University of New Haven Welcomes Record-Breaking Class of 2030 to Charger Community

The Class of 2030 arrived at the University of New Haven with packed cars, overflowing carts, and plenty of excitement, officially beginning their journeys as Chargers.

As families made their way to campus for Charge In, the University's annual welcome to new students, a hot and humid August morning did little to slow the energy. Across campus, student-athletes helped carry boxes, bedding, mini-fridges, and everything else students needed to begin making their residence halls feel like home.

A carefully coordinated traffic flow kept cars moving as families arrived at Gerber and Bixler Halls, Westside Hall, Bethel Hall, and Bergami Hall. While parents unloaded and students began settling into their new spaces, Charlie the Charger made his way around campus, high-fiving new students and stopping for photos.

For Natalia Dagosta '30, a forensic science major, move-in day was also an opportunity to help her parents get to know the place she will now call home.

After moving her belongings into her room with the help of her mom and dad, Dagosta gave them a tour of campus.

"The first thing I did was show my parents around the campus, so they were able to see where they were leaving their child and feel safe," she said.

With boxes unpacked and the initial move-in rush behind them, Dagosta was also able to meet up with her roommate and begin settling into her new surroundings.

Around campus, similar moments unfolded throughout the morning. Families paused for photos and hugs, while new students met roommates, explored their residence halls, and began imagining what their lives would look like over the next four years.

One family celebrated their student's arrival with a declaration of pride, "He just became a Charger today!"

The sense of excitement extended beyond the residence halls. As Charlie posed for photos with new Chargers, one student-athlete's teammates encouraged her to make sure she got her first picture with the University mascot. Nearby, passing cars were greeted by a sign held by President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D., inviting them to "Honk if you love a Charger."

For Dagosta, the excitement of move-in day was giving way to anticipation for what comes next. "I am most excited to be living on campus so I can fully immerse myself in forensic science, while having access to a welcoming and hardworking faculty," she said.

By early afternoon, most of the moving carts had been returned and many families had begun their journeys home. For the students, the day was only beginning. Charge-In activities continued across campus for the entire weekend, bringing together residential and commuter students as they began meeting classmates and finding their place in the Charger community.

With move-in behind them and a new academic year ahead, the Class of 2030 is ready to turn the excitement of their first day on campus into the experiences, friendships, and opportunities that will define their time at the University.