Freshman class of 2024 arrives at Albany State University

ALBANY – With clothing, electronics and other belongings packed into SUVs and U-Haul trailers, Albany State University’s 2024 freshman class began arriving on campus Tuesday, with students hailing from all over Georgia and Florida among those ready to start their college careers in Albany.

Among the 1,300 arrivals starting the year as new students at the university was Mimi Yarbrough, an incoming freshman from Eatonton who was documenting the milestone through video.

Her mother, Marisa Yarbrough, explained that her daughter “is a YouTuber.” Dad Al Yarbrough was looking for a cart to roll the belongings inside, which included about a dozen pairs of immaculately clean shoes packed in clear plastic containers.

Mimi Yarbrough, the couple’s last child to leave for college, walked back out from the dorm to notify her parents that there were no carts available at the moment and that it was hot inside the dormitory, where students had been moving in with their belongings since early morning.

“We were supposed to get here at 8:30 this morning,” Al Yarbrough said. “It didn’t work out that way.”

Seeing the first of her children leave home was a bit difficult for the mother.

“I’ve been crying all morning,” she said. “I’m happy but sad at the same time. It’s definitely something to get used to, just being two at home.”

Nearby, Puerto Rican native Kiana Rodriguez’ parents and brothers were stacking her belongings onto a cart after driving up from Florida, where the family now resides. The incoming freshman seemed excited about starting the new chapter in her life.

“I’m happy about it,” she said. “I’m ready. I’m ready to graduate and, you know, keep going with life.”

Albany State was her choice, she said, because of her course of study.

“Based on my major … I wanted to do sonography, and I noticed there were only two colleges that offer that program (and) the other one is in Milledgeville,” she said.

Mackenzie Duffey, an Atlanta native, arrived in Albany to study biology as a stepping stone to studying radiology in the future.

“It’s pretty cool so far,” she said of the campus. “I’m ecstatic. It’s been hot, three hours of sleep. It’s good to work with no sleep.”

For mother Nichole Duffy, Mackenzie is also the last bird out of the nest.

“It’s bittersweet,” she said. “I hope she fulfills her dreams of learning. The graduation rate (for radiology) is 29%. I’ve been drilling in her head that she should be part of that 29%.”

On the other side of Radium Springs Road from the East Campus dorms, junior Shamar Lane Jr. was also looking forward to a new school year. An Albany native and Monroe High School graduate, Lane is a member of the marching band and of the Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity.

He said his two years have been great and said he is happy with his choice of a historically black college and university (HBCU).

“It’s been nothing short of amazing,” he said. “Especially for people of color, where the minority can be the majority and float around the campus and meet a lot of people.”

Lane, a music education major who is a percussionist in the marching band, also said he is excited about the band program, which has more than doubled in size in two years, and the new interim president, Lawrence M. Drake II. The junior said he is among those in the Greek organizations who will meet with Drake, and he is eager to hear what new plans the interim president may have for the upcoming school year.

“This semester I’m looking forward to new opportunities,” he said. “Since I’ve been here I’ve gotten to travel to New Jersey and New York, meet a lot of interesting people.”

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
Staff Photo: Alan MauldjinAlanMauldin[email protected]

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]