The Excitement of The First Day of Classes

A photo essay of a day of anticipation

students greet each other on the first day of classes for the spring semester.

The spring semester began Wednesday under sunny skies and cool winter temperatures, a dramatic change from the severe thunderstorms of the day before. The campus was filled with students reengaging with old friends, sharing stories about the winter break, and meeting new people in new classes.

Two students, Jacob Whatley and Chris Vilorio, spent the day taking photos of campus scenes in between their classes. Whatley and Vilorio are interns working with the Office of University Communications and Marketing.

students at the West Campus bus stop
Students at the Abele Quad bus stop.
Sandra Valnes Quammen talking with students in her Intermediate French Language and Culture class.
Sandra Valnes Quammen talking with students in her Intermediate French Language and Culture class.
Sandra Valnes Quammen talking with students in her Intermediate French Language and Culture class.

For faculty, there is also something special about the start of classes. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always a joy to be back in the classroom after some time away,鈥 said Sandra Valnes Quammen (above standing talking to students), a senior lecturer in Romance Studies prior to her Intermediate French Language and Culture class. 鈥淚鈥檓 so looking forward to a wonderful semester learning French with this great group of students!鈥

A first meal of the semester at the Brodhead Center.
A first meal of the semester at the Brodhead Center.

The campus was bustling Wednesday. The buses, the study spaces, dining areas and campus gathering places were full with conversation and the sense of anticipation that comes with a new start.

For seniors, the first day of their last semester as Duke undergrads starts the countdown to the final day of classes on April 24 and commencement on May 12. For them, the semester will have extra meaning and memories.