Thousands of MTSU students will arrive on campus this week to begin the fall semester and start the 2015-16 academic year.

The mix of new freshmen and transfers will join returning students in their quest for academic success and the experience of college life.

MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee, left, and “We-Haul” volunteer Graem Merritt, an MTSU sophomore, assist then-freshman Macie Mussleman of Collinwood, Tennessee, and her father, Matt, with the move in to Corlew Hall in this August 2014 file photo. MTSU We-Haul will be held Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-22. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

To help jump-start the fall, MTSU’s Office of New Student and Family Programs once again is offering “Week of Welcome” activities with a them “Raiders Just Wanna Have Fun” for 2015.

Week of Welcome activities will run from Friday, Aug. 21, through Monday, Sept. 7, when “Eighties Night” — a fun time in what’s typically a quiet zone — takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. in the James E. Walker Library to conclude the special events.

New Student and Family Programs holds Week of Welcome to not only welcome new students to campus but also returning students awaiting the first day of classes Monday, Aug. 24.

To see the complete list of Week of Welcome activities, visit www.mtsu.edu/nsfp/welcome.php.

“Students look forward to Week of Welcome each year,” said Jacki Lancaster, coordinator in the Office of  New Student and Family Programs. “It’s such an exciting time on campus for everyone — new and returning students and their families.”

“Week of Welcome provides the perfect opportunity for new students to get their MTSU experience off on the right track,” Lancaster added. “There are events for students to have fun, meet new people and bring their entire family. We look forward to having the campus buzzing with students and their families this weekend.”

Activities include:

• We-Haul — 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Aug. 21-22, at campus residence halls. Volunteers from MTSU and off-campus organizations will assist students moving into dormitories.
• University Convocation, followed by the President’s Picnic — 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, in Murphy Center. Convocation features Jay Allison, author of “This I Believe II: More Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women,” the Summer Reading Selection for the Class of 2019.
• “Meet Murfreesboro” — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 25-26, in the Student Union Commons. This event helps students learn about local businesses.
• Volunteer Fair — 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the Student Union Commons. This event allows campus organizations to provide students with volunteer options.
• Comedy show featuring comedian Ben Bailey — 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, in Tucker Theatre.
• Tailgating and MTSU football — Saturday, Sept. 5, when the student tailgate event in Walnut Grove at 3 p.m., followed by the 6 p.m. kickoff for Blue Raiders vs. Jackson State game in Floyd Stadium.

Music, fun and lots of free food also are scheduled for students throughout the two weeks-plus of activities.

Jenny Williams, right, founder and executive director of the Candle Wishes nonprofit organization, watches as then-MTSU freshman Andrea Hampton of Memphis, Tennessee, registers as a potential volunteer in this September 2014 file photo. This year’s Volunteer Fair takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, in the Student Union Commons. (MTSU file photo by News and Media Relations)

Students are encouraged to bring their IDs for Connection Point activities, helping them become connected and engaged in the campus.

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

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