By foot and on wheels, Class of 2029 moves in, begins ‘new journey’ on Grounds

The trunk of the SUV with Ohio license plates popped open, revealing an item essential to the beginning of Eli de Buys’ journey as a University of Virginia student. 

Mixed in among the bags of clothes and tubs of electronics and other dorm room necessities was a knee scooter. 

De Buys, a Cincinnati native and third-generation Wahoo, moved in Friday with other members of the Class of 2029, barely removed from foot surgery.

UVA alumni Bill and Paige de Buys beam with pride after moving in their son, Eli, to his room in a Dillard suite.

“But of course he’s had a good attitude about it,” said Eli’s mother, Paige, a 1996 UVA alumna who met her husband and fellow Hoo, Bill, as a first-year student. “We’ve been asking him how he’s doing. And he’s just like, ‘I’m so excited (to get to UVA).’”

Eli de Buys’ energy matched many of the new Cavaliers who were getting situated in their Gooch-Dillard residences. A number of the 4,000 first-year students and their families were helped Friday by a move-in crew that included interim UVA President Paul Mahoney and first-year baseball coach Chris Pollard, as well as UVA’s Greeters program volunteers. 

“It’s so impressive to see the collaboration and all the different parts of Grounds coming together,” said Pollard, who was also happy to note he saw parents in UVA baseball T-shirts. 

Acquiring gear to support their child’s college is a parent tradition. Nicole Bhowansingh purchased her navy “UVA Mom” shirt when her son, Aaron, was accepted into the University. 

Friday, she wore it proudly as Aaron settled into his Gooch suite.

UVA interim President Paul Mahoney is surrounded by first-year student Aaron Bhowansingh and his family – father Roshan, mother Nicole and sister Zara – in his room in a Gooch suite.

“We’re very excited,” Nicole Bhowansingh said. “He has a bright future ahead. We love UVA. He’s wanted to come here since middle school.”

Said Aaron, an aspiring biochemistry major from Roanoke: “I’m looking forward to all the clubs UVA has to offer, and volunteering. There are so many opportunities. Especially with Madison House and all the cultural clubs they have here, I’m really excited to be a part of the community.”

Eli de Buys said he’s eager to meet new people and begin a “new journey” at UVA, some seven hours from his home in Ohio. 

For his parents, though, it’s a full-circle moment.

“This is fantastic,” Bill de Buys said. “It’s our dream to have a reason to come back to Charlottesville on a regular basis. We love UVA.” 

Check out more scenes UVA Today photographer Matt Riley captured from this year’s student move-ins.