FMU students, faculty and staff helped the class of 2020 move in to their campus dorms on Saturday, Aug. 20.

According to Cheryl Tuttle, FMU director of housing, approximately 500 freshmen moved on to campus. There are about 750 freshmen in total this school year.

Students from a variety of campus organizations sported their organization’s t-shirts while greeting new students, carrying bags to their rooms and answering questions. They worked side-by-side FMU faculty and staff who welcomed the new Patriots.

FMU men’s basketball Assistant Coach Laron Parks is new to FMU, transitioning from a coaching position at East Carolina University. Still, he was already pitching in, saying that he wanted to show school spirit for FMU.

“I wanted to let the kids know from the beginning that we’re all about family,” Parks said. “I wanted to help the students out and be there for the students. Just being out here shows them that we’re there for them from day one.”

FMU Provost Dr. Peter King and President Dr. Fred Carter also showed their care for the campus community by serving hotdogs to those who helped with moving freshmen in to their dorms.

Freshman biology major Charquaisha Hill said that besides the heat, her first few hours of being a resident on the FMU campus were good. While she wants to get involved on campus, Hill said she is most excited about academics at FMU.

“I’m excited about getting hands-on with my career,” Hill said. “FMU will help me study and get on the right track I need to be on.”