Welcome Weekend Schedule

9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. 
New Student Check-In
(Manahan Orthopedic Capital Center – MOCC) 
Check-in includes gathering important information, receiving your ID card, securing your room key and moving into your new home. Please secure your check-in time here!
If you are arriving after 2 p.m., please call the RD on call number (574-635-5737) for Instructions on how to get your key and check sheet.

9:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m. 
(Westminster Welcome Center)
The campus store, Grace Gear, will be open. 

10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.  
Campus Offices Open 
Student Affairs, Student Services Hub (Student Accounts, Financial Aid, Registrar), OIT and Library (IDs made – if you did not pick up your ID at Check-in, please do so at the Library at this time.) 

11:30a.m.-1:30pm
Lunch
(MOCC, Kent Gazebo)
Complimentary pizza is provided by Papa John’s for lunch in the MOCC or at the Gazebo between Kent and Omega Halls.

12:00-4:00 p.m. 
Textbook Pick-up Window Open
(Campus Post Office)
Commuter students can pick up their textbooks here (residential students will receive their textbooks in their residence halls).

2:30-3:00 p.m. 
Go Study/Go Exchange Meeting 
(MOCC 106) 
If you are interested in studying abroad, you and your parents are invited to attend this short meeting for more information!

4:00–5:00 p.m. 
Welcome to Grace
(Manahan Orthopedic Capital Center)          
All new students and their parents – the official kick-off of new student orientation.  A time of worship and welcome.

5:00-6:15 p.m. (Tent across from Indiana Hall) 
5:00–6:45 p.m. (Alpha Dining Commons)
Dinner
The whole family is welcome for this picnic-style meal!

7:15–8:15 p.m.
Come meet your Residence Hall Leadership and Hall-mates
(Residence Halls)   
Meet your RDs and RAs.
Students only.

7:30–8:15 p.m.
Commuter Association Informational Meeting and Mixer 
(Commuter Lounge – Westminster Basement)                                       
Students only.

7:15–9:30 p.m.
Parent Orientation and Dessert
(MOCC Arena)
A series of short presentations for parents will introduce you to Grace staff and services to equip and encourage you in this new chapter of parenthood. A dessert reception hosted by the Parent Council will immediately follow.

8:15–9:15 p.m. 
Meet your Student Mentor and Learning Community! 
(Gordon Health and Wellness Center) 
First-year students, meet your student mentors 
Transfers, meet your student liaison

9:30–10:30 p.m. 
First-Year Follies
(Rodeheaver Auditorium) 
All new students are invited to First-Year Follies for their first class in Grace Culture 101. Skits. Surprises. Welcome to Grace.

8:30-10:00 a.m.
Student Breakfast 
(Indy Tent) 
First-year students will go to breakfast with their Growth Group Leaders. 
8:30-9:15  Alpha, Lodge and Westminster 
9:15-10:00 Indiana, Beta and Omega

8:15–9:30 a.m. 
Parent Breakfast with Faculty             
(Alpha Dining Commons)      
Enjoy breakfast and meet faculty members from each of the academic departments. There is no formal program; come and go anytime.

10:00–11:15 a.m. 
Worship                                               
(Manahan Orthopedic Capital Center)  
New students and families.

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. 
New Student-Athlete Parent Meeting
(MOCC Arena) 
For parents only.

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 
Student Disability Services Meeting   
(Morgan Library Learning Center) 
For students and parents, meet the coordinator of disability services and learn about the resources available. 

11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.  
Campus Offices Open 
Student Affairs, Student Services Hub (Student Accounts, Financial Aid, Registrar), Health & Counseling Services, Library (if you have not gotten your ID yet, please do so at this time.)

11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. 
(Westminster Welcome Center)
The campus store, Grace Gear, will be open. 

11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. 
Sunday Lunch for Last Names Beginning with A-L                         
(Alpha Dining Commons) 

12:15–1:15 p.m.
Sunday Lunch for Last Names Beginning with M-Z                            
(Alpha Dining Commons) 

2:30-3:30 p.m.                          
International Student Meeting                          
(MOCC 106) 

2:30-4:00 p.m. 
A Time to Say Goodbye (Parents Depart)

2:30-4:00 p.m. 
Therapy Dogs
(Tent across from Indiana Hall)
Students are invited to come meet/hang out/interact with a collection of therapy dogs (and their handlers).  For anyone who loves animals and/or are in need of some dog comfort/TLC.

3:00-3:50 p.m.
Education Majors: Solving the MAJOR Mysteries
(Mount Memorial 201, 202, 203)
All new education majors are invited to attend the Who, What, When, Where, and Why of being a part of the School of Education team. A MUST before your first meeting with your advisor! Students only.

3:00-4:00 p.m. 
Nursing Major – Ice Cream Social
(GHAWC Nursing Department)
All pre-nursing majors.
Come meet with the nursing professors and other pre-nursing students. Enjoy ice cream while familiarizing yourself with the nursing area. Students only.

3:00-4:00 p.m. 
Life Science Majors:  Starting on the Right Foot
(McClain Auditorium)
All Biology, Environmental majors, Exercise Science, Health Science, Medical Imaging majors: An opportunity to learn more about majoring in the life sciences at Grace College and discuss some key factors to getting a successful start in your academic career. Parents are welcome but not required to attend.

3:00-4:30 p.m. 
Commuter Student Campus Tour                                                   
(Commuter Lounge – Westminster Basement)                                     
Meet at the Commuter Lounge for a snack, followed by a campus tour. Parents welcome.

4:00–5:00 p.m. 
New Student-Athletes Orientation 
(MOCC Rm. 106)
New student-athletes and new transfer athletes.

4:45–5:30 p.m. 
(First shift) Dinner with your Hallmates 
(Alpha Dining Commons) 

5:35–6:20 p.m. 
(Second shift) Dinner with your Hallmates
(Alpha Dining Commons) 
Commuter Students will meet for dinner with the Commuter Liaison. Look for the Commuter sign!

6:30–8:30 p.m. 
Learning Communities in Faculty Mentor Homes
All first-year students will enjoy connecting with each other, their student mentor, and their faculty mentor
Transfer Group Gathering 
All transfers will enjoy connecting with each other and their student liaison (Indy Tent)

9:00–10:00 p.m.
Gather with your Hall Community 
(Residence Halls) 
Residential students will meet with Resident Assistants (required for new students).

7:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m. 
Breakfast (Alpha Dining Commons) 

9:00-10:00 a.m. 
Math Program Majors:  Welcome and Introduction
(Science Center Room 211)
A welcome and introduction for those majoring in actuarial science, math education, computer science, mathematics, and math & computing.

9:00 a.m.–4:45 p.m.  
All Student Advising 
(By Appointment – Faculty Offices) 
All first-year students, transfers, and readmits.  See the back of your name badge for your appointment time and location.

11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 
Lunch 
(Alpha Dining Commons)

12:00-1:00 p.m.
Transfer Student Lunch 
(Student Involvement Office, Indiana Hall) 

1:00-2:00 p.m.
Nursing Meeting
(GHAWC Room 193)
Meeting for students interested in the nursing program (partnership with Bethel University).

2:30–4:30 p.m. 
Snack @ the Morgan  
(Morgan Library)
All first-year students and transfers.  Get a head start on campus fun, grab some free snacks and swag, and be introduced to the awesome resources waiting for you at the Library Learning Center while earning points for Tuesday’s Campus Hike – all at Snack @ the Morgan.  First-gen students, be sure to check in for a special treat!

5:00–6:30 p.m. 
Dinner                                               
(Alpha Dining Commons)

7:30-8:30 p.m.
Ice Cream Social
(Indy Tent)
All students are invited to enjoy ice cream served by the Council for Diversity and Inclusion, who lead multiple affinity groups on campus. 

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  
Returning Students Check-in 
(Indiana Hall)

10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.  
The Hike 
(Meet at the MOCC)
The First-Year Foundations class will participate in “The Hike”, a one-day retreat together and enjoy various outdoor activities across campus that encourages class unity, team bonding and fun! Required for all enrolled in FYE1000. Transfer students are welcomed and encouraged to participate!

5:00–6:30 p.m. 
Dinner 
(Alpha Dining Commons)

8:00 a.m.  
Classes Begin 
Consult class schedule.

7:00-8:30 p.m.
Ring in the Year
(Beta Field)
All students connect and reconnect while they celebrate a new year! Enjoy snacks, games, prizes, and grab your 25-26 Red Zone shirt!

9:30 p.m.  
Residence Hall Floor Meeting with your Resident Director          
(Residence Halls)

10:30-11:20a.m.
Chapel
(MOCC)
Our Chaplain, Brent Mencarelli, will kick-off our first chapel of the year and begin our campus-wide theme study in the book of Hebrews.  Our student band will lead in a time of worship.  Students must download and record their attendance with the iAttended app by scanning in and out using one of the QR codes posted in the auditorium and upper concourse of the MOCC. Chapel Coordinators will be present to help with issues that may occur and can help these students receive credit.

7:30-8:30 p.m.
First-Gen Freeze
(McClain Patio)
If none of your parents or grandparents graduated from a four-year institution, you are a first-gen student! Come meet our first-gen team, faculty, and staff over some ice cream. Bring a friend, even if they are not first-gen.

10:30-11:20a.m.
Convocation Chapel
(MOCC)
Convocation chapel is a time to celebrate as students, faculty, and staff come together to mark the beginning of a regathered campus community and a new academic year. Students will be seated in the bleachers with faculty and staff being seated on the arena floor. Chapel begins promptly at 10:30am and will end by 11:20am.

6:30 p.m.
Kiddie Pool Kickball & Alpha Hill Slip ‘N Slide
(Beta Field)
Play kickball, go down the Alpha Hill slip ‘n slide or just hang out!

1:00-6:00 p.m.
Lake Day
(Winona Lake Limitless Park)
Enjoy the Grace Boat, kayaks, paddleboards, beach volleyball, and food!

Residence Hall Block Parties

(Details TBA)

Labor Day – no daytime classes (evening classes meet)

10:00-11:00pm
Ritter’s Night
(Ritter’s Warsaw)
Bring $1 (cash only) for some custard at local favorite Ritter’s

10:30-11:20 a.m.
Academic School Chapels
(Various locations – see below)
As we begin the 2025-2026 school year, each of Grace’s academic schools will be holding a special gathering for their majors in various locations across (or in walking distance to) campus. Chapel credit for attending will be available through the iAttended app. Students who have not yet chosen a major may choose to attend any of these gatherings. If you are double majoring in two schools, attend the school chapel of your choice. 
Locations are as follows: School of Ministry Studies in Philathea Little Theatre; School of Arts & Humanities in McClain Auditorium; School of Education in Westy Ballroom; School of Business in MOCC Auditorium; School of Science & Engineering in Winona Lake Grace Church’s Sanctuary; School of Behavioral Science in Church of Good Shepherd’s Sanctuary.

5:30-7:00 p.m.
Student Involvement Fair
(Beta Field- GHAWC in case of rain)
Meet clubs and local organizations to learn how to get involved. Complete the circle to earn a treat and enter to win a prize!

7:00 p.m.
Women’s Volleyball game
(MOCC)
Wear your Red (Zone), White & Blue clothes to cheer on the women’s volleyball team with Red Zone!

4:00-6:00 p.m.
Omega Court Craze
(Omega Basketball Court)
Enjoy popsicles and play some pick-up basketball with GIP (Grace Intramurals Program). Spectators welcome and encouraged!