Week of Welcome
Week of Welcome (WOW)
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.
If you have questions, please contact the Student Activities Center at sac@bellarmine.edu.
WOW Schedule - 2025
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 details on these events!
Saturday, August 16
| Time | Event | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30am – 2:30pm | ⚔️🩶Check-In Central | Frazier Hall | Refer to Res-Life email for check-in appointment/time slot. |
| 3:00pm – 4:00pm | ⚔️🩶Commuter Student Check-In | Frazier Hall | Refer to Res-Life email for check-in appointment/time slot. |
| 12:00pm – 5:00pm | ⚔️🩶Family Lunch with the President and Matriculation Book Signing | University Dining Hall (UDH) | Join Bellarmine 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 – 6:00pm | ⚔️🩶Textbook Pick Up | Bellarmine Bookstore | Head to the Bellarmine Bookstore, located on the ground floor of Centro Hall to pick up your text books for the semester. |
| 5:30pm – 6:30pm | ⚔️🩶Blessing of the Class of 2029 | Knights Hall | Join Campus Ministry in Knights Hall for a blessing to get the class of 2029 off to a good start to the semester. Hear from the Student Government President and others on their excitement for you and all that you will accomplish while at BU. There will be moments of shared reflections, prayers and songs from diverse faith traditions. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend! |
| 6:30pm – 8:30pm | New Student Social | Siena Arboretto | Students head up to the Siena Hall Complex to have some fun with your classmates, get free food, and enjoy your first night on campus! |
| 7:00pm – 8:00pm | Interfaith Fair - Campus Ministry | Our Lady of the Woods Chapel | Check out the local houses of worship, Faith-Based student campus organizations and other resources Campus Ministry offers outside of the Chapel during the Faith Fair! |
| 8:30pm – 9:30pm | First-Year Hall Meeting (⚔️Residential Students) | Assigned Residence Halls | Residential Students must attend this mandatory floor meeting where you will meet the other residents from your floor and your hall staff. At this meeting you will learn about the expectations of living in a residential community with your peers, important policies, and engagement opportunities. |
| 6:00pm – 11:00pm | Late Knight Dinner (Optional) | Palio (lobby of Siena Terzo residence hall) | Grab a late night snack if you are hungry in Palio using your flex account! |
Sunday, August 17
| Time | Event | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:00am – 2:00pm | 🩶Brunch | 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 | Frazier Hall and Classrooms | Parents and Family members join Bellarmine Faculty and Staff for our Orientation that will get you connected to resources, learn how to support your college student, and answer any lingering questions you may have about Bellarmine. |
| 9:00am – 11:15am | Federal Work-Study Job Fair (only qualifying students attend) | Centro Atrium | Federal Work Study job fair for students who qualify via FASFA application. Employers on campus and off campus will be at this event to interview and hire students. |
| 12:00pm – 1:00pm | 🩶Convocation Catholic Mass | Knights Hall | All are welcome to celebrate the first Mass of the semester in Knights Hall! |
| 1:30pm – 2:30pm | Learning Communities Kick Off (invite only) | TBD | Students who are in a Learning Community, join the Student Success Center for a kick off to the semester! |
| 1:30pm – 2:45pm | Honors Student Dessert Reception with the President (Invitation) | Frazier Hall | Students and their family members who are in the Bellarmine Honors Program are invited to attend this welcome event. |
| 3:00pm – 4:00pm | ⚔️Week of Welcome Kick Off | Knights Hall | Exciting opening event where first year students gather to celebrate the beginning of their college journey |
| 4:00pm – 4:30pm | ⚔️Small Group Meeting #1 | Classroom on Nametag | First opportunity to connect with your orientation leaders and fellow first-year students, ask questions, and start building your Bellarmine community. |
| 4:30pm - 6:00pm | ⚔️Dinner | University Dining Hall (UDH) | Grab dinner in UDH using your meal swipes (Commuter Students are covered for dinner) |
| 5:30pm – 7:30pm | ⚔️RecFEST | The SURF | Welcome event where first year students can enjoy games, food, music and meet new people. Lots of FREE giveaways and drawings for prizes! This event is sponsored by Campus Recreation & Wellness. |
Monday, August 18
*** MAC Morning Group ***
| Time | Event | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:45am – 9:15am | Breakfast | Palio (lobby of Siena Terzo residence hall) | Stop by Palio if you want breakfast before the start of your day. |
| 9:00am – 10:30am | ⚔️Small Group meeting #2 & Knight 101 Class Meeting with Faculty | Classroom on Nametag | Meet your 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 | Hop on a bus with your small group to get from Bellarmine to the Muhammad Ali Center. | |
| 11:00am – 1:00pm | ⚔️Muhammad Ali Center (MAC) | 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 | Hop on a bus with your small group to get from the Muhammad Ali Center back to Bellarmine. | |
| 1:15pm – 2:15pm | Lunch | Grab lunch in UDH using your meal swipes (Commuter Students are covered for lunch) | |
| 2:30pm – 3:00pm | ⚔️Group 1 Personal Wellness Presentation | Wyatt Center for the Arts (Cralle Theater) | Learn more about how to maintain mental, physical, emotional health during your college journey with Campus Wellness |
| 3:00pm – 5:00pm | Free Time | 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: Get a workout in at the SuRF Play Pool in Cafe Ogle Take a rest in the Commuter Lounge Find a comfy spot in the library to stream your favorite show Stop by the bookstore to get your text books | |
| 5:00pm – 7:00pm | ⚔️Small Group Meeting #3 & Dinner/Activities | Spend time with your orientation group over food and fun activities | |
| 7:00pm – 10:00pm | ⚔️Knight on Campus | 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 |
*** MAC Afternoon Group ***
| Time | Event | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:45am – 9:15am | Breakfast | Palio (lobby of Siena Terzo residence hall) | Stop by Palio if you want breakfast before the start of your day. |
| 9:00am – 10:30am | ⚔️Small Group meeting #2 & Knight 101 Class Meeting with Faculty | Classroom on Nametag | 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 | Wyatt Center for the Arts (Cralle Theater) | Learn more about how to maintain mental, physical, emotional health during your college journey with Campus Wellness |
| 11:30am – 12:30pm | Lunch | Grab lunch in UDH using your meal swipes (Commuter Students are covered for lunch) | |
| 12:45pm – 1:00pm | ⚔️Bus Ride to Muhammad Ali Center | Hop on a bus with your small group to get from Bellarmine to the Muhammad Ali Center. | |
| 1:00pm – 3:00pm | ⚔️Muhammad Ali Center | 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 | Hop on a bus with your small group to get from the Muhammad Ali Center back to Bellarmine. | |
| 3:15pm – 5:00pm | Free Time | 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: Get a workout in at the SuRF Play Pool in Cafe Ogle Take a rest in the Commuter Lounge Find a comfy spot in the library to stream your favorite show Stop by the bookstore to get your text books | |
| 5:00pm – 7:00pm | ⚔️Small Group Meeting #3 & Dinner/Activities | Spend time with your orientation group over food and fun activities. | |
| 7:00pm – 11:00pm | ⚔️Knight on Campus | 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 19
| Time | Event | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:30am – 8:45am | Breakfast (Optional) | Palio (lobby of Siena Terzo residence hall) | Stop by Palio if you want breakfast before the start of your day. |
| 9:00am – 11:00am | ⚔️Title IX Presentation/Get Involved | Frazier Hall & Wyatt Center for the Arts (Cralle Theater) | 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, and community engagement |
| 11:00am – 11:30am | ⚔️Small Group Meeting #4 | Classroom on Nametag | Group time with your orientation group |
| 11:30am – 1:00pm | Lunch & Free Time | University Dining Hall (UDH) | Grab lunch in UDH and spend some free time around campus! |
| 1:15pm – 3:30pm | ⚔️Wacky Olympics/Professor Panel | Quad and Wyatt Center for the Arts (Cralle Theater) | 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. |
| 3:30pm – 5:00pm | Free Time | 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: Get a workout in at the SuRF Play Pool in Cafe Ogle Take a rest in the Commuter Lounge Find a comfy spot in the library to stream your favorite show Stop by the bookstore to get your text books | |
| 5:00pm – 6:30pm | Dinner | University Dining Hall (UDH) | Grab dinner in UDH using your meal swipes (Commuter Students are covered for dinner) |
| 6:45pm – 7:15pm | ⚔️IgKnight Presentation | Various Locations | Various topics, such as campus life, Louisville connections, etc., are presented by student leaders! |
| 7:15pm – 7:45pm | ⚔️IgKnight Presentation | Various Locations | Various topics, such as campus life, Louisville connections, etc., are presented by student leaders! |
| 8:30pm – 9:30pm | Late Knight Bingo with BAC | Frazier Hall and University Dining Hall (UDH) | An introduction to a campus tradition -Join Bellarmine Activities Council for a fun night of food, fun and bingo prizes. |
Wednesday, August 20
| Time | Event | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:00am – 9:00am | ⚔️Breakfast, Check-In & Dismissal to Service Sites | 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) | 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 – 3:00pm | Lunch & Free Time | University Dining Hall (UDH) | Grab lunch in UDH and spend some free time around campus! |
| 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Early Knights Check in with Lunch | University Dining Hall (UDH) | Students who participated in the Early Knights Program, eat lunch with the community in UDH, tables will be reserved for the group! |
| 3:00pm – 5:00pm | ⚔️Campus Take Over: Faculty department visits & Centro Takeover | Centro Hall, Miles Hall, Allen Hall, Norton Health Science Center | Explore Bellarmine up close by visiting different faculty 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! |