Hundreds of first-year and transfer students moved into the residence halls on Arcadia University’s Glenside campus on Wednesday, beginning their college journeys and marking the start of Fall Welcome Week 2025. Per Arcadia tradition, student-athletes and coaches–nearly 200 of them–along with staff and faculty volunteers and University President Ajay Nair, helped to unload cars and carry belongings into residence halls.

The incoming class includes more than 700 new students for the second year in a row, including more than 600 first-year students. First-year students come from more than 30 states and six other countries, including Poland, Portugal, Jamaica, Canada, China, and South Korea. This is the third straight year of increased total enrollment. 

On Thursday morning, after new commuter students checked in, the University community gathered on Haber Green to celebrate the newest Knights at the annual Opening Convocation. Speakers included Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students Dr. Donavan McCargo, Student Government Organization President Carter Mostecki ’28, Assistant Director of Engagement Operations & Student Governance Allannah Giles ’23, Interim Provost Alex Otieno, and Dr. Nair.

“Some of you are local and familiar with our surrounding community; others have come from hundreds or thousands of miles away,” said President Nair. “Each of you is unique in your own right, with talents and skills unique to you. But we are all bonded together as members of the Arcadia community. That is something to be proud of, since we all contribute to what that means.” 

“You are worthy of celebration for your combined interest in becoming broadly educated AND professionally focused,” said Otieno in his address. “You will earn recognition for your performance in the classroom, on the field, in the community, and beyond. Ultimately, you will join the ranks of the thousands of Arcadia alumni who have an astonishingly high employment rate, especially in fields related to what they studied.”

Following the ceremony, students enjoyed a welcome lunch and wrote letters to their future selves about what they hope to accomplish during their time at Arcadia, which will be returned to them when they graduate.

“Convocation was very inspirational,” said Health Sciences major Alexa Casares ’29. “I feel very connected to my new peers.”

“I feel seen and respected, and I love the community,” added Acting major Brian Williams ’29.

During the welcome lunch, students were able to get a taste of the new school year with Rita’s water ice. For Alabama native Eliza Smith ’29, who tried water ice for the first time, this marked both the start of a new journey as a Knight and as a Philadelphia local.

“It was very good, especially the mango flavor,” said Smith. “It’s called Italian ice in Alabama, but this is better than the stuff at home. We have shaved ice, but nothing like this.”

Welcome Week continued on Friday with a day of service, as students helped fight food insecurity by packaging meals with Rise Against Hunger, prepared back-to-school kits and handmade cards for Cradles to Crayons Philadelphia, took part in school beautification projects through local school service initiatives, and aided domestic violence prevention and outreach efforts in collaboration with Laurel House.

Arcadia is also proud to welcome more than 300 new graduate students this fall from more than  30 states.*

*These are preliminary numbers until the Census is released in September.