the Marching 110 leads a large group of students up Richland Avenue bridge

Welcome Week '24: Let's get it started

The annual Bobcat tradition welcoming new and returning students was packed with community, fun—and enthusiastic recruitment strategies by our student orgs.

Photos by Rich-Joseph Facun, Ben Siegel, Zoe Cranfill and Eli Burris | September 5, 2024

Welcome Week celebrates new and returning students with a show of OHIO spirit and a packed schedule. From pizza parties to comedy shows, a "well-being wayfinder" to New Student Convocation, the message is clear: You are a Bobcat now--and forever. We're glad you're here.

First-year students form the letters O-H-I-O on the University's football field

Diving in

Among the iconic experiences of Welcome Week is the first-year student photo on Frank Solich Field at Peden Stadium. Class of 2028: here is the image you'll see again and again over the years, commemorating your very first week on campus (and your ability to follow directions). You can also look back on this week and remember an outdoor movie night, Baker Bash (where you got familiar with our University Center and its beloved escalator), your academic college welcome program, and the Party at Ping--with its foam hats, frisbees and photo ops.

Students stand back-to-back posing for a picture, holding "OU Oh Yeah!" and "Forever OHIO" signs

Three students stand side by side, laughing at something happening off cameraF

Together from the start

Bobcats know that the real kick-off for fall semester takes place on the Sunday before classes start, with New Student Convocation and the unforgettable journey from the Convo to the Involvement Fair on College Green. With the Marching 110 leading the way, students make their way up Richland Avenue and through Alumni Gateway to find an unparalleled display of opportunity: clubs and organizations as far as the eye can see. You can play chess and rugby, enhance your academic experience, explore a new interest and find Bobcats who share the interests you already have.

Dancers hold green pom-poms as they perform for a crowd at OHIO's Convo

A student watches the new student convocation, smiling

A student enthusiastically gestures from the crowd at the new student convocation

Students stand in a crowd at the Convo, raising their phone flashlights above their heads

New students participated enthusiastically in the New Student Convocation at the Convo.

President Gonzalez walks up Richland Avenue with her arms around two students

President Lori Stewart Gonzalez joins the walk from the New Student Convocation to the Involvement fair.

A large crowd of students walks around the Involvement Fair on College Green

With over 550 clubs and organizations to choose from, OHIO students had a lot to see and experience at the Involvement Fair on College Green.

A student wearing a fencing uniform holds up a stack of fliers

A woman sits in front of a chess board, talking to someone standing in front of her whose back is to the camera

A smiling student holds up a life-size cutout of Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher — A larger-than-life-sized cutout of U.S. Olympian Ilona Maher, courtesy of OHIO Womxn's Rugby, was hard to miss at the Involvement Fair.

...And we're off

Two students sit on a blanket designed to look like a slice of pepperoni pizza

Close-up image of a person holding an OHIO sticker decorated to look like pizza

President Gonzalez smiles as she speaks to a group

The welcome continued into the first week of classes, with a pizza party hosted by President Gonzalez on College Green, where the president and University leaders handed out slices from local pizza restaurants. It was a great opportunity to pick your new favorite pizza place. At the Multicultural Student Expo held at Baker University Center, more than 50 multicultural student organizations attended to recruit, perform and engage with new students.