By Jack Freedman, Staff WriterAnother year brings another move-in day at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. This is always a big occasion both for the incoming freshmen and the Welcome Week staff, who work to ensure that their transition to college is as smooth as possible. Being a Welcome Week volunteer is new and exciting for first-timers, but returning staff bring experience and confidence.

“This move-in day, I feel like I know the ropes,” Avery Wilcox, a senior who helped freshmen move in, said. “It’s nice to know that these are the faces I’ll see this year. I feel like we’re in a position to empathize since we were in [the freshmen’s] place at one point.” Wilcox has worked as a volunteer previously. She has felt called to serve incoming students each year, and hopes to end her undergraduate career on a high note.

Not all move-in day staff members are students. Even faculty members who have been here for years find enjoyment from the tradition.

“I’ve been here for 13 [years] and helped with move-in day 13 times,” Joni Ylostalo, a UMHB staff member who helped freshmen move in, said. “It usually follows the same format, but it’s always fun to welcome new students with upperclassmen, faculty and staff.”

Many students returning to help out with move-in day feel that the job has become repetitive after doing it several years in a row.

“It’s just as fun, but it’s all the same,” Summer Harris, a senior who has helped freshmen move in for the past three years, said. “It’s the biggest day of [the freshmen’s] lives, but it’s just a Wednesday for us.” Summer and many of the other returning volunteers have expressed how repetitive the preparation and execution of move-in day became after several years.

While many elements of Welcome Week stay the same year after year, a few things change. For example, Spirit and Traditions was held in Mayborn Campus Center this year. But in addition to the physical differences, many students felt there was even more excitement during move-in day than last year. As with every year, many volunteers felt the presence of God in the midst of Welcome Week.

“The joy of the Lord is here, even when we’re tired and sweaty,” Nathaniel Patton, a junior who helped freshmen move in, said.

Despite the challenges that come with move-in day, such as the heat and the stamina necessary to help, most of the upperclassmen still enjoy move-in day and recommend volunteering to help the incoming freshmen. 

“[Working on move-in day] is totally worth it,” Kaitlyn Slate, a sophomore who helped freshmen move in, said. “It’s a good way to bond with freshmen before the year starts.” Even as a new upperclassman, Slate looks forward to encouraging those whose position she was in the year prior.