Cards move in: The future is in the air

The future was in the air Thursday as many of the 3,700 University of Louisville students moving into campus housing began their college experiences.

“She’s going to do big things so watch out for her!” said Ted Sauer, who was pushing a cart filled with dorm essentials for his daughter Kelsey Tyler at Belknap Residence Hall. 

Tyler, accepted into the School of Nursing, is one of about 2,000 first-year students moving into campus housing for the 2022-2023 academic year. Almost half of them are settling into twin residence halls that are part of an $87 million construction plan to transform the heart of Belknap Campus. One opened last fall, the other opened Tuesday near the Swain Student Activities Center.

Alli Edwards and her mother, Mary Edwards, of Cincinnati, couldn’t contain their excitement -- or their tears -- as they hugged.

“I was really excited that she picked Louisville because the campus seems very safe and the opportunities here, it seems like there’s a lot of them,” Mary Edwards said, holding a shopping bag filled with items.

Nolan Macklin, a track star from Dallas, Texas, who committed to UofL about six weeks ago, walked around Belknap Campus with his mother, Elisa Macklin. He is eager for track season to start, he said.

Mom’s best advice to her only child? 

“I want him to really enjoy college life. I want him to make sure he focuses on his studies. I know he is going to run track but the important thing is getting the grades and getting a good education and everything else will fall into place,” she said.

Other residence halls on Belknap Campus are Unitas Tower, also primarily for first-year students; the suites in Community Park, Kurz Hall, Louisville Hall and Billy Minardi Hall, and apartments in Cardinal Towne, Bettie Johnson, University Pointe and University Tower.

UofL Athletics has also opened a new residence hall this year on Belknap Campus near the basketball practice facility and closer to Cardinal Stadium, where the UofL football team plays and practices. Denny Crum Hall, named for the legendary UofL men’s basketball coach, will be dedicated in September.

Dozens of Welcome Week activities have been planned for incoming first-years, commuting students and transfer students.

Just some of the activities include a Cardinal Kickoff Picnic with UofL interim President Lori Stewart Gonzalez; the traditional SOUL community service day; a pep rally and late-night outdoor games at Cardinal Stadium; a “Taste of Louisville” lunch; a “Looking for Louie” scavenger hunt; yoga classes and late-night ice cream treats.

Classes begin Aug. 22.

Gabrielle Ayers, marketing communications coordinator for UofL's Office of Communications and Marketing, contributed to this story.