As anxious future Vandals filed in to the Bruce M. Pitman Center, David Cavell sat alone at a table, going over the countless fliers and pamphlets presented to new and prospective students.
UIdaho Bound, an event aimed at preparing freshmen for their college experience, often caters to the average first-year: fresh out of high school, usually 18 years old and with very little real-life experiences.
Cavell, on the other hand, took a trip around the block before joining the Silver and Gold.
“I was going to go to school in Louisiana before, but the last semester of my senior year I switched to go to the military,” he said. “It was nice, but it was time to move on. Eventually, I want to have a family, and I don’t want to be moving around with my kids. I don’t want to be 40 and have to drop down to the civilian work force.”
Cavell served under a five-year contract with the U.S. Navy, based out of San Diego. The experience was one he wouldn’t soon forget. However, he said as his time in the service went on, he and a friend pondered what the next chapter in their lives would be.
That was when a fellow shipman from the Gem State recommended the University of Idaho. Cavell, a Louisiana native, said he looked into the Moscow campus and was quickly hooked.
“It’s a good area here. Soda Springs has a lot more earthquake activity, like every other week or so,” he said. “The Northwest is, I feel going towards geology, I feel like I can get more out of it there than other places.”
Cavell, who said he wants to study geography and geology, said being a nontraditional student in a traditional student setting was jarring at first, but he quickly adapted. Now, he said he’s more excited than ever to begin his education, even at age 23.
Blaine Eckles
Dean of Students Blaine Eckles said he was glad students like Cavell decided to attend the event. According to him, UIdaho Bound is a can’t-miss opportunity to get acquainted with opportunities on campus.
“It’s a great way for them to feel connected and understand they’re coming into the Vandal family,” Eckles said. “It’s also a great opportunity for us to connect with their family members that this also a great supportive place for them, so that when they’re bringing their most treasured egg to us, we’re going to be taking care of them once they get here on campus.”
Shawn Dowiak, UI’s director of fraternity and sorority life, agreed that UIdaho Bound provides exceptional value to new students and can give future Vandals a glimpse into life on campus before they’ve even moved in, including Greek life.
“Fraternity and Sorority life is an involvement opportunity on campus. It’s presented very much as an involvement option in the leadership experience,” Dowiak said. “For IFC and Panhellenic chapters, we also talk about the housing component as well.
As for Cavell, he said he was excited to move into his new apartment and was so far impressed with the welcoming vibes he received after arriving on the Palouse.
“I love it here,” he said. “We both love to go hiking, and we have plans to go camping and stuff out here.”
Brandon Hill can be reached at [email protected]