MORGANTOWN, W. Va.— The journey toward life-long passion and purpose begins this week as West Virginia University welcomes 6,650 new students to its campuses in Morgantown, Beckley and Keyser for the 2018-19 academic year.

“I cannot wait for our students to return,” President Gordon Gee said. “After all, helping them prepare for their purpose in life is our polar star. With their arrival comes great energy and excitement that only a new academic year can bring. We are ready to get started – and I will bring my best selfie smile.”

Along with getting a selfie with President Gee, students are encouraged to download the new WVU PASS app for all things Welcome Week. Through the app, students can access the schedule of events and information on how to acquire their wristbands for Mountaineer MovieFest, FoodFest, FallFest and Monday Night Lights. Students can find the app for both iOS and Android devices in the app stores.

Welcome Week activities on the Morgantown campus begin Friday (Aug. 10) with move-in for the largest Honors College class yet.

“We are proud to have an incredibly diverse and talented freshman class arriving in Morgantown this week. They come to us from across the U.S. and from 37 countries worldwide. They are pursuing courses of study in hundreds of different majors. More than 1000 of them are Honors students. All of them are eager to engage with campus life,” said Provost Joyce McConnell. “We are excited to welcome them all to campus and demonstrate to them that they are truly members of the Mountaineer family now.”

The majority of first-year students will move in Saturday (Aug. 11).

New University Police Chief W. P. Chedester said extra officers and University staff will be on hand to keep traffic moving and officers will be highly visible in congested areas.

“We would like to ask everyone to be safe, exercise caution and understanding,” Chedester said. “I would like to also encourage everyone to be patient, stay alert and avoid distractions when driving due to the increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic.”

On either Sunday (Aug. 12) or Monday (Aug 13), first-year students will participate in Adventure WV or community service in the Morgantown area and beyond.The freshman class will continue a staple of Welcome Week at Milan Puskar Stadium, Monday Night Lights, which provides an opportunity for first-year students to learn more about what it means to be a Mountaineer. The event, Monday (Aug. 13) at 8 p.m., will feature a special performance by the Pride of West Virginia Mountaineer Marching Band and much more.

“Our new students are joining a special family and making bonds that can last a lifetime,” said Dean of Students Corey Farris.

Academic sessions will be held Tuesday (Aug. 14) when first-year students will meet with faculty and administrators from their academic units. Classes begin Wednesday (Aug. 15).

Other signature events include:

Mountaineer MovieFest and Student Organization Fair at the WVU Coliseum from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 12). This new event will feature a student organization fair, corn hole games and a movie for all students.

FoodFest at Evansdale, Short Term Lot 4 near the Student Rec Center and Evansdale crossing Tuesday (Aug 14) at 4 p.m.

FallFest at the fields behind the Student Rec Center will be held Tuesday (Aug. 14) from 5 to 9:30 p.m. WVU Arts and Entertainment will announce the lineup Friday (Aug. 10).

“FoodFest and FallFest are traditions that bring all students together for a chance for the University to say, ‘thank you’ for being a part of this awesome institution,” Farris said.