UofL's campus comes alive as thousands move in for the 2024 fall semester

A wave of excitement and anticipation sweeps through the UofL's campus as thousands of students move into their residence halls and embark on a new chapter in their lives – trading familiarity for endless possibilities.

More than 3,900 housing assignments are expected to be filled this year at the University of Louisville, marking a record-breaking 97% occupancy rate. Of these, nearly 1,900 first-year students unpacked their belongings in their new college homes this week, contributing to the unprecedented demand for on-campus housing.

[caption id="attachment_61207" align="alignright" width="300"] President Schatzel and husband Trevor welcome new UofL students to campus. Photo by Tom Fougerousse. August 15, 2024[/caption]

UofL President Kim Schatzel and her husband, Trevor, were on hand to greet students and families on Belknap Campus, extending a warm welcome to the newest Cardinals.

Lindie Hunter, a proud parent from Charlestown, Ind., is excited and nervous as her children embark on their college journeys. While all of her children will be attending  UofL this fall, only her daughter has chosen to live in the residence halls.

“It’s very exciting but also nerve-wracking. It’s the next step of adulthood,” Hunter said.

She emphasized that UofL's affordability and free tuition benefit for dependent children offered by her employer UofL Health were key factors in their family's decision.

“We are taking advantage of the tuition assistance,” she said. “I’ve been a student here for two semesters taking classes online and now my daughter gets to experience on-campus life.”

Three first-year students, Massia Diomande, Amy Davis and Madelyne Moser, explored campus after moving into Kurz Hall, a residence hall known for its themed living-learning communities. These students are all members of the Honors Program.

"I'm looking forward to living with people I'm taking classes with," said Moser, a Louisville native. "It'll be a close-knit community."

Diomande, from Hardin County, shared that move-in went smoothly and she's excited about her new, comfortable room.

[caption id="attachment_61206" align="alignleft" width="316"] Families pitch in to help students settle into their new homes at UofL. Photo by Tom Fougerousse. August 15, 2024[/caption]

Davis, from Paintsville, Ky., expressed anticipation rather than nerves about the first day of classes. "I'm ready to have a schedule and start going to class," she said.

Dozens of Welcome Week activities have been planned for incoming first-year, commuting and transfer students. Some of the activities include a Cardinal Kickoff Picnic with Schatzel and other UofL leaders; yard games and Bingo Like Never B-4; UofL night at Kentucky Kingdom; sunrise yoga; nachos at Ekstrom Library; After Hours event at the Speed Art Museum; and a Student Government Association welcome lunch.

Classes begin Monday, Aug. 19.

View more photos from Move-In 2024 on UofL Flickr.

Watch the short YouTube video.