Academically prepared, experienced in flexible learning formats, and ready to start a new chapter in their lives, 430 new students, the class of 2026, will arrive on campus for Welcome Week, Aug. 25-28, 2022. The University’s newest Tigers will spend the days acclimating to college life through a range of special programming prior to the official start of classes on Aug. 29.
Part two in the University’s Destination Wittenberg New Student Orientation series, Welcome Week brings first-year and transfer students to campus to participate in a variety of programs that support students while instilling the values of Wittenberg’s campus community. New students are assisted throughout the program by current students, who make up the Tiger Team, with a goal of helping the class of 2026 connect with one another, begin to build relationships with faculty and staff, and complete final preparation before they begin their first semester.
“Wittenberg prides itself as being a place where people truly know one another. For our new students that first Witt ‘Hello’ is a crucial introduction to our community,” said Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students Casey Gill, Ph.D. “We hope that our Welcome Week events inform and entertain, but most of all, we hope that our new students learn everything they need to know about their new college home. We are confident that they will find a campus community committed to their personal and professional success from the start. Wittenberg has always lived its motto of ‘Having light we pass it on to others,’ and we look forward to helping our new students – and all our students – seize their light.”
New students are expected to arrive on campus mid-morning, Thursday, Aug. 25, where they will first enjoy an all-campus move-in experience between 9 a.m. and noon in which faculty and staff partner with student members of the Tiger Team in helping new Tigers move into their assigned residence halls.
Following the official move-in, students will attend various Welcome Week programs focused on belonging and engagement, and participate in several activities including:
- Meeting with First Year Seminar teams
- Meeting their resident advisors (RAs)
- Participating in residence hall community building
- Learning about the values and mission of Wittenberg
- Attending social events to connect with fellow classmates
A commuter student welcome and orientation will take place from 12:45 to 2 p.m. in room 105 of the Joseph C. Shouvlin Center For Lifelong Learning. A welcome reception will then take place from 3-4:30 p.m. on Chapel Lawn and Alumni Way. The event features presentations from several campus representatives, including President Michael L. Frandsen, Ph.D.; Brian Yontz, interim provost and professor of education; and Jade Jones, director of student involvement, along with Gill.
Families are encouraged to depart from campus after the reception with residence hall meetings taking place from 6:30 to 7:15 p.m. Other special events on Thursday include a meet-your-community Playfair from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Steemer, part of the Health, Wellness & Athletics (HWA) Complex, followed by a special presentation by hypnotist Michael C. Anthony at the HWA’s Pam Evans Smith Arena from 9:15-10:30 p.m. Residence halls will have late night programming after 10:30 p.m.
Friday events include First-Year Seminar (FYS) meetings from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and lunch from noon to 1 p.m.; a first-year class photo on the steps of Myers Hollow from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m.; and Opening Convocation featuring this year’s Distinguished Teaching Award recipient Sally Brannan, professor of education, who will discuss the “Lesson Plan for Being a Lifelong Learner,” from 11 a.m. to noon. Other fun events include a Welcome Week service project from 1 to 5 p.m. on Stoughton Lawn, the president’s meet and greet from 5 to 7 p.m., followed by Witt Olympics from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Steemer, and Witt After Dark laser tag, games, and ice cream along Alumni Way.
Educational programming continues Saturday morning with a downtown Springfield takeover, connections time, a theatre and dance show at Chakeres Memorial Theatre from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by a Witt Late Night Welcome Back Bash along Alumni Way, which will include inflatable games, food, a band, and more beginning at 8 p.m.
On Sunday, students can begin the day with donuts and fellowship from 10:30 to 11 a.m. at Weaver Chapel, attend the commitment to community event from 2-4 p.m. in the arena, and enjoy a cookout hosted by Concerned Black Students (CBS) at the McClain Center for Diversity from 6-9 p.m., before heading into residence hall meetings.
For additional information and the Welcome Week schedule, click here.
As a reminder, Wittenberg is continuing to monitor COVID-19 in the University community. To streamline information and present the 2022-23 policies and procedures, Wittenberg’s WITT: We’re In This Together COVID website has been updated. Students and employees are encouraged to report positive cases or exposures to the University, as well as report any positive tests to the Clark County Combined Health District (CCCHD) here. Beginning fall 2022, a full semester of remote accommodation will not be available as Wittenberg values the in-person experience and believes that in-person learning is vital for the growth and development of students. Masks will continue to be required in the Health Center and Excel Physical Therapy. Faculty, staff, and event organizers may also still wish to require masks in their classrooms, at select events, and in health care settings, so please check respective expectations ahead of time. Masks are also still recommended inside campus facilities.
