety” to encourage a safe community on campus
a campus tradition- “Convocation”, followed by Meetings By Major with faculty
“BINGO” hosted by the Student Living team
a “First Year Involvement Fair” to give first years a jumpstart on getting involved
an Orientation favorite- the Glow Foam Party on Saturday night