OHIO prepares to welcome Bobcats back with Welcome Week

Ohio University is preparing for a memory-filled Welcome Week as it prepares for legions of Bobcats to return to campus for the upcoming school year.

“Welcome Week is one of the first opportunities for students to get involved on campus and connect to other students,” said Kathy Fahl, interim dean of students at Ohio University.

Welcome Week is a celebration for new and returning students and a defining moment in the memories of generations of Bobcats. Not only does it provide fun activities to allow students build social networks that they will carry with them for a lifetime, but it also allows new Bobcats feel more connected and supported by the University. The events will introduce students to faculty, staff and OHIO’s many resources. The activities will run from Thursday, Aug. 18, through Friday, Aug. 26.

“I want to welcome our new students and encourage them to find their people as they start their journey as a Bobcat,” Fahl said. “We know when students are connected outside of the classroom, they are more likely to be successful academically. Welcome Week provides a great starting point that is not only informational, but a lot of fun too.”

Welcome Week Highlights

Welcome Week will commence with a Movie Night on the Green on Thursday, Aug. 18. The movie is open for all students to attend as they prepare for their first week of classes. It will take place on the campus’s West Green, which is situated around the residence halls on the western side of campus.

On Saturday, Aug. 20, there will be the Party at Ping. Located at the Charles J. Ping Student Recreation Center, the celebration will include games, music and — perhaps most importantly for any college student — free food.

OHIO President Hugh Sherman will host the annual First-Year Student Convocation at the Convocation Center on Sunday, Aug. 21. Following the event, OHIO’s premier marching band, the Marching 110, will lead first-year students up Richland Avenue to College Green for the Involvement Fair.

On Monday, Aug. 22, there will be Games on the Green, located on the college green in front of McGuffey Hall. Games will include classics like cornhole, as well as a giant set of Connect Four.

The University Program Council (UPC) — a volunteer board made up of OHIO students — will present a petting zoo on Tuesday, Aug. 23 on the South Beach. Students who survived the first two days of classes are invited to decompress with mini horses, alpacas and even a miniature cow.

On Wednesday, Aug. 24, Bobcat and former Saturday Night Live cast member Luke Null will return to OHIO to perform stand-up comedy at the Baker Theater. The event is also be hosted by the UPC.

On Thursday, Aug. 25, Alden Library will host a scavenger hunt, where students will trek through all seven floors of the library, with the winner being awarded a prize. After the scavenger hunt, there will be games such as cornhole and minigolf. There will also be a button-making station for students to make some wearable art.

To conclude Welcome Week, the UPC will host a longtime OHIO tradition and Bobcat favorite, the annual drag show at the Baker Ballroom on Aug. 26. This year’s show features a series of star performers on the roster, including include Silky Nutmeg Ganache from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 11 and RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars from season six. There will also be local drag entertainers like Kazma Knights, Gretta Goodbottm and Jada Feniz-Lorez.

For more Welcome Week information, including an arrival guide, move-in schedule, and event schedule, visit the Welcome Week webpage.

Full List of Events

Thursday, Aug. 18:

• Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships, and University Registrar Extended Hours
  • Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships and the University Registrar will be operating extended hours until 6 p.m. The department facilities can be found in Chubb Hall.
• Movie Night on the Green
  • Welcome Week will commence with a movie night on the campus’s West Green from 8-11 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 19:

• LINKS Welcome Program
  • LINKS will host a welcome program for fellow LINKS students to get to know each other, meet their assigned peer mentor and familiarize themselves with campus. It will be an all-day event taking place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. Students of color, as well as Templeton, Urban, Rankin, Appalachian and DC Cap scholars should plan to attend.
• LGBTQ+ Community Welcome
  • The Division of Diversity and Inclusion will host a virtual meeting to allow LGBTQ+ and ally Bobcats to meet the staff at the LGBT Center and connect with others in the LGBTQ+ community. The meeting will take place on Microsoft Teams from 1-2 p.m. For more information, email Sarah Doherty.
• Residence Hall students first floor meeting
  • All on-campus residents will be required to attend their first floor meeting. The meeting will take place in students’ respective dorm rooms from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Meetings will include a discussion of rules, expectations and community buildings. Students should speak to their resident assistants for further details.
• Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships, and University Registrar Extended Hours
  • Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships and the University Registrar will be operating extended hours until 6 p.m. The department facilities can be found in Chubb Hall.
• Class Photo
  • First year students will gather for a larger-than-life class photo from 7:30 to 8 p.m. at Peden Stadium.
• South Beach Bash
  • There will be a performance on Morton Field in the South Green from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 20:

• College of Arts and Sciences Welcome Week academic workshops
  • The College of Arts and Sciences will hosting an academic workshop for students enrolled in the college. The workshop will run from 1 to3 p.m. For information on location and contacts for each department, please see the listing on the University calendar.
• Patton College of Education College welcome for first-year students
  • The Patton College of Education is hosting an event for new undergraduate students from 1 to 3 p.m. at Morton Hall. Students are encouraged to attend to enjoy music, games and fun.
• Drop-in Advising
  • For students with any questions about their schedule, or want to explore what they should study, University College will host a drop-in advising session from 2 to 5 p.m. For people who wish to physically attend, the session will be held at the college green north of Alden Library. However, those who would rather dial in can call Allen Advising at 740.566.8888.
• Party at Ping
  • There will be an evening of celebration with games, music and food at the Charles J. Ping Student Recreation Center from 6 to 9 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 21:

• Residence Hall Students first floor meeting
  • All on-campus residents will be required to attend their first-floor meeting. The meeting will take place in students’ respective dorm rooms from 1:15 to 2:30 p.m. Meetings will include a discussion of rules, expectations, community buildings. Students should speak to their resident assistants for further details.
• First-Year Student Convocation
  • President Hugh Sherman and guests will officially welcome first-year students to campus at the Convocation Center from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Following the president’s address, the OHIO Marching 110 will lead first-year students up Richland Avenue to College Green for the Involvement Fair.
• Student Organization Involvement Fair
  • More than 300 student organizations will be represented at the 2022 Student Organization Involvement Fair. The fair will take place on College Green from 3:30 to 6 p.m.

Monday, Aug. 22:

• First Day Photos
  • Stop by the photo booths in Baker University Center to get a photo taken of you on your first day of classes. Booths will be operating from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Games on the Green
  • Lawn games on College Green in front of McGuffey Hall will run from noon to 4:30 p.m.
• Athena Cinema Open House
  • The Athena Cinema will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. to allow students to check out its offerings. The Athena Cinema is located at 20. S. Court St.

Tuesday, Aug. 23:

• First Day Photos
  • Stop by the photo booths on the East Green to get a photo taken of you on your first day of classes. Booths will be operating from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Athena Cinema Open House
  • The Athena Cinema will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. to allow students to check out its offerings. The Athena Cinema is located at 20. S. Court St.
• UPC Presents Welcome Week: The Petting Zoo
  • The UPC invites students to celebrate surviving the first two days of classes by attending a petting zoo on the South Beach, including animals such as mini horses, alpacas and even a miniature cow. The petting zoo will take place on the South Beach from 5 to 9 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 24:

• First Day Photos
  • Stop by the photo booths on the West Green to get a photo taken of you on your first day of classes. Booths will be operating from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Athena Cinema Open House
  • The Athena Cinema will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. to allow students to check out its offerings. The Athena Cinema is located at 20. S. Court St.
• UPC Presents Welcome Week: Comedy Show
  • The UPC will host a comedy show featuring former Saturday Night Live cast member and fellow Bobcat Luke Null at the Baker Theater from 7 to 9 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 25:

• Athena Cinema Open House
  • The Athena Cinema will host an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. to allow students to check out its offerings. The Athena Cinema is located at 20. S. Court St.
• First-generation open house for international students
  • There will be an open house for first-generation international students, who will receive priority scheduling for academic coaching, peer tutoring and essay tutoring in the Academic Achievement Center. Located in Alden Library 230, the open house will run from 2 to 3 p.m.
• Hockhocking Adena Bikeway bicycle ride with the Office of Sustainability
  • The Office of Sustainability invites you to join them on a bike ride along the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway to see the OHIO Student Farm, Athens Community Gardens, West State Street Park and more. The ride will start at the Bingham House and will take place from 3 to 5 p.m.
• Camp Alden
  • Alden Library will host a scavenger hunt where students will trek through all seven floors of the library, with the winner being awarded a prize. The event will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. After the scavenger hunt, there will be games such as cornhole and minigolf. There will also be a button-making station for students to make some wearable art.
• Welcome Week: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” Re-Release
  • The Athena Cinema will play “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at 7 p.m. Admission is free with an OHIO student ID.

Friday, Aug. 26:

• UPC Presents Welcome Week: Drag Show
  • The UPC will host its annual drag show in the Baker Ballroom from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Performers will include Silky Nutmeg Ganache from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” season 11 and RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Stars from season six; as well as local drag entertainers Kazma Knights, Gretta Goodbottm and Jada Feniz-Lorez.
• LGBT Center Open House
  • Following the drag show, stop by the LGBT Center to meet the staff and connect with others in the LGBT+ and ally community in Baker Center 348 from 8:30 to 10 p.m.