Orientation is a vital part of your college experience and prepares you with all the
tools you will need when you set foot on campus for the first time as a Wilkes University
Colonel!
During orientation, there will be opportunities to meet other classmates in small
groups and with your academic advisor, as well as to learn about campus services and
activities. Of course, there will also be a lot of time for fun!
2026 Orientation Dates
Registration is open! Please register for one of the following three orientation sessions.
Honors Pre-Pharmacy Guaranteed Seat students: Please register for the Wednesday, July 8 orientation session if possible.
Pre-Pharmacy Guaranteed Seat students who are not Honors: It is recommended, but not required, that you also register for the July 8 session.
Check in to start your Orientation experience! Once checked in, student guides will
escort you to breakfast.
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center
Once checked in, student guides will escort you to the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center
for the Performing Arts. Enjoy a continental breakfast and refreshments.
9:30 a.m.
Welcome Session
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center
Welcome to Orientation! Student Orientation Coordinator, Anthony Kehs will welcome
students and guests, provide an outline of the day and dismiss students into their
E-Mentor groups.
9:45 - 11 AM
FOR Family & Guests: Setting Your Student Up for Success
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center
Gain insights from various departments on helping your student transition successfully
to life at the University. A panel of staff from Campus Counseling, the Office of
Academic Success, the Center for Career Development and Internships, Student Development
and University Police will share strategies for supporting your student in this interactive
Q & A session.
9:45 - 11 AM
For Students: Meet Your E-Mentors!
Break out into E-Mentor groups to get energized and meet your classmates.
11 A.M.
Break
Stretch your legs and join us in the JPAC in the Henry Student Center for our next
session for students, or remain in the DDD for family members and guests.
11:15 A.M. - 12 P.M.
For FamilY & GUESTS: Financial Aid & Bursar Information
Dorothy Dickson Darte Center
Learn valuable details about students' tuition bill, payment options, and financial
aid.
11:15 A.M. - 12 P.M.
FOR Students: Grow, Connect, Celebrate!
Jean and Paul Adams Commons (JPAC), 2nd Floor, Henry Student Center
Join the Office of Diversity Initiatives to learn how our programs and services support
you throughout your Wilkes experience to grow, connect, and celebrate you!
12 - 1 PM
Resource Fair
1st Floor Concourse, Henry Student Center
Visit our resource fair to meet with campus resources that can help you get ready
for the fall semester.
11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Lunch
3rd Floor, Henry Student Center
Rejoin your family/guests/student in the Henry’s Dining Hall to enjoy lunch!
1 - 2 P.M.
Group Advising Sessions
JPAC, Darte Center, or SLC 105 - see your name tag for location
Students, family, and guests will meet with a First-Year Advisor from the Office of
Academic Success to learn more about Fall semester classes, academic success tips,
navigating the college classroom, the general education curriculum, and more!
2:15 p.m.
Residence Life Info Session OR Commuter Life Info Session
JPAC (Residence Life) OR Farley 002, Farley Library (Commuter Life)
For students, family and guests.
Depending on whether you intend to live on campus or commute, you with either hear
from the Office of Residence Life to learn about living on campus and residence hall
expectations, or the Wilkes University Commuter Council leadership and their staff
advisor to learn about commuting to campus, parking, and more!
3 p.m.
Closing
1st floor, Henry Student Center
Did you enjoy the scavenger hunt today? Three winners will be chosen at 3pm. You must
be present in the Henry Student Center to win! You have now wrapped up the programmed
portion of the day.
Feel free to grab some coffee and refreshments, visit the Colonel’s Corner Bookstore,
stop by the Career Center (located just steps away from the rear doors of the Henry
Student Center. Look for the yellow hand chair!), and get to know some of the other
parents and families.
Thank you for joining us for Orientation!
3:15 p.m. (July 8)
Pharmacy Ice Cream Social - Pre-Pharmacy Guaranteed Seats Only
Stark Learning Center (SLC) 130
Join the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy for an Ice Cream Social to end your day!
Explore More About Wilkes
Life at Wilkes
Learn more about life as a Wilkes student, including residence life and housing, dining
options and student clubs.
The First Year Student e-Mentoring Program eases the transition of new students to
college and provides a supportive environment for academic success and personal growth.
The program helps each new student connect with peers, upperclassmen, and the institution
as a whole.
A First Year Student e-Mentor is a full-time undergraduate student who leads a group
of approximately 15-25 new students throughout the first semester of their career
at Wilkes University, beginning at summer orientation and concluding at the end of
the fall semester.
Howdy Colonels, my name is Becca Earnst. I am a Senior Marketing major with a minor
in Hospitality Leadership. This is my third year as an E-Mentor, and I'm super excited
to meet and welcome all the new Colonels. This is going to be a great year!
Becca Earnst
Hey y'all! My name is Miro Class, and I am a junior Biochemistry and DDMA double major.
I chose Wilkes because of the welcoming environment and the small class sizes that
helped me make friends and get to know my professors. This is my second year as an
E-Mentor. I'm excited to meet the new first-year students and hope to reflect the
welcoming environment here at Wilkes!
Miro Class
Hi everyone! My name is Haylie Lund, and I am a junior (P1) Pharmacy major. I chose
Wilkes because of the small school feel it provides, especially since I came from
a small town in upstate New York, and the PharmD program! This is my first year as
an E-Mentor, and I cannot wait to help incoming students learn about all Wilkes has
to offer! I hope you all love campus as much as I do!
Are all first-year students required to attend an orientation session?
Orientation is an important part of acclimating to life at Wilkes University. Students
meet with their advisors, learn about being a resident or commuter student, make their
fall schedule and so much more. We host multiple sessions to meet the needs of as
many students as possible, and ask that every effort be made to attend.
What am I required to complete before the fall semester?
An online orientation first-year student checklist is available on the Wilkes Portal external website. On the left-side navigation, choose Students, then First Year Undergraduate Orientation to get started.
Depending on your intended major, you may be required to take an ALEKS Placement,
Preparation and Learning (PPL) Assessment to determine readiness for mathematics courses.
Majors that need to take this placement test will be listed on the checklist.
Although it is not required, it is strongly suggested that parents or guardians attend
orientation. There is a whole track geared towards the interests of families so they
can support their first year student.
Who should I contact with allergy, physical, or any other accommodations?
