North Columbus News

The Ohio State University’s organized effort to move students back to campus is underway this week. Thousands of families filled cars, trucks, and vans with essentials for the start of a new academic year.

Some students and their families received help on their move-in day from Ohio State President Walter “Ted” Carter Jr. and First Lady Lynda Carter. The Carters visited Blackburn House and Scott House on the Columbus campus Thursday afternoon, welcomed returning students, and ensured belongings were directed to the correct rooms.

“It was a little unexpected,” said Kaitlyn Hammerschmidt, a second-year English major who moved back to Columbus from Cleveland. “It’s a little hot, so I’m a little sweaty and I was like, ‘Oh, Mr. President, hey!’”

For Eric Davis, the father of a second-year student from Bexley, it was a personal touch from the university’s first family.

“It was surprising. It was special and a little surreal. But it just showed us that he’s pretty down to earth and was very friendly and helpful,” Davis said. “I think it was a very special way for Simon to start his second year. Totally unexpected and just a really cool opportunity.”

By the time move-in is completed Saturday evening, more than 15,000 students will be living in Columbus campus residence halls, according to Ohio State’s Office of Student Life.

“It was very smooth. The directions, the verbal instructions were great. I think we brought slightly less stuff this year, so that was good. Everyone was friendly and helpful,” Davis said. “Plus, the added bonus of President Carter helping push a cart up to the fifth floor.”

Aiding the process are dozens of student and staff volunteers. This group includes Ohio State Welcome Leaders (OWL) who arrive early on campus to help their peers adapt to life there.

Ella Laws, a first-year early education major from Yellow Springs, joined the OWLs to assist students experiencing similar emotions as her own transition. Leaving family and making new friends can be overwhelming; she saw it as an opportunity to make campus connections.

“Having someone yesterday reach out to me feels good,” she said. “I want to be that for other people and make them feel more comfortable coming into this whole different atmosphere because it really is different.”

Her team of volunteers got acquainted while sharing stories before being surprised by the visit from the university president.

“We met the president of Ohio State earlier, and that was crazy,” she said. “At first we were thinking ‘What’s with all of the cameras?’ And I was like ‘Oh my goodness what a celebrity.’ It was so funny.”