More than 400 enthusiastic volunteers, including students, faculty, staff and administrators, braved the nearly 100-degree heat on Sunday, Aug. 20, Residence Hall Move-in Assistance Day, to help most of the 12,000 Aggies who live in residence halls move into their new digs for the fall semester.
“I can’t think of a better time for the spirit of selfless service to be in full force at Texas A&M than the beginning of a new semester,” said Texas A&M President Michael K. Young who helped greet students as they moved their belongings into residence halls. “I am grateful to be part of this long tradition of welcoming students back to campus.”
Long lines of vehicles carrying Aggies eager to settle into their rooms took turns parking in the unloading zones around campus. The students, their family members and friends piled belongings on the sidewalks and grassy areas nearest their respective residence halls while friendly volunteers wearing neon green T-shirts approached to offer their assistance.
Danielle Scott, a sophomore studying chemical engineering, and Guadalupe Valles, a sophomore studying architecture, were among several volunteers who helped the Drummond family, and many other families, with their heavy hauls. As a member of the Engineering Honors Community of Scholars, Scott was encouraged to help with the event, while Valles was participating as a member of the Antioch College Ministry.
Jenna and Tara Drummond, third-generation Aggie twins from Georgetown, both sophomores, are studying education and journalism, respectively. They made several trips from the curbside to their different dorm rooms with assistance from numerous volunteers, their brother, Brock Drummond ’17, and their father, Joel Drummond ’89. Tamara Drummond, their mother, stayed to watch over the stacks of boxes full of their belongings.
“I knew pretty much right out of the womb that I wanted to come to Texas A&M,” said Tara Drummond. “I feel like the Lord called me to minister here, and I’m studying journalism because I like to write, and I like people.”
