Welcome to Wilkes!
Welcome Weekend acts as an extension to Orientation. A variety of activities and informational workshops will help you get ready for the start of the semester!
This multi-day program is required for all residential and commuter first year students. It includes social activities, introductions to Wilkes traditions, and much more!
Registration for Welcome Weekend is not required. You will receive communication about this program and some things to complete prior to your arrival on campus via your Wilkes email, so be sure to check that account regularly.
For more information specific to Move-in Day, including move-in schedules, please visit the Move-In Day page.
2024 Weekend Schedule
7 - 11 a.m.
Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor
Students will be able to enjoy buffet-style breakfast in our Henry’s Cafe catered by Aramark Food Services. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID.
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Henry Student Center, first floor concourse
Residential students will be able to pick up their Wilkes ID card, key for their assigned residence hall, and detailed schedule of the weekend’s events. Students will move in according to their e-Mentor assignment. Make sure to wear your Welcome Weekend shirt tomorrow!
11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor
Students will be able to enjoy buffet-style lunch in our Henry’s Cafe catered by Aramark Food Services. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID.
1 - 4 p.m.
Residential students will be able to pick up their Wilkes ID card, key for their assigned residence hall, and detailed schedule of the weekend’s events. Students will move in according to their e-Mentor assignment. Make sure to wear your Welcome Weekend shirt tomorrow!
4:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor
Students will have the opportunity to enjoy a meal on campus in our Henry’s Cafe. Henry’s Cafe is traditional buffet style and catered by Aramark Food Services.
7:30 - 10:30 p.m.
Fenner Quadrangle
Join Residence Hall Council on the Greenway for a Movie Night! Snacks will be provided and the first 150 people that show up will get a free blanket! We hope to see you there!
7 - 11 a.m.
Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor
Students will be able to enjoy a dining hall breakfast in our Henry’s Cafe. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID. Meal passes will be provided for all commuter students
8 - 9 a.m.
Simms Center on Main
Students will be able to pick up their Wilkes ID and schedule of the weekend’s events. Get ready to meet your e-Mentor!
9 - 11 a.m.
Choose to attend either the Off-Campus Quest or On-Campus Quest during this time. Students will attend the other session later in the afternoon.
Off-Campus Quest
Various Off-Campus Locations
Students will receive transportation to off-campus service sites with their e-mentors and pick up their Welcome Weekend shirts.
On-Campus Quest
Various On-Campus Locations
Students will meet with their e-mentors to explore their campus community and engage in different activities, including meeting their mentors, Library Passport Activity, Classroom Tours, and the Career Gateway.
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor
Students will enjoy lunch in our Henry’s Cafe. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID. Meal passes will be provided for commuter students.
2 - 4 p.m.
Students will attend the session they did not attend previously.
Off-Campus Quest
Various Off-Campus Locations
Students will receive transportation to off-campus service sites with their e-mentors and pick up their Welcome Weekend shirts.
On-Campus Quest
Various On-Campus Locations
Students will meet with their e-mentors to explore their campus community and engage in different activities, including meeting their mentors, Library Passport Activity, Classroom Tours, and the Career Gateway.
4:30 - 6 p.m.
Commuter Students - Commuter Social
Farley Library basement, Commuter Lounge
Please join us as we host our Welcome Weekend Commuter Social! Enjoy a fun afternoon with drinks, snacks, and lots of games. Take this opportunity to meet your fellow commuters, make new friends, and create great memories.
Residential Students - Residence Hall Social
Your Assigned Residence Hall
Please join us as we host our Welcome Weekend Commuter Social! Enjoy a fun afternoon with drinks, snacks, and lots of games. Take this opportunity to meet your fellow commuters, make new friends, and create great memories.
Honors Program Students - Honors Program Social
Honors Classroom, Stark Learning Center 259
Honors program students will be able to socialize with fellow honors students, meet the honors program staff and go over important information regarding the program.
6 - 7 p.m.
Miller Room, Henry Student Center, 2nd Floor
Students from the Barre scholars program will be able to mingle and socialize with fellow scholars, meet the program’s staff, and go over important information regarding the program.
4:30 - 8 p.m.
Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor
Students will be able to enjoy buffet style with their mentor groups in our Henry’s Cafe catered by Aramark Food Services. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID. Meal passes will be provided for all commuter students.
8 - 10 p.m.
McHale Athletic Center
Get to know the campus community in style! Enjoy carnival games - both fun-sized and life-sized - win prizes and meet your fellow Colonels!
10 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Henry Student Center, 1st Floor Concourse
Join the e-Mentor team for pizza and games in the Henry Student Center!
7 - 11 a.m.
Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor
Students will be able to enjoy breakfast in our Henry’s Cafe. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID. Meal passes will be provided for all commuter students.
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Henry Student Center, 2nd Floor, Jean & Paul Adams Commmons
Come learn from our e-Mentors on how to navigate your Wilkes portal, find your classes on LIVE, check grades, and so much more!
12 - 2:30 p.m.
Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor
Students will be able to enjoy lunch in our Henry’s Cafe. Meal plans will be active for resident students with their Wilkes ID. Meal passes will be provided for commuter students.
12 - 3 p.m.
Roth and Pearsall Hall Greenspace
Come join MSC for their annual Cultural Cookout! Kick off the semester with great food, great music, and great vibes as we welcome you into our neighborhood. Meal tickets are not needed for this event. Come out and have some fun with MSC!
2 - 3 p.m.
Various locations on campus
Choose two of the following sessions, each lasting 30 minutes.
Building Skills for College Success
- Stark Learning Center 105
- Join the Office of Academic Success staff for a review of tips for organization, managing time/tasks, studying, professor expectations and more!
Work Study 101
- Breiseth Hall 106
- Students will be able to receive information on work study opportunities here on campus - learn the who, what, where, how, when, and why!
Wilkes-Barre Tutorial
- Breiseth Hall 108
- At this session, students will be able to learn more of the "inside scoop" into student life on campus, as well as other key facets of the Wilkes-Barre area - presented by our e-Mentors!
3:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Jean and Paul Adams Commons, Henry Student Center, 2nd Floor
Discover some of the great pizza places around Wilkes University as the Commuter Council sponsors Pizza Wars!
4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Henry's Food Court, Henry Student Center, 3rd Floor
Students will be able to enjoy dinner in our Henry’s Cafe. Meal plans will be active for all resident students, using their Wilkes ID. Meal passes will be provided for commuter students.
6 - 8 p.m.
Farley Library Basement
Celebrate the friendships you’ve made on campus so far with Friendship Bracelet Making!
8 - 10 p.m.
Jean and Paul Adams Commons, Henry Student Center, 2nd Floor
Sponsored by Programming Board and hosted by Memphis Divine, come play a Wilkes University hallmark - bingo (with an awesome twist)! Follow our rainbow of prizes to win your own pot of gold. The stakes are high. Can you lip-sync for the win?
11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Nursing Department, 2nd Floor Stark Learning Center
Come see us in the Nursing wing of SLC for a CPR demonstration, a prize wheel and a Q&A about the nursing program.
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Conyngham 101, Colonels Learning Lounge
Join your fellow EDGE-ers and Program Coordinator, Tammy Panowicz, for an informal breakfast, program information, and socializing!
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Cohen Science Center 102
Join the Pre-Professional Health Society for friendship bracelet making!
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
12 - 3 p.m.
Cohen Science Center 220
Join us for Lava Lamp making and photo opportunities!
12 - 3 p.m.
Stark Learning Center 130
Come out and enjoy a “Minding your Mind” self-care event!
1 p.m.
Cohen Science Center 102
Join us to meet & engage with students working towards similar goals of professional school and careers in health! There will be music, charcuterie, snacks and an assortment of beverages including creating your own "mocktails"!
1 - 3 p.m.
Melberger Courtyard
Join the members of SWE and SHPE for some yard games and fun!
2 p.m.
Darte Center 201
Join Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Fraternity, for a casual night of record painting. All supplies will be provided for anyone to make a great dorm or room decoration to take home. We will be providing light snacks and refreshments. Plus, if you’re interested, this is a great opportunity to stop on by and meet and mingle with members of the Wilkes University Music Ensembles.
4 - 6 p.m.
Breiseth Hall 106
Join GSA for a Scavenger Hunt around campus. Solve the clues and return with the correct answers for the chance to win a prize!
5 - 7 p.m.
Darte Center, Gies Hall
Join the Wilkes University choir for a fun night of karaoke!