Welcome Week

This page provides information for the Fall 2026 Welcome Week.

3:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Arrival Check-in | Anderson Auditorium Parking Lot

3:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Campus Business | Bell Library

5:30 pm: Dinner** | Howerton Dining Hall

7:00 pm: Residence Life Socials hosted by Residence Life 

10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Arrival Check-in | Anderson Auditorium Lot

10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Campus Business | Bell Library

11:30 am – 1:00 pm: Lunch** | Howerton Dining Hall

2:00 pm: Welcome for New Students & Parents: An Invitation to The Good Life* | Anderson Auditorium

3:00 pm: Student Group Photo*                                                             

3:15 pm: Parents: Closing Parent Program | Chapel of the Prodigal 

                Students: Foundations Group Meetings*

5:30 pm: Dinner** | Howerton Dining Hall

                 Family Departure Following Dinner

7:00 pm: Honors Program Social | McGregor Hall

8:00 pm: Residence Hall Orientation*

7:30 am: Breakfast | Howerton Dining Hall 

8:30 am: Orientation Session* | Graham Chapel

11:30 am: Lunch | Howerton Dining Hall

1:00 pm: Orientation Session* | Graham Chapel

5:00 pm: Men’s Soccer vs Asheville FC | Black Mountain Campus

5:30 pm: Hawaiian Luau Dinner | Black Mountain Campus                

7:00 pm: Block Party | Black Mountain Campus

7:30 am: Breakfast | Howerton Dining Hall 

10:00 am: Local Church Opportunities | Residence Hall Lobbies

12:00 pm: Brunch | Howerton Dining Hall

2:00 pm: ResLife Activities | Various Locations on Campus

5:30 pm: Dinner | Howerton Dining Hall

7:00 pm: Orientation Session* | Graham Chapel               

                  Fire and S’mores to Follow | Gaither Commons

7:30 am: Breakfast | Howerton Dining Hall 

9:00 am: Orientation Session* | Graham Chapel

10:00 am: Connect with Faculty & Students in Your Academic Department | Various Locations

11:30 am: Final Orientation Session* | Graham Chapel

12:00 pm: Picnic Lunch with Foundations Group* | Pick-up in Howerton Dining Hall

3:00 pm: International Student Meeting for New & Returning Students | Gaither Fellowship Hall

5:15 pm: McAlister Ribbon Cutting & Open House | McAlister Hall

5:45 pm: Dinner | The Barn          

7:00 pm: Navy vs Gold Volleyball Game | McAlister Hall

8:45 pm: Candlelight Service | Lake Susan

9:15 pm: Ice Cream Social | Howerton Porch

8:00 am: Classes Begin

9:00 pm: All Hall Meeting*

10:00 am: Opening Convocation | Anderson Auditorium

*Required of all incoming students

**All students will be able to use their ID to get into meals. All students will be given 4 guest meal tickets to use at lunch or dinner on Thursday and/or Friday. All other guests will be charged for their meal. Official meal times for August 20-21 are breakfast (7:30-9:00 AM), lunch (11:30-1:00 PM) and dinner (5:30-7:00 PM).