ORONO – Wendie LaGasse was doing as well as could be expected Friday morning, considering that she was dropping her youngest child off at college.

“I don’t know if I can get through this. It’s our baby,” the Glenburn mother said, tears welling up as she watched her daughter’s belongings being carried into Stodder Hall at the University of Maine.

Putting her emotions aside for a moment, LaGasse couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly faculty, staff and students had unloaded the truck.

“The way they help out is so amazing,” she said. “We’ve read about it and heard about it, but to be here and experience it is pretty cool.”

The “Maine Hello” program, in which UM representatives greet freshmen and help them move into their dormitories, continues to be a welcome tradition for students and their families. Move-in activities are the beginning of three days of social events, informational sessions and opportunities for students to take care of last-minute details before classes begin Tuesday.

A record number of new first-year students has enrolled at the Orono campus. The class of 2010 is made up of 1,950 students, a 7 percent increase over last year’s incoming class. The group includes the largest number of both in- and out-of-state students.

“The quality and value of education here is being recognized in Maine and in New England,” UM President Robert Kennedy said as he walked across campus from the football field – where he had just greeted student athletes – to the residence halls where he planned to help freshmen unpack.

More than 750 volunteers are pitching in for this year’s Maine Hello, said Kennedy, who continually hears parents praise the welcome that UM gives new students.

“It makes a big impact,” he said.

Outside Stodder Hall, Nicole Mercier, a third-year student and a resident assistant, was greeting everyone with a loud and happy, “A hearty Maine hello!”

Later that day, students would hear about the history of UM including the different mascots and banners that represented the campus over the years, she said.

“Tradition is important here at UM,” Mercier of Gardiner said.

Watching cars pull into the driveway, Spanish professor Kathleen March said she was paying special attention to parents.

“You reassure them – ask if they have any questions and what their students are majoring in,” said March, whose own daughter is a senior at UM studying studio art.

UM’s total fall student population is estimated to be 11,528, an approximately 1 percent increase over last year. Seventy-seven percent of UM students will be full time, while 20 percent will be graduate students. Forty-five states and 47 countries are represented in the Orono campus population.

With close to 4,000 students choosing to live on campus and the 19 residence halls at capacity, UM was buzzing with activity on Friday.

Adjacent to Oxford, Knox and Somerset residence halls, Long Road was experiencing a steady stream of traffic. Parents and students meandered about, and colorful balloons attached to signs were blowing in the breeze.

“Knox has been hopping since 7:30 [a.m.],” said Tara Loomis, director of residence life, who was checking things out across campus.

“We’re deploying people as needed,” she said.

Outside Oxford Hall, freshman Laura Noyes from Old Town had good news for her parents.

“I just met my roommate and guess what she had! A TV!” she told them excitedly. Now they could take theirs back home.

Nancy and Bill Ramage of Perry stood by the car waiting for their son, James, who had disappeared into the dorm. After driving down last Friday so he could attend an outdoor adventure trip, they were back again this day because he had forgotten his printer.

Nancy Ramage admitted that she had been on “a roller coaster” of emotions about her son going off to college. But Bill Ramage offered a different perspective. “It’s great that he’s getting an education,” he pointed out.

Finally emerging from the dorm, James seemed content with his new surroundings.

“It’ll be nice being on my own,” he said with a grin.

Bangor daily news photo by bridget brown

University of Maine freshman Kevin Lessard of Westbrook (center) with the help of his parents, Jerry and Julie Lessard, moves into Oxford Hall on campus Friday in Orono.