Orientation is designed to aid you in your transition, integrate you into the life of the W&J community, and introduce you to the broad opportunities available at W&J.
During Orientation, you will be introduced to academic expectations, the diversity of the college, and the importance of community as a whole, both within W&J and beyond campus. More specifically, you will have opportunities to connect with faculty members, learn more about resources and services on campus, hear about community roles and traditions from upper-class students, and establish relationships with your peers in your new home.
At Orientation you will also meet your faculty advisor (FYS instructor), your Student Success Consultant and your LINK, an upper-class peer mentor, all of whom are committed to facilitating your positive transition to life as a W&J student. Below is the full schedule for Orientation.
To help you navigate campus during Orientation, please view our interactive campus map.
Save the Date
Transfer student meet up
Tuesday, August 30th, 5:00pm
Location to be announced
Student Schedule of Events for Transfer Students
*Please note that the dining schedule is different for Sunday due to the off-campus experience and there will be a brunch instead of separate breakfast and lunch events.
Wear your orientation t-shirt today!
9:00 am – 10:30 am - Check in to the Residence Halls (Student Life Suite, Rossin)
10:00 am – Brunch, The Tent on Olin Lawn
11:30 am – Load Buses and Depart for Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, E. Wheeling Street
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
Snacks and beverages will be available throughout the event at the Pavilion. Students can freely explore the zoo. Buses load at 3:00 pm for return to campus.
5:00 pm – 6:30 pm - Dinner, Commons Café
6:30 pm – Orientation Vacation, Rec Center and Henry Lawns, Henry Pool
Take a final vacation before the school year starts and enjoy some of the best destinations this side of Washington, PA! Destinations include:
- Presidents State Park with a rock wall, campfires, s’mores, mountain pies, dirt desserts, a camper photo booth, and a drive-in movie featuring throwback blockbuster ‘Jumanji’ (the show starts when the sun sets!) on the Rec Center Lawn
- The Dubjay Beach Boardwalk with game booths, boardwalk food, axe throwing, giant beach ball volleyball and more on the Henry Lawn
- Pete Henry’s Pool party with pool games and inflatables in the Henry Natatorium
The event will move to the Ross Family Recreation Center if it rains.
8:00 am – Breakfast (optional), Commons Café
9:00am - LINK Group Meeting, Hub for Student Success, Lower Level
9:30am - 10:15am - Student Success Consultant Scholars Session, Hub for Student Success, Lower Level
Meet your Student Success Consultant (SSC) and participate in your first SCHOLARS SESSION. Learn how to leverage your relationship with your SSC to build the personal and professional skills you need to navigate your first year at W&J successfully.
10:30 am to 12:00 pm – Thriving Together, Presented by Mark Weir, The Tent on Olin Lawn
Presenter Mark Weir helps will discuss how to create a healthy community and how to become your best self in College.
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm – Conversations Lunch, The Tent on Olin Lawn
Learn more about your peers during this interactive lunch experience.
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – How About This Party? Olin Fine Arts Center Theatre
An Interactive Theater performance addressing sexual assault and the use/abuse of alcohol in campus settings.
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm - Community Fair, The Tent on Olin Lawn
Members of the W&J and local communities will welcome you to campus with some fun giveaways and explain what they can do to support you during your time at W&J!
5:00 pm to 6:30 pm – Dinner, Commons Café
5:00 pm to 6:15 pm - Commuter Reception, Media Room (Commons Lower Level)
Commuter students are invited to a special reception with College staff.
6:30 pm to 7:00 pm - LINK Group Meetings, Location Determined by your LINK
7:00 pm to 9:30 pm – Casino Night, Rossin Campus Center Ballroom
Enjoy W&J’s own casino experience. Try your luck at a variety of different table games and slot machines! All games are completely free, and you may place your bets with fake money. Each game you play gets you raffle tickets to enter several different prize drawings. The more you win, the more tickets you get!
10:00 pm - Late Nite Breakfast, Commons Café
A W&J tradition every Finals Week! Come and enjoy a Late Nite Breakfast served by College staff and Faculty. The First 50 students in the door get a free Late Nite Breakfast T-Shirt!
8:00 am - Breakfast (optional), Commons Café
9:00 am to 10:00 am – Connecting with the Center for Professional Pathways, Hub for Student Success, Lower Level
10:00 am – First Day of Class Preview, Location Determined by your LINK
Meet with your LINK and do final preparations for your first day of College courses.
12:00 pm - Lunch, Commons Café
2:30 pm – Return to Your Building to Get Ready for Matriculation (Business Casual Attire), Your Residence Hall
Please dress in business casual attire for the Matriculation Ceremony.
3:15 pm - Class Photo, Old Main Lawn
In preparation for Matriculation, all members of your entering class will gather for a class photo.
3:30 pm – Line-up for Matriculation, Old Main
Line up for the processional into the Matriculation Ceremony.
4:00 pm to 4:30 pm - Matriculation Ceremony, Ross Recreation Center
*Business Casual Attire*
The Matriculation Ceremony, which is the first of many traditions which you will experience as a W&J student. This tradition connects you with all the classes of students who have come before as you walk across the W&J seal. As a class, you will proudly walk across the seal once again at Commencement, which marks the completion of your journey as a W&J student.
4:30 pm to 5:00 pm - Crossing of the Seal, Old Main Lobby
All new students at W&J take part in crossing the College Seal in Old Main after the Matriculation Ceremony. You will cross it once more at Commencement. This moment formally marks the beginning and end of your journey as a W&J student.
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm – Rockin’ the Lawn hosted by President & Mrs. Knapp, Tech Center Amphitheater
Celebrate the beginning of the new school year with the whole student body! Hosted by President John Knapp and Kelly Knapp.
7:30pm - LINK Mentor Debrief
