Warrior Welcome Weekend Schedule

Warrior Welcome Weekend – Fall 2026 (August 14-16)

*Events with an asterisk are mandatory

Friday, August 14

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Welcome to SWU!
Location: Clayton Welcome Center
When you arrive on campus, report directly to Admissions where staff will greet you and direct you to your next destination. During this timeframe, you will move into residence halls with help from your RA and Residence Life team. If you have other registration items to finalize, we will direct you where to go from here.

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Registration Tasks and Class Scheduling for Not Cleared Students*
Location: Rickman Library
This is your last step to be a fully enrolled student at SWU. Take care of any final business in Admissions, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Health Services, and student IDs before moving into your residence hall. For students who have not registered or need to make a change to their current class schedule, you will be able to consult with faculty advisors to register for classes or adjust your class schedule even before add/drop week begins.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Student Success Center Open House
Location: Rickman Library
Meet with Student Success Center Manager Cindy Trimmier-Lee at an open house held in the Rickman Library. Learn what resources, accommodations, and support are available to you as you start the new academic year.

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Lunch
Location: Dining Commons
Lunch is included for students with an ID card and is free for guests and family members.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Commuter Community Lunch Meeting*
Location: Commuter Lounge, Jennings Campus Life Center
An important gathering just for commuter students. Learn what it means to be a successful commuter and connect to your Student Government representatives as well as key resources on campus.

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM | New Student Welcome (Plus Parents!)*
Location: Newton Hobson Chapel
Our first chance to meet together as the entering class! Whether you are a transfer student, brand new to university life, or a parent, this is a time to get information, hear expectations, and be challenged to make this next step a launching pad for an incredible life journey God has in store for you.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Parents of Student Athletes Meeting*
Location: Newton Hobson Chapel
Learn about communication protocol and team community expectations.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Military Families Open House
Location: Warriors CARE Center
Meet your fellow veteran and military-affiliated students at an open house held in the Warriors CARE Center on the ground floor of Stuart Bennett Hall. Learn what resources and support are available to you as you connect with each other and the Warriors CARE Center directors.

3:00 PM – 5:15 PM | Free Time
Keep setting up your room, run to Walmart for those last few things, or enjoy some downtime.

5:15 PM – 6:30 PM | Welcome to SWU Dinner
Location: Dining Commons
You are invited to join us for a welcome dinner for students and their guests. The cost of dinner will be covered for all attendees. Enjoy the first of many meals in the cafeteria!

6:45 PM – 7:45 PM | Welcome Session & Passing the Mantle Ceremony*
Location: Newton Hobson Chapel
A special SWU tradition for families and new students that will dedicate the start of your Christian higher education pursuits and focus on the transition into a new educational and spiritual journey as an independent young adult. Your SWU community will be there to welcome you and pray for you.

7:45 PM | Generations of SWU: Legacy Photo
Location: SWU Sign at the Fountain
Alumni parents and their students will meet up to take a photo with the Director of Alumni for our SWU archives.

8:00 PM | Parent and Guests Send-Off
Give a final hug and say goodbye to families and guests. Students begin the next phase of orientation going solo and starting to make new connections at Blue Hill.

8:15 PM – 10:00 PM | SWUau (SWU Luau)
Location: Jennings Campus Life Center Lawn
Students, time to have some fun! Join us for a tropical start to the weekend to hang out, meet new friends, and enjoy snacks and games together.

Saturday, August 15

8:30 AM – 9:15 AM | Breakfast
Location: Dining Commons
Start the day with a meal before some information-packed sessions to prepare you for life at SWU.

9:25 AM – 10:35 AM | Life in Community – How to Succeed at SWU*
Location: Dining Commons Lower Level, Founders
Hear from Student Life about the many services and opportunities available to you on campus, from academic support to health services and more. We will provide you with all you need to feel informed, equipped, and engaged in the next few days and the first week of school.

10:40 AM – 11:40 AM | My Professor Wants What?*
Location: Dining Commons Lower Level, Founders
Hear from current students and professors about what it takes to make the jump from high school to college successfully. Panelists will help students understand what college is about, calibrate expectations, feel comfortable entering the classroom, and know where to turn when difficulties arise.

11:45 AM – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Meet Your Major*
Location: Dining Commons
Get to know the professors and other students in your major as you learn about your program, co-curricular opportunities, and practical tips for beginning the academic year in your degree field.

2:00 PM – 3:30 PM | Block Party
Location: Warrior Pit next to Dining Commons
Come have some fun and enjoy inflatables, yard games, and more!

3:30 PM – 5:30 PM | Free Time
Relax in your room, explore the campus or hiking trails, and keep getting settled.

5:30 PM – 6:45 PM | Hall Dinner
Location: Dining Commons
Get a meal with your RA and hallmates before the soccer game.

6:30 PM – 8:00 PM | Women's Soccer Scrimmage
Location: Joe R. Gilbert Track & Field
Cheer on your fellow Warriors at your first SWU athletic event alongside new and returning students.

8:30 PM – 10:00 PM | Karaoke Night
Location: Joiner-Hilson Lobby
Bring your best rendition of a karaoke classic as we celebrate the start of your college life at SWU.

Sunday, August 16

10:00 AM | SWU Worship Service
Come with your RA and hallmates to attend a special opening worship service in Newton Hobson Chapel.

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Sunday Brunch
Location: Dining Commons

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | Hall Activities
Location: Various Locations
Get to know your area and your neighbors with some Residence Life fun.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Dinner
Location: Dining Commons
Say hello to the upperclassmen back on campus!

7:00 PM – 8:00 PM | REACH Student Worship
Location: Alive Chapel in the Nicholson-Mitchell Christian Ministry Center
Relax with your new friends and worship with one of SWU’s student-led ministries as you look forward to your first day of classes on Monday.

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Grocery Bingo
Location: Blue Hill Coffee & Tea in the Jennings Campus Life Center
Come join us for one of our favorite SWU Orientation traditions! There will be great prizes and an opportunity to enjoy fun and friendly competition with your new classmates.