Welcome Weekend

A: Welcome Weekend is a great time designed to help you be prepared and ready to begin the academic year at Grace College!  Incoming students and their families are able to complete orientation tasks, get moved into their residence halls, meet other students and families, learn important information about becoming a Grace Lancer, meet with their academic advisor, and settle in before classes begin.

A:. Saturday and Sunday will consist of a series of meetings and gatherings created to welcome our new families and help you get started off on the right foot!  This will include a number of  orientation meetings for both parents and new students.  New students will also meet with their breakout group, faculty/student mentors, and residence life/commuter life staff who will provide support for you throughout your first year at Grace!  Welcome Weekend continues for students on Monday with advising appointments with your academic advisor and concludes Tuesday with the much anticipated tradition of “The Hike”! 

A: Yes, you will schedule a time to check-in, get your key and get moved into your residence hall before the first event for students and families starting at 4:00p.m. Even if you don’t feel settled by 4:00 on Saturday, you will have opportunities to make a run to the store before your parents leave on Sunday.

A: Commuters are required to attend most Welcome Weekend events, as it is a key time to complete registration and receive items such as your student ID, your official course schedule, parking registration, textbooks, and important information to get ready for classes to begin.  You will also have the opportunity to meet other commuter students and staff and become familiar with the campus.

A: Upon arrival, parents and students will receive schedules for the weekend that will include events that will be for both parents and students, as well as events that are just for parents, and events that are just for students. Events for parents include a parent orientation and dessert, a parent breakfast with faculty, and an important meeting for parents of new student athletes.  In addition there will be some joined meetings with your student including an official welcome, worship service and combined orientation meeting.  All meals will be provided on campus from Saturday to Sunday afternoon.    

A:  We understand that schedules may not always allow parents to stay for the entire Welcome Weekend.  Participation however is strongly encouraged in order to become more acquainted with the staff and services at Grace.  

A: The scheduled time for students to have time to say goodbye to their parents is Sunday afternoon from 2:30-4:00pm, after the orientation meetings have concluded.  

A: Yes, siblings are more than welcome to attend welcome weekend!  We recognize that a sibling going to college is also an important transition for them, so they are welcome to join their parents on Saturday and Sunday.

A: Yes! This weekend is designed to introduce you and your family to Grace’s campus and faculty. As a new student, you will complete orientation tasks, check into your residence hall, and get settled in before returning students come back to campus. A few specific transfer student events are planned just for you!

A:  After moving-in to your residence hall, we encourage all parents to avoid parking in the residence hall parking lots.  Preferred parking lots include the MOCC, in front of McClain or at the GHAWC.   

A:  All office hours will be published on the Welcome Weekend Schedule.