Orientation & Welcome Week

You’re about to start your Pioneer journey, but it’s a big step. Take a deep breath because we’ve got you covered. Whether you’ll be living on campus or commuting, Welcome Week is filled with activities that will help you get to know your fellow Pioneers and start making memories that will last a lifetime. You’ll also attend your first cultural seminar classes, learn academic success strategies and explore the many student organizations, volunteer opportunities, recreational sports offerings and more that add value to your Carroll experience. Nontraditional students are also encouraged to attend virtual, or in-person Welcome Sessions sponsored by the Office of Student Success, contact Sam O’Sullivan at sosulliv@carrollu.edu with questions about transfer and nontraditional student activities.

Kick-start the Carroll experience by attending your first Convocation Event!

Learn more

What to Expect at Welcome Week

You'll learn a lot of names, have a lot of fun, make new friends and get a real taste of life at Carroll (hint - it's a blast).

Welcome Week schedule

Friday, August 30, 2024

  • 8-10 a.m.   Move-in for half of CCS sections – specific sections to follow later
  • 10:45 a.m.-1 p.m.   Move-in for half of CCS sections – specific sections to follow later  
  • 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.   President’s Lunch on the Lawn – Main Lawn 
  • 12:30-1:45 p.m.   Commuter student check-in – Campus Center Lobby 
  • 2 p.m.   Student lineup for Opening Convocation – Van Male Fieldhouse  
  • 2:45 p.m.   Convocation Processional Begins - Carroll Arch
  • 3 p.m.   Opening Convocation – Shattuck Auditorium (guests will stream in various locations)
  • 4-4:15 p.m.   Parent & guest farewells - Main Lawn 
  • 4:30 p.m.   Welcome for the Class of 2027 - Shattuck Auditorium
  • 4:45-5:15 p.m.   Community Expectations - Shattuck Auditorium
  • 5:15-6 p.m.   Team Meeting #1 - Main Lawn
  • 6-7:15 p.m.   Dinner – Van Male Fieldhouse 
  • 7-8 p.m.   Commuter student meeting – Dorothy Goff Frisch Recital Hall 
  • 7:15 p.m.   Mandatory residence hall community meetings for first-year and transfer - Students, See your RA for location 
  • 8-9 p.m.   Commuter student Bingo – Pioneer Indoor Terrace 
  • 9-10 p.m.   Evening program: Comedian – Shattuck Auditorium 


Saturday, August 31, 2024

  • 9:15 a.m.-12 p.m.   All first-year student program  
  • 12-1:30 p.m.   Lunch  
  • 1:30-4 p.m.   All first-year student program   
  • 7 p.m.  Evening program: To be determined 


Sunday, September 1, 2024

  • 10:00am   Gather worship service (optional event) 
  • 11:00am   All first-year student program 
  • 12:00-1:00pm   Lunch
  • 1:00pm   All first-year student program
  • 3-5 p.m.   Commuter and transfer student activities
  • 6:30-8 p.m.   LLC Welcome and Residence Hall Activities – See your RA for details
  • 8-10 p.m.   Evening program: To be determined


Monday, September 2, 2024

Labor Day
  • 9-11 a.m.   All first-year student program  
  • 1-3 p.m.   All first-year student program 
  • 6:30-8 p.m.   Residence Hall social gathering
  • 8 p.m.   Evening program: To be determined


Tuesday, September 3, 2024

  • 9 a.m.-12 p.m.   Community service trips with CCS class 
  • 1-5 p.m.   All first-year student program 
  • 8 p.m.   Evening program: To be determined


Wednesday, September 4, 2024

  • 8:30-10 a.m.   All first-year student program  
  • 1 p.m.   Academic program (majors) orientations.
  • 7:15pm   Mandatory residence hall floor meetings - See your RA for details
  • 9 p.m.   Evening program: To be determined


Thursday, September 5, 2024

  • 7 a.m.   Donut Know Where to Go – Main Lawn
  • 4-5:30 p.m.   Commuter and transfer student programming
  • 8 p.m.   Evening program: To be determined


Friday, September 6, 2024

  • 2-4 p.m.  Involvement Fair
  • 5-8 p.m.   Evening program: To be determined


Saturday, September 9

  • 7:30 p.m.   Evening program: To be determined

Activities

All week long, our friendly and encouraging Orientation Mentors will guide you through activities and programs that will help you get comfortable with Carroll University. Learn more about a few of our key programs below.
Welcome week picnic on main lawn

President's Lunch on the Lawn

Kick Off Welcome Week with an outdoor lunch on the lawn, joined by Carroll President, Dr. Cindy Gnadinger.

Playfair

One of the best way to get to know your classmates—we do icebreakers, play games and laugh A LOT.

The Great Scavenger Hunt

We help you get to know campus and highlights of the neighborhood through a giant scavenger hunt packed with interactive clues.

A live band playing on campus

Evening Programming

The fun doesn't stop when the sun goes down—each evening we host activities to keep Pioneers busy and engaged.

Freshman Day of Service

Video Ratio size 16 by 9 Carroll University Video
​You’ll find that Pioneers have a passion for leaving things better than they found them. Carroll has a strong culture of community service—you might say it’s in our DNA. Our students log more than 14,000 volunteer hours annually, beginning with Freshman Day of Service during Welcome Week, when you’ll join your entire incoming class in giving back. It’s an opportunity for us to make a significant impact on our community and the people who live here.

Six Week Challenge

fans in stands

Transitioning to college life can be a little overwhelming. Our Six-Week Challenge helps with a lineup of events and activities during the first six weeks of fall semester. You’ll be encouraged to stay on campus and get involved for six weeks before making your first visit home.

Six Week Challenge Activities

See Carroll For Yourself

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Panoramic View of campus