Video: Class of 2014 arrives on campus

Under the hot August sun, hundreds of students and their parents from across the state and across the country, descended on UW-Green Bay for freshman move-in day, Aug. 30.

“Very busy and very hot today,” said Jim Beschta from Oconto Falls, who was dropping off his daughter Laura. “I wish it would’ve been a little cooler.”

Cars lined the streets and volunteers lined up to help carry some of the load.

“We got a lot of help. A lot of the local people here helping out. It’s really going well,” Beschta said.

In fact, some students didn’t even have to lift a finger.

“I went over to check in and everything was already in here when I came back,” said Kayla Opelt from Neillsville. “So we just unpacked everything.”

Opelt says she’s considering going into elementary education but isn’t quite sure yet. So what is she looking forward to at UW-Green Bay?

“Pretty much the whole college experience, getting away and being on my own,” Opelt said.

That seemed to be a theme among the new students.

When asked what he was looking forward to about college Nate Hipke from Appleton said, “Being away from home and not having to worry about fighting with my brother.”

Hipke says before he decided to come to UW-Green Bay, he was considering another nearby school.

“I know a lot of people who are going there,” Hipke said. “But my dad kind of talked me out of it because, I have to agree with him, this is a lot nicer campus and I like the area.”

Hipke will be sharing a room with his friend Charlie Radtke.

“The thing I’m most looking forward to is probably activities, just getting out from my normal household,” Radtke said.
Radtke, who is hoping to study environmental sciences, loves the environment of UW-Green Bay.

“I like the campus. I think it’s real good, everything around here. It’s real nice,” Radtke said.

Radtke’s father agrees with his son’s choice of college.

“I like it,” Dave Radtke said. “I think it was a good choice. I think it will fit his personality pretty good. That’s what I like about it. I hope in the end it leads him into a career that has an opening.”

Besides future careers, parents have some other things on their mind.

“Safety is my main concern,” said Neal Mohammad from Greenfield, who is dropping his daughter off.

He says he’s very comfortable with the campus.

“Green Bay is a wonderful place to be to begin with,” Mohammad said. “Besides our football team, the University is fine. We went through the whole University. We checked everything and everything is fine.”

But he still has some advice for his daughter and all of the new students.

“Be safe. Do the right thing. Stay out of trouble,” Mohammad said.

“Stick to your values, let that guide you so hopefully that will guide him,” Radtke added.