Upcoming Welcome Week Events

Welcome Programs is a collaborative effort between many departments and offices across the University Park campus, designed to welcome new and returning students to campus at the start of the semester. Funded in part by your student-initiated fees via the University Park Student Fee Board, these events are open to all current students (new and returning, graduate and undergraduate) and come at no additional cost.

Explore the full list of upcoming Spring Welcome events below. We are continuously adding more events to our program lineup, so continue to check back as more events are added throughout the weeks ahead leading up to Spring Welcome.

Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the access provided, please contact Ben Giuliana, Assistant Director for Welcome Programs at welcome@psu.edu or call (814) 865-4178 at least two weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.


Interested in having your event on the Welcome Programs calendar? Student organizations and campus departments can submit events here for review.


Date Time Location Event Description
June 25
9:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Pollock Halls Quad Movie Night: Super Mario Bros.

If you're already here on campus, join us for an outdoor movie in the Pollock Quad. Bring something to sit on, sit back, and enjoy the show!

With help from Princess Peach, Mario gets ready to square off against the all-powerful Bowser to stop his plans from conquering the world.

June 26
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Parents and Families Welcome and Information Table
Parents and famlies are invited to stop by our table at Medlar Field to get helpful information about the move-in process, grab a free water, meet volunteers who are current Penn State parents, and grab a pack of tissue for when you say, "See ya later" to your Nittany Lion. Our volunteers are happy to help with directions and emotional support as you are moving in your student to campus housing. We are excited to have you as part of the Penn State family!
June 27
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Various Locations Academic College Summer Welcomes

Each of our academic colleges will host its own welcome for new first-year students. In order to get important, college-specific information about how to best set you up for success here at University Park, attendance for new first-year students is expected. All academic college welcomes will take place on Tuesday, June 27 between 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Please visit our Academic College Welcomes webpage to learn specifics about where and when your college welcome will be held.

Please note: Attendance for new first-year students is expected at these welcomes. Some colleges will also invite transfer and change-of-campus students to these welcomes, or may host individual meetings for these populations as well. Please refer to the above webpage for more information.

June 27
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Locations vary LEAP Welcome Meeting

Meet your LEAP Pride and LEAP mentor and learn more about what to expect during the LEAP program. Click here for a listing of meeting locations and to learn more about your LEAP mentor before the meeting.

June 27
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Boucke Building Lawn (across from Ritenour Building) Support and Shirts: Tie Dye with the Gender Equity Center
Welcome, Penn Staters! WE ARE excited you are here! Join us for some reverse tie-dye of our “It’s On Us" shirts. While making your shirt, you can socialize with some students, meet our office staff, and learn about our services and ways you can get involved.
June 27
9:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Pollock Halls Quad Glow Games

Join us for a night of glow-in-the-dark games like corn hole, ping pong, mini golf, and a foosball table for up to 16 players! Glow sticks will be provided as supplies last.

June 28
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Corner of Mifflin & McKean Rds, Outside Simmons Hall Farm Bites & Campus Sights

We're bringing you a two-for-one deal! All are invited to stop by the Student Farm's Summer Market Stand to come get hyper locally-grown vegetables from the Ross Student Farm at Penn State. This free distribution is open to all Penn State students and will feature veggies like kale, lettuce, beets, and more. Stop by to grab some fresh veggies, learn recipe tips for cooking in a residence hall, and meet some of our crew! While you're there, join us for bus tours around campus to see some of University Park's most iconic locations!

The Ross Student Farm is a four-acre farm located just north of campus, where produce is grown by students, for students! Produce distributions like this one and the Feed the People Market Stand (a pay-what-you-can farm stand) in the fall are just some of the ways the farm works to bring more access to fresh food to campus. Visit studentfarm.psu.edu to learn more about the mission and ways to get involved.

June 28
3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Outside the Intramural Building Well-Being Wednesday: Open House

Join Health Promotion and Wellness, Campus Recreation, and the Center for Fitness and Wellness in kicking off our summer Well-Being Wednesday series! There will be an open house at the IM Building where students can tour the wellness suite, play pickleball, do yoga outdoors, and pick up a free wellness kit!

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

June 29
8:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Pegula Ice Arena (Gate B) Rock the Ice

Cool down from the summer heat with an open skate at Pegula Ice Arena. We'll have lights and music playing to turn the Varsity Rink into a party on ice! No experience necessary! Please enter through Gate B just behind the Shields Building.

July 1
1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Intramural Building Choose Your Own Adventure at the IM

Spend your afternoon playing volleyball, basketball, soccer, lawn games, or even bouldering at the Intramural Building.

July 2
3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Outdoor Pool (at the intersection of Bigler and Eisenhower Rds.) Pool Party

Enjoy the sunshine and a swim with some cool treats and giveaways!

July 4
9:00 PM
Meet in front of Redifer Commons 4th Fest Meet-Up

Did you know that State College has an amazing fireworks show for July 4th? Meet up with other LEAP students to watch the fireworks!

July 5
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Huck Life Sciences Building, Rm. 100 The Ladder to Financial Fitness

This session provides Individuals with sound financial knowledge and life skills to make informed financial decisions and make effective actions regarding their personal money management. Using a step by step ladder to highlight financial skills, participants are encouraged to asses their financial health to help them reach a future of financial freedom and security.

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

July 6
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Pattee Library Sweet Surprises at Your Library

Visit the Pattee and Paterno Libraries for a self-guided tour that highlights many of the features and services that will keep you coming back for more! Start your journey by entering the Pattee Library through the revolving doors at the top of the campus mall.

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

July 8
8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
HUB-Robeson Center, Pollock Road Entrance Summer Day of Service

Join us for the annual Summer Day of Service!

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

July 10
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
HUB-Robeson Center, Rm. 134 What's Your Style? Practicing Conflict Response

Conflict is something we all encounter. Come learn about your conflict style and practice responding to conflict.

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

July 11
4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Boucke Building, Rm. 304 Study Smarter Workshop

Learn how to study more effectively! How can you better monitor your learning so that you don’t waste time and effort on ineffective study strategies? This workshop presents research-based evidence that metacognition (awareness of how you learn) can help you successfully transition to the demands of college-level courses.

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

July 12
5:30 PM to 7:00 PM
HUB-Robeson Center, Rm. 134 Capturing Red Flags

What are your top five red flags? Do you know what your red flags in a relationship are? Join us as we capture red flags and talk about how to have a healthy relationship in college!

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

July 13
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Bank of America Career Services Building, Rm. 103 Career Services Orientation

Learn about all the programs and services we offer to support and facilitate your career goals.  We offer: Career counseling, resume reviews, mock interviews, career resources (including Nittany Lion Careers), workshops, career fairs, and more!

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

July 15
11:00 AM
Meet in front of Redifer Commons Arts Fest Meet-Up

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is in town! Meet up with other LEAP students and head downtown to check out the festival!

July 18
4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Huck Life Sciences Building, Rm. 100 Find Your Why

The Find Your Why workshop is designed to help you start thinking about how to cultivate your purpose and passion.

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

July 19
3:00 PM to 4:15 PM
Intramural Building Shinrin-Yoku: Forest Bathing

Experience the outdoors with a certified forest therapy guide. Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing is inspired by the Japanese practice of "taking in the forest." Sign up for a slow, guided, sensory walk that will support your health and wellness. Registration is required; please use this link to register.

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

July 19
4:30 PM to 5:45 PM
Intramural Building Shinrin-Yoku: Forest Bathing

Experience the outdoors with a certified forest therapy guide. Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing is inspired by the Japanese practice of "taking in the forest." Sign up for a slow, guided, sensory walk that will support your health and wellness. Registration is required; please use this link to register.

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

July 19
5:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Boucke Building, Rm. 304 Yes Cap, No Cap: Staying on Track to Graduation

Join us for pizza and an honest discussion on how to avoid the common mistakes that students make when it comes to staying on track to graduation. Tips from recent graduates.

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

July 20
5:15 PM to 6:15 PM
HUB-Robeson Center, Rm. 232 Yoga and Meditation

Want to try yoga and meditation? All levels are welcome! This one-hour blended class will allow you to explore your inner strengths, both physically and mentally. No registration required. Yoga supplies are available.

This event is part of the LEAP Sweet Summer Challenge.

July 22
9:00 AM
Bus pick-up in front of Redifer Commons Mt. Nittany Hike

Hiking Mt. Nittany should definitely be on every Penn Stater's to-do list. Bus transportation heads to Mt. Nittany at 9:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., and 11:00 a.m. and back from Mt. Nittany at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

July 25
5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
HUB-Robeson Center, Rm. 134 Sand Art with the Gender Equity Center
Join the Gender Equity Center for some sand art fun in this destress event to relax at the end of summer session. While making your piece of art, you can socialize with some students, meet our office staff, and learn about our services and ways you can get involved.
August 22
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
Zoom Paying for College Webinar

Earning a college degree has many benefits: higher earning potential and increased career stability, just to name a few. But with the rising cost of college expenses, you may be wondering how to maximize your college experience while minimizing cost. In this webinar presented by the Sokolov-Miller Family Financial & Life Skills Center, we will discuss the different options that students have to pay for college and how to navigate the financial aid process.

To join, please use the following link: https://psu.zoom.us/j/99917534903

August 23
7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Thomas Building, Rm. 101 Can I Kiss You? with Mike Domitrz

When it comes to intimacy and sex on college campuses, how do you know how far your partner really wants to go? When it comes to intimacy, how do you let your partner know what you want without being too subtle, too bossy, or the mistake of just ‘going for it’?

As a critically acclaimed author and the Founder of The Center for Respect, Mike Domitrz will reveal a fun, realistic approach to intimacy. You will discover the exact words to say; how to precisely handle if someone says "No” to you; and an amazing way for you to impact others’ lives. The “Can I Kiss You?” one-person show is continually one of the highest attended events on college campuses across the country.

In this live show, you will discover how to ask for what you want sexually or intimately - without having to play any of the games. A fun and revolutionary approach to insuring each person's boundaries are respected will be revealed. Be prepared to laugh until you cry in this interactive, hard-hitting performance where the audience is a vital part of the experience. Plus, you can win the highly sought-after “Want Some Action?” and “Can I Kiss You?” t-shirts to wear around campus or the next time you go out.

August 26
9:00 AM
Starting line: Municipal Building (243 S Allen Street) LION Dash 5K

Does weaving through the streets of State College Borough dressed in your favorite PSU gear sounds like fun to you?  Then join Student Orientation and Transition Programs, Left Right Repeat, and the Borough of State College for this 5K. This is a great way for community members of all ages to enjoy the sights of the borough while supporting a local non-profit.

Registration is $15 for current students with a valid Penn State ID, with proceeds going to Centre Safe (centresafe.org/). Registration is available on the LION Dash 5K Eventbrite page; in-person registration will also be available beginning at 8:00 a.m. the morning of the race.

For more information and full details, please visit our LION Dash 5K Eventbrite page. And don’t forget to make plans to attend LION Bash, the annual community resource fair and block party on Thursday, August 31!

August 31
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Downtown State College at the Allen Street Gates LION Bash

LION (Living In One Neighborhood) Bash is the annual block party that strives to create a community for both long-term and short-term residents in the Borough of State College. This event provides an educational opportunity for new and returning Penn State students along with current Borough residents. There will be food, music, and fun for residents of all ages!

September 6
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pattee and Paterno Library University Libraries Open House
Check out the Libraries Open House and learn about our world class resources and services. We can give you the edge you need to take your research to the next level! Student ID required.
September 7
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Pattee and Paterno Library University Libraries Open House
Check out the Libraries Open House and learn about our world class resources and services. We can give you the edge you need to take your research to the next level! Student ID required.
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