MILWAUKEE — Thousands of first-year students moved into their dorms Wednesday at Marquette University.

What You Need To Know

  • Marquette University welcomed nearly 2,150 first-year undergraduate students this fall 

  • More undergraduates are coming from Illinois, according to Marquette University, with just over 39% coming from that state

  • That's even more than those coming Wisconsin, which make up 35%

  • Marquette University said they expect a total of almost 3,500 students to be placed in nine residence halls this fall 

Zachary Plate, a freshman at Marquette University from Park Ridge, Illinois, was moving into his dorm for the first time. He gave a shout-out to his mom for helping with the big move.

“She gave me a whole list of what we needed,” said Zachary Plate. “These are the perfect bags. She went on like Facebook Mom’s thing and searched everything you needed for college. I’m really grateful I have her because I don’t know how she did all of this for me.”

Zachary Plate’s mother, Deborah Plate, said she made a spreadsheet for this big day.

“What the latest fan is, what the best mattress topper is, and you try to, you know, take it one step at a time,” said Deborah Plate.

The incoming freshman was able to get into Marquette’s Honors Program. He said he plans to study business. He said Marquette is the perfect distance from home.

“I’m not that far from home, but I also get to like have my new home and start somewhere new without any parents near,” said Zachary Plate.

Zachary Plate isn’t the only one with that idea. According to Marquette University, just over 39% of the class hails from Illinois, which is even more than those hailing from Wisconsin; about 35% of the class is made up of Wisconsinites.

Ana Tobin, a fellow incoming freshman from Mount Greenwood in Chicago, got help from her little sister with the move. Tobin said she felt nervous and excited.

“It’s a mixture of both,” said Tobin. “It’s definitely a little weird. We’ve never been through this, so this is our first time through everything.”

She said she also likes Marquette’s proximity from home.

“I’m definitely more of a homebody and it’s only like an hour and a half away from home and I really like the environment,” said Tobin.

Marquette University said they expect a total of almost 3,500 students to be placed in nine Marquette residence halls this fall.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this article listed the incorrect number of dorm buildings on Marquette's campus. This has been corrected. (Aug. 21, 2024)

Related Stories