Thursday, August 17

8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. – Breakfast Basket with your RA  

Meet your RAs in your Residence Hall’s lounge to enjoy breakfast. 

9:00 a.m. – Residential Students: Roommates, and Community Expectations. Student Residence Hall Common Areas
(See your RA to know where your floor will meet!) 

Your building's RA team will help you get to know your community and make new friends! 

9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Residential Students: Time to settle into your room.  

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Tour Your Floor: Check out your neighbors’ rooms. Win prizes for the best setup!   

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. - Lunch with your LINK and Welcome from Dean Eva Chatterjee-Sutton, Olin Lawn Tent 

Meet at the Olin Tent, and you will be directed to your lunch table.  

1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. - W&J Community Values, Olin Fine Arts Center Theatre  

President John Knapp will discuss W&J's core values of uncommon integrity and ethical leadership and explain what you can expect during your journey as a W&J student. 

2:00 p.m. to  4:00 p.m. - Your Success: Founded Here – Walking Tour of Campus, Olin Fine Arts Center Lobby  

Your LINK mentor will take you on a tour of campus to meet essential offices and departments.  Along the way, you will learn more about W&J and its unique history and will debrief on Community Values. 

5:00 p.m. – Dinner, Commons Café 

6:00 p.m. – Affinity Based Receptions, Burnett Center 

An opportunity to connect with peers and others from the College around shared interests and identity. Check the lobby of Burnett for locations. 

Affinity Groups will include: 

• • • Black/African Students 
    • Students from Diverse Backgrounds 
    • LGBTQIA+ Students 
    • First Generations Students 
    • Hometown 250+ miles away 
    • Hometown within 250 miles 
    • Students from Religious Backgrounds 
    • Latinx Students
    • Scholars & Honors Students 
    • Women in STEM & Business 
    • Modern Languages 
    • Visual & Performing Arts 
    • Community Service & Social Justice 
    • Student Government / Campus Leadership 
    • Outdoor Activities & Sustainability 
    • Mental Health 

7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Casino Night, Rossin Campus Center Ballroom 

Enjoy W&J’s own casino experience. Try your luck at a variety of different table games and slot machines! All games are completely free, and you may place your bets with fake money. Each game you play gets you raffle tickets to enter several different prize drawings. The more you win, the more tickets you get! 

8:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. – Free shuttle to Walmart or Target will leave every 30 minutes from Rossin Circle. 

Friday, August 18

9:00 a.m. - Breakfast Basket with your LINK, Rossin Circle 

10:00 a.m. – SSC Activity: Pathways to Proficiency, Olin Fine Arts Center Theatre  

Meet your Student Success Consultant and learn how they can help you throughout the semester. These Pathways to Proficiency sessions will help you build the personal and professional skills you need to navigate your first year successfully.  

11:00 am to 12:00 pm - Academic Department Receptions, The Tent on Olin Lawn 

Meet faculty members and learn more about W&J's range of academic programs. You are welcome to meet multiple Academic Departments! Here are the departments that you can visit at the tent: 

• • Art
  • Biochemistry 
  • Biology 
  • Business 
  • Chemistry 
  • Communications Arts 
  • Computing and Information Studies 
  • Conflict Resolution Studies 
  • Economics 
  • Education 
  • English 
  • Entrepreneurial Studies 
  • Environmental Studies 
  • First-Year Seminar 
  • Gender & Women Studies 
  • Health Studies 
  • History 
  • International Studies 
  • Mathematics 
  • Modern Languages 
  • Music 
  • Neuroscience 
  • Philosophy 
  • Physical Education 
  • Physics 
  • Political Science 
  • Public Service & Community Studies 
  • Psychology 
  • Religion  

12:00 p.m. – Lunch, Commons Café  

1:00 p.m. - First Year Seminar Class Meetings, Various Locations –  

Your first official college class! Your First Year Seminar (FYS) instructor will introduce themselves and discuss what you can expect in your first semester. Your course will meet at the location on your course schedule unless otherwise indicated by your instructor. Please check your W&J email for messaging from your instructor. 

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - FYS Advising Sessions, Locations Determined by FYS Professors   

Your FYS instructor will answer any questions or concerns that you have about your course schedule during this time. 

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Advanced Language Placement Sessions, (By Invitation) Burnett Center Second Floor 

For those students who have placed into an advanced modern language section, the faculty invite you to a conversation. You will receive a direct invite. If you have any questions, please contact your LINK mentor. 

3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Workshopping on Preparedness, Various Locations

Your LINK will work with you to determine where your group will attend the following sessions.

Understanding College Level Work, Dieter-Porter Hall, Room 100 

• Pax Gutierrez-Neal, Ph.D., Writing Center Director & PAL Tutoring Coordinator 
• Richard Barber, Director for Academic Success 

• Cecelia Lasley, Instruction and Student Success Librarian  

Communication & Leadership at W&J, Olin Fine Arts Theatre

• Stevie Berberick, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Communication Arts 
• David Holiday, Ph.D., Director - the Center for Ethical Leadership 

5:00 p.m. – Dinner, Commons Café   

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Washington Fellows Dinner, Rossin Ballroom 

7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. - New Student Connection Event with your LINK, The Tent on Olin Lawn  

An orientation tradition at W&J - connect with your peers at this high-energy event! 

8:30 p.m. - Popsicles & Presidents Cool Down, Tech Center Amphitheater 

Enjoy some popsicles and cool down after the Connection Event. 

8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – Shuttle to Walmart or Target. Meet the shuttle at the Rossin Circle. 

Saturday, August 19

9:00 a.m. - Breakfast Basket with your LINK, Rossin Circle 

10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. - Creating Connections – Hosted by the SSCs, Olin Fine Arts Center Theatre  

Build connections with other new students and your Student Success Consultants. 

11: 00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. With GRIT, presented by Saul Flores, Olin Fine Arts Center Theatre 

Saul Flores (pronounced sah–ool), is a philanthropist, photojournalist, and speaker who is nationally recognized for his social impact projects. Through his most recent project, Saul documents the amazing lives of thousands of Latin American immigrants to fundraise for an elementary school in his mother’s hometown. 

His work has been featured on National Public Radio, MSNBC, and TEDX. Additionally, Saul has been featured as a keynote speaker for dozens of universities, inspiring audiences through his visual presentations, in which he helps people realize the capacity of their immense human potential given times of extreme adversity. 

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – Lunch with your LINK, The Tent on Olin Lawn 

Please note that this lunch will be in the tent and not the Commons Café. 

1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - Breakout Experiences, Various Locations – 

These are two 1-hour sessions. Your group will switch to the other experience after you’re completed your session. 

1. 1. Intramurals & Fitness, Ross Recreation Center, Presented by Scott McGuinness, Director of Athletics  
   2. Thriving at W&J, Media Room, Ski Lodge, & Parcel Room Presented by Dr. Shelly Lear, Director of Student Health Counseling & Damarion Geter, Staff Counselor 

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. – Tailgate Dinner, Ross Memorial Park 

Grab the shuttle to the Baseball Field at the Rossin Circle at 4:30 p.m., 5:00 p.m., or 5:30 p.m. Join the RA team for a tailgate dinner on the College baseball field. Enjoy tailgate food, yard games, and a friendly kickball game on the field. 

8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – The Inside Scoop Experience, The Hub for Student Success (Lower Level) 

Join the Belonging and Engagement team to grab a sundae at "The Inside Scoop." Enjoy a variety of activities to enjoy the rest of the evening. During the Fall Semester, Thursdays from 8:00 p.m. to 10 p.m. you can enjoy a free milkshake and activity at "The Inside Scoop." 

*Please note that the dining schedule is different for Sunday due to the off-campus experience and there will be a brunch instead of separate breakfast and lunch events. 

Sunday, August 20

10:00 a.m. – Brunch, The Tent on Olin Lawn  

11:30 am – Load Buses for Pittsburgh destinations, The Tent on Olin Lawn 

12:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Pittsburgh Day  
Students will have the opportunity to go to the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium. Buses load at 3:00 pm for return to campus. 

5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Dinner & Orientation Vacation, Rec Center and Henry Lawns, Henry Pool 

Take a final vacation before the school year starts and enjoy some of the best destinations this side of Washington, PA!
Destinations include: 

• • Presidents State Park with a rock wall, campfires, s’mores, mountain pies, and dirt desserts, on the Rec Center Lawn 
  • The Dubjay Beach Boardwalk with game booths, boardwalk food, axe throwing, giant beach ball volleyball and more on the Henry Lawn
  • Pete Henry’s Pool party with pool games and inflatables in the Henry Natatorium

The event will move to the Recreation Center if rain 

Monday, August 21

8:00 a.m. Breakfast (optional) – Commons Café   

9:45 a.m. LINK Group Meetings – Various Locations  

10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – Thriving Together, Presented by Mark Weir, The Tent on Olin Lawn 

Presenter Mark Weir helps will discuss how to create a healthy community and how to become your best self in College. 

12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. – Conversations Lunch with SGA – The Tent on Olin Lawn 

Learn more about your peers during this interactive lunch experience. 

1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. – Safeguarding Our Communities- Olin Fine Arts Center Theatre  

Conversation addressing sexual assault and the use/abuse of alcohol in campus settings. Learn about the resources on campus from Health and Counseling, Campus and Public Safety (CPS), and Title IX Coordinator, Carrie Howard.  

3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Community Fair, The Tent on Olin Lawn 

Members of the W&J and local communities will welcome you to campus with some fun giveaways and explain what they can do to support you during your time at W&J! 

5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Dinner, Commons Café 

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Athlete Meet-Up, Henry Gym 

An opportunity for athletes to network with other W&J athletes. Dessert and drinks will be provided. 

7:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. – PrezPlay - Game Night: Smash Bros Tournament, Dance Dance Revolution,  VR Room, etc. 

Win games at this event to receive tickets to be entered into prizes! Prizes include a Nintendo Switch, Wii, speaker, headphones, etc.  

8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. – Free shuttle to Walmart or Target will leave every 30 minutes from Rossin Circle. 

10:00 p.m. - Late Nite Breakfast, Commons Café  

A W&J tradition every Finals Week! Come and enjoy a Late Nite Breakfast served by College staff and faculty. 

Tuesday, August 22

8:00 a.m. - Breakfast (optional), Commons Café  

9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – International Student Orientation, Clark Family Library Classroom  

International Students Only--Please bring your passport! 

9:00 a.m. – First Day of Class Preview, Location Determined by your LINK 

Meet with your LINK and do final preparations for your first day of College courses. 

2:30 p.m. – Return to Your Building to Get Ready for Matriculation (Business Casual Attire), Your Residence Hall  

Please dress in business casual attire for the Matriculation Ceremony. 

3:30 p.m. - Class Photo, Old Main Lawn 

In preparation for Matriculation, all members of your entering class will gather for a class photo. 

3:45 p.m. – Line-up for Matriculation, Old Main 

Line up for the processional into the Matriculation Ceremony. 

 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. - Matriculation Ceremony, Ross Recreation Center 

*Business Casual Attire* 

The Matriculation Ceremony, which is the first of many traditions which you will experience as a W&J student. This tradition connects you with all the classes of students who have come before as you walk across the W&J seal. As a class, you will proudly walk across the seal once again at Commencement, which marks the completion of your journey as a W&J student. 

 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Crossing of the Seal, Old Main Lobby  

All new students at W&J take part in crossing the College Seal in Old Main after the Matriculation Ceremony. You will cross it once more at Commencement. This moment formally marks the beginning and end of your journey as a W&J student. 

6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Rockin’ the Lawn hosted by President & Mrs. Knapp, Tech Center Amphitheater 

Celebrate the beginning of the new school year with the whole student body! Hosted by President John Knapp and Kelly Knapp.