Welcome Weekend

Welcome Weekend acts as an extension to Orientation. A variety of activities will take place, such as social activities, introduction to Wilkes University traditions and a variety of informational workshops that help you get ready for the start of the semester!

This multi-day program is required for all residential and commuter first year students. Registration for Welcome Weekend is not required. You will receive communication about this program and some things to complete prior to your arrival on campus via your Wilkes email, so be sure to check that account regularly.

For more information specific to Move-in Day, including move-in schedules, please visit the Move-In Day page.

Move-In Day at Wilkes

2023 Weekend Schedule

7 - 11 a.m.

Breakfast

Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor

Students will be able to enjoy buffet-style breakfast in our Henry’s Cafe catered by Aramark Food Services. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID.

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Move-in & Check-in for Residential Students

 

Residential students will be able to pick up their Wilkes ID card, key for their assigned residence hall, and detailed schedule of the weekend’s events. Students will move in according to their e-Mentor assignment. Make sure to wear your Welcome Weekend shirt tomorrow!

11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Lunch

Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor

Students will be able to enjoy buffet-style lunch in our Henry’s Cafe catered by Aramark Food Services. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID.

1 - 4 p.m.

Move-in & Check-in for Residential Students

 

Residential students will be able to pick up their Wilkes ID card, key for their assigned residence hall, and detailed schedule of the weekend’s events. Students will move in according to their e-Mentor assignment. Make sure to wear your Welcome Weekend shirt tomorrow!

4:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Dinner

Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor

Students will have the opportunity to enjoy a meal on campus in our Henry’s Cafe. Henry’s Cafe is traditional buffet style and catered by Aramark Food Services.

7:30 - 10:30 p.m.

Movie on the Greenway

Fenner Quadrangle

Join the Residence Hall Council and the e-Mentor team for a movie and snacks outside on the Greenway!

7 - 11 a.m.

Breakfast

Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor

Students will be able to enjoy a dining hall breakfast in our Henry’s Cafe. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID. Meal passes will be provided for all commuter students

9 - 10 a.m.

Commuter Student Check-in & Welcome

Simms Center on Main

Welcome to Wilkes! Pick up your Wilkes ID, parking pass, and schedule of the weekend's events. Get your Welcome Weekend shirt, and get ready to meet your e-Mentor!

10 - 11 a.m.

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

McHale Athletics Center, Simms Center on Main

Students will be able to connect with their mentor and partake in a series of introductions, games and review the weekend’s schedule.

If you have not been assigned a mentor, please see the Student Development Staff at check-in!

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Library Passport Activity

E.S. Farley Library (on rotation)

Students will be able to get to know the library through an interactive activity that will inform you of the resources available to all students at Wilkes! This session will run every 15 minutes and will be led by your e-Mentor.

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Classroom Tours

Various locations (on rotation)

Students will have the opportunity to take a personalized tour based on their class schedule led by their e-Mentor, identifying class locations for the first week of the semester.

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Your Career Gateway

Center for Career Development & Internships

Stop by our Career Center to explore options for your future professional opportunities. It’s never too early to learn about all of the possibilities on and off campus!

11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Lunch

Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor

Students will enjoy lunch in our Henry’s Cafe. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID. Meal passes will be provided for commuter students.

3 - 4:30 p.m.

Commuter Social

Commuter Lounge, Henry Student Center 2nd Floor

Please join us for a fun afternoon with refreshments, snacks, and lots of games! Take this opportunity to meet your fellow commuters, make new friends, and create great memories.

3 - 4:30 p.m.

Residence Hall Socials

Your Assigned Residence Hall

Students will meet their hallmates and their RA, go over important information and get to know one another, starting off on the right foot for the school year!

3 - 4:30 p.m.

Honors Program Social

Honors Classroom, Stark Learning Center 259

Honors program students will be able to socialize with fellow honors students, meet the honors program staff and go over important information regarding the program.

3 - 4:30 p.m.

Bonner Social

Bonner Leader's Lounge

Bonner Leader students will have a chance to meet each other, as well as faculty and staff, and learn more about their program through fun activities!

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Dinner

Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor

Students will be able to enjoy buffet style with their mentor groups in our Henry’s Cafe catered by Aramark Food Services. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID. Meal passes will be provided for all commuter students.

5 - 6:30 p.m.

Barre Scholars Social

Miller Room, Henry Student Center, 2nd Floor

Students participating in the Barre Scholars program will be able to mingle and meet fellow scholars. The program's staff will be present to go over other information.

7 - 10 p.m.

Colonel Carnival

Fenner Quadrangle

Get to know the campus community in style! Enjoy carnival games - both fun-sized and life-sized - win prizes, and meet your fellow Colonels!

10 p.m. - 12 a.m.

Midnight Snacks

Henry Student Center

Join the e-Mentor team for a Wilkes tradition: midnight snacks in the SUB!

7 - 11 a.m.

Breakfast

Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor

Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID. Meal passes will be provided for all commuter students.

11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Learn your Way Around LIVE

Jean & Paul Adams Commmons, Henry Student Center, 2nd Floor

Come learn from our e-Mentors on how to navigate your Wilkes portal, find your classes on LIVE, check grades, and so much more!

12 - 2:30 p.m.

Lunch

Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor

Students will be able to enjoy lunch in our Henry’s Cafe. Meal plans will be active for resident students with their Wilkes ID. Meal passes will be provided for commuter students.

12 - 3 p.m.

Multicultural Student Coalition Greenway Cookout

Roth and Pearsall Hall Greenspace

Come join MSC for their annual Cultural Cookout! Kick off the semester with great food, great music, and great vibes as we welcome you into our neighborhood. Meal tickets are not needed for this event - stop by!

2 - 3:30 p.m.

Breakout Sessions

Various locations on campus

Choose two of the following sessions, each lasting 30 minutes.

Building Skills for College Success
  • Stark Learning Center 105
  • Join the Office of Academic Success staff for a review of tips for organization, managing time/tasks, studying, professor expectations and more!
Work Study 101
  • Breiseth 100
  • Students will be able to receive information on work study opportunities here on campus - learn the who, what, where, how, when, and why's!
Neighborhood Navigation
  • Breiseth 108
  • At this session, students will be able to learn more of the "inside scoop" into student life on campus, as well as other key facets of the Wilkes-Barre area - presented by our e-Mentors!

3:30 - 5:30 p.m.

Pizza Wars

Jean and Paul Adams Commons, Henry Student Center, 2nd Floor

Here in NEPA, we take great pride in our pizza. Discover some of the amazing pizza places surrounding Wilkes University as Commuter Council sponsors Pizza Wars!

4:30 - 6:30 p.m.

Dinner

Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor

Students will be able to enjoy dinner in our Henry’s Cafe. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID. Meal passes will be provided for commuter students.

6 - 8 p.m.

After Hours Art Gala

Sordoni Art Gallery, Karambelas Center

Experience an immersive activity in our renowned Sordoni Art Gallery! Join us in decking out your college essentials Wilkes-style! Come with friends, enjoy some arts and crafts, music, and take a look around the gallery’s latest exhibit, The One Rose: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Rose O'Neill.

9 - 11 p.m.

Drag Bingo

Jean and Paul Adams Commons, Henry Student Center, 2nd Floor

Sponsored by the Wilkes University Programming Board and hosted by Memphis Divine, play a Wilkes University hallmark: bingo, with an awesome twist! Follow our rainbow of prizes to win your own pot of gold. The stakes are high... can you lip-sync for the win?

11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Green-WAE Day

Various Locations

Hosted by Wilkes Adventure Education - this day is designed for you to unwind before the first day of classes with several activities both on and off campus!

  • Fenner Quadrangle: Yoga and games with WAE
  • Fenner Quadrangle, 12 - 2 pm: Tie-dying with the e-Mentors
  • Wyoming Valley Mall: Shopping trip via campus shuttles
  • Hillside Farms: Trip for some delicious frozen treats, via campus shuttles.

Accessibility

Wilkes University is an equal opportunity institution. For more information, please consult our nondiscrimination policy statement.

Patrons requesting accommodations or services at Wilkes University or university-sponsored events in accordance with The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title III: Public Accommodations are asked to contact University Events.

It is recommended that requests be made at least five (5) business days prior to any event.

University Events