ST. LEO – It was a time of goodbye hugs, some tears, a few raindrops, and a lot of sweat as new and transfer students moved into Saint Leo University residence halls Aug. 22.
The university welcomed more than 850 incoming students while returning students arrived Aug. 23 and 24. Classes began Aug. 25 at the campus in Pasco County as well as online and at the university’s regional education centers in Florida and Savannah, Georgia.
Most of Saint Leo’s new students are “homegrown” with 69.6% being from Florida, while 18.8% are from other states. International students make up 11.6% of the new students. Saint Leo’s fields, courts, track and more will be filled this year as 299 new student-athletes join the pride.
The incoming Lions and their families found plenty of help from faculty, staff, student-athletes and coaches, spirit teams, resident assistants and orientation leaders to unload vehicles and haul their belongings into their new home away from home.
Radames Luna, father of new student Izayah Luna, said he is excited for his son to begin at Saint Leo.
“The best part is when they asked if they could help,” Radames said, laughing as student-athletes and other volunteers surrounded the family’s car and carried boxes and bags to Izayah’s room. He will be majoring in business.
Krystal Morris, of Wesley Chapel, admitted to feeling a little sad while moving her son, Sian, into his residence hall. “I am not OK,” she said. “He’s my baby.”
And Krystal said she might be crying in Sian’s room at home after she left campus.
Isabella Hill, of Naples, happily unpacked items in her residence hall room.
“I’m looking forward to everything,” said the pre-nursing major.
Meanwhile, her dad, Marc Hill, was busy assembling items for her room.
“I’m holding it together and then I’ll cry in the car later,” he said.
Isabella’s grandmother, Cassandra Hill, said she is “ready to fly like a butterfly” during her time at Saint Leo.
Sarai Rodriguez and Kiara Clifford, both nursing students, are serving as the resident assistants for Saint Leo’s Nursing Living Learning Communities.
This year, with 115 pre-nursing students arriving, the university offered two of these communities for those pursuing Bachelor of Science in nursing degrees with students living in Alumni and Roderick halls. Living Learning Communities offer an opportunity for students with shared interests to build connections beyond the classroom. Rodriguez spent the morning meeting the students and distributing notices to make sure the pre-nursing students attend their orientation session.
“One of my main goals as a nursing RA and within the programs that I host, is to create a strong community among nursing students,” Rodriguez said. “As a senior, if I could give any advice to pre-nursing and junior nursing students, it would be to have an open mind, find friendships that will carry you through your journey, and believe that this dream was placed in your heart for a reason.”