Sunny Welcome for New Students
At RISD, Labor Day weekend wasn’t about a final fling on the beach. Following in the footsteps of incoming international students and those already here for the POSE program, hundreds of first-year, transfer and graduate students living in RISD housing moved in on Sunday under bright skies and with equally sunny expectations.
Move-in Day is a grand undertaking buoyed by the excitement of new beginnings. Scores of practiced upperclass Orientation Leaders, Resident Assistants and other students join forces with staff members from across campus to welcome newcomers to RISD.
They not only help unpack cars and load up rolling bins headed into the Quad, they answer questions and direct new students to their rooms, dining halls, the Campus Card Services Office, the risd:store and other helpful resources for getting started.
“We’re here to make sure students engage with the community and are aware of the tools and resources that surround them,” noted RA Lily Fan 16 ID, who was welcoming new grad students to 15 West. “They may be away from home, but we offer an abundance of friendly support systems.”
Before hitting the road to RISD, Brandon Olsen MFA 18 GD (above) struggled to fit boxes of design books, winter clothing and other belongings into the back of his Dodge Charger. “It’s been a long journey so I’m a bit zonked,” Olsen noted, referring to his drive from upstate Michigan. “But I’m happy to be here. I just have to unpack and I’ll be settled.”
Former Pre-College student Mikaela Belenkov 19 EFS and her parents (above) were on their way to a reception for families at the RISD Museum’s Grand Gallery, where President Rosanne Somerson 76 ID, faculty and staff welcomed all the newcomers to campus.
“We’re going to miss her,” noted her mother. “But RISD is a beautiful place to visit.”
photos by Antonio Peters 04 IL (top 4) + Abigail Crocker (bottom 2)











