Week of Welcome

Welcome to campus! We're so glad you're here.

Week Of Welcome, or as we like to call it: WOW, is an event designed to immerse new students into campus culture and community, while also acclimating them to what college might be like before classes start. It's a great way for students to make friends, get comfortable with the campus, and feel settled into their new home-away-from-home.

Helpful Links

Helpful information for parents throughout the year.

WOW Parent Handbook

Locate the best route for navigating campus upon arrival.

Move-In Map

Use this as a prayer guide as you walk through campus.

Parent Prayer Walk Guide

The program for our Welcoming Celebration.

Welcoming Celebration Program

The Plan

A smiling woman wearing a white t-shirt that says “Volleyball” stands in a crowd outdoors.

Step 1: Move-In

Campus is ready for you! Let's do this! Get the map.

STEP 2: SUNDAY

On Sunday, we will have a variety of experiences planned for students including the opportunity to tune in to or join a local church in the morning and other community-building activities.

STEP 3: MONDAY

Monday will include a bunch more fun activities and will provide students enough time to check out where their classes will be on-campus and prepare for classes on Tuesday.

Snapshots from Recent Years

Three people walk on a sunny sidewalk, smiling and holding bags and belongings. Trees and grass line the path, suggesting a college or park setting.

A smiling student in a yellow Dordt University shirt holds up a “Welcome to Dordt University” sign outdoors on a sunny day, standing on a sidewalk surrounded by greenery.

Three young women stand talking outdoors. One faces the camera, smiling, while another has her back turned, wearing a “Dordt University” shirt. Trees and cars are blurred in the background.

Two young women walk and smile on a sidewalk near a brick building, with parked cars and other people in the background on a sunny day.

Schedule of Events

This schedule is tentative and subject to change for Fall 2027 events.

ABOUT THE FIRST WEEK AT DORDT

The first week at Dordt is filled with so much excitement and nerves. There are so many new beginnings and new things to begin learning. Opportunities to get connected are available everywhere and while it can be a bit overwhelming, everyone is so helpful. Several days are spent finding classrooms and exploring an unfamiliar campus with your friends. There are so many new faces - RA’s, roommates, professors. Though you don’t know them well in the beginning, they each become a formative part in your freshman year. While there are plenty of nerves, the first week is filled with anticipation, new experiences, and the excitement of starting a new chapter.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 20

Time	Event	Location
1 - 7 p.m.	Registration & Check-in Open	Campus Green (tent)
1 - 7 p.m.	Student Move-in	Residence Halls
5:30 - 7 p.m.	Dinner - This optional dinner costs $8 per person, for both incoming students and their guests. Student meals will be covered Saturday through Monday, with meal plans starting on Tuesday.	The Atrium

SATURDAY, AUGUST 21

*Student-Only Activities || **Parent-Only Activities

Time	Event	Location
8 - 10 a.m.	Registration and Check-in Open	Campus Green (tent)
8 - 10 a.m.	Student Move-in	Residence Halls
8 - 10 a.m.	Grab & Go Breakfast	Clock Tower
10:15 a.m.	Campus Tours**	Clock Tower
10:15 a.m.	WOW Meeting #1*	B.J. Haan Auditorium
11:30 a.m.	Welcome Celebration	B.J. Haan Auditorium & Recital Hall
12:30 - 2 p.m.	Lunch and Department Expo	Recreation Center
2 - 2:45 p.m.	Parent Information Panel**	B.J. Haan Auditorium
2 - 2:45 p.m.	RA & Commuter Meetings*	Residence Halls & Eckardt Lounge
3 - 6 p.m.	Choral Auditions*	Performing Arts Center
3 - 4 p.m.	Parent Social**	The Overlook
4 - 5 p.m.	Prayer Walk	De Yager Student Activity Center
5:30 - 7 p.m.	WOW Dinner	The Atrium
7 p.m.	WOW Meeting #2*	B.J. Haan Auditorium
8 p.m.	Ice Cream Social	Campus Green (tent)

SUNDAY, AUGUST 22

Starting at 1:30 p.m. all activities on the WoW schedule are student-only activities.

Time	Event	Location
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.	Breakfast	The Atrium
Various times	Morning Church	Local Churches
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Lunch	The Atrium
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.	Families say goodbye
1:30 - 2:00 p.m.	WOW Meeting #3	B.J. Haan Auditorium
2 - 4:15 p.m.	Olympic Preliminaries	B.J. Haan Auditorium
4:15 - 5:15 p.m.	Dinner with the Hoekstras	Recreation Center
Various times	Evening Church Service	Local Churches

MONDAY, AUGUST 23

Time	Event	Location
7:30 - 9:30 a.m.	Breakfast	The Atrium
6 - 9 a.m.	Athletic Practices	Various Locations
8 - 10 a.m.	Choral Auditions	Performing Arts Center
8 - 10 a.m.	Free Time (Find your classes, purchase your books, set up your room, take a walk, go to the Rec Center, tour the Gaming Guild, etc.)	Various Locations
9:30 - 10:00 a.m.	Your First 30 Days (Learn how to get involved in your first month on campus)	B.J. Haan Auditorium
10:15 a.m.	Program Orientation Kickoff	B.J. Haan Auditorium
10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.	Program Orientation	Various Locations
12 - 1 p.m.	Lunch	The Atrium
1 - 2 p.m.	Double-Majors and Explorers Orientation	Various Locations
2 - 4 p.m.	Student Employee Meetings	B.J. Haan Auditorium
4 - 5 pm	Choral Auditions	Performing Arts Center
5 - 6 p.m.	Olympic Picnic	The Atrium (outside)/Clock Tower Amphitheater
6 - 9 p.m.	WOW Olympics	Campus Green

TUESDAY, AUGUST 24

Time	Event	Location
8:10 a.m.	Classes Begin	Various Locations
7:30 p.m.	Wing Meeting	Residence Halls

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 25

Time	Event	Location
11:10 a.m.	Chapel & Convocation	B.J. Haan Auditorium
8 p.m.	The Show	B.J. Haan Auditorium

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26

Time	Event	Location
1 - 3:30 p.m.	Taste of Sioux Center & Club Fair	Recreation Center
7:30 p.m.	Defender Feud	B.J. Haan Auditorium
9:30 p.m.	Praise and Worship	De Yager Student Activity Center

FRIDAY, AUGUST 27

Time	Event	Location
6 p.m.	Block Party	The Quad

SUNDAY, AUGUST 29

Time	Event	Location
8 p.m.	Campus Ministries Kick-Off	B.J. Haan Auditorium