Welcome Week

7 a.m.-noon: Residence hall check-in at the assigned residence hall.

8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: The Augustana Bookstore is open in the Brunner Theatre Center, lower level. Textbooks, apparel and supplies are available. The bookstore will also be open Saturday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 1, 1-3 p.m. It will be closed on Monday for Labor Day.

9 a.m.-noon: Welcome Week check-in at the Gerber Center, Gävle rooms 1 and 2. All students new to the college should pick up their Welcome Week folder, which outlines important program information. (Required)

10 a.m.-noon: Open houses for students and family members who have not toured campus. The following buildings will be open: Thomas Tredway Library, Gerber Center, Hanson Hall of Science, Brunner Theatre Center, Carlsson-Evald Hall, Lindberg Center, Old Main and Fryxell Geology Museum in the Swenson Hall of Geosciences. Check the campus map in your folder for locations or use the online map.

11-11:30 a.m.: Transfer student welcome, Olin Auditorium, lower level. This is the official beginning of our transfer students' experience as an Augustana Viking, designed specifically for those transferring from other institutions. The four-day program will provide opportunities to connect with other incoming students and returning students, and learn about opportunities and resources at Augustana.

11 a.m.-12:45 p.m.: Complimentary lunch at the Gerber Center Dining Room. Students and their families are invited to dine as guests of the college.

1-1:30 p.m.: Opening convocation, lower Quad. Students and their families will join President Andrea Talentino as she addresses the incoming students for the first time and welcomes them to the college. Seating is limited. Families may want to bring a blanket and sit in the grass. (Required)

1:30-1:45 p.m.: "The Short Goodbye," lower Quad. Students say farewell to their parents and families and begin to meet up with their peer groups.

2-3:25 p.m.: Welcome Week kick-off (students only), Carver Center. Students meet their first-year or transfer mentor and get acquainted with their peer groups. Don't miss this introduction to the Augustana College experience! (Required) 

2-2:45 p.m.: Parent advising meetings (parents only), various classrooms. Parents meet with their student’s faculty advisor. See back of student’s name tag for correct classroom location. (Required)

Parent and family participation in Welcome Week concludes after the parent advising meetings. We hope to see families back on campus for Homecoming and Family Weekend, Oct. 4-6.

3:30-3:45 p.m.: Your First "A" at Augie Photo, Charles D. Lindberg Stadium. New students will gather on the football field to take their first photo together in the shape of the Augustana "A." (Required)

4-5:15 p.m.: "Getting the Most Out of College," Centennial Hall. This program features Michael Miller, a nationally recognized speaker on college success. The presentation will focus on our first Community Principle, Purpose, and highlight important ways new students can get started on the right foot by taking action early. (Required)

5:30-6:45 p.m.: Dinner with peer group at the Gerber Center Dining Hall. (Required)

7-8 p.m.: Residence hall student meetings at assigned residence hall floor. Students return to their residence hall for meetings with Residential Life staff. Please be at your residence hall lounge or designated area by 7 p.m. (Required)

7-8 p.m.: Commuter student meeting at the Gerber Center, Gävle room 3. Commuter students will continue orientation with a panel of current Augustana commuter students. (Required)

8:30 p.m.: "Welcome to College Extravaganza," Centennial Hall. Rejoin your peer group outside Centennial Hall. Public Safety officers share practical advice about social life in college, followed by the Student Life Programming Board’s annual performance, featuring Hypnotist Dale K. This is a must-see event! (Required)

7:30-9 a.m.: Breakfast at the Gerber Center Dining Room.

8:30-9:30 a.m.: Academic open houses. Students may attend information sessions for special interests. Look for peer mentors directing students to these events, or ask your own peer mentor in advance about event locations.

Music department open house: Students interested in learning about music lessons or music ensembles may come to Larson Hall in Bergendoff Hall of Fine Arts (west side of Centennial Hall) for a short information session followed by the opportunity to set up auditions and lesson times, and talk with music faculty.

Theatre department open house: Students interested in theatre are invited to the Brunner Theatre Center to meet faculty and learn about opportunities for participation onstage and behind the scenes during the 2024-2025 season.

10-11:15 a.m.: Diversity awareness program, Centennial Hall. Join Justin Brown, author of "Ugh Not Another Diversity Book," for an interactive, upbeat program focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion. (Required)

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Box lunch with first-year/transfer advisor. Check with your first-year/transfer mentor for picnic location. Pick up a box lunch at the Gerber Center Gävle rooms. Each peer group will join its faculty advisor for a get-acquainted lunch and an introduction to the advising process. Individual appointments with your faculty advisor will be scheduled at this time. (Required)

12:45-5 p.m.: One-on-one advising meetings. Check with your peer mentor for location. Meet with your first-year/transfer advisor at your scheduled time. (Required)

1-4:30 p.m.: Student Activities Fair, lower Quad. (Rain location: PepsiCo Rec Center). Meet your peer group at the location designated by your first-year or transfer mentor no later than 12:45 p.m. Your mentor will then accompany your group to the Student Activities Fair, where you can learn about the nearly 140 student groups and organizations on campus. (Required)

1-3 p.m.: On-campus job fair, Olin, first floor. Interested in an on-campus job? Check out the on-campus job fair.

1-5 p.m. Choir auditions (all voice parts), Bergendoff 104B. All new and returning students are encouraged to sign up (in Bergendoff 137) for a short audition time. No preparation or previous experience is necessary. Auditions will last approximately five minutes and can be done between other Welcome Week activities.

Also feel free to use this time to finish unpacking, organize your room or rest. The Augustana Bookstore (Brunner Theatre Center, lower level) is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. today and 1-3 p.m. Sunday.

5-7 p.m.: Picnic with the President, Gerber Center parking lot/Brew Patio. Join President Andrea Talentino as she welcomes Augustana's newest students to the college. The picnic will feature food, beverages, games and music. (Required)

8:30-10 p.m.: OSL Concert in the Quad. Join us for food, fun and live music in the lower Quad.

7:30-9 a.m.: Breakfast at the Gerber Center Dining Room.

9-11 a.m.: Augie Life 101, Gerber Center and Olin Center, various locations. Choose informational sessions that will help you find your place as an Augustana student! See the schedule in your folder for session names, descriptions and locations. (Required)

10:15 a.m.: Chapel Singers' rehearsal, Steve and Jane Bahls Leadership Center, Ascension Chapel. Anyone who loves to sing is encouraged to come to this rehearsal of the Chapel Singers, which will perform just once, at the 11 a.m. service.

11 a.m.-noon Ecumenical Worship Service, Ascension Chapel. This lively service is thoroughly ecumenical and open to everyone. Included are special music, Holy Communion and a sermon by Campus Chaplain Melinda Pupillo.

11 a.m.-1:15 p.m.: Lunch at the Gerber Center Dining Room.

1-2 p.m.: "Sex Signals," Centennial Hall. Peer groups #1-#24. Meet your peer group outside Centennial Hall at 12:45 p.m. (Required)

2:30-3:30 p.m.: "Sex Signals," Centennial Hall. Peer groups #25-62. Meet your peer group outside Centennial Hall at 2:15 p.m. (Required)

4-5 p.m.: New dining employee orientation, Gerber Center faculty dining area. Looking for a job on campus that has a flexible schedule and can get you started right away? If you would like to start out on the schedule immediately, contact the dining office at brianstone@augustana.edu. If you did not fill out your tax forms at orientation, please bring your original passport, birth certificate or social security card, along with a picture ID.

5-7 p.m.: Dinner with peer group at the Gerber Center Dining Room. (Required)

7-8 p.m.: Catholic Mass [Ascension Chapel]

8 p.m.: Load buses for evening activities, Gerber Center. First-year and transfer students board buses for the Celebration Belle riverboat cruise for an evening out on the Mississippi River. (Required)

8:30-11 p.m.: Celebration Belle riverboat cruise for first-year and transfer students. Join your new classmates for music, dancing, comedy and complimentary refreshments on the Mississippi River. Buses transport students to the 800-passenger Celebration Belle riverboat in Moline starting at 8 p.m. Buses return to campus at 10:45-11 p.m. (Required)

8-10 a.m. World language assessment - proctored, Olin 105. For students who need to take a proctored assessment for a world language placement. Check your email to see if this applies to you. The test will begin promptly at 8 a.m. and should take approximately 45 minutes.

9-10 a.m.: Breakfast at the Gerber Center Dining Room

9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Choir auditions for all voice parts, Bergendoff Hall 104B. All new and returning students are encouraged to sign up (in Bergendoff 137) for a short audition time. No preparation or previous experience is necessary. Auditions will last approximately five minutes and can be done between other Welcome Week activities.

Noon-1:30 p.m.: Lunch at the Gerber Center Dining Room.

1:30-2:30 p.m.: Campus tour: Locating classrooms and important resources. Meet with your peer group at the location designated by your first-year or transfer mentor. (Required)

2:45-3:30 p.m.: Academic Integrity/First Year Survey, Centennial Hall. (Required)

3:30-4:15 p.m.: "Our Campus: Our Community Principles," Centennial Hall. This session will serve as the culmination of the Welcome Week program. Join Provost Dr. Dianna Shandy and Vice President and Dean of Students Dr. Wes Brooks as they highlight the importance of our student-written Community Principles. In what has become a tradition, students will receive an Augustana pin as a symbol of joining the Augustana community. (Required)

5-7 p.m.: Dinner at the Gerber Center Dining Room.

5:30-7 p.m.: Theatre pizza mixer, Brunner Theatre Center. If you are interested in being involved in theatre productions, either onstage or behind the scenes, you are invited to this informational meeting and pizza party. This is a time for new theatre students to meet returning theatre students and faculty and to learn more about upcoming production opportunities.

8:30 a.m.: Classes begin

9 p.m.: SLPB Late Night: Capture the Flag. Lower Quad, near the Tredway Library.
The annual Capture the Flag game, organized by the Student Life Programming Board (SLPB), has half of the participants playing for Team Blue and the other half playing for Team Gold. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet new friends while competing for great prizes. Food, beverages and free T-shirts will be provided.

8 p.m.: SLPB Movie. Lower Quad, near the Slough. (Rain location: Olin Auditorium)

8 p.m.: SLPB Live on Campus. Gerber Center, Brew by the Slough and patio.
The Student Life Programming Board's Live on Campus Committee will host a live act. Food and beverages will be served.

9 p.m.: SLPB Games: Bingo. Gerber Center, Gävle rooms.
This is not your grandparents' bingo. SLPB's bingo is one of the most popular events at Augustana, and it promises to be even better this year. Don't miss your chance to win $500!

1-4 p.m.: Multicultural Programming Board (MPB) Culture Fest. Lower Quad. (Rain location: Gerber Center, Gävle rooms)
Celebrate cultures from around the world through food, music and dance! Meet the Augustana culture groups, complete fun activities, enjoy delicious dishes from local restaurants and enjoy live entertainment.

6 p.m.: Emerge kick-off. Gerber Center – Gävle 1, 2 and 3)
Join us in celebrating the beginning of the Emerge program! We look forward to meeting everyone and hearing about your first week as a Viking. During this session, we will introduce the amazing leaders of our organization, go over the details of the program and get to know each other.