‘It’s a rebirth’

Last week, the campus of Iowa Wesleyan University in Mt. Pleasant began to spring to life.

While some of the school’s student athletes began checking in earlier this month, the big day was Friday, with new student move-in day.

“It’s like a rebirth, it’s like what spring is to the environment,” IW Provost DeWayne Frazier said. “When you see all these students coming back, the campus comes alive again. It’s wonderful to have the campus with people here. It’s the start of so many wonderful things.”

Vice President for Enrollment, Marketing and Communications Meg Richtman said that the incoming freshman class is one of the largest in a long time.

“We’re on par for our largest enrollment in over a decade,” Richtman said. “We’re checking in 215 new freshmen.

“With freshmen and transfers, it will total over 300 when all is said and done.”

Frazier said that when the official campus census is done in early September, the school expects to have more than 800 students enrolled.

He said that has a strong impact on the local economy.

“The more students you get in the community, the more revenue it brings to the university and to the community,” Frazier said. “The economic impact of a college or university on a community is amazing.”

The campus was flooded with first-year students and their families on Friday.

The Howe Student Activity Center was the hub of activity, as students lined up for the various stations set up in the gym.

There was an excited buzz in the air as the students arrived for their first year at IW.

Students had their photos taken for school IDs, received their dorm assignments and checked in with financial aid staff.

“It’s very exciting,” said Alyssa Smith, a physical education major from Blandinsville, Illinois. “I was nervous coming in, but now that I’m here, I’m very excited and ready to start the year. “

Damon Reese, a psychology major from Phoenix, said he came to Iowa Wesleyan to play third base and first base for the baseball team.

“There are a lot of moving parts, but it’s exciting,” Reese said. “It’s time to get going.”

Will Smith, an exercise science major from Osceola, was another baseball player checking in for his first year.

“I was nervous until I got here,” Smith said. “I’m looking forward to baseball.”

Josh Smith, a business major from Burlington, said, “It’s pretty nice so far. I’m excited to get started.”

Frazier said he was as excited for the new year as the students.

“I tell people all the time that these are some of the best days to be a college administrator,” he said. “As a teacher, as a lifelong educator, it never gets old. It keeps you young.”