RALEIGH (Aug. 21, 2009) - Peace College kicks off the 2009-10 academic year on Saturday with Move-In Day, during which faculty, staff and returning students help move in the college's new first-year students.

"The start of a new academic year is always an exciting time at Peace," said President Laura Bingham. "We enjoy watching the Peace community come together to welcome our new students as they launch their academic careers."

The fall semester begins as Peace expects a record enrollment, with a total of 744 students. The previous record was last year's headcount of 713. This year's total includes 115 students who are expected to take part in Peace's new evening degree-completion program and in the college's human resources certificate and teacher education programs. Full-time traditional student enrollment is expected to be 620.

Move-In Day begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, with volunteers helping students move into their homes at Peace. Move-in activities are scheduled to end at noon, with orientation sessions in the afternoon.

Orientation activities on Saturday include welcoming reception at 4 p.m. on the college's front lawn. As part of the welcome, new students will participate in a tradition in which they gather around the fountain in front of the college's Main Building and sing Peace's alma mater.

Move-In Day is the official kick-off of Peace's Pathways orientation program for first-year and transfer students. The program provides students with comprehensive sessions that promote positive academic and social transitions into the Peace community. New students will also take part in service projects on Monday, tours of downtown Raleigh and a reception at the president's home.

On Tuesday, the campus will celebrate the opening of the renovated and expanded Lucy Cooper Finch Library. The $3.8 million project added classrooms, offices and a coffee bar to the building, creating new study and gathering places for students. The college also will hold its annual academic convocation on Tuesday, at which Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton will speak.

Returning Peace students begin moving into their residence hall rooms on Sunday. Classes begin on Wednesday.

Peace College is a four-year baccalaureate arts and sciences college that offers a challenging program of study that provides women strong intellectual and personal foundations upon which to build successful and meaningful professional and academic careers. Peace's educational program consistently earns the college top evaluations in the annual National Survey of Student Engagement.

For more information about Peace College, visit www.peace.edu.

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