Hellos, goodbyes and a lot of boxes were all a part of Move-In Day for about 1,000 new students on the Missouri Western State University campus Wednesday. 

“It’s really exciting, it’s like a whole range of emotions for Move-In Day,” said Dixie Williams, Missouri Western Associate Director of Admissions. “You’ve got the students who are a little bit nervous and really excited and they’re just kind of unsure of everything, but learning it as they go. Then you have the parents who are a little tired and a little sad and all those kinds of things… I’ve already seen some tears.”

Williams could be seen driving around campus Wednesday on a golf cart, helping with traffic or lifting boxes. Williams said there are many people involved with Move-in Day and making sure students feel welcome, including Griffon Greeters, upperclassmen, staff and faculty and student organizations.

“(There’s) lots of excitement, especially with Missouri Western staff and faculty. We’re excited to have our new students come and we’re excited for current students to come back,” Williams said. “It’s really important that they engage today, especially the new students, because they meet a lot of different students, get to know some people, make their first friends in college.”

Griffon Edge, which is Missouri Western’s extended orientation program, begins Thursday. The program, which has about 1,000 students enrolled, helps prepare them for the beginning of classes on Monday and includes a welcome rally, social activities and more.