They’re back — those lines of cars filled to their brims, clusters of storage bins strewn about campus; seas of sweat-soaked t-shirts traipsing up and down stairs, a handful of families that seem totally flustered, and even a few families with dogs. A sight for sore eyes at the University of Vermont.
After a not-so-typical year of hybrid and remote learning, Catamounts are moving in and moving forward, together. This fresh start and new academic year bring campus back to life with a steady hum of students and families settling in to UVM from near and far. Scenes from a humble, happy homecoming of Catamounts new and known:
University Heights | August 26 | All the way from London, Jamie Dixon landed on campus a few days before his roommate to participate in International Student Orientation, which wasted no time introducing students to Vermont’s finest. “Last night we went to go and get creemees by the lake which was really nice — the name was a weird one, but I really liked it.” The Honors College student took the advice of his cousin Ava, a sophomore, and followed in her footsteps to study psychology at UVM. “I had a really good therapist who helped me through a lot of stuff, and I kind of want to do the same thing for other people. I’m really interested in how people and personalities develop and where our personalities comes from.” With his additional time in University Heights, Jamie's already started to personalize his space with an eye-catching tapestry, French press and cozy rug.
Davis Hall | August 26 | The outdoors are never too far away for students in the Outdoor Experience Learning Community at Davis Hall, which houses live trees and picnic benches under a glass canopy. Also in the atrium, a giant topographical map of Vermont inviting students and families to pick a color (or few), grab a brush and unwind from the move with some painting. Double majoring in business and psychology, Leila Rishniw (right) and her younger sister contribute their best to the map after a long journey from San Francisco. “I want to get into fashion marketing, but I’m not quite sure yet. I kind of want to see where the path takes me.”
This is Vermont. One of many pairs of skis across campus in search of proper storage solutions until winter.
Davis Hall | August 26 | Roommates Ryder and Ollie just discovered they share the same major, biology. A future neurosurgeon, Ryder (above) makes up the loft bed while admitting that — to others — a back massager might be the most superfluous thing that made it into the moving boxes and through the trip from New York City. “What about the Nespresso?” mom asks. An April visit to campus and “a couple of friends that really sold me on it” lured Ryder away from the city to study in the Green Mountain State. On the other side of the room, Ollie brought a record player from Massachusetts and isn’t quite sure what shape his biology studies will take – likely something in health his mother speculates.
TREK leaders return to Central Campus Residence Hall after a few days spent helping some first-year students break in their new boots on new turf. Pro tip for future Trekkies: Wash off the mud and dirt (but keep the memories!) over at the Outing Club before dropping those bags on the floor of your brand-new digs.
Central Campus Residence Hall | August 26 | It takes a village — including the help of a president — to bring more than 10,000 undergraduates back to Burlington, back on campus and ready for the fall semester each year. But big sister Madeline, a junior music major, has her family covered. They’re dropping off her brother — an engineering student and the newest Catamount in the family — at Central Campus Residence Hall before making their way over to Redstone Lofts to unpack the rest of the truck with her things. Having been the parent of two students (also two years apart in age) away at college together, President Suresh Garimella admits that it's taken multiple trips to get the Garimella kids back to school at Purdue. The pianist does plan to check in and make plans with her brother every now and then to see how he’s doing.
UVM Bookstore, Davis Center | August 26 | At the heart of campus, the student center is buzzing once again with the daily comings and goings of students in pursuit of bright futures.
Mason Hall | August 26 | Roommates Sam Will and Jonas Campagna leave their door open to cool the room down with a cross breeze; they also keep it open to make new friends. Sam (right), a computer science major, takes out a tattered pair of skateboarding shoes that "are kind of destroyed now," having lived in them for the past four years. He shows Jonas (left), an environmental sciences student, the bright new pair he just bought to replace the relics and likely spend the next four years in. "I don't have any skating shoes," Jonas says, "but I did bring some stuff in a 'Live Crickets' box because I thought it would be funny. I have it sitting here — there are no crickets in there."
The Fleming Green | August 28 | Orientation isn't just for first-year students in the incoming class — it's mandatory for all new Catamounts on campus including international, exchange and transfer students, like Bella Maikranz (left) and Nicole Lemieux (right). A full day of information sessions and activities helps them hit the ground running when classes begin, or at the very least walk confidently to class.
Central Campus | August 28 | A busy weekend calls for expert help on campus. Lost? Having trouble deciding on a major? Need general advice about life at UVM or how to survive the winter? The AdvoCats are the go-to UVM gurus for these kinds of questions. More than 50 undergraduates across all disciplines make up this squad of all-knowing, all-time-friendliest students who serve as ambassadors and interface with incoming Catamounts. Good vibes and good advice at Orientation have been brought to you by AdvoCats including Wyatt Taylor, Ryan Davin, Magali Stowell Alemán, Vera Escaja-Heiss and Alta Godfrey (above, left to right).
Convocation for the Class of 2025 kicked off on the Andrew Harris Commons | August 29 | After a long weekend of unpacking and getting their bearings, students in one of the most academically talented classes and, hands-down, the largest class in UVM's history convened Sunday evening for an annual tradition led by President Suresh Garimella, Provost Patricia Prelock and Student Government Association President Sam Pasqualoni, officially ushering in the new academic year and celebrating the newest members of the UVM community.
University Place | August 29 | It's a Burlington affair this year celebrating a new beginning and return to traditions like the Twilight Induction ceremony. From Convocation, all students march along a parade route to the University Green, cheered on by student organizations that run the gamut from improv club and Greek life to recreational football and pep band. The festivities conclude with a unique ceremony that brings new Catamounts together to light their sparks within (as well as some actual candles.) Special this year: the Class of 2024 joined in, as their Twilight induction took a hiatus last fall.
In Vermont, there is always time to stop and pat a dog. This good boy is named Murphy.
Out of many, one. Working together as a community, thousands of candles are lit and twinkle in unison as the sun sets across the Green. They're officially Catamounts now.
Photos by: Kaitie Catania, Andy Duback, Rachel Narkewicz, Glenn Russell and Cody Silfies.