A woman at center in a purple East Carolina University T-shirt sorts boxes and bins as she gets help from others to her left and right.

Moving Days

Family, friends and volunteers help students move to campus

Published Aug 14, 2026 by
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Move-in day at East Carolina University is more than a day of boxes, carts and dorm-room keys. Family, friends and volunteers make it an event, helping about 5,200 on-campus students settle in and feel at home as a part of Pirate Nation. As students shared thoughts of joy and excitement about what’s ahead, parents shed a few tears but expressed pride in their children, whose accomplishments led them to ECU.

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People living on campus
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students participated in early drop-off
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Volunteers
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out-of-state and international students living on campus
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residence halls across three neighborhoods
A female college student smiles as she stands and leans against a cart with drawers. A college residence hall and other people are in the background.
“I am really looking forward to the new experience that it is and getting to figure things out for my career, and network and meet people,” said Rin Hantla, an honors college student from Youngsville who plans to major in animation and will be a member of the Marching Pirates.
A man wearing a purple shirt unloads a small bookcase from the back of a white pickup truck as a woman at left watches.

“I’m an empty nester after this. We’re both excited and nervous. Every time we’ve come here, everyone’s been super nice and friendly. It’s a big reason (she chose ECU),” said Donnie Stutts of Clayton whose daughter Abbie is majoring in biology and vocal performance.

A male college student moves a backpack as he sorts through various duffle bags in a dorm room.
“I just want to start off well and set myself up for the future. It’s convenient, close, has different majors that I want in case I need to switch and has a club soccer program. That’s pretty much all I could want,” said Joseph Tyler, an engineering major from Henderson.
A female student's face is framed by a bookcase as she carries it along a sidewalk in front of a vehicle.
“That was my first step into independence and being away from home. Everybody brings a piece of their home here. It’s great seeing everybody’s personality,” said Katelyn Varnell, an ECU junior majoring in biochemistry and public health who volunteered to help students move into Greene Residence Hall.
Two male college students stand next to each other, with the one at left holding the handle of a dolly while the other is next to a gray bin with various dorm room items inside.

“I’m excited for him. I’m proud of him. He’s doing what he needs to do. He’s living on his own and figuring out what works and what he likes to do by himself,” said Tucker Roof, left, who helped his younger brother Randy move into Garrett Residence Hall. Randy Roof, of Garner, is majoring in sport performance science.

A female college student's face is reflected in a mirror as she cleans the desk at which she is sitting inside a dorm room.
“I’m excited to get started in my career, meet new people and change kids’ lives with my major. I want to do social work and work with kids,” said Guadalupe Alvarez, a first-year student who was helping fellow first-year student and friend Angelika Chaurasiya settle into her room at Greene Residence Hall.