Warrior Welcome Weekend Schedule

Warrior Welcome Weekend - Fall 2025

*Events with an asterisk are mandatory

Friday, August 15

9:00 am – 2:00 pm: Welcome to SWU! – 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 based on your appointment time. If you have other business 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* – Rickman Library
This is a critical 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 work with faculty advisors over the weekend to register for classes or adjust your class schedule. You must have a schedule before you can be fully registered.

10:00 am – 11:00 am: Military Families Open House – 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.

11:30 am – 1:00 pm: Lunch – Dining Commons
Lunch is included for students with an ID card and is $7.65 for guests and family members.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Commuter Community Lunch Meeting* – Dining Commons, Founders
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. If you have final registration or other business to finalize, we will direct you where to go from here.

1:15 pm – 2:00 pm: New Student Welcome (Plus Parents!)* – Newton Hobson
Our first chance to meet together as the entering class of 2025! 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: Student Athletes and Parents Meeting* – Newton Hobson
Learn about communication protocol and team community expectations.

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 – 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* – Newton Hobson
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 – 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 campus coffee shop Blue Hill.

8:15 pm – 9:00 pm: SWU Leaders Meet & Greet – Dining Commons
Parents are invited to join the SWU administration team for an ice-cream mixer. The President and other SWU leaders will be available for conversation and to answer any questions you may have.

8:15 pm – 10:00 pm: Meet & Sweets – Blue Hill
Students - time to have some fun! Join us at our on-campus coffee shop to hang out, meet new friends, and enjoy snacks and games together.

Saturday, August 16

8:30 am – 9:15 am: Breakfast – 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* – 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?* – 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 to understand what college is about, to calibrate expectations, to feel comfortable entering the classroom, and to know where to turn when difficulties arise.

11:40 am – 12:00 pm: Incoming Student Group Photo (wear your new t-shirt) – Rickman Library Lawn

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch – Dining Commons
Look for your RA and hallmates, or other new friends

1:30 pm – 3:00 pm: Block Party – Childs Drive
Come have some fun and enjoy inflatables, yard games, and more!

3:00 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: Dinner & Meet your Major – 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.

7:00 pm – 8:30 pm: Women’s Soccer Scrimmage – Child's Field
Cheer on your fellow Warriors at your first SWU athletic event alongside new and returning students.

8:30 pm – 10:00 pm: Movie & Munchies – Clayton Welcome Center Lawn
Bring a blanket or a lawn chair for a movie under the stars as we celebrate the start of your college life at SWU.

Sunday, August 17

9:00 am – 12:00 pm: Worship at Local Churches
Connect with your RA, upperclassmen friends, or new roommates and start searching for your new church home.

11:00 am – 1:00 pm: Sunday Brunch – Dining Commons

5:00 pm – 6:00 pm: Dinner – Dining Commons

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm: REACH Student Worship – Alive Chapel
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 – Blue Hill
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.