Welcome Back, Redhawks!

Seattle University’s 2023-24 academic term is underway!

The new academic year began with Move-In Weekend, when new and returning students settled into their new digs, met their dorm mates and said goodbye to family members and loved ones (there were some tears shed!)

After move-in, students attended a Fall Welcome Kickoff setting them up for the year ahead, followed by New Student Convocation on September 18, all leading up to the first day of classes on September 20.

Throughout this time students were treated to a series of special programming and social events—from Mass at the Chapel of St. Ignatius to games and team-building activities to sporting events—designed to provide an exciting and engaging experience for students as they begin to build their own traditions as Redhawks.

Here are some highlights from the week in photos. 

Move-In Weekend
September 16-17

“This is one of the best days of the year when first-year students are moving in and here with their families. There’s so much excitement on campus and when the students are here it really brings the place back to life and the whole campus comes together,” said President Eduardo Peñalver. 

Some comments from parents over the course of the weekend as they said their goodbyes:

“I hope that my daughter continues to grow as a person. She’s embarking on this new adventure and this is the beginning of her adulthood. My hope for her is to keep learning, growing and really experience everything because this is her moment.”

“There is a whole dynamic and wonderful campus, city and community and we want our daughter to take full advantage of it.”

“When you’re a freshman you meet some people that hopefully become lifelong friends and I hope she gets that friendship and people she can relate with through the rest of her life.”

Fall Welcome Kickoff
September 16

New Student Convocation
September 18

New Student Convocation is an important rite of passage for new students at Seattle University as we celebrates the start of our undergraduates' academic journeys as Redhawks.

First Day of Classes
September 20 

Here are some first-day impressions from students on why they chose Seattle University:

"I chose Seattle U because I was really excited about the smaller class sizes.”

“I love the environment of Seattle U and the culture of campus.”

“I chose Seattle U because I really like being in the city and that it’s really easy to get from place to place here. Also, the smaller class sizes were really important to me because I’m a STEM major so I was scared of being in 300-400 person lectures but I don’t have to worry about that here.”