Class of ’18 arrives with parents, belongings, and excitement in tow
They came from Thailand, Australia, and Costa Rica, from Victoria, B.C., Vermillion, S.D., and Lexington, Mass. The members of the Harvard College Class of 2018 hail from all 50 states and 69 countries, and today they streamed into the dorms in and around Harvard Yard to begin their undergraduate journey.
Parents helped lug bedding and clothes as the temperatures slowly climbed throughout the day. Cars and vans navigated through the people and the piles of students’ belongings.
Harvard President Drew Faust, Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Michael D. Smith, Harvard College Dean Rakesh Khurana, and Dean of Freshmen Thomas Dingman were on hand to greet Harvard’s newest students and their parents.
“I think it’s really cool. It shows that they know we are here and they really care,” said MacKenzie Lawrence, as Khurana and Smith entered her room in Greenough Hall.
Lawrence, who comes from Leawood, Kan., said she is excited to get started.
“It’s crazy to me to think that I am actually starting college. But my suitemates are here, and we all clicked right away,” she said. “We’re all excited.”
Freshmen have a busy week ahead of them with a full calendar of opening days events and programming, culminating in Convocation on Sept. 1. Returning students begin arriving Thursday when the residential Houses open. The first day of classes is Sept. 2.
You can share words of advice for and photos of the Class of 2018 by using #WelcometoHarvard and #Harvard2018 in your posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and explore the collection of words and images already shared by the Harvard community.