First Resident Weekend Welcomes New Boarders and Director Amy Roth
Posted September 10, 2012
As the new director of resident life at The Hun School of Princeton, Ms. Amy Roth was excited to enjoy her first Resident Weekend, September 7th – 9th, at The Hun School of Princeton. Both planned and impromptu events helped new students and faculty get to know one another, creating a greater sense of comfort and familiarity between all of the members of the community.
To kick-off the Resident Weekend, Ms. Roth scheduled activities that brought students and faculty together. Trips to the bowling alley, laser tag, movies, and Hoagie Haven were offered. On campus, the annual and well-attended Gross-Out Olympics was held for the brave of stomach. For those seeking comfort instead, a manicure and pedicure party was held. Throughout the weekend, resident faculty and proctors were hard at work laying the foundation for a successful year in Resident Life, making students feel welcome and creating a sense of belonging.
“The bonds of dormitory life for students and teachers are formed in moments like these,” said Ms. Roth. This was particularly true for new resident students Josh McGilvray ’14 from Scotland and Elizabeth Stewart ’16 from New Hope, Pennsylvania, where each of them found the evening bonfire with s'mores to be an occasion for great conversations.
“I was surprised by how curious the resident faculty are,” said Josh. “They are very friendly, but they are also very interested in us. They wanted to connect with us on a personal level, which was very welcoming. The s'mores bonfire was a good way to get to know the faculty. Hanging out like that, helped to take away a layer of formality.”
Elizabeth echoed Josh’s sentiments about the ease of conversation at the bonfire. She said, “Because [Resident Life] it’s such a small group, we were able to get to know everyone. That’s where you make your friendships and closest connections, in events like that.”
“What’s truly great about living on a campus is how students get to see their teachers in so many roles. They see them as coaches, during relaxed activities, and as parents with their own families. They interact in the dining hall and throughout the day. And occasionally, they get to see them enjoying themselves at laser tag or at a bonfire. And, that’s when teachers become more approachable,” said Ms. Roth.
“During my first visit to campus, I was struck by the warm feeling from the Resident community. This is a place where students are happy, interested, and confident. They look you in the eye when they say 'hello,' and it is clear that they enjoy being here. The Hun School felt like a place where I wanted my children to live and grow up” said Ms. Roth.
Ms. Roth comes to The Hun School from Saint Catherine’s School in Richmond, Virginia where she was dean of students. Ms. Roth believes that mutual respect between faculty and students is the key to resident harmony and wants to continue to develop programs that will emphasize comfort and trust. She espouses the importance of personal responsibility, healthy and respectful decision-making, and the value of diverse perspectives. She has designed curriculum programs and extra-curricular opportunities that foster leadership skills, as they relate to those values. She and her family live in Poe Dormitory.
