With his belongings crammed into a mini U-Haul, Phillip Murray made the marathon drive from Chicago to Florida, arriving just in time to unload, unwind and start classes today at USF-St. Pete.
Murray joins 550 students – the majority of them freshmen – who moved into USF St. Pete’s residence halls over the weekend to ready for the start of fall classes today at the 6,000-student downtown campus.
Many students are Florida residents, arriving from Tarpon Springs, Ocala, Winter Park and other not-too-distant cities.
USF St. Pete’s well-regarded biology program drew Murray, a 20-year-old transfer from Joliet Community College. Marine sciences hold his interest. The school is located on Bayboro Harbor, a far cry from the landlocked Midwest.
“I first read about [USF St. Pete] online,” said Murray, as he loaded his computer and clothes from his car into a rolling cart. “The college is growing the biology program. They’re adding new courses.”
Biology is the most popular academic program, followed by business, psychology and education.
USF St. Pete is adding two new degree programs this school year, a Bachelor’s of Arts in World Languages and Culture and a Masters in Psychology.
Kate Sparks of Tarpon Springs was among scores of parents who helped incoming freshmen – the Class of 2017 – move into the college’s two residence halls, off Second Street South, prior to the start of school Monday.
“This campus is awesome. We love St. Pete,” said Sparks, as she waited for her daughter, Samantha, to check in at the student center Saturday before heading to Residence Hall One, to join three new roommates.
Samantha initially planned to enroll at USF in Tampa but opted for St. Pete instead. “She’s so excited,” Sparks said. “She was screaming as we drove in.”
