Best Job Ever!!!!!

Just as leaves dropping from trees mark the transition from summer to fall, and the sound of bats cracking a ‘homer’ marks the beginning of spring, Albright’s new student Move-In Day reminds me every year that I have one of the best jobs in the world.

There are a few jobs I might prefer – short-stop for the Yankees, point guard for the Sixers (circa 1980s, not present day) and perhaps the United States ambassador to Australia. However, Derek Jeter’s reign as Yankee captain isn’t ending anytime soon (let’s hope); there aren’t many 5’8”, 39 year old NBA point guards and President Obama hasn’t asked me to serve……yet! So let’s say I have the best job in the world that I have to ability to obtain.

Thursday, August 26 over 400 new students and their families embarked upon the Albright campus filled with the full spectrum of emotions. They were happy, nervous, excited, anxious and sometimes sleepy from the ride to campus. I have the pleasure of working the lot where families circle through with cars packed to the gills with more “stuff” than could possibly be needed. I greet the families, try to put them at ease and hopefully have some fun. All family members are smiling, either genuinely or forced, and they proceed to be greeted by more members of the Albright community at the dorms, again at the welcome picnic and again at Convocation.

The first two cars in line at Move-In 2010!!!

So why does this day make me so happy? Well it puts a rubber stamp on the completion of the Admission office’s year. We, along with the help of the entire campus, have successfully brought in another class of amazing Albrightians. This is the day they become actual members of the Albright community - they are one of us, instead of a prospective student.

Second, as I meander around campus, families often approach me to say “thank you”. They thank us (the Admission office) for helping them get to this day, for helping them realize that Albright was the place for them and helping them feel good about their choice. This makes me smile because I truly feel they did all the hard work! The families log the hours researching schools online and in person, visit campuses, ask questions, fill out the admission and financial aid paperwork. Families debate, argue and discuss the best college options, not me! But I certainly accept their thanks, wish them good luck and make sure to tell them that we’re always accessible if they need any help.

Bringing WAY too much STUFF!

Lastly, there are thousands of people gathered together who are extremely happy to be where they are and to be with the people they are with. That’s amazing because most of the people are strangers! But all these strangers, who are soon to be friends and classmates, are all extremely optimistic about their futures. This type of environment can be contagious. It makes a person who isn’t warm and fuzzy inside (me), warm and fuzzy inside. So I can’t help but be happy, yes extremely happy, even warm and fuzzy, about Move-In Day every year!

Then it’s time for the bagpipers to start playing!!!!!! It brings chills to my spine. You see the bagpipers are on campus twice a year: graduation and convocation. Both are great times of the school year so I associate the sound with happiness. The pipers lead the 500+ new students into the Bollman Center for Convocation. A lot of people talk at them (this year the speakers were fabulous) and the students receive their Albright pins. They also view the Convocation slide show (another great Albright tradition) welcoming them to campus.

Then everyone gathers outside … and say goodbyes. There are some tears, a lot of hugs, and more tears, and more hugs. Then students jump right into orientation and families get in their cars and join the procession of cars returning home. I’m sure a few moms text or even call their sons and daughters prior to getting on the bypass. I know this because it happens every year.

Just like the seasons changing, there is always move-In Day. And that makes me happy to be a part of Albright.