CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The rain did not dampen any spirits at the University of Charleston for move-in day.
Around 250 freshmen moved into the dorms on Friday, joining hundreds of other upperclassmen moving back to campus before classes begin on Monday.
“A number of them are student-athletes that will be competing on a lot of our teams,” UC President Dr. Martin Roth said of the freshmen class. “It’ll probably be about 40-percent in state and 60-percent out of state. We will also have a nice group of international students joining us.”
Fall sport student-athletes that have been on campus for camps were on hand helping freshmen and their families with moving in outside of Brotherton Hall. Cars would pull into the lot, athletes would swarm the vehicle and bring belongings to rooms in mainly one trip.
Kelsey Matusic, a senior volleyball player from Winfield said they want to make the freshmen feel welcome.
“This is their first experience on campus and its the start of a new journey for them in life,” she said. “To have the togetherness of sports teams and to have them feel welcome as soon as they step out of their car is very important.”
A release from UC said move-in day kicks off the University’s Week of Welcome, and all students are invited to a week of activities, including glow-in-the-dark bingo, ice cream social, orientation for international students and Honors College students, UC Organization Fair, and more.
UC’s annual EagleFest, with live music and activities on the riverbank, is on Monday evening following the first day of classes.
“UC has developed my professional skills and pushed me to be the best version of myself,” Matusic said about her love for the school. “I don’t think I would have had the connections or relationships that I have made here at any other university.”
Roth said there will be 2,700 students enrolled at UC this fall, which is “the largest number in quite a long time.” 200 students are enrolled at UC’s Beckley campus with 1,000 enrolled online through distance education.
Roth added new programs added this semester include computer science, cybersecurity, digital media design.