Charleston Southern University will begin the 2009-2010 academic year Monday morning at 8am.

On Friday, the University celebrated the beginning of another year, welcoming hundreds of new, transfer and returning students back to campus on Move-In Day.

CSU captured today’s Move-In highlights in pictures. Visit the photo gallery here.

Charleston Southern University launched a week-long series of stories leading up to Move In Day this Friday.

On Monday, we featured CSU alum (now Director of Corporate Relations and Planned Giving) Lili Gresham. The transition from high school to college for the then 17-year old Gresham was a challenge.

Coming up … CSU looks at the new, improved Residence Life. Plus, a look at the transition one CSU coach took over the summer and tips to avoid H1N1 (Swine Flu) and CSU’s pro-active steps.

Move-In Day is Friday, August 21 and there are visible signs on campus. The football and soccer teams have been going through late-summer drills, new faces are searching the bookstore in the Strom Thurmond Center and an occassional embrace between returning students, renews a friendship.

When classes begin bright and early on Monday, August 24, returning students will get in the familiar rhythm of balancing schedules, activities, clubs and social life across campus.

But how will newcomers — incoming freshman and transfers — adjust? Juniors, seniors and CSU alumni surely remember the challenge of living away from home for the first time. For some, it was more difficult than others. Every face is a stranger, every professors voice is new and Norris and Wingo Halls, well, they may as well be in Canada. Everything seems foreign when your a college freshman — at first.

But don’t let it psych you out. Jump in. Ask questions. Get involved. Make friends.

And for returning sophomore, juniors and seniors, help out the rookies. Use this blog. Post a comment and offer suggestions and encouragement.

Charleston Southern University graduate Bo Barton is featured in today’s Post and Courier.

SLED director Reggie Lloyd told the newspaper:

“Agent Barton has consistently proven himself as a leader in his field. This latest accomplishment is one more part of his already impressive resume.”

Barton earned his master’s degree in criminal justice at Charleston Southern.