Prairie Wolves Welcome Events

August 19-23, 2026

On this page:

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 a.m.–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 a.m. –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
UPDATE: Students will check- in inside 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
UPDATE: Mc Donald Theater
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.
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 p.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 p.m.Student Engagement and Belonging
Callen Conference Room
 
12:45–1:30 p.m.Lunch
Prairie Point Dining Hall, Story Student Center
1–3:30 p.m.Optional Afternoon Activities
Prairie Wolves Football vs Concordia at 1:00 p.m., Abel Stadium
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
5–7 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.