The William Woods University campus was alive with activity for its move-in day Wednesday. Music blared, fraternities and sororities held open houses to entice new members and administration officials rushed from dorm to dorm as incoming freshman and transfer students hauled furniture, snacks and supplies into their rooms with their families.
William Woods public affairs director Mary Ann Beahon said that official figures weren't in yet, but the estimated number of new students the university anticipated to make to begin the first part of their adult lives was around 300. One such student was Addie Carion, a freshman from Seattle. An equestrian science major, Carion knew she wanted to come the 2,000 miles when her horse trainer, a William Woods alum, told her about the school's equestrian program.
"It's a little nerve-wracking," she said. "I drove five days to get here, (but my trainer) encouraged me to go, and it's the only school I applied for. I'm excited to be here, it's a big step."