SUNY Buffalo State welcomed another large class of freshman for 'move-in-day' on Tuesday. It is the third largest class in 25 years with 1,700 freshman are enrolled. The campus was buzzing as everyone moved into the dorms, but not all of the students were from out-of-town.
Students rolled their suitcases behind them. In some spots on the campus you would find a pile of stacked boxes, bags, totes and bedding. Leone Roberts of Brooklyn was waiting for her granddaughter, Jade Burkett to check in.
“The biggest challenge, right now, it’s the first time leaving home,” explained Roberts.
Roberts, who raised her granddaughter, is very excited for her college start. Burkett is the first in the family to attend college.
“I’m proud I could carry that baton,” Burkett stated.
Burkett is ready to major in political science and law. She said she selected Buffalo State because the school has a good graduation rate.
“I’m nervous, but I’m really excited because I’m becoming independent,” said Burkett.
“She told me they have a great program here and she wanted to be in the program, and also to get away from me,” laughed Roberts.
But Burkett admitted she will miss her grandmother. “I won’t have her to cook for me, wake me up in the morning,” said Burkett.
Burkett said the biggest challenge coming from Brooklyn is getting settled in, finding her classes and getting to know her professors.
While many of the students were from out-of-town, WBFO did find two western New York students who are ready to live in the dorms to become more independent.
“I thought it would be a good first year experience,” said Maya Broniscwski of Tonawanda. The freshman will be majoring in Special Education.
“What are you excited about as a freshman coming into college?” asked WBFO's Eileen Buckley. “Just a new experience, so I guess just the change from high school to college, responded Broniscwski.
The freshman’s mother, Lisa Marinelli, was happy her daughter wanted to live on campus to learn some independence.
“She has worked really hard and saved up a lot of money in the last couple of years, so she will be paying to put herself through dorming this first year and then she’ll move back home or maybe an apartment with her friends next year,” said Marinelli.
We also spoke with Evan Glover of Buffalo, a Bishop Timon graduate. He was getting ready to find his dorm room. The Buffalo State freshman said he wants to major in business administration and live on campus, but he’s glad he’s not too far from home.
“I picked it because I didn’t want to move too far from the nest,” explained Glover. “I just want to get familiar with the campus, know my way around, and get introduced to a lot of different people. I just want this semester to go by easy, have a good time.”
Glover’s mother, Kimberly King Glover, was helping her son move into his dorm. “I think living on campus gives him life skills and teaches him how to walk on his own and meet different people. There’s people here from all over the world,” Glover said.
Glover was feeling a bit melancholy suffering from ‘empty nest,’ but proud of her son’s new beginning as a college student.
“I was crying all day yesterday. I was really emotional. He’s the youngest,” said Glover.
On Wednesday, a convocation will be held for all first year Buffalo State students to discuss what it takes to be a successful college student.
