Judson kicks off school year with welcome weekend for new students
Judson University in Elgin will roll out the welcome mat Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 16-19, for new freshman and transfer students.
The four-day weekend will include food, fun and enough time for commuter students to fellowship and resident students to move in.
"We are very excited to welcome home our newest Judson Eagles! Our goal for Welcome Weekend is to fully engage our new students in the Judson experience so that they are prepared for life (here) academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually," says Director of Student Life Rachel Hamann. "We accomplish this through a variety of events, sessions, tours and workshops, all with a fun Welcome Weekend spin."
The fun begins on Thursday, Aug. 16, when new resident students receive their name badges and move into their new dorm rooms. Commuter students who are new to campus also will check in this day.
All students will then attend a high-energy "Kickoff Chapel," followed by a quick gathering to get the traditional "JU" formation group photo. That night, there will be a tent dinner near Lindner Fitness Center and a fun-filled Welcome Bash. Parents of athletes will attend an informational session, and the night will end with mandatory dorm meetings.
Students will get off to a good start Friday, Aug. 17, by having their first breakfast in Judson's newly renovated dining hall.
The day will be power-packed with tours and panel discussions with faculty and current students.
Meanwhile, parents will get meet-and-greet time with Judson President Gene Crume and Cindy Crume during a breakfast event.
They also will hear about campus initiatives during workshops led by key leaders on campus.
There will be a lawn party, replete with lawn games and Popsicles that afternoon, a Commissioning Chapel will follow, and the night will end with a student-and-mentor scavenger hunt in downtown Elgin.
Saturday, Aug. 18, will commence with more panel discussions and informational sessions. That afternoon, students can cheer on the Eagles during a Women's Volleyball match (against Concordia University Ann Arbor).
All new students will get a free Blue Crew T-shirt. In the evening, they will attend dorm events and finish the night with s'mores and a bonfire.
Sunday, Aug. 19, will begin with an on-campus service led by University Ministries Director Chris Lash.
Students will have time for brunch, time for purchasing last-minute supplies for classes and time for mandatory dorm and athlete meetings that night.
All of this will be in preparation for the first official day of classes, which is Monday, Aug. 20.