Move-in day marks one of the busiest days of the year at University of the Sciences, and kicked off Welcome Week for the more than 550 new students who arrived on campus on Friday, Aug. 28. The annual event united new students and their families with the USciences community as they arrived to campus and checked in at the Athletic/Recreation Center (ARC).

"I speak for all of the members of the campus community when I say that you were specially chosen to be here and your arrival was eagerly anticipated," said USciences Interim President Dr. Kathleen R. Mayes. "We all want you to succeed and stay to fulfill your goals...welcome to University of the Sciences!" 

Current USciences students, dubbed “Arrival Survival Team,” were on hand to help new students and their families unload their cars and move boxes into their residence halls. Later that day, students and their parents, along with faculty and staff, assembled in the ARC for the University’s 13th annual convocation ceremony.

This year’s keynote speaker was Andrea Verdone Gorsegner—a mother, businesswoman, and philanthropist from Middletown, New Jersey, who has raised tens of thousands of dollars for pediatric cancer research through her involvement with The Truth 365—an initiative of the Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation. The Truth 365 is an Emmy Award-winning grass-roots documentary with a built-in social media campaign aimed to introduce the general public to the world of childhood cancer and inspire them to join the cause raise funds for pediatric cancer research. Verdone’s 5-year-old daughter, Natalie Grace, is in remission from acute lymphblastic leukemia.

Click here to see photos from move-in day + convocation ceremony

As an institution focused on community service, students, staff, and faculty were encouraged to stop by the ARC during move-in day to make a monetary donation to support pediatric cancer research.

The classes of 2019, 2020, and 2021 are a diverse group of aspiring healthcare professionals and leaders in majors, such as pharmacy, biology, chemistry, physical therapy, and healthcare business. For the 2015-16 school year, incoming students represent nearly two dozen U.S. states, ranging from California and Texas to Pennsylvania and New Jersey; as well as seven different countries. This year's incoming class includes all undergraduate, transfer, professional, and graduate and doctoral students.