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THEY’RE HERE!

Journeys begin and continue with a new year at WVU

By West Virginia University

August 25^th, 2025

The start of the fall semester at West Virginia University isn’t all books and classrooms — it’s about new beginnings and heartfelt goodbyes. It's about finding one's purpose, place and people. It’s a first chapter in a book of lifelong memories stretching from the residence halls to the top of Law School hill.

Welcome Week sets the tone.

Campus — and the city of Morgantown — comes alive with energy, laughter and tradition. From Move-In Day to Sunday Night Lights to FallFest, follow along the footsteps of WVU students returning for the 2024-25 school year.

Real men carry pink bags for their daughters.

Giving or receiving a flower bouquet? Either way, this student and his friend are all smiles on Move-In Day.

Did she see a ghost? Or maybe she sees Morgantown traffic.

"I got something to say...I brought comfy pillows today."

President Michael T. Benson welcomes commuter students for a reception at Blaney House.

Happy faces.

Move-In Day. What a rush!

To keep folks sane, Move-In Day stretched across three days at the residence halls. And for those not moving onto campus, President Michael T. Benson welcomed commuter students to Blaney House for a back-to-school reception.

President Benson takes a selfie with two commuter students.

A student wheels a cartful of belongings up the ramp on Move-In Day.

Ayden Gonzalez, a musical theatre freshmen, moves into his dorm room on Aug. 14, 2025.

THEY’RE HERE!

HUGS, KISSES, TEARS, CHEERS

A mix of emotions surfaced for families on Move-In Day. Tears shed and hugs felt tighter. For others, there was cause for celebration (Hello, empty nesters).

The Mountaineer Parents Club hosted “I Survived Move-In” receptions for parents wanting to take a breather, snap some photos and partake in refreshments.

THEY’RE HERE!

THEY’RE HERE!

THEY’RE HERE!

Dad's smiling like he's got blueprints already drafted to turn a kid's bedroom into a man cave.

SUNDAY NIGHT IS ALRIGHT

A signature event of Welcome Week, Sunday Night Lights brings together all freshmen at one place and one time at Mountaineer Field. Students got the chance to sign a “Class of 2029” flag, watch the Mountaineer Marching Band perform and take their official class photo in the shape of the state of West Virginia outline (photo at the very top of this page).

Let's go ballin'

THEY’RE HERE!

Hey you in the blue. Where's your band T-shirt?

A WVU cheerleader revs up the crowd.

Another reason why WVU rules: We have our share of therapy dogs roaming campus.

The winners of synchronized cheering.

Mountaineer Mascot Cade Kincaid goes for the one-handed catch.

There's always that one...

The WVU version of the — The WVU version of the "Bro explaining at a baseball game" meme.

Freshmen students taking in the festivities of Sunday Night Lights.

"How much you wanna make a bet I can throw a football over them mountains?"

Two dudes stylin' and profilin': Rozaireo Jones, student body vice president, and Colin Street, student body president. Sponsored by Fanta.

One photo. So much drip.

Lost in the gaze.

THEY’RE HERE!

FALLFEST

For this year’s FallFest, WVU welcomed headliner four-time Grammy winner/singer-songwriter Sierra Ferrell at the Rec Center Fields on the Evansdale area of campus. The annual concert is produced by WVU Arts and Entertainment.

Sir, we're sorry but Pantera and Mastodon aren't performing here tonight.

The perfect spot for a show.

REPPIN’ AT THE REC

Students got their game on at Late Night at the Rec, which featured a series of activities at the Rec Center. Students could participate in both active and relaxing activities including intramural sports, pickleball, making bracelets and playing Nintendo Switch.

THEY’RE HERE!

THEY’RE HERE!

DAY ONE

With Move-In Day, Sunday Night Lights and FallFest in the rearview, it's time to get down to the nitty gritty. Classes began Aug. 20.

Every fall brings fresh stories. Some students are starting their WVU adventure. Others are gearing up for their final year on the path to graduation. Together, they create a vibrant, welcoming community that makes Morgantown more than just a college town—it’s home.

Alternate Mountaineer Mascot Rachel Morgan wishes everyone a — Alternate Mountaineer Mascot Rachel Morgan wishes everyone a "Happy First Day of Classes!"

Students listen intently on the first day of class.

Media students start the fall semester in class with professor Ashton Marra at Martin Hall on Aug. 20, 2025.

Chuck Scatterday, teaching assistant professor, speaks to media students in Ashton Marra's class.

THEY’RE HERE!

THEY’RE HERE!

THEY’RE HERE!

New profile pic.

They showed up for the Kona Ice.

Students venture to and from classes outside the Mountainlair near the new — Students venture to and from classes outside the Mountainlair near the new "Let's Go!" mural.

Kelsey Crawford talks to a class in the Engineering Technology Lab, part of the Lane Innovation Hub. Students are there for an equipment demo.

Erin Brock Carlson shares a laugh with an English class on the first day of the semester.

Amy McBrayer, mining engineering, leads her Aggregates Production class by using VR headsets in the Statler College STEM Zone.

Shining in the sun.

Dental students at the Health Sciences Center.

THEY’RE HERE!

THEY’RE HERE!

If desserts are OK with this future doctor, maybe they're good for us.

These two freshmen are proud to be Mountaineers!

Check out the video below recapping Welcome Week 2025!

Footnotes

Story by Jake Stump. Photos by Hunter Given, Scott Lituchy, Jessica McGee, Tyler Mertins, Brian Persinger, Jennifer Shephard and Matt Sunday. Video by David Ryan.

FootNotes

Story by Jake Stump. Photos by Hunter Given, Scott Lituchy, Jessica McGee, Tyler Mertins, Brian Persinger, Jennifer Shephard and Matt Sunday. Video by David Ryan.

© 2026 West Virginia University

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