Class of 2028 arrives on Creighton campus as excitement builds for fall semester

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Masks, socials distancing and remote learning.

That’s how incoming freshmen at Creighton University remember their first year of high school during the pandemic.

Now they are hitting the reset button on their first year at a new school.

“These students not only dealt pandemic when they started high school, they also dealt with major FAFSA changes this year and we are really excited and fortunate to welcome these students to campus,” said Sarah Richardson Assistant Vice Provost for Enrollment at Creighton.

The class of 2028 is the third largest in university history with more than 1,100 students becoming Bluejays.

Creighton says a majority of its incoming freshman this year are from Nebraska, followed by Minnesota and Colorado.

Syniah Lee is moving from Wisconsin to Nebraska looking to reset her freshman year. She says remote learning affected her socially.

“I realized it was very hard because it made my transition more difficult,” said Syniah. “I feel like I came into high school like at a good place but then my attention span and kind of just like the focus and everything kinda became more difficult trying to like transition back.”

The pandemic also cut into athletics which made it difficult for the then 9th grader to make friends.

“It was very hard because I spent so much time alone kind of during the pandemic, on a computer just me and my technology,” said Syniah. “So, it was really hard and kind of felt set back in a way trying to interact with people my age again I guess and getting back to sports so late so it was kind of like a disadvantage in a way.”

She leaned heavily on her family to help her stay focused on her education.

“Feels like so long ago since I went through so much so kind of just grew into myself, my morals, my faith and my family. Proud to know who I am,” reflected Syniah.

Syniah’s mom Sharlene says it was tough to see her daughter battle depression and a death in the family during COVID.

Today, she couldn’t be prouder to see her eldest daughter step onto a college campus, setting the example for her younger siblings.

“I have seen Syniah grow and mature in a way in which it gives me a lump in my throat,” said Sharlene. “It is so impressive, she is about mission and giving back, she is Christian, she is smart and hard working when it comes to her studies, and I think this is going to be perfect. I think being a Blue Jay fits and I am going to be a the biggest cheerleader.”

The fall semester officially begins Aug. 20.

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