[053] Volunteers help MTSU students move in to campus despite rain

MURFREESBORO — Dylan Curry’s “ready to move in” to his new home at MTSU Abbie Coco found moving away from home and moving in on campus “sad, emotional and exciting.” Austin Norman’s “been excited for a long time” to be a part of the university’s College of Media and Entertainment.

Weathering a two-hour morning rain, traffic congestion and a few other hiccups, students arrived at campus housing Friday (Aug. 19) as the fall 2016 academic year approaches.

The two-day event called We-Haul is an annual tradition where volunteers assist new and returning students and their accompanying family members with the moving in process.

“We’ve got volunteers helping to keep traffic and things flowing, assisting families with getting things inside — in the rain — campus housing,” said Jackie Victory, director of Student Organizations and Service, who began her day outside at 7:30 and said her day will end around 5 p.m.

“Moving’s tough (any time),” she added. “Whenever you see help (from volunteers), it gives you a sigh of relief.”

Curry, 18, of Memphis, Tennessee, and a May graduate of Southwind High School, said he’s “ready to meet new people and get planted (at MTSU).”He called all the move-in commotion in the lobby of seven-story high-rise Corlew Hall “nice. It’s a good experience.”

All of the volunteer assistance “has been very helpful, helping me get adjusted and I appreciate it,” added Curry, who was accompanied by his mother, Kissten Harris. He plans to be an aerospace professional pilot major.

“It’s emotional for me,” said Coco, 18, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, and spring graduate of Mt. Juliet High School. “I love animals, and it’s sad to leave them, my family and my boyfriend back home.

“I know good’s going to come from it (leaving home),” added Coco, who plans to study athletic training and brought to campus by parents Angela and Brett Coco.

Norman, 18, a freshman from Cleveland, Tennessee, and Walker Valley High School graduate, recalled how “people were grabbing boxes and things,” making the move-in less stressful. He plans to study multimedia journalism. Mom and dad Jamie and Bryan Norman accompanied him to campus.

Many campus organizations and members from Belle Aire Baptist Church helped move in and feed the newcomers and their families.

Campus organizers were working to move a scheduled dinner and move (“Finding Nemo”) indoors and the same for Saturday’s dinner and carnival because of the potential for more rain.

University classes will begin Monday, Aug. 22. The move-in, dinners and other events and Sunday, Aug. 23, University Convocation signal the start of Week of Welcome activities sponsored by New Student and Family Programs and other campus departments. To learn more, visit http://mtsu.edu/nsfp/welcome.php.