Featured Image: UT Martin students attend Welcome Home Picnic on Aug. 20, 2026. (Pacer Photo / Miranda Conrad)
The class of 2030 flooded the University of Tennessee at Martin campus for Move-In Mania on Thursday, Aug. 20, for its Welcome Weekend of events.
“I know we’re behind just a bit on enrollment from where we were last year, but the good news about this group is they’re very engaged. They’ve been super engaged throughout Welcome Weekend, and we’re excited to have them,” said Benjamin Ort, a UT Martin alumnus who serves as the assistant director of the First-Year Experience (FYE).
One of the most noteworthy events was the Welcome Home Picnic that kicked off at 5 p.m. in the University Center cafeteria.
Hundreds of students filed into the cafeteria with their families to enjoy hamburgers and hot dogs, as well as a variety of spin-the-wheel prizes, as they settled in for dinner.
Junior veterinary technology major Madi Carter of Atoka, Tennessee, serves as a PEP leader for incoming freshmen. She found the welcome picnic to be a very fun but also vital event for the arriving freshmen.
“I think the importance of it would be for students to feel more at home. I know it can be scary moving away from home. I think it welcomes them and makes them feel more comfortable and involved,” said Carter.
Many incoming freshmen shared their first thoughts regarding UT Martin and what they planned to accomplish before graduating.
Stephanie Castillo Torres, an animal studies major from Memphis, Tennessee, had a pleasant move-in experience.
“I like the community around here. They’re very open to helping each other out, and the student weekend here is also great as well,” said Torres.
Aleigha Jobe, a veterinary science student from Clarksville, Tennessee, is excited to see how college will shape her both academically and spiritually.
“I’m looking forward to making new friends and just having the college experience and being able to get out of my comfort zone and telling people about Jesus,” said Jobe.
The next morning, PEP leaders guided freshmen to the Elam Center for Flight Frenzy at 10 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 21.
Ort wanted Flight Frenzy to be more fun and engaging than the typical convocation the school hosted for freshmen years prior.
“The thought behind it was just trying to get those students engaged and active with our administrators, our faculty and staff to help them realize once again we’re here to help their educational journey too,” he said.
Davis Gregory, UT Martin’s play-by-play broadcaster, interviewed various faculty members about the freshman experience, including Chancellor Yancy Freeman.
“What makes UTM a home is because people here care about you and care about your success,” said Freeman. “The UTM promise for us is that we will put you first in every decision that you make. We put students first. You will find faculty and staff on this campus that care about you and want to see you succeed.”
After a day of preparation for the school year, students headed to UTM Housing and Residence Life’s Move-In Block Party at 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21 in the Arnold Pryor Place lawn for dinner, corn hole, Jenga and a variety of other activities. Students gathered to dance, enjoy a water slide, play games of volleyball and hang out.
Hailey Green, a veterinary science major from Whitwell, Tennessee, found the Housing Block Party to be the most fun activity during Welcome Weekend.
“I love it. I love getting to come out here and dance with everybody and have fun,” said Green.
The fall semester will continue to engage freshmen, beginning with the City and Campus Involvement Fair that will take place at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24 at the Elam Center.
