During a slight pause in the action of new and returning students moving into MTSU residence halls on Aug. 24, a mother helping her son expressed her opinion to Housing and Residential Life personnel in Jim Cummings Hall.

“This is so organized,” she said.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, right, helps new freshman Shuntez Smith, a commercial-songwriting major from Covington, Tenn., carry a load of supplies into Corlew Hall Aug. 24 during the annual We-Haul move-in event on campus. (MTSU photo by Andy Heidt)

In the next three days, approximately 3,000 students will be moving into the University’s 14 traditional residence halls, two apartment complexes and two houses on Greek Row.

Led by the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, an army of volunteers — students, staff, administrators and even off-campus help — move like clockwork to make the move-in happen.

Every year, it’s called “We-Haul,” an event where lots of bodies with moving carts assist students with carrying luggage, televisions and everything else they bring to their MTSU home away from home.

Second-semester freshman Tierney Finnie of Nashville did not have We-Haul help in January as a new freshman.

“We-Haul is something different,” Finnie said. “I’m excited to have someone help.”

Patrice Finnie, her mother, also assisted with the move-in.

Tierney Finnie, a marketing major, said she is both “nervous and excited” because she wants to “make sure my grades stay up.” She added that she is “ready to kick off the semester and ready for football games, late-night studying and early-morning classes.”

Budding country-music singer Cody Powell, a freshman recording-industry major from Charlottesville, Va., said he has been “wanting to move for a long time” to be closer to Nashville recording studios.

“I’m ready to get settled in,” he added. “Moving in is not my favorite thing, particularly, but I’ve got to do it.” Marlina Smith, his mother, also lent her support.

Two members of the Cody Powell Band, guitar players Colton Rhody and Stephen Nolan, are MTSU seniors. Powell said the band will perform Wednesday, Sept. 12, at the new Student Union Building.

Kelsey Hill-Gannon, a May graduate of Sevier County High School, had plenty of family assisting with her move, including her younger sister Tori and mother and stepfather, Valerie Hill and Gene Thomas.

“It’s going to be different, moving away from family,” said Hill-Gannon, who is undecided on her major, “but I wanted to get a real college experience.

“I liked MTSU because the campus is all together, not spread out like UT-Knoxville.’’

We-Haul and other Week of Welcome activities continue throughout next week. You can watch a video about fall 2012 We-Haul below.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)