Move-in and Welcome Weekend Schedule

Move-in: August 20 

Welcome Weekend: August 21 - 23

Welcome Weekend will be August 21 - 23, 2025. We are still working on schedule for the weekend, below you can find schedule from 2024.

• 9:30AM: Do the DU Opening Session
  • Join us at the opening ceremony to kick off Welcome Weekend!
• 10:00AM: Academic Program Overviews
  • Learn about academics for your college/school in preparation for the start of the semester. 
• 12:00PM: Lunch in Hubbell Dining Hall
• 2:00PM: Bulldogs Belong Session
  • Join us for an inspiring and reflective event as we bring together distinguished students and alumni from Drake University for an insightful series of talks centered around belonging on our campus. These four accomplished speakers, all of whom have navigated their unique paths within the Drake community, will share their personal journeys and experiences in fostering a more inclusive environment. Through their engaging talks, they will shed light on the challenges they've encountered, the progress they've witnessed, and the transformative power of inclusive initiatives at Drake University. Be prepared to gain fresh perspectives, inspiring insights, and actionable ideas as these students and alumni reflect on the past, examine the present, and envision an even more inclusive future for our institution. This event promises to ignite important conversations and inspire meaningful change as we continue our collective journey towards a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive Drake community.
• 3:30PM: FYS Collab Time
  • FYS Collab time is a time for you to meet other students during welcome weekend. Activities will vary from group to group but all the PMACs have ensured a great environment and easy way to get to know more students.
• 5:00PM: Dinner in Hubbell Dining Hall
• 8:00PM: Student Activities Board Entertainment
  • Join SAB for a colorful Kick-off to Welcome Weekend with Tie-Dye in Helmick Commons! Gather your friends, unleash your creativity, enjoy some live music as you design your own tie-dye masterpieces. Don't miss out - See you there at 8pm!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 23:

• 9:00AM: The C-Word: Consent 
  • Who wants to talk about sex?! The C-Word: Consent does and, quite frankly, needs to. The C-Word is a highly interactive, Title IX-compliant, educational program all about empowering students to control their own sexual destinies. Through a combination of audience interaction, improv exercises, and thoroughly researched information they break down walls so that everyone can have a frank, difficult, but needed conversation about sex. If you are all for that then get up for The C-Word: Consent!
• 11:00AM: Drake Traditions Carnival
  • The Student Alumni Association (SAA) brings a collection of Drake traditions right to first-year students. Find a new Drake tradition that you want to try—ranging from Hubbelling down Quad Creek Hill to celebrating our Drake neighborhood with Halloween Hoops. SAA is also joined by the Student Activities Board (SAB) and the Office of Community Engaged Learning (CEL).
• 12:30PM: Lunch in Hubbell Dining Hall
• 1:30PM: FYS Collab Time
  • FYS Collab time is a time for you to meet other students during welcome weekend. Activities will vary from group to group but all the PMACs have ensured a great environment and easy way to get to know more students.
• 2:30PM: Drake Resources Session
  • College is a hub for personal growth and development, offering opportunities for students to explore diverse interests, expand their social networks, and gain valuable life experiences. Learn about some important Drake resources, tips from your PMAC on navigating your first year in college and habits that will help you succeed. 
• 4:00PM: FYS Professor Meet Up
  • Meet your FYS professor and get ready for the fun semester ahead! 
• 5:00PM: Dinner in Hubbell Dining Hall
• 7:00PM: Drake Rec Night
  • Come play basketball, volleyball, bags, frisbee, and more! This is an open recreation night to meet some new friends and wind down for the day.
• 8:30PM: Student Activities Board Entertainment
  • Experience a magical night under the stars with SAB as we Present Now You See Me. Bring your blankets, grab your snacks, and settle in for a fun night of entertainment. Brownies and lemonade will be provided :)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 24:

• 10:00AM: RADical Health Sessions
  • RADical Health is a four-week discussion and activity-based experience that empowers young adults with skills to build resilience for life's crucial moments. This program promotes student engagement by serving as an on-ramp to campus resources, while fostering connection and community among peers. This session kicks off the first of four! 
• 11:30AM: Lunch in Hubbell Dining Hall
• 12:30PM: Choose Your Own Adventure Activities
  • There's plenty going on this afternoon! Students will have an opportunity to meet others while crafting, playing games, exploring the Drake community and more! 
• 5:30PM: Tailgate Dinner at Hubbell Dining Hall 
• 6:30PM: Welcome to the Team
  • Closing ceremony in partnership with Drake Athletics 
• 9:00PM: Student Activities Board Entertainment
  • Josh McVicar will take the stage and begin a magic show along with hypnotizing. Expect a fun time and a bunch of laughs! We have asked Mr. McVicar to put on a great show for welcome weekend! Students should expect to become hypnotized and compelled to do silly and fun things like singing, dancing, running, jumping etc.