Fall Welcome - Friday
Friday, Aug. 23, 2019
9 a.m. - noon
Residential Student Check-in
Sommer Center
Welcome to your home away from home! Check in begins at 9 a.m. Room keys will be distributed by your residence life staff
in Sommer Center. Additional staff and students will be available to answer questions
and provide assistance.
9 a.m. - 1 p.m.
One Stop Center
Sommer Center
Questions for the business office and the registrar's office can be answered by university
staff. Payments may be made at this time, although it is not required. ID pictures
may be taken and vehicles registered.
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Bookstore open
Marbeck Center
The campus store will be open to pick up textbooks, supplies and other school gear.
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Welcome picnic
The Commons, Marbeck Center
Take a break from unpacking and enjoy a picnic lunch. Be sure to bring your Bluffton
ID (and swipe in your parents!)
12:30 p.m.
Transfer student reception
Gallery Lounge, Marbeck Center
We welcome all transfer students to this special reception. Get answers to your last-minute
questions.
1 p.m.
Residence hall floor meetings
Check signs posted on hall floors for locations
Resident advisors give tours of the halls and an introduction to residence life.
1 p.m.
Commuter student meeting
Bob's Place, Marbeck Center
We welcome commuting students to this special session. Get additional information
and answers to all your last minute questions on commuter life.
1:45-3:15 p.m.
Welcome Group Session #1
Check signs posted on residence hall floors, lobbies or Marbeck Center for location
New students will gather in small groups based upon their Becoming A Scholar (BAS)
class section to discuss campus life in the first of a series of group sessions. You
will also meet informally with their BAS faculty and class mentor and be introduced
to why at Bluffton “...it’s all about relationships.”
3:20-5:30 p.m.
Welcome Group Session #2
Achieving academic success and finding your way
Welcome groups 1-6 will start in Sommer Center.
Welcome groups 7-12 will meet in Stutzman Lecture Hall, Centennial Hall
In this split session, one session focuses on ways to help ensure your success in
the classroom and includes vital information on your academic program, career and
vocation exploration to help you make the most of your academic experience. The other
section involves a team scavenger hunt introducing important university services,
locations and facts designed to assist new students in successfully navigating campus.
5:30 p.m.
Dinner
The Commons, Marbeck Center
7:30 p.m.
Welcome Group Session #3
Yoder Recital Hall
Students will have opportunities to learn more about each other and participate in
an entertaining and interactive introduction to being a Bluffton Beaver!
9 p.m.
Marbeck After Dark - Paint U
Sponsored by MCB
Neufeld Lawn
Marbeck After Dark (MAD) is a series of late-night weekend events that feature different
themed entertainment on a weekly basis. Things are about to get messy on Neufeld Lawn!
Paint-U is a paint dance, so wear white and bring your best moves. Music provided
by DJ Double K.