Students moving in to UTA ‘feel a 10 on excitement’
Of the thousand-plus students moving into The University of Texas at Arlington’s four residence halls and seven apartment communities this week, Tatiana Howell may have been among the most prepared.
The College of Engineering freshman obtained the precise measurements of her room in West Hall, including the closet, so she could buy specific organizers and bins that fit perfectly in her allocated space.
“I did a lot of pre-organizing of everything in their own bins,” she said. “This way, I’ll just put the bins into the closet and on the shelves, and they’re ready to go.”
Howell was one of more than 1,300 new and returning students moving in on Aug. 17 and among the 4,000 total who will call UTA residence halls and apartments their home for the 2023-24 academic year. Approximately 10,000 students live on or adjacent to the UTA campus, where classes begin on Aug. 21.
Students, staff and community members were on hand to help unload cars and move college living essentials into individual rooms.
Brandon Ferguson, who is from Aledo, Texas, moved into West Hall with high hopes for the coming school year. He plans to major in mechanical engineering.
“I picked UTA for the engineering program,” he said. “It’s really good. I was deciding between here and Texas A&M, but I wanted to go here more.”
Kaima Agwunobi, who plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in data science, is a bit farther from home. She comes to UTA from Nigeria and flew to Texas earlier in the week with her mother to get ready to move in.
“I chose UTA because I was looking for a school with a good data science program and a good diversity ratio,” she said.
Jamaree McGilbra, an incoming freshman planning to study architecture, has been getting ready for move-in day for the past month.
“On a scale from 1-10, I feel a 10 on excitement,” he said.
At West Hall, many of the students moving in received an assist from members of UTA’s Movin’ Mavs and Lady Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball teams. Brittany Yeomans is a 31-year-old freshman from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and a new member of the Lady Movin’ Mavs. She was there on move-in day helping incoming students get their belongings into their rooms.
Yeomans said the hot weather made her nostalgic for Midwest snowfalls.
“I told everyone I’m going to do snow angels if we ever get a dusting,” she said.
Yeomans grew up playing basketball but was injured at age 21. She spent the next few years healing from her injury and adjusting to life changes that come with using a wheelchair for mobility. She was recruited to UTA after Lady Movin’ Mavs coach Morgan Wood saw her play in a club tournament.
“I already love UTA,” she said. “It’s a whole new world and community.”
