Helping hands for the frosh

Richard Fultz of northern Virginia was pleasantly surprised as he delivered daughter, Allie, to her dorm on the Marietta College campus Thursday.

"When we pulled up kids were waiting on the front steps and surrounded the car to help us carry everything up to the room," he said. "It was great."

Fultz said another daughter was attending a school in Kentucky.

Article Photos

SAM SHAWVER The Marietta Times
Marietta College junior and sorority member Alex Martin, center, struggles with a box as she helps fellow sorority and fraternity volunteers move some of the new freshmen into their dorm rooms Thursday.

"It took us more than two hours to carry everything to her room," he said.

Allie Fultz, a new member of the college crew team, was among nearly 400 members of the Class of 2016 who moved into their living quarters at Marietta College Thursday, assisted by local fraternity and sorority members.

"We do this every year for the incoming freshmen. I remember moving in my first year-I didn't have to carry a thing," said junior Christina Johns of Cleveland, who volunteered with others from the Marietta College Greek Life group to help with the move-in.

Fellow Greek Alex Martin, a junior from Aurora, Colo., agreed.

"We're really glad to be doing this," she said. "It gives us a chance to interact with the new freshmen and meet some of the parents."

Andrew Ribbe, a freshman petroleum engineering student from Canton, said his mother, MC alum Marsha (Peterson) Ribbe, had some influence on his choice to attend the school.

"But I also liked the look of the campus," he said. "I think I'm ready. I've said my goodbyes to everyone back home. And it will be nice to get away."

Freshman Jessica Glasgow, who hails from the St. Clairsville/Steubenville area, said she's still deciding on a major course of study, but has basically narrowed it down to either education or veterinary medicine.

"I love the town," she said of Marietta. "It's small-and a lot like home."

Heidi Ford of Hookset, N.H., was helping the family move her daughter, Rachel, a crew team member and business and marketing major, into the dorms Thursday morning.

"We flew in and only brought her shoes and clothes," Heidi said. "We're going out to buy the rest locally."

That's good news for area businesses like Marietta Office Supply on Second Street where owner Bill Taylor welcomes the newcomers as well as returning students.

"We get some of them in here every day, stocking up on pens, notebooks and other supplies," he said. "It's good to have them here, and these kids are really good about shopping the local stores."

Over on Front Street the Twisted Sisters Boutique is also looking forward to more business from the college crowd.

"In fact we've already had a couple of students in here today, doing some birthday shopping for their significant others," said boutique associate Jenny Phillips. "We love to see the kids coming back for another school year. Many often return for a visit after they graduate."

Kathy Ferguson, owner of the Tim Horton's restaurant on Seventh Street, said she was happy to see students moving in.

"It's good to see them coming back," she said. "We've been watching the calendar, marking the day when they return."

The shop is ideally located just across Seventh Street from the college campus, and is open 24 hours a day.

"We see students in the early mornings, along with the athletic trainers, and we also see a lot of students in the evenings, especially Friday and Saturday nights," Ferguson said. "And they often bring their laptops and notebooks to pull an all-nighter before a big exam."

Sophomores, juniors and seniors will be arriving back on campus today through Sunday, and classes begin on Monday.