Welcome Weekend

August 21-24, 2025

Your Invitation to Adventure

Welcome Weekend is where your great adventure begins. Over the course of four days, you’ll become fully acclimated to life at the University of Saint Francis. In addition to learning the nuts and bolts of campus, you’ll meet people, make friends and have fun!

Registration is required. Priority registration closes on August 1, 2025. Secure your spot by registering early to ensure your t-shirt size and other materials are available.

Thursday, August 21

Time | Event	Location	Details
8:30 to 10:45 a.m. Check-in/Move-in	Trinity Hall Residence Halls	Please register for one of the two time slots with Residence Life. Start at the main drive of Trinity Hall. Note: Please enter from eastbound lane of Spring Street. Register Here
11 to 11:30 a.m. Mass	Oratory of St. Francis
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Cookout Lunch	Trinity Lawn
1 to 4 p.m. Check-in/Move-in	Trinity Hall Residence Halls	Please register for one of the two time slots with Residence Life. Start at the main drive of Trinity Hall. Note: Please enter from eastbound lane of Spring Street. Register Here
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Matriculation Celebration	North Campus Auditorium	Celebrate your official welcome to the Saint Francis family!
6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dinner Buffet	North Campus Gym
7:30–7:45 p.m. Class Picture	In front of Brookside, by the St. Francis statue	All incoming students should gather for a group photo. Parents and families say their goodbyes after the photo. Remaining events of the weekend are intended for students only.
7:45 to 10 p.m. Social with Residential Life	Cougar Den & The Junction	Join the first social activity of the weekend and meet new friends. Games and candy buffet will be provided.

Friday, August 22

Time | Event	Location	Details
8:30 to 10 a.m. Commuter Check-in & Waffle Breakfast	North Campus Gym & North Campus West Foyer
10 to 10:45 a.m. Academic Expectations Panel	North Campus Auditorium	Meet and learn from your professors in an informational setting.
11 to 11:30 a.m. Mass	Oratory of St. Francis
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch — Meet Your Division	Various Locations	Gather with your Orientation and Welcome Leader (OWL) and meet your academic division.
1 to 3 p.m. Academic Onboarding	Various Locations	Following lunch, learn more about your academic area.
3 to 4:30 p.m. Welcome Rally	North Campus Auditorium	Meet and engage with your OWL and start creating lifelong memories. Claim your university swag bag.
5 to 5:30 p.m. Keynote Speaker	North Campus Auditorium
5:30 to 7 p.m. Dinner	North Campus Gym	Bring your student ID.
7 to 7:45 p.m. All Residents Meeting	North Campus Auditorium	Meet your Resident Assistant (RA). Go over community standards. Learn important calendar dates.
8 to 9 p.m. Praise & Worship	The Junction	Student-led prayer service through music and worship.
9 to 10:30 p.m. Bonfire	The Cove	Enjoy community, lawn games, and s’mores. This activity is sponsored by Campus Ministry.

Saturday, August 23

Time | Event	Location	Details
8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Breakfast Buffet	Trinity Dining Hall	Bring your student ID.
9:30 to 10 a.m. Health and Safety at Saint Francis	North Campus Auditorium	Tom Rhoades, our Director of Safety and Security, will present important information about staying safe on campus.
10 to 10:45 a.m. Keynote Address	North Campus Auditorium	Sr. Maria Gemma Salyer, VP for Catholic Culture and Student Life and Dean of Students, will talk on “Our Story, Your Story, the Story” and introduce you to the Sisters on campus.
11 to 11:30 a.m. Mass	Oratory of St. Francis
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch	North Campus Gym
1 to 2 p.m. Welcome Party	North Campus Auditorium	This will also be an opportunity for students to pick up their swag bags.
2 to 4 p.m. Men’s Soccer	Bishop D’Arcy Stadium	Bring your school spirit and support our athletes: Cougars vs Cornestone (MI).
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Adoration	Oratory of St. Francis
5:30 to 7 p.m. Dinner	Trinity Dining Hall	Bring your student ID.
7 to 9 p.m. Women’s Soccer	Bishop D’Arcy Stadium	Bring your school spirit and support our athletes: Cougars vs Cleary (MI).
9 to 11:30 p.m. Jumbotron Movie Night	Bishop D’Arcy Stadium	Gather your new friends and enjoy popcorn and drink while watching a movie on the big screen.

Sunday, August 24

Time | Event	Location	Details
10 to 11 a.m. Mass	The Junction	Don’t miss out on our first outdoor Mass of the year.
Noon to 1 p.m. Brunch	Trinity Dining Hall	Bring your student ID.
1 to 3 p.m. Service Sunday	Campus Ministry	Start your school year in the community, serving those in need.
3 to 4:30 p.m. Franny Relay	Pope John Paul II Center Lawn/Oratory Piazza	Lace up your shoes and get ready to play, compete and support your team in an annual tradition.
5 to 6 p.m. All Athletes Meeting	Hutzell Athletic Center
6 to 8 p.m. Semester Kickoff Party – Carnival	Hutzell Lawn	Enjoy Carnival games and food and win fun prizes.

Relive the Magic

Welcome Weekend 2024

Want a preview of what to expect? Watch highlights from last year’s Welcome Week and get a glimpse of the excitement and community waiting for you!

Welcome Weekend Schedule

Welcome Weekend will also prepare you for the greater adventure that is to come: your education and experience at the University of Saint Francis. As a Catholic institution, our education focuses on the whole person—mind, body and spirit—and is applicable to all. Here, you will discover who you are, what you were created for and how you can contribute to the world.

Parents and families are welcome to join us on Thursday from the start of the day through the Matriculation Celebration. We kindly ask that parents and families say their goodbyes after the Matriculation Celebration, as the remaining events of the weekend are intended for students only.

Additional Welcome Weekend Resources

Meet your Orientation and Welcome Leaders

Meet Your Orientation and Welcome Leaders (OWLs)! These student leaders will be present at Orientation and Welcome Weekend events to assist you in your transition to life at Saint Francis.

Campus Information

Campus Address
2701 Spring Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
Map and Directions