Western Washington University President Bruce Shepard, left, helps carry a box for sophomore Corie Keith, of Seattle, with her dad, Doug, as she moves into Ridgeway Beta on Sept. 20, 2009. "That was, wow!" said Corie's mom Beth about having President Shepard help them move in. File photo by Rachel Bayne for WWU

On move-in day 2009, Anton Abuamsha, 18, of Anchorage, Alaska, gets some help moving a microwave into his room at Ridgeway Beta from Western Washington University president Bruce Shepard, center. Oly Steinmetz, right, of Bellingham, fishes with the brothers' dad and offered to help move them in. File photo by Rachel Bayne for WWU

About 4,000 students are expected to move into Western Washington University’s residence halls and apartments from Friday, Sept. 17 through Sunday, Sept. 19.

The first day of classes at Western is Wednesday, Sept. 22.

WWU President Bruce Shepard and wife Cyndie will be on hand at Western residence halls on Sunday to welcome new and returning students and their families.

“The start of the new academic year at Western is an exciting time. Cyndie and I very much look forward to meeting many students and their families as we help unload cars and carry boxes on Sunday,” Bruce Shepard said.

About 75 percent of students living in residence halls will be new to Western and will be introduced to campus traditions with activities that include Welcoming Convocation and faculty led Western Reads discussion panels.

For more information about moving into residence halls, visit http://www.housing.wwu.edu/.