Mercer University will begin its 192nd academic year by welcoming the next freshman class, most of whom will move into their residence halls on the Macon campus this Friday and Saturday.

The University will welcome nearly 1,000 new students, including incoming freshmen and more than 100 transfer students, who will join the Macon campus community.

“We are thrilled to welcome the next class of Mercerians to campus this year,” said Dr. Kelly Holloway, assistant vice president for enrollment management at Mercer. “The class of 2028 brings with them tremendous success in the classroom and their communities. We are impressed with their academic and co-curricular achievements. We look forward to supporting them throughout their Mercer journey as they endeavor to change the world.”

First-year students arriving on Mercer’s campus for the start of the fall semester will be greeted by the Mercer Movers, a group of more than 100 volunteer upperclassmen, faculty and staff, who help unload and carry new students’ belongings into their residence hall rooms.

Move-in starts Friday at 9 a.m. and will kick off several exciting event-filled Opening Days for the new students, including:

• POP-a-Palooza on Cruz Plaza, where students and their families can enjoy their favorite “pops” (popcorn, popsicles, soda pop) as they prepare for the annual Macon Pops concert in Hawkins Arena. 

• Bear Beginnings: First-Year Student and Family Kick-Off in Hawkins Arena, where students will hear from Mercer administrators, meet other members of the Mercer community and receive more information about what is to come during Bear Beginnings

• The traditional Class of 2028 photo on Cruz Plaza at 10:30 a.m.

• Picnic and campfire parties

• The University’s annual Fall Convocation, the traditional start of the academic year, will take place Monday, Aug. 19, at 2 p.m. in Hawkins Arena. 

• Bear Fair, an annual event designed to introduce the newest Mercerians to campus organizations and the Central Georgia community, from 3:15-5:15 p.m. on the University Center intramural courts.

For more information on Opening Day and the Bear Beginnings orientation schedule, click here.

View the 2024 Bear Beginnings Overview and Schedule here.