Welcome Weekend – Asbury University
Shapemaximize playTriangle
Watch The College Tour
Contact Us
Visit
Apply
Give
Search

Welcome Weekend

2024 information will be released closer to August 2024. For reference, see below for 2023 information.

Fall 2023

Asbury University’s Welcome Weekend gives new and transfer students a supportive, encouraging, and informative transition to their Asbury experience. Each day is crafted intentionally with programs that empower students to take their first steps into the social, spiritual, and intellectual community here.

Asbury’s fall Welcome Weekend is scheduled for Thursday, August 17 through Sunday, August 20. All full-time new and transfer students in the traditional undergraduate program (both residential and commuter students) are expected to attend. We are excited to welcome you to campus!

Watch the President’s Welcome livestream on Thursday, August 17 at 4 p.m.

Student Schedule 

Download a pdf of the schedule (last update: 8/18/2023)

Thursday, August 17

8 a.m. – Noon Residential Student Check-In and Move-In
Residence Halls

Come to the welcome tent outside your residence hall during your assigned arrival window to check in and receive your Welcome Weekend materials and room key.  Student leaders and campus community will assist with move-in.

  • 8 - 9 a.m. -- Group 1: those who live more than 5 hours away
  • 9 - 10 a.m. -- Group 2: those who live 2 - 5 hours away
  • 10 - 11 a.m. -- Group 3: those who live 1 - 2 hours away
  • 11 a.m. - Noon -- Group 4: those who live less than an hour away

Note these time assignments are to help alleviate congestion and provide you with a more positive and efficient experience. If you have a conflict with your assigned time, please arrive as closely as possible to it.

9 a.m. – 4 p.m.HICCUP and HICCUP Too Open
Rader Student Center & Kinlaw Library
Complimentary coffee is available at the HICCUP Too kiosk on the main floor of the library, and specialty coffee, shakes, and smoothies are available for purchase at the HICCUP Café in the Rader Student Center.
9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.Semester Check-in: Student ID, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Health Services
Kinlaw Library, Main Floor


REQUIRED for all students who did not attend an Eagle Day or other Semester Check-in, but open to anyone with questions.
Parents are strongly encouraged to attend. Students, bring a government-issued photo ID.

Please come during your assigned window below to help alleviate congestion and provide you with a more positive and efficient experience. 

  • 9 - 10:15 a.m. -- Group 1
  • 10:15 - 11:30 a.m. -- Group 2
  • 11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. -- Group 3
  • 1 - 2:15 p.m. -- Group 4 & Commuters
  • 2:15 - 3:45 p.m. -- Late arrivals & Eagle Day participants with questions
9 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.Beloved Class T-shirts, Parking Stickers, Campus Employment, E-Campus Books, Eagle Outlet & Campus Post Office
Rader Student Center


ALL students, take a break sometime during the day to complete the following:

  • Freshmen, pick up your Beloved Class t-shirt (and wear it to the President's Welcome)!
    (Sophomore & Junior transfer students will receive their class t-shirt at the Friday 11 a.m. class meeting.)
  • Pick up your parking sticker
  • Sign up to receive student employment paperwork
  • Get information from E-Campus about ordering textbooks 
  • Receive your Campus Post Office (CPO) box assignment. (Commuters, you have one too!)
  • Purchase some Asbury swag at the Eagle Outlet!
  • Get your picture taken at the photo booth!
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Complimentary Lunch
Dining Hall

New students and their families are invited to lunch as guests of the University.  Please follow the assigned times below to help alleviate congestion.

  • 11:30 a.m. -- Groups 1 & 2
  • 12:15 p.m. -- Group 4 & Commuters
  • 1 p.m. -- Group 3 & Archways
1 – 2:15 p.m.Commuter Student Check-in
Rader Student Center
Come to the designated check-in area and pick up your Welcome Weekend materials, then proceed with Semester Check-in (see above). 
2:30 – 3:45 p.m.President & Faculty Meet & Greet
Miller Center for Communication Arts
Students and their guests are invited to meet the President, University Pastor, and faculty members from each academic department while enjoying refreshments.
4 – 5:15 p.m.President’s Welcome
Hughes Auditorium

Students and their guests are invited to this welcome service with a keynote address by President Kevin J. Brown, followed by a time of prayer dedication. Event will be livestreamed.

5:15 p.m.Transfer Student-Parent Farewell & Transfer Group Connection
Reasoner Green
Sophomore & Junior Transfer Students (Groups 21-22) and their families are dismissed to Reasoner Green to say farewell,  then students connect with their transfer group leaders for dinner.
5:15 p.m.Beloved Class Photo & Freshman Student-Parent Farewell
Hughes Auditorium Steps & Semi-Circle Green
Freshmen and Freshman Transfer Students (FYE Groups 1-20) will line up on the steps of Hughes for their class photo. (Please wear your Beloved class t-shirt!) Following the photo, students will say farewell to their families then connect with their FYE leaders for dinner and an activity.
5:45 – 8:30 p.m.Dinner & Activity with FYE Group
Dining Hall
8:45 p.m.Residence Hall Meeting
Residence Halls
Mandatory meeting for students living in the residence halls

Friday, August 18

8 – 9 a.m.Breakfast
Dining Hall
9 – 10:30 a.m.Language Placement Exam
Classrooms

Taking a Language Placement Exam can be beneficial in advancing your academic progress in the Foundations requirements or majoring/minoring in a language, as well as saving you some tuition dollars. If you have previously studied one of the languages below,  you should take the exam (if you haven’t already).

  • Spanish — Morrison 206 (overflow in Morrison 205 & 202)
  • French — Hughes 141
  • Latin — Hughes 132
9 – 10:15 a.m.Thriving at AU

All students not taking the Language Placement Exam will attend their choice of two workshops designed to help them thrive at Asbury.

  • 9 – 9:30 a.m. — Session 1
  • 9:40 – 10:10 a.m. — Session 2
  • 10:15 a.m. — Move to Hughes Auditorium and sit with your FYE group

Workshop choices (each will be offered twice):

  • Be Immersed — Shaw 120
    The Catalyst Center offers many ways to make your AU experience transformative—from career exploration, internships, and Asbury Outreach Coalition to study abroad, travel courses, and cross-cultural engagement, this is what you need to know.

  • Be Balanced — Miller Screening Room 311
    College is an amazing time of opportunity, but it can also lead to burnout, stress and overwhelm. Find out more about self-care and healthy choices from food to sleep to group support from our Center for Wholeness & Wellness staff. 

  • Be Known — Reasoner 214 
    Ready to connect on a deeper level? Learn from Spiritual Life staff how opportunities like Gather, banded discipleship and small groups could shape your relationships. Also, hear about the Faith, Learning, & Experience (FLEX) program, including the chapel theme and additional FLEX opportunities.

  • Be Involved— Jameson Recital Hall
    Are you ready to soar with all of the many ways to get involved in AU Campus Life? Hear about Class Cabinet, Student Activities, Student Government, Intercultural Life,  Asbury Outreach,  Intramurals and more. 
10:30 – 11 a.m.Worship & Welcome
Hughes Auditorium
Worship with other new and transfer students and get an overview of the Welcome Weekend schedule.
11 a.m. – NoonLiberal Arts Session with Faculty
LA 100 Classrooms
Freshmen and Freshman Transfer students (FYE Groups 1-20) go to their Liberal Arts Seminar (LA 100) classroom to hear from faculty about liberal arts learning at Asbury and the LA 100 course.
Sophomore & Junior Transfer Student Class Advisor Meeting
Kinlaw Library Board Room, Upper Level
Sophomore and Junior Transfer students (Groups 21-22) meet the Restored (sophomore) and Ignited (junior) Class Advisors.
Noon – 1 p.m.Lunch with FYE Group
Dining Hall
Music Opportunities Q&A
Music Dept. representatives will be at a table in the dining hall to answer questions about vocal/instrumental music opportunities.
1:15 – 2 p.m.Academic Orientation
Hughes Auditorium
Drop/Add dates, midterms, and academic policies are all important pieces of information you will learn about in Academic Orientation.
2 – 4 p.m.Academic Advising
Various locations
Meet with a faculty advisor from your area of study for guidance on finalizing your class schedule. Locations will be announced at the end of Academic Orientation.
HICCUP Beverage Break
Rader Student Center
After completing your academic advising, stop by the HICCUP for a complimentary beverage, then enjoy free time until dinner!
5 – 6 p.m.Dinner with Resident Assistants
Dining Hall
Residential students go to dinner with their Resident Assistant (RA) and other students from their hall.
Commuter Dinner
Dougherty Room, Dining Hall
Commuter students, take your food into the Dougherty Dining Room (next to the main serving lines) and connect with the commuter advisor and other commuters!
6 – 8 p.m.Free Time
Reasoner Green & Luce Center Gym
After dinner, join others on Reasoner Green for yard games or meet the Tumbling Team in the Luce Center gym to jump on trampolines and an inflatable tumble track, meet new people, and have fun!
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.Honors Program Welcome & Ice Cream Social
Reasoner 317
For students participating in the AU Honors Program
8 p.m.Worship on the Green
Reasoner Green (rain location: Hughes Auditorium)
9:15 – 10:15 p.m.Late Night Breakfast
Dining Hall

Saturday, August 19

8 – 8:45 a.m.Breakfast
Dining Hall
9 – 10:45 a.m.Student Life Welcome & Belonging at AU
Hughes Auditorium
Meet members of the Student Life team and learn about Asbury’s community.
10:50 a.m. – NoonCampus Resources Tour
Various locations
Learn where to find and get a brief introduction to offices you will interact with — Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, Center for Academic Excellence, Campus Safety, and more!
Noon – 1 p.m.Lunch with FYE Group
Dining Hall
1 – 2 p.m.University Assessments
LA 100 Classrooms
Students will complete an important online assessment. Additional details will be provided prior to the event.
2 – 4 p.m.Asbury's Got Talent Prep Time
FYE group meeting spot
Meet with your FYE group to prepare for the evening lip sync battle!
4 p.m.Optional Classroom Schedule Tour
FYE leaders will give a tour of classroom locations so you can be prepared to find your classes on Monday.
4 – 6 p.m.Textbook and Package Pickup
Campus Post Office, Rader Student Center, Lower Level
Students who had textbooks or other packages shipped to campus may pick them up at the CPO, located inside the Eagle Outlet.
5 – 6 p.m.Dinner
Dining Hall
5 – 6:45 p.m.Equine Program Meeting
Dining Hall Gray Room
Equine majors will meet faculty and staff from the Equine Center for dinner and learn more about the program.
7 p.m.Asbury's Got Talent!
Hughes Auditorium
Battle it out with other FYE groups in a lip sync showdown!
First Class
Rader Student Center
Enjoy desserts and some low-key get-to-know-you fun with other new and transfer students at your first official class event!

Sunday, August 20

8 – 9 a.m.Breakfast
Dining Hall
Various timesWorship at Local Churches
Meet at designated times/locations to walk or ride to local churches.
Noon – 1 p.m.Lunch
Dining Hall
1 – 3 p.m.Free Time
Meet at FYE group meeting spot
3 – 4:45 p.m.Home Sweet Home
Gather with your FYE group at a faculty or staff member's home to become better acquainted with the Asbury community.
5 – 6:30 p.m.Dinner
Dining Hall
6 – 7 p.m.Honors Program Gathering
Home of Dr. Paul & Cheryl Nesselroade, 414 Akers Dr.
Students in the AU Honors Program walk to the home of Dr. Paul Nesselroade, director, for drop-in fellowship and light refreshments with upperclassmen in the Honors Program.
7 – 10 p.m.Welcome Back Bash
Reasoner Green (rain location: Luce Auditorium, Shaw Collaborative Learning Center)
Join with returning students to celebrate the beginning of a new year!

Upcoming Events

Monday, August 21

8 a.m.Classes Begin
10 a.m.Academic Convocation Chapel
Hughes Auditorium
9 p.m.All Residence Hall Meetings
Residence Hall Lobbies

REQUIRED meeting for all residential students

Tuesday, August 22

11 a.m. – NoonCommuter Information Meeting
Reasoner 214

REQUIRED meeting for all commuter students

Thursday, August 24

4:30 – 6:30 p.m.Activities Fair & Picnic
Semi-Circle Green
Enjoy a picnic dinner and visit booths of campus clubs and community organizations to see the many ways you can get involved!

General Information

Please review the links below to further help prepare you for enrolling at Asbury:

  1. Visit the Deposited Students website and complete the checklist.
  2. Visit Move to Asbury for information about moving to Asbury.
  3. Prior to Welcome Weekend students have the option of attending Archways, a pre-orientation outdoor adventure leadership program.
  4. Parent Information
  5. Technology Orientation for New Students
  6. Registrar’s Office
  7. Financial Aid Information
  8. Student Accounts
  9. Campus Map

Our faculty, staff, and students are so excited to welcome you!

Questions can be directed to student.life@asbury.edu.