New students arrived in the Bronx for move in day at Fordham University Sunday.

The school specifically welcomed first year and transfer students throughout the day. Students like Magnolia Meekma, coming all the way from California to attend the school.

“I’m really excited to live on campus and see the changing seasons make new friends. Live in the dorms. All of it,” Meekma said as she moved in with the help of her mother Rebecca.

“It’s emotional but it’s exciting because you raise them to do this,” her mother added.

Returning students were on hand to welcome the new students and help get them orientation information, assist them getting around the 85 acre campus, and even help move students belongs into their dorms.

Senior Ava Humphrey was part of the many students there to guide the incoming class.

“When I first came I was really nervous as all freshmen are but once I got here everybody was positive and so excited and the orientation leaders that I had were just very welcoming,” says Ava.

On hand for the big day was Fordham University President Tania Tetlow, who started in July as the first woman and lay person to lead the Jesuit school.

“So excited. This is my first year, too. So we’re in this together this will always be a special class for me,” said Tetlow. “The main thing we want them to feel is just that, is welcome and that they immediately start finding their friends, their peers, a sense of belonging here on campus.”

Officials with the school said last year there were 16,986 students in their nine schools. And according to the university, Fordham enrolled the largest and most diverse entering class in its history last year and expect this year will be similar.

The school shared the undergraduate demographics for 2021:

  • 59.2% Women
  • 40.8% Men
  • 40.6% Underrepresented Populations
  • 17.4% Hispanic/Latino
  • 13% Asian
  • 5.4% Black/African American
  • 0.1% American Indian/Alaskan
  • 0.1% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander