By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

There was, at least, one thing Marie Belli was excited about as she walked to her first-ever college class Monday morning.

“I mean — I found it,” she said, laughing. “I’m here.”

The 19-year-old freshman from Columbus, Ohio, had little trouble getting to the class, but still, it felt like an accomplishment. The Human Health Sciences major said she was looking forward to the class because she’s still figuring out what she wants to do in life.

“I just want to see what my passion is,” she said. “I want to know if I really do enjoy healthcare, to see what I want to do.”

The feelings were similar all over campus Monday, especially near the Wethington Building. More than 370 freshmen started their classes in the College of Health Sciences today — the largest class in the history of the college. This also makes up more than 1,550 students enrolled overall — also the largest number ever. 

“I’ve always been interested in healthcare,” said Bryce McGary, an 18-year-old freshman from Owensboro. “I want to understand how it works.”

The Clinical Leadership and Management major said he was excited for his class. Of course, in his mind, he was playing with house money.

“I want to learn about it,” he said. “And if you don’t like it, you just switch your major.”

Taylor Grundy said she was both excited and nervous as she set out for school that morning.

“Definitely a little of both,” said the 17-year-old HHS (pre-dental track) major from Muhlenberg County. “This is my first class ever at UK and I’ve been excited to some here for a very long time. but I guess nerveracking is the word.”

Still, walking around campus can be a different experience.

“It’s a different environment — in a good way,” said Martin Keltee, an 18-year-old HHS major from Louisville. “I like it. I had K Week to settle in.”

Whitney Settles, an 18-year-old from Portsmouth, Ohio, is also an HHS major on the pre-dental track. She said she was ready for that first class.

“I’m looking forward to meeting new people,” she said, “and getting a feel of the campus.”