Every student has a story
Hannah Hitchen was not there to see her parents move her belongings into USF St. Petersburg’s Residence Hall One. Had she been, the French horn player, who was spending her last few moments of freedom abroad, would likely have marveled at the sheer number of minivans and movers that crowded the sectioned-off University Way. There, both parents and Bulls-to-be congregated, pushing carts and lugging suitcases into dorm rooms on Aug. 19 and 20, USFSP’s designated fall semester move-in days. According to Scott Hendershot, the housing assignments and operations coordinator for USFSP, a total of 691 students were scheduled to move in.
Among the newcomers were returning Bulls, working over the weekend as the USFSP Welcome Crew. These students, clad in bright yellow T-shirts, served as proverbial beacons of light for their peers, helping to move carts, direct traffic and provide beverages.
Hitchen, meanwhile, would land in Miami on Sunday, planning to make the pilgrimage to campus by night.
This was the beginning.
Andre Bell, Accounting Major
Andre Bell, 18, made the pilgrimage from Central Florida to the little campus by the bay with his sister in tow. Throughout the length of the drive, a certain someone made sure to stay in contact: Mom.
“She cares a lot,” said Bell. “She took it kind of hard, had a rough time. We called her a couple of times and she played a sad song by Celine Dion.”
Sad songs aside, what attracted this accounting major to his new home away from home were the tight bonds evident around campus.
“It’s a real close community,” noted Bell. “It’s more like a family.”
And when real family feels too far away? They’re only a call, text, or click away.
“My mom made me download an app. It’s kind of like FaceTime.”
Yes, what Dion sings rings true: Near, far, or wherever you are: the heart does go on and on.
Colin Alexander, Biology Major
Colin Alexander has a dorm room of epic proportions. No, really.
“Last year I lived in the dorms with four people, so having my own room is going to be awesome,” said the USFSP sophomore, from Orlando.
“It’s going to be a Game of Thrones den. I have so many Games of Thrones posters, and I have a projector.”
While his free time will likely be spent watching his favorite fantasy show, his class time will be dedicated to science.
“I took health classes in high school and I really liked it,” said the biology major. “My first career thought was physical therapy.”
Physical therapy is something that has helped Alexander better relate to family members who served in the military.
“My cousins are in the Army, and I have some uncles that are really old [veterans]. I see them disintegrating over time. Being able to help them would be great. I see them in a different way because I have personal experience.”
Delaney Brown, Mass Communications Major
What is it about a college that makes it stand out? Is it the students? The staff? For Delaney Brown, it’s the sailing. 
Brown, who is from the West Palm Beach area, has “competed in dozens of regional and national regattas as both a crew and skipper of the varsity and women’s sailing team,” according to her LinkedIn profile. She is also a certified US Sailing instructor.
When she learned that Allison Jolly, an Olympic athlete who a won a Gold Medal in 1988 for sailing, also worked at USFSP as the varsity women’s sailing coach, she was sold.
Now that she’s here, the mass communications major hopes to get involved with campus clubs such as The Crow’s Nest and Her Campus. And, of course, the sailing team.
Sail on, Delaney Brown, sail on.
Savanah Swinehart, Management Major
The beginning of college can be a big transition. Friendships are being established, ramen noodles are being bought, and majors are being changed again and again.
“For a while I went back and forth between what I wanted to do,” confessed senior Savanah Swinehart, a Pennsylvania native. “All throughout high school I debated doing nursing, or owning a bakery.”
Flash forward four years later, and Swinehart, a management major, has her eye on real estate.
“I want to own properties and sell them to people. That would be really cool,” she said.
Even though her career goals may have changed over the years, some things have stayed the same. In fact, Swinehart will be ending her journey at USFSP the same way she began it, living in RHO with the same roommate she had in freshman year, global business major and fellow senior Lizette Arnold.
Savannah Billett, undecided
In the seventh grade, Savannah Billett’s heart broke. The aspiring nurse learned of an infant named Ezra who battled neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that commonly affects young children. Ezra died when he was only 800 days old.
“That just triggered me to start fundraising and doing restauraunt events and doing 5Ks,” said Billett. “I’m passionate about trying to find a cure for cancer in children. I love children so much.”
So passionate, in fact, that she started her own foundation, which is named in honor of her beloved aunt.
“My aunt, Suzanne, was diagnosed in 2012 with stage 4 brain cancer, almost a year after Ezra passed away. Everything I do is because of her.”
After college, Billett would like to work for All Children’s Hospital, located just a few blocks away from USFSP.
Rose Moleus, Biology Major
Orlando-based Rose Moleus is not only moving away from home, but also moving out of her comfort zone.
“I’m passionate about changing some aspects of myself,” said Moleus.
“Before, I was pretty shy. I hope being on campus will help me to meet all different types of people, and help me grow as a person. That’s one of the main things that I want to change.”
The freshman biology major, who would like to pursue a career in the medical field, is already breaking out of her shell by getting to know her roommate in her University Student Center dorm.
“We’ve been talking for the whole two weeks. We’ve been able to coordinate a little bit, with what we’re bringing.”
Sounds like she packed a little confidence, too.
