Sara C. Tobias / Chief Photographer / st939605@ohiou.edu

Freshman Gabrielle Pastorek and sister Rachel stand in front of Bush Hall on East Green surrounded by Gabrielle’s possessions. Gabrielle was assisted by her parents and sister while moving to OU from Pittsburgh.

Freshmen moving into the newly renovated Lincoln Hall Thursday were not expecting an encounter with the president of their university, let alone his help hauling boxes full of clothes and books up four flights of stairs.

Ohio University President Roderick McDavis jumps into the sometimes confusing move-in every year to assist new students and this year Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean Ryan Lombardi joined him.

“I didn’t even know who it was at first,” said freshman Kelsey Tremblay, whose roommate Hailey Jackson brought a surprise visit from the president.

Resident Coordinator Nathan Fronczek said he wasn’t surprised to see McDavis and thinks the tradition sends a good message to incoming freshman.

“It’s good to see that the higher ups are helping us out,” he said, adding that it makes students feel more connected, “like a person instead of a number.”  

The experience made the move in a lot more “one-on-one,” according to Jackson’s father, and turned what had promised to be a hectic day more positive.

Freshman art history major and Lincoln resident Diana Figueroa said that McDavis’ presence made her small, bare room “more friendly and more inviting.”

McDavis and his wife said they were impressed by both the building’s new look as well as what they saw from the new students.

“It’s a great location … and a great class,” McDavis said.

Having been in their shoes when he first started at OU, McDavis passed on a little nugget of advice to new students:  “Really focus on creating good study habits, get to know as many people as you can and get involved on campus.”