The COVID-19 pandemic and new buildings on north campus provided a unique start to the 2020-21 academic year. Residence hall move-in was divided into two phases to accommodate social distancing guidelines: Students dropped off items starting Aug. 29 and were able to move in starting Sept. 5. New residence halls Tommie North and Tommie East, along with the recently opened Iversen Center for Faith, provided a fresh feel to north campus.
Welcome Days went virtual, with sessions being either synchronous (everyone logging in and participating together via Zoom) or asynchronous (students participating on their own). Events ranged from Tommie Talks (TED Talk-style presentations from St. Thomas students on holistic well-being) to a virtual Great Tommie Get-together to Goosechase (an online scavenger hunt).
In keeping with the St. Thomas culture of care, students received care kits that included face coverings, a thermometer, hand sanitizer, and tips for staying healthy and engaged this fall.
Check out some of the images captured by staff photographer Mark Brown.
Thuy Nguyen, a graduate assistant with Campus Life, holds a care packet. 
President Julie Sullivan and Tommie talk with a student during Labor Day weekend. 
Students walk toward the newly constructed Tommie North Residence Hall. 
President Julie Sullivan greets an incoming student. 
Student employees from Campus Life work at a check-in table for students moving into Tommie East Residence Hall. 
President Julie Sullivan talks with an incoming first-year student in Ireland Hall. 
Tommie helps a parent moving a student into Tommie East Residence Hall. 
Students walk through the upper quad and past the Iversen Center for Faith and Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas. 
Students walk through the upper quad and past the Iversen Center for Faith and the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas. Mark Brown/University of St. Thomas 
Thuy Nguyen, a graduate assistant with Campus Life, scans a student's cell phone while handing out care packets. 
President Julie Sullivan poses for a photo with Tommie in front of Flynn Hall on Labor Day weekend. 
Tommie poses with students on the upper quad. 
President Julie Sullivan talks with incoming students. 
President Julie Sullivan talks with an incoming student. 
Erin Whipkey of Campus Life hands out St. Thomas T-shirts.
