Heading to College!

On Saturday we headed North with two fully-loaded vehicles ... one Drew will keep at college ... to get him moved into the dorm at Carthage!

We spent the night in Kenosha and took Drew out to dinner at a favorite local restaurant. Then it was up early on Sunday to head to campus for the big day. The check-in process was organized and pretty smooth, and Drew got checked in, received his parking pass and room key all in one place. Then it was on down to Denhart Hall to wait our turn to unload. We followed the crowd and moved everything out of our cars into one shady area under a tree, then moved the cars out of the way for more families to unload. All in all it went pretty smooth and Abby and I guarded the pile while several loads were taken up to Drew's 4th floor room.

He was very happy to see upon entering his room for the first time that he did get a bit of a view of Lake Michigan from his room. He's on the top floor, and it's a coed dorm with guys on one wing, girls on the other, with a student lounge in the middle.

His roommate had not yet arrived so we started moving furniture and getting ready ... feeling it would be best to set up and then the guys can move things around if it doesn't fit their needs. They each have a nice bed, desk and dresser than can convert the bed into a bunk or loft if they choose. His roommate arrived and unloaded a few things, and since he lives fairly close will get a few more things in the next few weeks. So he was not quite as loaded down as Drew was!

We hurried up the final unpacking and getting a few things in place to head to the Chapel for a formal "Freshman Convocation" service. Drew joined his classmates in the new Carthage Class of 2012 on the main floor, and families were ushered to the balconies. The chapel is a beautiful building and used for many of the Music Dept programs at Carthage as well as church services. Speakers included the Mayor of Kenosha and the College President, and some choral music was provided by the Music Dept students. So I guess it's possible Drew will need to go early again next year to sing with the group at next year's Convocation! Drew's class is the largest ever to start the year at Carthage with just over 750 students. We were told that they come from 20 U.S. states and 10 other countries.

Then it was on to lunch on the lawn of the President's home, which sits at the north end of the campus. With 750 arriving freshman and their families, they fed hundreds of people a wonderful lunch set up outdoors in tents and overlooking Lake Michigan.

From lunch we hit the bookstore and stood in long lines to get the necessary books. $651 later, he's all set for classes to start on Wednesday! :-)

Then it was back across campus to check out some Lake Michigan views and to the room for a little more straightening and organizing. Since we won't return to campus until late October and he won't be home until Thanksgiving, Drew needed to take all of his warmer fall and winter clothes, so he had quite a load. We really did pretty well making it all work and fit!

About 4 pm it was time to say goodbye and good luck ... I'd like to tell you that I was very strong and did not cry, but I cannot lie ;-)

Sunday night, Monday and Tuesday are full of freshman activity for Drew, including a block party last night and choral auditions and games/activities in the athletic facility tonight. Carthage is such a beautiful campus ... and we are thrilled to have Drew beginning his college journey at such a wonderful place. We have been nothing short of impressed on every visit, and know he will grow and expand his horizons in a great way here. Even though we'll miss him like crazy at home!

On a sad note, Drew called today to let me know that a freshman student had passed away last night. He thinks it was more of a medical issue than an accident or otherwise, but the news is sketchy at this time. My heart goes out to those parents who dropped their son off and said goodbye, only to get home to the tragic news.