Skip to header Skip to Content Skip to Footer

UNCW Welcomes New Flock with Open Wings

  • Caroline Cropp
  • August 18, 2025
New and returning Seahawks flocked to campus during Move-In, a time-honored UNCW tradition.
New and returning Seahawks flocked to campus during Move-In, a time-honored UNCW tradition.
Photo: Jeff Janowski/UNCW

Hundreds of “volun-teals” rolled out the teal carpet for new and returning Seahawks during Move-In, a time-honored UNCW tradition.  

On Friday and Saturday, Chancellor Aswani K. Volety, Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Christine Reed Davis and Executive Director of Housing and Residence Life Kevin Meaney greeted campus and community members at an early morning breakfast in Wagoner Hall before they headed to the residence halls to unpack cars and haul boxes. 

“It’s always so exciting to watch the campus buzz with energy as students, staff and volunteers step up to ease the load for our new Seahawks and their families,” said Reed Davis. “It's a genuine welcome home. Rain or shine, the energy is infectious. Moments like this make the start of the year truly unforgettable.” 

Move-In kicks off UNCWelcome, a slate of events to help students “fall into the dub.” Other signature events include: 

  • HawkFest (Monday, Aug. 18): 
    A new event with carnival games, mechanical rides, food trucks, live entertainment and a drone show.    
  • Convocation (Tuesday, Aug. 19):  
    A ceremonial gathering in Trask Coliseum to welcome all incoming undergraduates, hosted by the Division of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. The event is followed by a picnic for all of campus on Hoggard Lawn.   
  • Rock the Rec (Tuesday, Aug. 19):  
    A night at the Student Recreation Center hosted by UNCW's Campus Recreation Department. Group fitness classes, climbing wall access, games, music and facility tours are some of what’s on tap. 
  • Involvement Carnival (Tuesday, Aug. 26): 
    A showcase of on-campus registered student organizations and campus departments, hosted by Campus Life. 

Established in 1947 as Wilmington College with 238 students, UNCW will celebrate its 78th anniversary on Sept. 4. 

Fall 2025 Student Stats: (as of Aug. 11)  

  • More than 3,000 first-time students
  • An estimated 5,621 residential students (mix of upperclassmen, transfer, international and graduate students) 
  • Approximately 19,500 total students (around 3,600 of those are graduate students) 

Volun-TEAL Breakfast

Campus and community "volun-teals" kick off Move-In with breakfast at Wagoner Hall.

Check-In

Students checked in at Trask Coliseum or the Cultural Arts Building.

Move-In

Hundreds of volunteers unloaded cars packed with belongings to help UNCW’s newest Seahawks make campus their home.

This article has the following tags: myUNCW myUNCW - Faculty & Staff Engagement myUNCW - Students