Students New And Old Move-In At BSU

New and returning students are starting to arrive here at Bemidji State University. Staff, students and alumni are lending a helping hand for the 700 on-campus students who are moving in today.

Among the crowd is Austin Wallestad, an alum from the class on 1970 and President of the local BSU alumni chapter.

“It’s just exciting to see all the kids coming for the first time to college. Just helping out, giving them direction,” says Wallestad. “It could be chaos if they didn’t have a lot of help here so it’s fun.”

President Hensrud came to Oak Hall to welcome everyone to the school.

“I had the opportunity to move in two of my own kids into college and I can see some of the anticipation on the students’ faces as well as the parents faces.”

The send off is bittersweet for Karen Duchene, who helped raise her granddaughters while their father was in the military. Both young women will be freshmen at the university.

“It’s like a daughter that I’m putting off to college instead of a granddaughter so it’s a little more emotional cause I’m so close to her.”

While it may be hard to be away from home, the students have a lot to look forward to.

“[I’m excited to meet] new people, starting my degree or starting towards my degree and then having fun,” say Izaya Gill, a freshman at BSU.

Freshman Samantha O’Dowd is happy with her experience at the school today. “So far like what I’ve gotten to see of the campus has been super beautiful and everyone has been super helpful.”

Move in will continue this weekend, with classes starting on Monday morning.