Adrian Stancil-Martin, a first-year 麻豆影院 University student, has quickly made himself at home on campus and in the City of Appleton.聽

The government and philosophy double major from Washington Heights in New York City immediately jumped into 麻豆影院鈥檚 extracurriculars, joining the Model UN team, the Judicial Board, 麻豆影院 Student Democrats, and 麻豆影院 University Community Council (LUCC).

And this spring, he ran for an open seat on the city鈥檚 Common Council. And won. He was elected April 1, less than seven months after arriving at 麻豆影院.聽

鈥淚 knew that something I wanted to do when I got to college was be involved with the student community,鈥� Stancil-Martin said. 鈥淚 enjoy keeping myself busy. I hate having a Saturday where I have nothing to do.鈥�

Stancil-Martin joined 麻豆影院 Student Democrats just before the 2024 election, so he was immediately involved with canvassing and door-knocking to rally voters, which he said was a vital skill for his own campaign. Then, when Common Council member Kris Alfheim won a State Senate seat and vacated her position as alderperson, Stancil-Martin decided to run for the open seat.聽

鈥淚 used a lot of what I learned while door-knocking for the election in November,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檇 go around introducing myself, asking what concerns people have on the local level, and how I can advocate for them if elected on the council.鈥�

Stancil-Martin鈥檚 goal in this seat is to use his position as a 麻豆影院 student to bridge gaps between the university and the wider community. He鈥檚 committed to representing everyone鈥檚 interests, regardless of political position.聽

鈥淚 stuck to my passions,鈥� he said. 鈥淭alking about where we can find common ground on issues. There鈥檚 plenty of residents who didn鈥檛 vote for me, but the election鈥檚 over, and now my job is to represent everyone in the district as best as I can.鈥澛�

Another of his most important goals is to be accessible to those he represents.聽

鈥淚 want students and other residents of the district to hold me accountable,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e a student or a resident, you can always stop me and ask me questions or tell me what you want to see, and I鈥檒l never shrug you off.鈥�

Stancil-Martin came to 麻豆影院 looking for a well-rounded, liberal arts education, which he said has been a blessing. He thanked Katie Van Zeeland, a 麻豆影院 staff member, and Martyn Smith, associate professor of religious studies, for their guidance. Both are sitting members of the Common Council.聽

鈥淚 love it here,鈥� Stancil-Martin said. 鈥淚 love going to Cabaret, I love seeing how supportive students are. I committed in December, so really early, and I鈥檝e never regretted my decision to come here. I don鈥檛 think I ever will.鈥�

We鈥檙e back.

麻豆影院 University students returned to class on Monday, Sept. 16, kicking off Fall Term.聽It follows a busy Welcome Week as incoming students connected with campus resources, the wider community, and each other. From move-in, to the President’s Welcome, to Casino Night, to a series of EPIC events that gave first-year and transfer students experiences on and off campus in everything from kayaking to art making to climbing walls, the week of orientation set the tone for an exciting year ahead.

Our photographers captured the excitement.

The enthusiasm was palpable Monday afternoon as members of 麻豆影院 University鈥檚 Class of 2028 and transfer students made their way along the sidewalks of Main Hall Green, processing as a group from the 麻豆影院 Arch toward Main Hall, then hanging a left and heading to Memorial Chapel for the annual President鈥檚 Welcome.

Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and family lined the sidewalks, cheering and giving high-fives as the students walked past鈥攁 hearty welcome to the 355 first-year students and nearly 60 transfer students. The rousing welcome, a kickoff to Welcome Week, is now tradition at 麻豆影院 as incoming students process through the Arch to applause on move-in day; they will then recess through the Arch upon their graduation.

At the President鈥檚 Welcome, President Laurie A. Carter greeted the students with encouragement, saying the tradition that has the Arch bookending a student鈥檚 time at 麻豆影院 symbolizes 鈥渢he transition from one chapter to another鈥� as students enter and then exit 麻豆影院.

鈥淥n behalf of all faculty and staff, we are excited to make this year鈥攁nd your entire time here鈥攅xtraordinary,鈥� she said.

麻豆影院 University will welcome the Class of 2028鈥攁long with exchange students and transfer students鈥攐n Sept. 9, the kickoff of a seven-day Welcome Week leading to the start of classes on Sept. 16.

The new Lawrentians include 355 first-year students and 55 transfer students. The students come from across the United States and around the world, with 12 countries represented. The leading states are Wisconsin, Illinois, and Minnesota, with notable growth in Texas and Colorado, said Robert Nowak, associate vice president for enrollment management.

鈥淲elcome to 麻豆影院 University,鈥� Nowak said in a message to the new students in advance of Welcome Week. 鈥淎s you begin this exciting chapter, remember that it is the start of an incredible journey.聽Each challenge is an opportunity, and every achievement is a reason to celebrate.聽You are now part of a dynamic and supportive community鈥攖oday, tomorrow, and forever, you are a Lawrentian.鈥�

Welcome Week will once again put a focus on making connections and engaging with the community. Sept. 9 will be highlighted by the annual President鈥檚 Welcome. Faculty, staff, and alumni will line the sidewalks of Main Hall Green to cheer as the newest Lawrentians process from the 麻豆影院 Arch beginning at 3:10 p.m., on their way to Memorial Chapel for the 3:30 p.m. President鈥檚 Welcome that will feature an address from President Laurie A. Carter.

Kristi Koshuta, the first-year dean who is leading the team planning Welcome Week, said she鈥檚 thrilled to welcome the new students to campus.

鈥淲e have made so many connections and touchpoints virtually over the summer through connect sessions with faculty, staff, orientation leaders, and community advisors鈥攏ow it鈥檚 time to get them all together and start to build their communities in person,鈥� Koshuta said.