Students arrive on NMU campus to begin a new chapter

MARQUETTE — “It’s move in day, it doesn’t get much better than this.”

Northern Michigan University freshmen moved into their dorms today.

While it’s a lot of heavy lifting, it’s also a lot of mixed emotion.

“Families spend the summer knowing this day is going to come to say goodbye. You’ll see a lot of tears in the parking lot and you will see the challenges. Some parents it’s a real celebration, they’re so happy that we got you to this point. For so many, it’s going to be a long ride home,” said Fritz Erickson, President of Northern Michigan University.

2,500 students are expected to move in to the dorms.

This is the highest occupancy NMU has seen in years. For many of these students it’s their first time living on their own.

“All the learning that happens in the classroom, we do much to supplement students learning when it comes to life skills and relationships. We do a lot to make sure students get connected to one another, their professors, faculty and staff and the Marquette community. There’s so much to learn living on campus,” said Jeff Korpi, Director of Housing and Residence Life.

It’s a bittersweet time as parents unloaded their cars and move their kids in, their excited to see what the future holds for them.

“As a parent I think it’s awesome to see your kid get out of their own and use some of the skills we embedded in them throughout their informative years. I think that’s what I’m excited about, is her getting out and being independent, seeing what she can do,” said Neil and Cathy Bitzer, Parents of incoming Freshman.

In the days to come hundreds of parents will be moving in college students to begin the next chapter of their lives.