Welcome Weekend Fall Schedule


Fall 2026 Welcome Weekend Student Schedule 

(Last revised: 8/10/2026)

Be sure to complete your Financial Checklist on your Asbury Portal before you arrive on campus! All financial aid offers should be accepted by July 31, and bill paid in full or enrolled in a payment plan by August 14th.

Thursday, August 20

TimeActivity
8 a.m. – NoonResidential Students Arrive for Move-In
Residence Halls*

During your assigned arrival time, follow the signs directing you to the unloading zone for your residence hall and receive further instructions. Student leaders and campus community will assist with move-in.

8 – 8:30 a.m. — Group 1A: those >5 hours away (last names A-K)
8:30 – 9 a.m. — Group 1B: those >5 hours away (last names L-Z)
9 – 9:30 a.m. — Group 2A: those 1 – 2 hours away (last names A-K)
9:30 – 10 a.m. — Group 2B: those 1 – 2 hours away (last names L-Z)
10 – 10:30 a.m. — Group 3A: those 2 – 5 hours away (last names A-K)
10:30 – 11 a.m. — Group 3B: those 2 – 5 hours away (last names L-Z)
11 – 11:30 a.m. — Group 4A: those <1 hour away (last names A-K)
11:30 a.m. – Noon — Group 4B: those <1 hour away (last names L-Z)

These 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.

*NOTE:  If you have not submitted all required health documents AND completed Financial Registration by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, you will FIRST need to go directly to Kinlaw Library at your “Arrive for Move-In” time. (Park in the Kinlaw Lot–“P1” on the campus map). AFTER completing these items (including your full Semester Check-In if you did NOT attend an Eagle Day) and receiving clearance, you will be able to enter the move-in line at your residence hall.
8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Semester Check-in: Student ID, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Health Services
Kinlaw Library

REQUIRED for all students who did NOT attend an Eagle Day or other Semester Check-in, but open to anyone with questions. Parents should attend if they come to campus with you. Students, bring a government-issued photo ID.

9 – 10 a.m. — Group 1A
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. — Group 1B
10 – 11 a.m.— Group 2A
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.— Group 2B
11 a.m. – Noon — Group 3A
11:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. — Group 3B
1 – 2 p.m. — Group 4A
1:30 – 2:30 p.m. — Group 4B & Commuters
2 – 3:30 p.m. — Late arrivals & Eagle Day participants with questions
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. – 3:30 p.m.STUCE Stations: Class T-shirts, Photo Booth, Parking Stickers, Campus Employment, Textbook Info, Eagle Outlet & Campus Post Office — Rader Student Center (STUCE)

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


Main Floor
Pick up your class t-shirt
– Valiant (freshman) class, wear yours to the President’s Welcome!
Known (sophomore) and Renewed (junior) shirts also available!

Pick up your parking sticker (Bring the registration papers for your vehicle or a picture of them!)
Sign up to receive student employment information
Register for the Foreign Language Placement Exam (if needed)
Take your picture at the photo booth!

Lower Level
Pick up your Campus Post Office (CPO) box assignment.
(Commuters, you have one too!) 

Receive information about ordering textbooks  
Purchase some Asbury swag at the Eagle Outlet! 
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.Complimentary Lunch
Eatery (Dining Hall)

New students and their families are invited to lunch as guests of the University.

Please follow the assigned times to help alleviate congestion.

11:30 a.m. — Groups 1A & 1B
Noon — Groups 2A, 4A & Commuters
12:30 p.m. — Groups 2B & 4B 
12:45 p.m. — Groups 3A & 3B
1 – 2:15 p.m.Commuter Student Check-in
Rader Student Center

Come to the designated check-in area to receive your class t-shirt and other Welcome Weekend materials, pick up your parking sticker, and visit other stations (see above). 

NOTE: If you did not attend Semester Check-In at an Eagle Day or have not submitted all required health documents and completed Financial Registration by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, you are ALSO REQUIRED to go to Kinlaw Library to complete these items.
Free Time

After completing each applicable item above, continue getting settled or running errands as needed.
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. Watch the President’s Welcome Livestream.
5:15 p.m.Known & Renewed Student-Parent Farewell & Transfer Group Connection
Reasoner Green

Known (sophomore) & Renewed (junior) transfer students and their families are dismissed to Reasoner Green to say farewell, then students connect with their transfer group leaders for dinner and an activity.
5:15 p.m.Valiant Class Photo & Student-Parent Farewell
Hughes Auditorium Steps & Reasoner Green

Valiant Class members will line up on the steps of Hughes for their class photo. (Please wear your Valiant Class t-shirt!) Following the photo, students will say farewell to their families then connect with their First-Year Experience (FYE) leaders for dinner and an activity.
5:45 – 7:30 p.m.Dinner
Eatery (Dining Hall)

Activity with FYE Group
(TBD)

Students eat dinner with their First Year Experience (FYE) group, followed by an activity. (FYE leaders will communicate locations.)
7:45 p.m.Residence Hall Meeting
Residence Halls

Mandatory meeting for students living in the residence halls.
7:45 p.m.Commuter Life Meeting
Rader Student Center, Commuter Commons (lower level)

Connect with other commuters and the Commuter Life Coordinator.
8:30-10:30 p.m.AU on Deck
Rader Student Center (STUCE) & Reasoner Green

Hang out on the STUCE deck with music, food, and Ale 8 as well as lawn games and volleyball on the Green.  

Friday, August 21

TimeActivity
8 – 8:45 a.m.Breakfast
Eatery (Dining Hall)
8:45 a.m.Welcome & Worship
Hughes Auditorium

Worship with other new and transfer students and get an overview of the Welcome Weekend schedule.
9:30 – 11 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 — Kinlaw 121 (overflow in Kinlaw 122)
French — Hughes 141
Latin — Hughes 132
9:30 – 11 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.

9:30 – 10:10 a.m. Session 1
10:20 – 11 a.m. Session 2

Workshop choices (each will be offered twice):

Be Immersed — Shaw 120
The Catalyst Center for Applied Learning 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 spiritual 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, Intramurals and more.
11 a.m.Meet FYE Group
Hughes Auditorium

All students return to Hughes Auditorium and find their FYE group for transitioning to the next session.
11:15 a.m. – NoonLiberal Arts Learning at Asbury
LA 100 Classrooms

Students in FYE Groups 1-20 will go to their Liberal Arts Seminar (LA 100) classroom to meet their professor and hear about liberal arts learning at Asbury and the LA 100 course.
Noon – 1:15 p.m.Lunch with FYE Group
Eatery (Dining Hall)
Music Opportunities Q&A
Eatery (Dining Hall)

Music Dept. representatives will be at a table in the dining hall to answer questions about vocal/instrumental music opportunities.
1:30 – 2:15 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.
2:30 – 4:30 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.
Free Time

After completing your academic advising, enjoy free time until dinner!
5 – 6 p.m.Dinner with Resident Assistants
Eatery (Dining Hall)

Residential students go to dinner with their Resident Assistant (RA) and other students from their hall.
5 – 6 p.m.Commuter Dinner
Eatery (Dining Hall)

Commuter students, look for the reserved tables and connect with the commuter advisor and other commuters!
6 – 7 p.m.
Honors Program Welcome & Ice Cream Social
Reasoner 317

For students participating in the AU Honors Program
6 – 7:45 p.m.Free Time

After dinner, relax in your room, continue unpacking, or join others on Reasoner Green for yard games
7:45 p.m.Gather for Worship

Residential students, meet your RA on your floor or connect with friends. Commuters, meet at the Commuter Commons on the lower level of the Rader Student Center (by the Campus Post Office).
8 p.m.Worship on the Green
Reasoner Green (rain location: Hughes Auditorium)

All students gather for this highlight of Welcome Weekend!
9:15 – 10:15 p.m.
Late Night Slice
Shaw CLC Colonnade & Reasoner Green (rain location: Rader Student Center)

Following Worship, students enjoy a pizza party!

Saturday, August 22

TimeActivity
8 – 9 a.m.Breakfast
Eatery (Dining Hall)
9 – 9:45 a.m.Student Life Welcome
Hughes Auditorium

Get to know members of the Student Life team and how they can support you during your Asbury journey!
10 – 10:45 a.m.Community at AU
Shaw CLC Luce Auditorium

Required training on important policies for the AU 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
Eatery (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 – 6:30 p.m.Dinner
Eatery (Dining Hall}
7 p.m.Asbury’s Got Talent!
Shaw Collaborative Learning Center, Luce Auditorium

Battle it out with other FYE groups in a lip sync showdown!
Class Bash
Shaw CLC Colonnade & Reasoner Green

Following AGT, enjoy frozen treats and some low-key fun as you get to know your class advisors, sponsors, and other new and transfer students at your first official class event!

Sunday, August 23

TimeActivity
8 – 9 a.m.Breakfast
Eatery (Dining Hall)
Various timesWorship at Local Churches
To visit one of the churches within walking distance listed below, meet at the circular drive in front of Kinlaw Library at the designated time.

9:40 a.m. for Great Commission Fellowship (10 a.m. service)
10:10 a.m. for Wilmore Anglican Church (10:30 a.m. service)
10:25 a.m. for Mt. Freedom Baptist Church (10:45 a.m. service)
10:40 a.m. for Wilmore United Methodist Church (11 a.m. service)
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.Lunch
Eatery (Dining Hall)
1:30 – 3 p.m.Home Sweet Home
Meet at FYE group meeting spot

Gather with your FYE group at a faculty or staff member’s home to become better acquainted with the Asbury community.
3 – 5 p.m.Free Time
5 – 7 p.m.Dinner
Eatery {Dining Hall}
5 – 7 p.m.Equine Program Meeting
Dougherty Room, Eatery (Dining Hall)

Equine majors will meet faculty and staff from the Equine Center for dinner and learn more about the program.
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: Rader Student Center)

Join with returning students to celebrate the beginning of a new year!

Upcoming Events

Monday, August 24

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

REQUIRED meeting for all residential students

Tuesday, August 25

TimeActivity
11 a.m. – NoonCommuter Information Meeting
Reasoner 214

REQUIRED meeting for all commuter students

Thursday, August 27

TimeActivity
4:30-6:30 p.m.Activities Fair
Shaw Collaborative Learning Center, Luce Auditorium and Rader Student Center

Visit booths of campus clubs and community organizations to see the many ways you can get involved!

Schedule is subject to change.  Last revised: 8/10/2026

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