This post is a little late, but I wanted to note how very impressed we were with the entire Orientation process for students and parents. It became apparent very quickly that the faculty and staff at DU genuinely care about the students and the quality of the educational experience provided at DU. As parents, we were made to feel very welcome in each and every informative session that we attended. By the time the last day of orientation arrived, it was clear that DU faculty and staff wanted us, as parents, to feel very comfortable leaving our student there. In addition, we really enjoyed being able to meet some of the other parents during Orientation, and we felt quite comfortable that the DU parents typically think alike when it comes to our students choosing a school that is a good fit, and that is small enough to offer the opportunities and support that our students might need and enjoy.
When we left DU to go back to Michigan on the Tuesday after Labor Day, we left our "baby" and only daughter. I was very emotional; however, it was just perfect being able to hear Helen Johnson speak about the trials, tribulations, and joys of being the parent of a college student. I cried and I laughed as I listened to Helen, who has obviously been in many of our shoes. Helen was really on point as far as addressing what I was feeling, and it was immensely helpful having listened to her advice when we left for the airport later that day. DU parents and students are very fortunate to have such a caring, informative faculty, staff and Parents Association.
Since then, it would appear that our daughter is doing quite well and enjoying DU. We are quite pleased with her experience thus far. We hope that she will find the time to take advantage of the many programs and activities that DU has to offer.
As an aside, our middle son is a junior at DU, having transferred there in January of his freshman year. Because of the date he transferred, he had an abbreviated orientation, and we as parents were not able to accompany him to DU. He transferred from a school in California that I won't name here, not for academic reasons, but because it wasn't a good fit for him. Believe me, his experience there was in sharp contrast to the great experience he has had at DU. As a parent, I had the feeling that the faculty and staff there could have cared less about the students. Brian is now on his quarter abroad in Santander, Spain, and really enjoying the experience.
I look forward to our childrens' coming years at DU and hope I can visit often.
