Thousands of new and returning students moved in to residence halls in mid-September.

Families and supporters filled bins with the essentails as new Mustangs made themselves at home.

Hundreds of volunteers helped make the trek from parking areas to residence halls on a sunny day.

Week of Welcome kicked off with students meeting their WOW groups and making new friends.

Each WOW group had a different number — and creative theme — proudly displayed on signs and costumes.

Big Fall Welcome got the party started with performances from Mustang Band, Cheer and Dance teams in Spanos Stadium.

New Mustangs got to know traditions, like the Cal Poly fight song, thanks to performances from Cheer, Band and Dance teams.

Members of Mustang Band build a human tower at Big Fall Welcome.

ASI President Gracie Babatola and Cal Poly President Jeffrey D. Armstrong officially welcomed students.

Off campus, WOW groups get active by kayaking, canoing and sailing in Morro Bay.

Some canoes could fit entire WOW groups, helping Mustangs build teamwork with new friends.

Mustangs make new friends as the sun sets over the beach.

Beach bonfires have become a WOW tradition.

Animal science lecturer Beth Reynolds, works with students to innoculate Cal Poly's goats and sheep with selenium and vitamin E booster shot in October.

Students work together to administer medication to goats in a pen.

For some in the animal science class, it was their first time learning to give shots to livestock.

Students in the wine and viticulture progam sort grapes harvested from Trestle Vineyard on campus.

This year's vitage is the first to be fully processed at the new Justin and J. Lohr Center for Wine and Viticulture.

Professor Federico Casassa gathers students around tanks where grape juice will be fermented

Faculty and staff kicked off the year at Fall Convocation, where dozens of employees, like civil engineering professor Anurag Pande, were honored for their scholarship, leadership and service to Cal Poly.

Classes began on a rainy day, a rarity on the Central Coast. Mustangs took the wet weather in stride.

The Student Leadership Institute featured keynote speaker David Hogg, co-founder of March for our Lives.

In October, CultureFest brought together food, music and dance performances from dozens of cultural organizations on campus, including the Chinese Student Association's Take Out Kidz.

The Cal Poly Pier hosted its first open house in two years, welcoming community members to explore this unique research and teaching facility in Avila Beach.

To celebrate Día de los Muertos on November 1, students created ofrendas in UU Plaza for loved ones who have passed away.