BROOKINGS —South Dakota State University is anticipating a large incoming class of first-year students and strong retention as it readies for move-in weekend starting Aug. 23.

New student move-in is set for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 23, and returning student move-in is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 24. Hundreds of Meet State volunteers from across campus are ready to direct traffic, welcome new arrivals, unload vehicles, haul student belongings from vehicles to halls, coordinate building and loading zones, and much more.

“We’re excited to see students returning to the South Dakota State University campus and the larger Brookings community ahead of the new academic year and their first day of classes Aug. 26,” said Michaela Willis, vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. “A lot of great opportunities are ahead for our students, and we’re ready to help them get off to a strong start as they settle into their new home.”

A variety of events are planned throughout the weekend to welcome students back to campus. University convocation, with SDSU alum and featured speaker Kim Tyler and university leadership ringing in the new academic year, is set for 4:30 p.m. Aug. 23 on the Sylvan Green.

Tyler, a 1982 commercial economics graduate who lives in Sioux Falls, had a 31-year career with the Kellogg Company, retiring as vice president of Alternative Channel Sales. For the past seven years, she served as co-chair of the SDSU Foundation’s Bold & Blue Campaign, which raised more than $604 million in private funds for the university.

Convocation is followed by the new student and family welcome picnic at 5:15 p.m., also on the Sylvan Green, and the Welcome Back Bash at 7 p.m. in the University Student Union.

Students on Aug. 24 will also enjoy activities such as Yellow, Blue and You at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium, food trucks in the University Student Union parking lot, the Miller Wellness Center Extravaganza, a dance and more.

While the Meet State team is preparing on campus, businesses around Brookings are also getting ready to host thousands of visitors.

“There’s a strong relationship between the campus and community. Every fall, you can feel the excitement building around Brookings when the students return. Our hotels, restaurants and local retailers definitely see a boost as students and their families arrive for move-in weekend, and that excitement extends through the community as students settle in for the school year,” said Laura Schoen Carbonneau, executive director of Visit Brookings.

For more information on move-in weekend at SDSU, go to the Meet State webpage at https://www.sdstate.edu/newjacks.

Driving directions and detailed traffic routes to each of the residence halls, including impacted roadways, can be found at https://www.sdstate.edu/newjacks/finding-your-way.