Week of Welcome
Week of Welcome (WOW)
Week of Welcome
WOW 2026: August 15-19
WOW is a five-day series of events designed to help every Bellarmine student gain valuable information regarding campus resources, connect with fellow first-year and upper class students, and prepare for their first year at college. WOW incorporates move-in, convocation, educational activities, social events and community service to get every student ready for their first year at Bellarmine. Students should prepare for lots of fun, food, giveaways, and tools for success.
Below you will find the dates and times of the Week of Welcome events! Events that have a (⚔️) next to them are mandatory for first year students. Parents and Family members are welcome to attend events that have a (🩶) next to them. Please continue to check this page in the coming weeks for more updates and details on these events!
SCHEDULE CHANGE DUE TO THE HEAT ADVISORY - WOW Kick Off on Sunday, August 16th will be at 3:30pm (formerly 3:00pm) in Frazier Hall where Check in Central occurred (not Frazier Stadium).
| Saturday, August 15 | |
| 8:30am – 2:30pm | ⚔️ 🩶 Check-In Central |
| Location: Frazier Hall | |
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First Year students living on campus will arrive at Frazier Hall based on your check in day registration form sent from the Residence Life office. Central Check-In includes a resource fair of offices including financial aid, academic advising, dining services and more. Students will get their keys to move into the residence halls and get connected to necessary services before the semester starts. |
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| 2:30pm – 4:00pm | ⚔️ 🩶 Commuter Student Check-In |
| Location: Frazier Hall | |
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Students commuting to campus (i.e. not living in one of the residence halls) will arrive at Frazier Hall based on your check in day registration form sent from the Residence Life office. Central Check-In includes a resource fair of offices including financial aid, academic advising, dining services and more. Students will get their keys to move into the residence halls and get connected to necessary services before the semester starts. |
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| 11:00am – 5:00pm | ⚔️ 🩶 Family Lunch with the President Dr. Donovan welcome with matriculation book |
| Location: University Dining Hall (UDH) | |
| Join Bellarmine University President Dr. Donovan for a delicious lunch and a chance to sign the Bellarmine Matriculation Book (a book that every BU student in history has had a chance to sign!) Make your mark as a BU Knight here. | |
| 11:00am – 5:00pm | Textbook Pick Up |
| Location: Bellarmine Bookstore | |
| Throughout the week the Bellarmine Bookstore, located on the ground floor of Centro Hall, is open and available for students to pick up their textbooks if you have paper books for the semester. | |
| 5:30pm – 6:30pm | 🩶 Blessing of the Class of 2030 (ASL) |
| Location: Knights Hall | |
| Join Campus Ministry in Knights Hall for a Blessing to get the Class of 2030 off to a good start to the semester. Hear from the Student Government President and others on their excitement for you to join the Bellarmine community. There will be moments of shared reflections, prayers and songs from diverse faith traditions. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! | |
| 6:30pm-7:00 pm | Interfaith and Belonging Fair |
| Location: Knights Hall Lobby | |
| Connect with and learn about the resources and opportunities for you to engage with your faith here at BU! | |
| 6:30pm – 8:00pm | New Student Social |
| Location: Knights Hall Parking Lot | |
| Residential and Commuter students head right out to the parking lot to meet fellow First Year students and enjoy your first night on campus together! | |
| 6:00pm – 8:00pm | Dinner |
| Location: University Dining Hall (UDH) | |
| Students grab dinner between the festivities (late night dinner option available as well). Parents are welcome to purchase dinner on their own. | |
| 8:30pm – 9:30pm | First-Year Hall Meeting (Residential Students) |
| Location: Kennedy/Newman Halls: Frazier Hall, Siena Complex: Cralle Theatre | |
| Residential Students must attend this mandatory floor meeting where you will meet other residents from your floor, your Resident Assistant (RA) and professional staff working in your Residence Hall. At this meeting you will learn about the expectations of living in a Residence Hall with your peers, important policies, and engagement opportunities. | |
| 8:00pm-11:00pm | Late Night Dinner |
| Location: Palio | |
| Optional late night dinner provided | |
| Sunday, August 16 | |
| 9:00am – 2:00pm | Textbook Pick Up |
| Location: Bellarmine Bookstore | |
| Throughout the week the Bellarmine Bookstore, located on the ground floor of Centro Hall, is open and available for students to pick up their textbooks if you have paper books for the semester. | |
| 9:00am – 2:00pm | 🩶 Brunch (Optional) |
| Location: University Dining Hall (UDH) | |
| Students and family members feel free to stop by UDH for some all you can eat brunch. Students use your meal swipes, family members pay at the door. | |
| 9:00am – 11:30am | 🩶 Parent and Family Orientation |
| Location: Frazier Hall and Classrooms | |
| Parents and Family members join Bellarmine Faculty and Staff for our Orientation that gets you connected to resources, teaches you how to support your college student, and answers any lingering questions you may have about Bellarmine. | |
| 9:00am – 11:15am | Federal Work Study Job Fair (only qualifying students attend) |
| Location: Centro Atrium | |
| Federal Work Study job fair for students who qualify via FAFSA application. Employers on campus and off campus will be at this event to interview and hire students. | |
| 12:00pm – 1:00pm | 🩶 Convocation Catholic Mass (ASL) |
| Location: Knights Hall | |
| All are welcome to celebrate the first Mass of the semester at Knights Hall | |
| 1:15pm – 2:45pm | Learning Communities Kick Off (Invitation Only) |
| Location: Centro Atrium | |
| Students who are in a Learning Community, join the Student Success Center for a kickoff to the semester! | |
| 1:30pm – 2:45pm | Honors Student Dessert Reception with the President (Invitation Only) |
| Location: Frazier Hall | |
| Students and their family members who are in the Bellarmine Honors Program are invited to attend this welcome event. | |
| 3:30pm – 4:00pm | ⚔️ WOW Kick Off |
| Location: Frazier Hall | |
| Exciting opening event where first year students gather to celebrate the beginning of their college journey! | |
| 4:00pm – 5:00pm | ⚔️ Small Group Meeting #1 |
| Location: Various Locations | |
| This is your first opportunity to connect with your Orientation Leaders and fellow First-Year students, ask questions, and start building your Bellarmine community. | |
| 4:30-6:00pm | ⚔️ Dinner |
| Location: University Dining Hall (UDH) | |
| Grab dinner with your small group before or after RecFest. | |
| 5:30-7:30 pm | ⚔️ Rec FEST |
| Location: SuRF Center (Sport, Recreation and Fitness Center) | |
| Welcome event where First Year students can explore the space and enjoy games, food, music and meet new people. Lots of FREE giveaways and drawings for prizes! This event is sponsored by Campus Recreation and Wellness. | |
| Monday, August 17 | |
| MUHAMMAD ALI CENTER MORNING SCHEDULE | |
| 7:45am – 8:45am | Breakfast |
| Location: Palio | |
| Stop by Palio if you want breakfast before the start of your day. | |
| 8:00am – 5:00pm | Textbook Pick Up |
| Location: Bellarmine Bookstore | |
| Throughout the week the Bellarmine Bookstore, located on the ground floor of Centro Hall, is open and available for students to pick up their textbooks if you have paper books for the semester. | |
| 9:00am – 10:30am | ⚔️ Small Group meeting #2 & Knight 101 Class Meeting with Faculty (syllabus, Moodle, exec. functioning, academics, and success) |
| Location: Various Locations | |
| Meet your Knight 101 Professor to go over your syllabus, learn how to access your classes, and get tips on academic success. | |
| 10:45am – 11:00am | ⚔️ Bus Ride to Muhammad Ali Center |
| Location: En route | |
| Hop on a bus with your small group to get from Bellarmine to the Muhammad Ali Center. | |
| 11:00am – 1:00pm | ⚔️ Muhammad Ali Center |
| Location: 144 N. 6th Street, Louisville, KY 40202 | |
| Trip to the Muhammad Ali Center with your Orientation group to explore Louisville’s rich history and connect with people outside the classroom. | |
| 1:00pm – 1:15pm | ⚔️ Bus Ride back to Bellarmine |
| Location: En route | |
| Hop on a bus with your small group to get from the Muhammad Ali Center back to Bellarmine. | |
| 1:15pm – 2:15pm | Lunch |
| Location: University Dining Hall | |
| Grab lunch in UDH using your meal swipes (Commuter Students are covered for lunch) | |
| 2:30pm – 3:00pm | ⚔️ Group 1 Personal Wellness Presentation |
| Location: Cralle Theater | |
| Learn more about how to maintain mental, physical, emotional health during your college journey with Campus Wellness | |
| 3:00pm – 4:00pm | Choose Your Own Adventure: Welcome Receptions |
| Location: Various Locations | |
| Visit a variety of receptions and welcome on your own during this time. Offices such as TRIO, Pioneer Scholars and the Carver Center are hosting receptions in the Centro Atrium to welcome you to campus! | |
| 4:00pm – 6:00pm | ⚔️ Small Group Meeting #3 & Dinner/Activities |
| Location: Various Locations | |
| Spend time with your Orientation group over a meal as you get prepared for the Fall semester. | |
| 6:00pm – 9:00pm | ⚔️ Knight on Campus |
| Location: The Quad and Various Locations | |
| Evening event where first year students can enjoy games, music, food, a silent disco and so many more happenings across campus | |
| Monday, August 17 | |
| MUHAMMAD ALI CENTER AFTERNOON SCHEDULE | |
| 7:45am – 8:45am | Breakfast |
| Location: Palio | |
| Stop by Palio if you want breakfast before the start of your day. | |
| 8:00am – 5:00pm | Textbook Pick Up |
| Location: Bellarmine Bookstore | |
| Throughout the week the Bellarmine Bookstore, located on the ground floor of Centro Hall, is open and available for students to pick up their textbooks if you have paper books for the semester. | |
| 9:00am – 10:30am | ⚔️ Small Group meeting #2 & Knight 101 Class Meeting with Faculty (syllabus, Moodle, exec. functioning, academics, and success) |
| Location: Various Locations | |
| Meet your professor to go over your syllabus, learn how to access your classes, and get tips on academic success. | |
| 10:45am – 11:15am | ⚔️ Personal Wellness Presentation |
| Location: Cralle Theater | |
| Learn more about how to maintain mental, physical, emotional health during your college journey with Campus Wellness | |
| 11:30am – 12:30pm | Lunch |
| Location: | |
| Grab lunch in UDH using your meal swipes (Commuter Students are covered for lunch) | |
| 12:45pm – 1:00pm | ⚔️ Bus Ride to Muhammad Ali Center |
| Location: | |
| Hop on a bus with your small group to get from Bellarmine to the Muhammad Ali Center. | |
| 1:00pm – 3:00pm | ⚔️ Muhammad Ali Center |
| Location: | |
| Trip to the Muhammad Ali Center with your orientation group to explore Louisville’s rich history and connect with people outside the classroom. | |
| 3:00pm – 3:15pm | ⚔️ Bus Ride back to Bellarmine |
| Location: Cralle | |
| Hop on a bus with your small group to get from the Muhammad Ali Center back to Bellarmine. | |
| 3:00pm – 4:00pm | Choose Your Own Adventure: Welcome Receptions |
| Location: Various Locations | |
| Visit a variety of receptions and welcome on your own during this time. Offices such as TRIO, Pioneer Scholars and the Carver Center are hosting receptions in the Centro Atrium to welcome you to campus! | |
| 4:00pm – 6:00pm | ⚔️ Small Group Meeting #3 & Dinner/Activities |
| Location: Various Locations | |
| Spend time with your Orientation group over a meal as you get prepared for the Fall semester. | |
| 6:00pm – 9:00pm | ⚔️ Knight on Campus |
| Location: The Quad and Various Locations | |
| Evening event where First Year students can enjoy games, music, food, a silent disco and so many more happenings across campus | |
| Tuesday, August 18 | |
| 7:30am – 8:45am | Breakfast (Optional) |
| Location: Palio | |
| Stop by Palio if you want breakfast before the start of your day. | |
| 8:00am – 5:00pm | Textbook Pick Up |
| Location: Bellarmine Bookstore | |
| Throughout the week the Bellarmine Bookstore, located on the ground floor of Centro Hall, is open and available for students to pick up their textbooks if you have paper books for the semester. | |
| 9:00am – 9:30am | ⚔️ Small group Meeting #4 |
| Location: Various Locations | |
| Briefly meet with your Orientation group to prepare for the day. | |
| 9:45am – 11:45am | ⚔️ Title IX Presentation/Get Involved |
| Location: Frazier Hall & Cralle | |
| This session introduces First-Year students to Title IX, including their rights and reporting options, while also highlighting ways to get involved in Bellarmine’s campus life through clubs, leadership opportunities, career development, and community engagement . | |
| 12:00am – 2:00pm |
Lunch and Free Time
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| Location: University Dining Hall, Allen Hall, Centro Atrium | |
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Grab lunch in UDH and spend some free time around campus! Students majoring in Education will meet Education Faculty in this mandatory orientation to get onboarding information filled out ahead of the start of the fall semester Active Duty, Veteran and Military Affiliated students will meet with the Office of Military and Veteran Services (OMVS) in the Centro Atrium for this mandatory orientation to complete onboarding material and connect with necessary resources. |
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| 2:15pm – 4:30pm | ⚔️ Wacky Olympics/Professor Panel |
| Location: Quad and Cralle | |
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Get ready to let loose and have some fun—Wacky Olympics is all about goofy games, friendly competition, and bonding with your fellow first years! Additionally, you’ll hear directly from Bellarmine Faculty about what to expect in the classroom, how to build relationships with professors, and tips for succeeding academically in your first year. |
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| 4:30pm – 5:30pm | Free Time |
| Location: | |
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Commuter students feel free to join various offices for activities during this free time or hang out in one of the many open spots on campus:
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| 5:30pm – 6:30pm | Dinner |
| Location: University Dining Hall | |
| Grab dinner in UDH using your meal swipes (Commuter Students are covered for dinner) | |
| 6:45pm – 7:15pm | ⚔️ IgKnight Presentation |
| Location: Various Locations | |
| Various topics, such as campus life, Louisville connections, etc., are presented by student leaders! | |
| 7:15pm – 7:45pm | ⚔️ IgKnight Presentation |
| Location: Various Locations | |
| Various topics, such as campus life, Louisville connections, etc., are presented by student leaders! | |
| 8:00pm – 9:00-pm | Late Knight Bingo with BAC |
| Location: Frazier Hall and UDH | |
| An introduction to a campus tradition - join Bellarmine Activities Council (BAC) for a fun night of food, fun and bingo prizes | |
| Wednesday, August 19 | |
| 8:00am – 5:00pm | Textbook Pick Up |
| Location: Bellarmine Bookstore | |
| Throughout the week the Bellarmine Bookstore, located on the ground floor of Centro Hall, is open and available for students to pick up their textbooks if you have paper books for the semester. | |
| 8:00am – 9:00am | ⚔️ Breakfast, Check-In & Dismissal to Service Sites |
| Location: Knights Hall | |
| Fuel up with breakfast and check in with your Orientation group in Knights Hall before heading out for a day of service – don't forget to wear your class shirt and closed-toe shoes for the day! | |
| 9:00am – 12:00pm | ⚔️ Knights in Action: Community Engagement (CE reflection for CORE portfolio) |
| Location: Various Community Locations | |
| Knights in Action is your chance to step into the Louisville community, connect with local organizations, and make a meaningful impact alongside your classmates as part of Bellarmine’s commitment to service and justice. | |
| 12:00pm – 1:30pm | Lunch on your own & Free Time |
| Location: University Dining Hall (UDH) | |
| Grab lunch in UDH and spend some free time around campus! | |
| 1:45pm-2:45 pm | ⚔️ WOW Closing and Charge |
| Location: Frazier Hall | |
| Join the Dean of Students, Dr. Patricia Carver Center leadership team, faculty, and Dr. Patricia Carver herself in this interactive conversation exploring Bellarmine's history and charge to foster community, support, and belonging. | |
| 3:00pm – 5:00pm | ⚔️ Campus Take Over: Faculty department visits & Centro Takeover |
| Location: Centro Hall, Miles Hall, Allen Hall, Norton Health Sciences Center | |
| Explore Bellarmine up close by visiting different academic departments and joining the fun at Centro, where you’ll get to meet people, learn about academic programs, and experience campus life before the first day of classes! FREE SWAG will be given out all over the place! | |
| 7:00pm | Mass |
| Location: Our Lady of the Woods Chapel | |
| All are welcome to celebrate mass in the Our Lady of the Woods Chapel. | |
| Thursday, August 20: First Day of Classes! | |
| ALL DAY | First Day of Classes! |
| Location: Various Locations | |
| Enjoy your first day of classes! Check your schedule and ask a staff member in Centro or by the Library if you have any questions or need help finding your way! | |
| 11:00am – 1:00pm | First Day Pics and Pops |
| Location: The Quad | |
| Celebrate the first day of classes with a free popsicle and a fun photo on the Quad! Stop by with your friends, snap a picture, and make some memories as we kick off a new semester at Bellarmine. | |
| 7:00pm | Men's Soccer vs. University of Evansville |
| Location: Owsley B. Frazier Stadium | |
| Come cheer on the Knights as the Men's Soccer team takes on the University of Evansville in their first home game of the season! | |
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