News and College Life

Three students take a break between classes on the first day of class.

Forest Guides dance and cheer as students and their families move-in to the residence halls in south campus as part of freshman move-in.

Anna Campos Seixas takes a look at face paint done by Margaret Mauthe at First Night at Tate at the Dean William Tate Student Center.

Freedom School students participate in Harambee which includes choreographed singing and dancing between the college mentors and the youth.

Leni leads a cardio dance class for freshmen students as part of a pre-orientation program at the Wellbeing Center.

A student group is photographed with a drone on August 28, 2026.

Student enjoy a campus pool party on August 21, 2026.

Move-in day is a whirlwind for our students, their families, and university volunteers. There are a lot of emotions, communication, miscommunication, and effort spent that day causing most people to say "thank goodness we are done." Smiles can be hard to come by. By chance after photographing our move-in day event I decided to go back at the end in the afternoon. I have never done that since typically we photograph in the morning when people are "fresher" especially in North Texas. 

But these two volunteers and student had an infectious energy about them despite a full day of move-in activities. They seemed to capture the hopefulness all of our students have at the start of a new school year. New possibilities and opportunities.

Students hit a giant beach ball while taking part in the Laker Kickoff at Lubbers Stadium on August 28.
 

A freshman carries belongings up a hill to Manley Hall during move-in day.