Convocation during Week of Welcome

Week of Welcome

Welcome, Class of 2030! Week of Welcome (WOW) activities take place Friday, Aug. 21, through Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. Each day holds Wildcat adventures that will help you meet new friends, explore the community, and get to know the faculty and staff of Wayne State College.

Welcome, Class of 2030!

We are excited you have chosen Wayne State College and the Wildcat Family to pursue your academic and professional goals. We look forward to helping you make the transition to college life. Week of Welcome (WOW) is a new student orientation program. It is your first opportunity to meet and start developing lasting friendships with fellow students. Throughout WOW, you will meet other first-year students with the same major as you and explore the opportunities and services waiting for you at Wayne State College.

Wayne State College firmly believes that participation in Week of Welcome is a critical aspect of your integration into the campus community. Therefore, all first-year students, including incoming transfer students living on campus, are automatically registered for WOW when they register for classes.

Move-In Times

First-year and new transfer students
Friday, Aug. 21, between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Returning students
Sunday, Aug. 23, between noon and 6 p.m.

WOW Highlight Reel

After moving in to the residence halls, first-year students participated in a variety of activities during their first week. Activities from the 2025 WOW tour included student convocation, orientation programming and informational sessions, games, a block party featuring a foam drop, club fest, ice cream social, business expo, and roller skating in the Student Center.

 

WOW Highlight Reel

After moving in to the residence halls, first-year students participated in a variety of activities during their first week. Activities from the 2025 WOW tour included student convocation, orientation programming and informational sessions, games, a block party featuring a foam drop, club fest, ice cream social, business expo, and roller skating in the Student Center.

Week of Welcome Schedule and Reminders

Informational, social, and recreational activities are scheduled throughout the week. The Student Activities Office will send you a brochure in early August with additional information about Week of Welcome. You will receive an email and information for the Director of Student Activities no later than Aug. 7 indicating what group you are assigned to for the Week of Welcome. You can also find more information in the Week of Welcome - Class of 2030 community in myWSC. (You will need to log in to myWSC with your WSC credentials.)

If you have any questions before then, contact Student Activities at [email protected] or 402-375-7322. For questions about move-in, contact Residence Life at 402-375-7318.

To-Do's / Checklist

  • Parking passes will be available for pick-up in the Student Center atrium when you check in for WOW.

  • If you attended a summer registration day event (NSR), you should already have your student ID. Please remember to bring your ID with you to campus. Your ID will be used to access your residence hall and your dining services plan.

    If you did not attend NSR, you can get your student ID created at the Campus Service Center, located on the main floor of the library.

    Service Center hours during WOW weekend
    10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22
    1 - 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23

  • Report to the front desk of your assigned residence hall on your move-in day during the set move-in time frame.

  • After checking in to your residence hall, you will check in for Week of Welcome in the Student Center atrium.

  • First-year and new transfer students
    Friday, Aug. 21, between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Please remember to bring your WSC Student ID.

    Returning students
    Sunday, Aug. 23, between noon and 6 p.m.

    If you have any questions about move-in, please contact the Office of Residence Life at 402-375-7318.

  • Textbooks can be purchased through the WSC online bookstore. More information TBA.

  • From t-shirts and hoodies to water bottles and must-have swag, it’s the perfect time to stock up and show off your WSC pride. The Campus Store is located in the atrium of the Student Center.

  • The Service Center, located in Conn library, can help you with your laptop, logging in, ID card, and other tech items. 

    Service Center hours during WOW weekend
    10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22
    1 - 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23

  • For help with your scholarships or payment plans, visit the Student Financial Services Office on the first floor of the Hahn Administration Building.

    Student Financial Services hours during WOW weekend
    1 - 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23

  • The dining hall in the Student Center will observe regular weekend hours of operation. You will not need to pay for your meals during Week of Welcome, as they are included in the WOW fee. Week of Welcome programs and activities are scheduled around meals over the weekend. In most cases, you will be able to eat with your ambassador and fellow small-group members.

2026 Schedule of Events

  • "All Aboard Your First Voyage"

    • 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. - New student move-in; check-in for WOW
    • 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Free Grab'n Go lunch, Hoffbauer Plaza
    • 1:30 - 2 p.m. - Meet your orientation leader and family farewell reception, Hoffbauer Plaza. Students will stay in small groups, while families should head to the Willow Bowl.
    • 2 - 2:30 p.m. - Convocation ceremony, Willow Bowl
    • 2:30 - 3 p.m. - Small group activities, Willow Bowl. Connect with your group and orientation leaders to dive into WOW activities.
    • 3-4:30 p.m. - Meet the crew
    • 4 p.m. - Class of 2030 photo, Memorial Stadium
    • 4:30 - 6:45 p.m. - Dinner, Upper Cafeteria
    • 6:45 p.m. - Residence hall floor meetings
    • 8 - 10 p.m. - Choose your own adventure activity

  • "Hitting the High Seas"

    • 7:30 - 9 a.m. - Breakfast, Upper Cafeteria
    • 9 - 9:30 a.m. - Day 2 kickoff, Willow Bowl. Start your day off right! Your ambassador will meet you there unless you eat breakfast together.
    • 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. - Classroom tour with your ambassador. Your ambassador will show you the ins and outs of campus on this tour so you know right where to go when classes start Monday.
    • 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Lunch
    • 1 - 2 p.m. - Sexual assault awareness/prevention presentation, Ramsey Theatre. An interactive, multimedia session about consent, sexual assault awareness, and prevention.
    • 2 - 5 p.m. - Residence Hall Hop
    • 5 - 7 p.m. - Dinner, Upper Cafeteria
    • 7 - 8 p.m. - Shot of Reality, Ramsey Theatre. Join us for an interactive presentation about alcohol prevention and substance abuse.
    • 8 - 10:30 p.m. - Block party

  • "A Day Ashore"

    • 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Brunch, Upper Dining
    • 1 - 4 p.m. - A day of fun in the sun. Or kick back and make final touches to your residence hall room.
    • 6 p.m. - Choose your own adventure activity

  • "Seeking the Hidden Doubloons"

    • Classes begin
    • Scavenger hunt

  • "Exploring New Territories"

    • 3:30 - 5 p.m. - School open houses: Details TBD

  • "The Merchant's Bazaar"

    • Honors Ice Cream Social, Niobrara Room, Kanter Student Center
    • 7 - 9 p.m. - Club fair

  • "Exploring the Port of Wayne"

    • 6 - 8 p.m. - Explore downtown Wayne during the City Stroll activity, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and the Academic and Career Success Center

  • "Plunder and Prizes Bingo"

    • 7 p.m. – Cat PAC Boom Boom Bingo, Frey Conference Suite

For more information, contact:

Cody Westerhold
Dean of Students
402-375-7213
[email protected]

Ashley Villeda-Guillen
Week of Welcome Co-Coordinator
[email protected]

Katryst Chari
Week of Welcome Co-Coordinator
[email protected]