Newly-arrived freshmen on the second floor of Snyder Hall got an unexpected knock on the door Sunday.
"Hello! Lou Anna Simon, president of Michigan State."
Residents and their parents seemed almost taken aback as Simon shook hands, made conversation and even posed for pictures.
"I think it helps the kids all feel really welcome and special," said Janice Grisa, a parent of a freshman. "A lot of people have been coming up and saying hi and they're really friendly."
It was all hands on deck for freshman move in. More than 200 volunteers joined around 3,000 employees for a day that began at 8 a.m.
"It went very smooth," said freshman David Grisa. "Much smoother than I thought it was going to go. Everyone was very efficient and you just did it as fast as you could."
Members of the Move-in Crew helped families unload their cars and find their rooms. Resident Advisors were on hand too to answer questions.
"All the folks that have been around and willing to lend a hand and help pack things up and keep things moving," said Scott Eathorne, a parent. "It's been well organized, it's a great process."
The incoming freshman class, although a bit smaller than a year ago, represents perhaps one of the most academically talented and diverse freshman cohorts ever to enter MSU, said admissions director James Cotter.
Joining the new student population at MSU in the fall will be more than 1,500 transfer students arriving from both two- and four-year institutions from across the state and around the world.
Returning students may move in Monday. Classes are set to begin Wednesday.
Although a final enrollment count will not be available until late September, university officials anticipate approximately 7,800 freshmen.