Hundreds of students begin moving into McMaster’s new Lincoln Alexander Hall

The increased honking and chanting around McMaster University Friday signaled the warm welcome for first year students ahead of the school year.

Students were being moved into a brand new and massive residence on Main Street West.

Current McMaster students welcomed new members to the Mac family Friday, and they weren’t quiet about it.

“This is an absolutely exhilarating amount of energy we have here,” said Evey Kennedy, a McMaster University Welcome Week representative. “Everyone is so excited to be here and welcome all the first years into our community here at McMaster.”

The welcome was felt by the first years, who were all smiles.

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“Everybody there started chanting and singing, it was such a fun surprise,” said Ruby Tovich, a first year student at McMaster University. “I’m coming here from out of province, I’m coming from Alberta, and so it’s like, I don’t know as many people here, but just seeing the community — that’s why people come to McMaster.”

“I have some friends, upper years, that have been coming here for a while, and I heard that there is a very strong school spirit, so I thought it was really to come here and feel that, you know in person for the first time,” said Alex Bibisi, a first year student at McMaster University. “I thought it was really cool.”

As for the parents, it was a bittersweet day.

“I look forward to him becoming a student,” said Florentina Bibisi, a proud mother. “We’re supporting him, but yet it feels very emotional.”

“It’s exciting, you’re launching your kid off to a new adventure, but it’s also that sadness that they’re leaving home,” said Andrew Dick, a proud dad of a new student at McMaster University.

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It can be scary coming to university — for parents it is saying goodbye to their kid for a little bit, but they’re trying to make it a party.

The building that the students were moving into on Friday is brand new, and the largest one on campus.

The Lincoln Alexander Hall has over 1,300 beds.

“It’s a fabulous space, lots of great common areas, areas to socialize — every floor has a kitchen available, 1365 beds available in the resident space,” said Sean Van Koughnett, the associate vice president of students at McMaster University. “But as you can see, it’s just a great environment. It will be great for the community.”

Friday is just the beginning of welcoming new and returning students.

All weekend first years will be moving in and there’s a whole host of events planned in the lead up to the school year kickoff.

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