Wittenberg New Student Days signal the beginning of the new academic year. After the quiet summer, the campus comes to life again as the Wittenberg Community welcomes new students Aug. 20-Aug. 23.
New and transferring students arrive on campus Aug. 20. The day will be spent with the students moving into campus housing, picking up details of computer and network assistance, and getting their student ID. Parents will receive briefings and attend meetings to hear about life on campus. New students will also be meeting their Orientation Leaders and Assistants. Following an inter-denominational worship service and a talk on Wittenberg traditions, students and their parents will process across campus from Commencement Hollow to the formal Welcoming Ceremony at Pam Evans Smith Arena.
Briefings and meetings will continue throughout Friday and Saturday. Each evening there will be entertainment and opportunities for the new students to get to know each other. A dessert reception will be held at the President's House, following students’ dinner with their Orientation Assistants Friday evening. Other events scheduled include hypnotist Jim Wand, sponsored by Union Board, on Thursday night. On Friday night a Casino Night sponsored by the Resident Hall Association and the Witt Olympics sponsored by Student Involvement are planned. A two-part NCAA Orientation for student-athletes will be held Friday and Saturday mornings. Separate meetings for Transfer Students are also scheduled. A briefing called "I've got your B.A.C. Behavior, Attitudes, and Choices & Not Without Consent" will be held Saturday afternoon at 1:15 p.m. Saturday evening, The Department of Theatre and Dance productions, the Red-White football game, and a trivia and game night are scheduled.
Sunday will include the Sunday Morning Worship Service at 10:30 a.m. following brunch. A final briefing and talk on "Celebrating Our Diverse Community and Community Expectations" is at 1:30 p.m. Sunday afternoon. This will be followed by the Closing Ceremony. The academic year begins in earnest Monday, Aug. 24, the first day of classes.
Tuesday, Aug. 25 the new academic year will officially begin with the traditional Opening Convocation at 11:15 a.m. in historic Weaver Chapel. The keynote address will be given by Paralympian Sandy Dukat, Wittenberg Class of 1994.
