WHEELING, WV, Aug. 25, 2009 — The University welcomes new students and their families on Thursday, Aug. 27 with its annual Move-In Day.

In preparation for the new and returning students, Gov. Joe Manchin greets the campus community on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. when he visits the McDonough Center. The Governor is touring the WJU program showcase set up around the indoor track of the McDonough during this stop.

Also taking place this week at the university is a move-in day vendor fair at the McDonough Center that features information, coupons and offers from local banks, restaurants, shops and services. This fair takes place from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27. To encourage students to visit each participating vendor booth, students receive a punch card that once filled, makes them eligible for door prize drawings.

“We appreciate our local businesses taking this opportunity to join us as we welcome our new students and their parents,” said Janet Nolan, who coordinates the vendor fair each year. Director of Student Life Rob Kulpa assists Nolan and oversees all move-in activities. Campus employees, student leaders and resident assistants also get into the act as they help new students with move in chores as they get situated in their dorm rooms.

“If you’ve ever moved yourself, a friend or child to college, you know there is so much packed into the car that needs to be carried into the dorms,” said Letha Zook, Academic Vice President. “Extra hands are needed and we thank our generous employees for helping out.”

Then at 9 a.m. Friday, Aug. 28, the new students are honored at a campus convocation that gives the students a chance to meet the faculty in academic garb and enjoy a formal introduction to the Jesuit academic world. Refreshments follow the New Student Convocation, which is held in Troy Theater.

On Saturday Aug. 29, new students go out into the Wheeling community to perform service. Half the freshman class goes out in the morning and half in the afternoon, according to Erin McDonald, director of the Service for Social Action Center. Students will work at the Appalachian Outreach, Catholic Charities W.Va., Faith in Action Caregivers, Greater Wheeling Area Homeless Coalition, House of the Carpenter, Mount St. Joseph, Northern Panhandle Headstart, Wheeling Hospital Continuous Care, Wheeling Soup Kitchen and the YWCA.

Wheeling Jesuit ends its new student activities with a festive picnic at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 on the campus plaza behind the Benedum Room. This picnic is attended by staff and students and is the formal end of the new student activities.

Classes begin on Monday, Aug. 31. A total of 1,200 students, new and returning are expected on campus this fall.

The youngest of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, Wheeling Jesuit University offers students a quality private education. Since 1995 U.S. News & World Report has ranked Wheeling Jesuit University among the top institutions in its “Best Master’s Universities in the South” category. The University ranks 180 out of 600 in the Forbes Best Colleges survey for 2009.