Recommend a student going off to college a DSLR

I will be studying out of state. My parents promised to buy me a DSLR since last December! I'm not become a professional photographer for sure, But I would like a DSLR that would take nice photos. My girlfriend has a T1i. It shoots nice pictures!

I'm leaning for the Nikon D5000. But I wish I could've bought it earlier since it was on sale at Target. But anyways! I'm open to any suggestions and different companies.

I would go for the Pentax, but I don't want to use AA batteries:[

A few cameras worth a look.

Nikon D90 (as old as the hills but a seriously nice bit of kit)
Nikon D3100 (entry level DSLR camera but still quite good)
Canon EOS 600D (another good entry level camera)
Canon EOS 60D (a little more expensive but a very good mid level DSLR)
Pentax K-r (an entry level camera which does not use AA batteries)
Pentax K7 (a really good mid-level camera)

I don't think you'll regret buying any of those. For me the choices would be the D90 or the K7… Or if money was an issue the K-r