Welcome Week Schedule
Welcome Week Schedule 2025
Friday, August 15
Families/supporters welcome this day through 4:30 p.m.
8:00am–12:00pm: New Resident Student Move-In
Various Residence Halls (First-Year and Transfers)
Check your North Central College email for more information about how you will move into your Residence Hall.
9:30am–10:30am: Cardinal First Family Continental Breakfast (First-Gen Students & Families only)
Wentz Concert Hall Lobby
This welcome breakfast is for all incoming first-generation college students* and their parents. Students will meet several Cardinal First Ambassadors (first-generation upper-level students), faculty and staff who were first-generation college students and First-Generation Programs team. RSVP requested – All details and RSVP link in emails from Cardinal First.
*First-generation students are defined as neither parent having a four-year degree.
10:00am–12:00pm: Commuter Student Check-In
Jefferson Lounge (Adjacent to Seager Residence Hall)
All first-year and new transfer commuter students should check in to receive important Welcome Week information.
10:30am–11:30am: Commuter Scavenger Hunt
Meet outside of Wentz Science Center (accessible west-side entrance)
Team up with fellow commuters to explore campus and discover key spots every commuter should know. Winning team gets free NC♡Commuters t-shirts!
11:00am–1:30pm: Welcome BBQ & Campus Resource Fair
Jefferson Lawn (Outside Wentz Science Center)
Kick off Welcome Week with food, fun giveaways, and helpful campus resources! Campus Store open until 4:30pm
12:00pm–1:00pm: Optional Drop-in Advising
Oesterle Library
LIB 100 Drop-in Advising
2:30pm–3:30pm: New Cardinal Convocation
Residence Hall/Recreation Center Arena
At 1:30pm, new students will gather in groups with their First-Year Mentor (FYM) or a Transfer Leader at Jefferson Lawn. Families make their way to Res/Rec Arena.
First-year students – You have received an email from your First-Year Mentor (FYM) regarding the CARD110: Cardinal Experience course. Your CARD110 class section is listed in that email, on your course schedule, and on your Welcome Week name tag. FYMs will be holding signs listing the CARD110 class section numbers for each class group to gather and "scan in" for attendance prior to moving on to the next scheduled event.
At 3:30pm, all new Cardinals will pick up a complimentary (FREE!) NC t-shirt (while supplies last) and wear it to Red & White Night—a group photo will be taken at Merner Fieldhouse! Student should find their FYM or Transfer Leader upon exit to guide them to the next activity.
Simultaneous Spanish translation of this event will be available via headsets. Sign language interpretation will also be available. For families unable to attend in person, the event will be livestreamed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/tywTtnFchEg
3:30pm–4:30pm: Family Farewell Reception (Families & Guests Only)
Residence Hall/Recreation Center Arena (Immediately following New Cardinal Convocation)
After Convocation, students will head off to their next Welcome Week activity. Families are invited to stay and enjoy light refreshments while mingling with other families and some NC staff. Whether you stay for just a few minutes or the full hour, this is a time for families to connect and begin the NC journey together—before heading home.
3:30pm–5:00pm: Meet Your First-Year Mentor (First-Year Students)
Find your FYM outside Res/Rec
Immediately following Convocation, first-year students will reconnect with their FYM to guide them to the next Welcome Week activity: Meet Your First-Year Mentor! You'll get an opportunity to get to know your FYM and fellow classmates before classes even start!
3:30pm–5:00pm: Transfer Student Connection (Transfer Students)
Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center
Immediately following Convocation, transfer students will reconnect with the Transfer Leader to guide them to the next Welcome Week activity: Transfer Student Connection! Meet fellow transfer students and start building your community from day one!
5:00pm–6:30pm: Meet Your Neighbors & Dinner (Resident Students)
Various Residence Halls | Kaufman Dining Hall
Get to know fellow resident students living in your on-campus community!
5:00pm–6:30pm: Commuter Connection & Dinner (Commuter Students)
Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center
Connect with fellow commuter students and learn about commuter life resources!
7:00pm–10:00pm: Red & White Night
Gregory Arena, Merner Fieldhouse | Championship Plaza
At 6:30pm, all new Cardinals will meet at Old Main Lawn (by the flagpole) wearing their new, white NC t-shirt they received at New Cardinal Convocation! If you weren’t able to pick up your t-shirt after convocation, please arrive no later than 6:45pm to pick one up. Check-in for attendance to also receive fun Red & White night giveaways!
Join us for our beginning-of-the-year kickoff pep rally as we learn Cardinal traditions like the NCC Fight Song and Alma Mater, featuring exciting performances by our dance team, cheer team, and marching band! Get pumped for food trucks, music, Cardinal pride, and lots of fun!
Saturday, August 16
8:00am–9:30am: Breakfast
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for breakfast at K-man!
Commuters may use their Commuter meal ticket (located in their Welcome Week passport).
10:00am–11:00am: Campus Recreation pop-up
Old Main Lawn
Stop by to learn more about how to get involved in campus recreation activities throughout the academic year. Students can also sign up to participate in a Bags Tournament (cornhole) on Saturday, August 16 at 6:00pm-7:30pm!
11:00am–12:00pm: Choose Your Own Adventure!
Commuter Resource Tour
Meet on the main floor of the Harold & Eva White Activities Center (WAC)
Commuters may use one of their Commuter meal tickets.
Yoga
Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center (WSC)
Join Dyson Wellness Center and instructor Bernie for a chance to relax, recharge, and stay active!
Walk Your Schedule
Transition Team members will be stationed as various buildings across campus to answer any questions you may have.
12:00pm–1:00pm: Lunch
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for lunch at K-man!
Commuters may use their Commuter meal ticket (located in their Welcome Week passport).
1:00pm–3:00pm: Choose Your Own Adventure!
Painting Social
Madden Theatre, Wentz Concert Hall (WCH)
Enjoy a relaxing afternoon painting Chippy at his dream vacation destination!
Lounge on the Lawn
Jefferson Lawn
Come chill with some music and lawn games!
Just Dance Party
Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center (WSC)
Show off your best dance moves at our Just Dance party!
4:30pm–6:00pm: Dinner
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for dinner at K-man!
Commuters may use their Commuter meal ticket (located in their Welcome Week passport).
6:00pm–7:30pm: Choose Your Own Adventure!
Bags Tournament
Old Main Lawn
Join the Office of Student Engagement & Belonging for a friendly cornhole competition! All skill levels welcome!
Supportive Gaming Community
Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center (WSC)
Join Dyson Wellness Center & Oesterle Library's new initiative bringing students together to play tabletop role playing games! No experience necessary.
7:30pm–10:00pm: Movie Night
Pfeiffer Hall
Join the Cardinal Activities Board for a movie night featuring Monsters University and late-night snacks!
10:00pm–11:00pm: Glow Fest
Jefferson Lawn & Jefferson Lounge (First-Year & Transfer Residents)
Join the Office of Residence Life in celebrating your first late night and weekend on campus at Glow Fest, an event for first-year and transfer residents! Come hang out, meet other first-year and transfer residents, and enjoy glow in the dark fun and snacks.
Sunday, August 17
8:00am–9:30am: Breakfast
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for breakfast at K-man!
Commuters may use their Commuter meal ticket (located in their Welcome Week passport).
10:30am–1:30pm: Downtown Naperville Excursions
Various Locations in Downtown Naperville
Students can choose to shop Downtown Naperville, explore the Riverwalk and Paddleboat Quarry, or visit Centennial Beach. Please note that students are responsible for covering all costs associated with their excursion, including lunch. Students can meet at 10:30am on Jefferson Lawn to choose which activity to join. Centennial Beach is $10 per student with a valid North Central College ID. Check out more DTN discounts here.
Alternative Activity: Board Games & E-sports (until 1:00pm)
Students can choose to join us in Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center for an afternoon of fun and friendly competition with a variety of board games and e-sports matches. Students still interested in exploring Downtown Naperville can join a Cardinal Transition Leader at 12:00pm for a guided walk.
Lunch on your own!
2:00pm–4:00pm: Cardinal Community – Fast Friends
Stevenson Hall, Wentz Science Center
Join the Dyson Wellness Center and Peer Health Educators for an interactive workshop about developing healthy peer relationships! Choose one of the following timeslots:
Session I – 2:00pm–3:00pm
Session 2 – 3:00pm–4:00pm
4:30pm–6:00pm: Dinner
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for dinner at K-man!
Commuters may use their Commuter meal ticket (located in their Welcome Week passport).
6:00pm–9:00pm: Choose Your Own Adventure! (Open to all new and returning students)
Late Night Roller Rink
Get ready to roll with our awesome indoor Roller Skating Rink in Residence Hall/Recreation Center (Res/Rec).
Relaxation Craft Station
Unwind and get creative in Madden Theatre, Wentz Concert Hall (WCH), with crafts like DIY slime, rock painting, and more!
Late Night Open Gym
Burn off energy and have fun in Gregory Arena, Merner Fieldhouse—open to all skill levels!
Monday, August 18
8:00am–9:30am: Breakfast
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for breakfast at K-man!
Commuters may use their Commuter meal ticket (located in their Welcome Week passport).
9:00am–10:00am: Cardinal Community – CARD 110 (First-Year Students)
Various Classrooms
More details coming soon!
10:15am–11:00am: Campus Safety
Wentz Concert Hall – Required Presentation
Learn about Campus Safety Officers, emergency alerts, our 24/7 safety hotline, and other resourced that keep North Central College a safe campus community.
11:00am–12:00pm: The Hook Up
Wentz Concert Hall – Required Presentation
Hooking up can often sound like harmless fun, but it can also be a cover for some very unhealthy behaviors. Join the Office of Title IX in this engaging discussion that "pulls back the covers" on hooking up, clarifies the importance of consent when it’s actually sexual violence, and prepares bystanders to recognize predatory behavior (and stop it).
12:00pm–1:30pm: Lunch
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for lunch at K-man!
Commuters may use their Commuter meal ticket (located in their Welcome Week passport).
12:00pm–2:00pm: Dyson Dog Day
Jefferson Plaza
Join the Dyson Wellness Center to hang out with some furry friends and relieve some beginning-of-the-year jitters, stress, and anxiety!
12:00pm–2:00pm: Optional Drop-in Advising
Oesterle Library
LIB 100 Drop-in Advising
2:00pm–3:00pm: Shot of Reality
Wentz Concert Hall – Required Presentation
Join the Dyson Wellness Center for this alcohol awareness program performed by two professional comedians who engage students in conversations about responsible alcohol use, drunk driving, peer pressure, and safety strategies, equipping students with the knowledge to make informed choices.
3:30pm–5:00pm: "Conversations with the Cabinet" Ice Cream Social
Jefferson Lawn
Join North Central College President and senior leadership team, enjoying ice cream and casual conversation that foster community and connection!
4:30pm–6:00pm: Dinner
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for dinner at K-man!
Commuters may use their Commuter meal ticket (located in their Welcome Week passport).
6:00pm–8:00pm: Comedy + Magic with Tyler Korso (Open to all new and returning students)
Wentz Concert Hall
Join the Office of Student Engagement & Belonging for comedian and magician, Tyler Korso, who blends his witty stand-up comedy with surprising magic moments to bring you a show like no other!
Tuesday, August 19
8:00am– 9:30am: Breakfast
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for breakfast at K-man!
Commuters may use their Commuter meal ticket (located in their Welcome Week passport).
10:00am–11:00am: Say What?!
Wentz Concert Hall – Required Presentation
Join the Office of Student Engagement & Belonging in this interactive workshop where participants learn how to create a more respectful campus through greater cultural understanding.
Students will remain in Wentz Concert Hall from 11:00am to 11:30am for Cardinal Jeopardy!
11:30am–12:30pm: Cannabis Use or Non-Use: Considering Emerging Science and Implications
Wentz Concert Hall – Required Presentation
Join the Dyson Wellness Center in exploring what new research reveals about cannabis and how it can impact your health, mind, and college life—so you can make informed choices.
12:30pm–2:00pm: Lunch on the Lawn & Campus Resource Fair
Jefferson Lawn
Join us for food, activities, and helpful campus resources!
12:30pm–2:00pm: Optional Drop-in Advising
Oesterle Library
LIB 100 Drop-in Advising
2:00pm–3:30pm: Cardinal Community – Global Connections
Jefferson Lawn
Join the Center for Global Education to build meaningful relationships with international and domestic students through engaging activities and cultural exchange.
4:30pm–6:00pm: Dinner
Kaufman Dining Hall
Join us for dinner at K-man!
Commuters may use their Commuter meal ticket (located in their Welcome Week passport).
5:30pm–7:30pm: College Scholars Honors Dinner & Ice Cream Social (Honors Program Student Only)
Smith Hall, Old Main (2nd Floor)
Celebrate the start of the new academic year with the College Scholars Honors Program!