UNCW welcoming new and returning students during move-in weekend

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) —  Hundreds of staff members and volunteers will be on hand this weekend to help the University of North Carolina Wilmington’s new and returning students settle into campus life.

According to UNCW, Move-In is scheduled for Friday and Saturday  and marks the start of UNCWelcome, a series of traditions that officially kick off the academic year.

“Move-In is one of the most energizing moments of the year at UNCW and marks the true beginning of each Seahawk’s journey and the first chapter of a transformational college experience,” Christine Reed Davis, vice chancellor for Student Affairs, said in a statement. “They’re not just settling into residence halls, they’re joining a vibrant community that is here to support, inspire and celebrate them every step of the way. We can’t wait to welcome them to their new home.”

Among the lineup of welcome events is the inaugural HawkFest, which will feature carnival games, mechanical rides, food trucks, live entertainment and a drone show.

UNCW advises that heavy traffic is expected on and around campus between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. both days of Move-In. New students and their families will check in at the Cultural Arts Building or Trask Coliseum, depending on their residence hall. Volunteers are encouraged to arrive before 7 a.m. and park in the East Deck off Reynolds Drive.

Parking permits are required on campus, and UNCW urges drivers to follow posted signs, obey traffic directors, and avoid parking on grass or in fields. Some temporary road and lot closures will be in effect.

UNCW, founded in 1947 as Wilmington College with 238 students, now enrolls nearly 19,000 students. The university will celebrate its 78th anniversary on Sept. 4.