Prairie Wolves Welcome Events

Contact or visit us

Derrick Gulley Jr., M.A.
Director of Student Engagement in Student Life
Center for Student Involvement
Roy Story Student Center, Lower Level
(402) 465-2411
dgulley [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (dgulley[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu)

August 19-23, 2026

Incoming Students

Events with a gray highlighted background require student attendance. To view parents and families events, click on the Parents and Families tab above.

Wednesday, August 19

8–12 p.m.	Residence hall move in Check in at Smith-Curtis Great Hall.
8 a.m.–3 p.m.	Information desk Story Student Center, upper level Student Life staff and Prairie Wolves Welcome student leaders will be available to answer any questions.
11 a.m.–1 p.m.	Lunch Prairie Point Dining hall, Story Student Center Lunch available for new students and families for $10.00/meal. Note: Student meal plans begin at dinner on Wednesday, August19.
11:30–12:30 p.m.	First-year commuter student check in Check in at Smith-Curtis Great Hall.
12–1 p.m.	Transfer commuter student check in Check in at Smith-Curtis Great Hall.
1–3 p.m.	First-year commuter student orientation Olin A, Smith-Curtis Required for students commuting from home. Commuter students will join their classmates for additional programming starting at 3 p.m.
1:30–3 p.m.	Transfer student orientation Callen Conference Center, Smith-Curtis Required for transfer students only. Transfer students will join with all other incoming students for additional programming starting at 3 p.m.
3–4 p.m.	Prairie Wolves Welcome check-in Students will check in on Taylor Commons (east of Cochrane Woods Library).
4–5 p.m.	Matriculation Convocation All new students should attend. This is the ceremonial start to your Nebraska Wesleyan career. O’Donnell Auditorium
5 p.m.	First Walk This is a key university tradition! You will line up with your peers at O’Donnell Auditorium and walk in front of Old Main, through the north arch, to Story Student Center.
5:30 p.m.	Parent and family farewell Outside Story Student Center Parents, families and guests should use this time to share words of wisdom, take pictures and warm wishes before departing.
5:30 p.m.	Welcome dinner Prairie Point Dining Hall, Story Student Center Students will eat dinner with their PWW Groups. After dinner there are several activities planned until 10:30 p.m. to help students make connections.
7 p.m.	Sorority Orientation session Prairie Wolf A/B, Story Student Center Required for any students that have registered for sorority recruitment.
7:30 p.m.	Greek Life ice cream social Taylor Commons Please join us if you are interested in learning more about our sorority and fraternity community.
8:00–9:45 p.m.	Social event: Live band concert Old Main Amphitheatre
10 p.m.	Residence hall floor meetings Required for all students living on campus.

Thursday, August 20

8–8:45 a.m.	Breakfast Prairie Point Dining Hall, Story Student Center
9–9:15 a.m.	Student Life Welcome O’Donnell Auditorium
9:15–10 a.m.	Community, Integrity and Campus Safety O’Donnell Auditorium Learn from Tony Ramaeker, director of security and safety and Kevin Bollinger, director of student integrity, about the Prairie Wolf Promise, Student Code of Conduct and Community Standards.
10–10:30 a.m.	Engaging with NWU O’Donnell Auditorium Introduction to NWU Engage, the central hub for student organizations, events and campus activities.
10:30–11 a.m.	Campus tours and scavenger hunt Various locations. Consult your group leader. Learn more about campus resources, departments and scout future study spots.
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.	Lunch Prairie Point Dining Hall, Story Student Center
1–2:30 p.m.	Relationships Matter O’Donnell Auditorium Based on the fundamental principles of relationship building, during this session you’ll learn how your strengths can positively influence your relationships with your peers and elevate a culture of belonging at NWU.
2:45–3:45 p.m.	Common Ground on Taylor Commons This fast-paced event will help you break through your comfort zone and make new friends.
4–5 p.m.	Break Take some time to relax in your residence hall room. Commuter students can find comfy space to relax in the Story Student Center or the Cochrane Woods Library.
4-5 p.m.	Audition for Gold Standard Singers Rogers Fine Arts Room 300 (choir room) If interested, email Mr. Wyler at ewyler [at] nebrwesleyan.edu (ewyler[at]nebrwesleyan[dot]edu) for details.
4–5 p.m.	Sorority and fraternity info station Story Student Center Lobby Still on the fence about going Greek? Stop by the Student Center and get answers to any lingering questions.
4–5 p.m.	Technology Help Station Story Student Center Lobby Get help from the NWU IT staff for all your technology questions.
5–6:30 p.m.	Dinner Prairie Point Dining Hall, Story Student Center
6–10 p.m.	Sorority recruitment Check in: Prairie Wolf A/B, Story Student Center Theme: Philanthropy and Chapter Values
7:30–10 p.m.	Social event: Game On! Taylor Commons Join the Interfraternity Council and Wesleyan Entertainment Board for lawn games, inflatables and outdoor activities. Students will need to use NWU Engage to check in to social programs.

Friday, August 21

8–8:45 a.m.	Breakfast Prairie Point dining hall, Story Student Center
9–10:50 a.m.	Wesleyan 101: Academic and Personal Success O’Donnell Auditorium Learn how to navigate your time at Nebraska Wesleyan University with a holistic lens on what personal, physical, and academic well-being may look like. Academic Success Panel hosted by Will Meinen , director of the Cooper Center; Mental Health and Resiliency Presentation from Kim Corner, director of counseling services; and Health and Wellness Presentation from Karri Ahlschwede, director of student health.
11 a.m.–noon	Archway Seminar class Various locations. See your class schedule. Attend your first NWU class and meet your Archway Seminar instructors. Transfer and exchange students: Gather on the first floor of the Cochrane Woods Library for a panel of transfer students and mingling with campus resources.
Noon–1 p.m.	Picnic with PWW group and Archway Instructors Olin Green Space, Outside of Smith-Curtis
1:15–2:30 p.m.	Sex Rules gender-based violence prevention program O’Donnell Auditorium
2:30–3 p.m.	PWW group time O’Donnell Auditorium
3:00-4:00 p.m.	Box Office Social McDonald Theater Lobby. Join the Wesleyan Theater Company and Theater Department Faculty to a Welcome Social Event.
5–6:30 p.m.	Dinner with PWW group Dining hall, Story Student Center
6–10 p.m.	Sorority recruitment night two Check in: Prairie Wolf A/B, Story Student Center Theme: Sisterhood
7 p.m.	Fraternity recruitment chapter social and appetizers Chapter Houses Meet members from each fraternity.
8 p.m.	Social Event: Night Market and Crafts 48th Street, Makers Market Join your PWW Groups at the UNIplace Creative Arts District for a farmers market style craft fair with local artists, vendors and activies.

Saturday, August 22

10 a.m.	Donuts with Prairie Wolves Welcome Leaders Taylor Commons & Story Student Center
Cohort 1
10:20–11 a.m.	Student Engagement and Belonging Callen Conference Room
11:10–11:50 a.m.	Gender-based violence prevention and education Olin B
Noon–12:40 p.m.	PWW Group Activities Taylor Commons
Cohort 2
10:20–11 a.m.	PWW Group Activities Taylor Commons
11:10–11:50 a.m.	Student Engagement and Belonging Callen Conference Room
Noon–12:40 a.m.	Gender-based violence prevention and education Olin B
Cohort 3
10:20–11 a.m.	Gender-based violence prevention and education Olin B
11:10–11:50 a.m.	PWW Group Activities Taylor Commons
Noon–12:40 a.m.	Student Engagement and Belonging Callen Conference Room

12:45–1:30 p.m.	Lunch Prairie Point Dining Hall, Story Student Center
2–3:30 p.m.	Optional Afternoon Activities TBD
4–6 p.m.	Open recreation Weary Center
5–6:30 p.m.	Dinner with PWW group Prairie Point Dining Hall, Story Student Center
6–10 p.m.	Sorority recruitment night three Check in: Prairie Wolf A/B, Story Student Center
8-10 p.m.	Social Event: Bingo and Boba Prairie Point Dining Hall, Story Student Center Join the Wesleyan Entertainment Board for bingo, appetizers and prizes. Students will need to use NWU Engage to check in to social programs.

Sunday, August 23

11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.	Brunch Prairie Point Dining Hall, Story Student Center
11:30-1:30 p.m.	Book Store Carnival Stop by the book store for some fun and entertainment.
2–4 p.m.	Campus tour — find classrooms! Story Student Center Sign up for a time with your PWW Leader. They will take you around campus and show you your classrooms.
2 p.m.	Sorority Bid Day
2–4 p.m.	Snow Cones and Yard Games Taylor Commons Join University Ministries for Kona Ice and yard games.
4–6 p.m.	Open recreation Weary Center
5:00–7 p.m.	Dinner Prairie Point Dining Hall, Story Student Center
6 p.m.	Theatre all-company meeting McDonald Theatre
7 p.m.	Hypnotist O’Donnell Auditorium Join the Wesleyan Entertainment Board for this decades-long tradition. Students will need to use NWU Engage to check in to social programs.

Parents and Families

Wednesday, August 19

11 a.m.–1 p.m.	Lunch Prairie Point Dining Hall, Story Student Center Lunch available for new students and families for $10.00/meal.
1:30–2:30 p.m.	A parent's guide to Greek Life at NWU Smith-Curtis, Room 221 Do you have a student interested in developing lifelong relationships? Learn more about NWU's approach to recruitment, the chapters' dedication to academic excellence and our communities philanthropic impact.
2:30–2:45 p.m.	Parent and family refreshments McDonald Theatre Join staff from Student Life as we celebrate this day. Drinks and other refreshments provided.
2:45–3:45 p.m.	Student Life information for parents and families McDonald Theatre Parents and families are encouraged to attend this session to learn more from NWU student life and academic support staff about campus resources and helping their student succeed in college.
4–5 p.m.	Matriculation Convocation and First Walk O’Donnell Auditorium, Rogers Fine Arts Center Matriculation Convocation is the formal opening ceremony to the academic year. President Darrin Good and other university administrators greet the new students, as well as their parents and families. Following the ceremony, families will be dismissed to watch your student participate in our long time tradition of First Walk when students pass through the arch for the first time. (They’ll take this walk again on their graduation day.)
5–5:30 p.m.	Family farewell Outside Story Student Center We ask that parents and families depart campus by 5:30 p.m. so that students can fully participate in new-student activities.