☰ In This Section

Welcome Week 2015

Welcome Week 2015

About 100 returning students helped new students move into their residence halls in traditional Bethel Welcome Week style.

The Bethel University community welcomed more than 790 new freshman, transfer, and PSEO (Post-Secondary Enrollment Options) students to campus during Welcome Week, August 24-30.

In its inaugural year, the Tapestry pre-orientation program welcomed more than 50 students to campus on August 24 from four different student groups:

  • BUILD (Bethel University Inclusive Learning and Development) is a new two-year program for students with intellectual disabilities that welcomed its first class of 12 students.
  • Compass is a support network for incoming students who are on the Autism Spectrum or have a diagnosis of ADD, ADHD, or anxiety disorder.
  • Mu Kappa offers international students an opportunity to arrive early for pre-orientation.
  • Peer Empowerment Program (P.E.P.) gives students of color a chance to arrive on campus early.

Earlier in August, about 100 student athletes moved to campus to begin fall sports practices. On August 26, about 125 student workers moved in and received training for campus jobs.

Nearly 400 new undergraduate students in the College of Arts & Sciences arrived on campus for move-in day on August 27. President Jay Barnes and his wife, Barb, once again greeted new students and their families at the campus entrance. Then about 100 returning students helped new students move into their residence halls in traditional Bethel style. (Watch this year’s Welcome Week video to experience the excitement.) The day ended with a picnic and kickoff celebration for new students and their families, which totaled nearly 2,400 people this year.

On August 28, parents attended an information session and about 300 stayed for lunch afterwards. New students learned more about their major—or possible major—during academic connection sessions with faculty. In the evening was a Commissioning Service led by the Campus Ministries team where students and their families dedicated their time at Bethel to God.

Welcome Week continued for students throughout the weekend with special events, academic advising, games, a Sunday morning prayer walk, a service project, and a Sunday evening worship service.