Troy University recently opened the Fall Semester with Move In Day and Bid Day, bringing energy back to campus as students settled in for the new academic year.

Families and volunteers filled residence halls early in the morning helping new Trojans move into their rooms. For many, it marked the official start of their college experience.

Freshman Jackson Smith from Chipley, Florida said he already feels at home and is hoping to gain lifelong friends during his time at TROY.

“It’s a beautiful environment and somewhere I can feel comfortable and more involved with my teachers. It feels like home—like you can make your own family here,” he said. “My brother is still friends with the people he went to college with, my parents are still friends with the people they went to college with, so it seems like the people you meet during this time can have a big impact on your life.”

Eli Crawford, a freshman from Clanton, Alabama, said he’s most excited to make new connections.

“I love interacting with people, so I can’t wait to get out there, meet new people and find new friends,” he said. “I chose TROY because I really liked the campus and that it’s a smaller school but with a big school vibe.”  

In the afternoon, attention turned to Sorority Hill where more than 200 hopeful women gathered for Bid Day. Cheers erupted as new members received their bids and ran up the hill to join their new sorority families.

Addison Armstrong, a freshman from Troy, Alabama, said the week was full of fun and excitement, but she’s most excited to help her local community grow.

“It was so fun to spend the week meeting new people, and even if we don’t go to the same house it’s so exciting to see everyone find their home,” she said. “The community here in Troy is so strong, and it’s hard to find that in other places. So joining a sorority and being able to watch our community grow and help be a part of that is amazing.”

Eavie Kate Lindsey, also a freshman from Troy, said her favorite moment was bonding with her Pi Chi group.

“Any moment with them was amazing,” she said. “It’s so fun to see people from different walks of life coming together for a common interest. I love our community and being involved, and I don’t have any sisters at home so I’m looking forward to being part of a sisterhood and really getting plugged in to TROY.”

A photo gallery of Bid Day can be found here.