Welcome Week
Welcome to the Central College family! We have an exciting schedule of events and programs designed to immerse you in our rich academic, social and cultural life. Over the next few days, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know your neighbors, classmates and the dedicated staff and faculty who will support you throughout your time here. You’ll also be preparing for your first day of classes, exploring Central’s diverse opportunities and resources and settling into your new home as a valued member of our community. #HOORAHImHome
Jump to a Specific Date:
- Friday, Aug. 15
- Saturday, Aug. 16
- Sunday, Aug. 17
- Monday, Aug. 18
- Tuesday, Aug. 19
- More Events Through Labor Day
*Denotes a large, high sensory event
Friday, Aug. 15, 2025
| 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Move-In Residence Halls Check your email for information regarding your move-in time. Once you arrive on campus, you may go directly to your residence hall where staff will direct you on where to unload your things. To help us maintain safety and preferred traffic flow, please arrive during your assigned time. |
| 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Spirit Shoppe and Campus Post Office Open Maytag Student Center Once you are moved in, grab some Central gear at the Spirit Shoppe or practice opening your new mailbox. |
| 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Visit Offices in Central Hall as Needed IT, Student Employment/Human Resources: lower level, Financial Aid: first floor Business Office: second floor |
| 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Lunch Central Market Your student meal plan begins today. Family members and guests are welcome to join you for a per person charge. |
| 2-3 p.m. | Family Root Beer Floats and Farewells Maytag Student Center, Fred’s Patio Families are invited to gather informally for a cool treat and to mingle with Student Orientation Staff leaders and Amy Young, associate professor of German and academic success dean, before leaving campus. |
| 3-3:30 p.m. | Family Blessing and Farewells Chapel, Amphitheater At this optional event, join Chaplain Joe Brummel for a family blessing and say your farewells as we transition to our student-only programming. |
| 4:30-5:15 p.m. | A Dutch Welcome Central Hall, Douwstra Auditorium This is a mandatory session for all new students and their SOS leaders. Your time at Central begins with an official welcome from President Mark Putnam and Student Body President Parker Lawrence ’26. |
| 5:15-5:45 p.m. | SOS Group Meeting #1 A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex, lawn This is a mandatory session for all new students and their SOS leaders. At your first SOS group meeting, you will get to know your SOS leader and classmates in a small group setting. Your SOS leader will provide helpful information, tips and announcements for your group. Rain location: Graham Conference Center and Douwstra Auditorium. |
| 5:45-6:30 p.m. | Central Tradition: New Student Picnic* A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex, lawn This is a mandatory session for all new students and their SOS leaders. Meet up with your SOS leader by the pond. From there, your group will head to the picnic to enjoy a catered meal and to get to know the other members in your group. Rain location: Central Market. |
| 6:45–8 p.m. | First Floor Meeting A.N. Kuyper Athletics Complex and Helen Jean Hislop Center This is a mandatory session for all new students and their SOS leaders. Check with your Resident Advisor for your exact meeting time and location. |
| 8–9:30 p.m. | CAB First Year Frenzy Weller Center for Business and International Studies, lawn This event is sponsored by the Campus Activities Board and is sure to be a fun end to your day. Come relax, tie-dye a free Central T-shirt and enjoy free Paradise Shaved Ice! |
Saturday, Aug. 16
| Breakfast on Your Own Central Market is only open for lunch and dinner on weekends. |
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| 10-10:30 a.m. | What To Do in Case of an Emergency? Central Hall, Douwstra Auditorium This is a mandatory session for all new students and their SOS leaders. |
| 10:30-11 a.m. | Vignettes: Scenes from Campus Life Central Hall, Douwstra Auditorium This is a mandatory session for all new students. SOS leaders will present vignettes covering common themes you will likely encounter during your time at Central and introduce you to the policies and expectations Central has in place for all students. SOS leaders will also provide important insight into preparing for your classes. |
| 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | SOS Meeting #2 These are mandatory session for all new students and their SOS leaders. Your SOS leader will let you know the meeting location. |
| 12-1 p.m. | Lunch Central Market |
| Optional Afternoon Sessions | |
| 1 p.m. | A Cappella Choir New Student Meeting Cox-Snow Music Center This is an opportunity to hear about the upcoming year including the international tour to Peru. Current choir officers will be present to welcome new students. This session is intended for all students interested in this select, auditioned choir. Students who have not auditioned yet will be able to sign up for a time at this meeting or may email Mark Babcock ’91, M. Joan Kuyper Farver Endowed Chair in Music and professor of music, at babcockm@central.edu. |
| 3-4:30 p.m. | Tailgate Games Central pond and Gaass Hall lawn Stop by to play fun outdoor games including cornhole, 9 square, volleyball, basketball and gennis (played with golf clubs and tennis balls). |
| 5-6:15 p.m. | Dinner Central Market |
| 7-8:30 p.m. | Class Photo and PLAYFAIR* Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium This is a mandatory session for all first-year students and their SOS leaders. Get your free Central shirt, pose for a picture with your class and enjoy a PLAYFAIR experience that promises an engaging, fun opportunity for new students to build connections. Rain location: H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse. |
| 8:30-10 p.m. | Neighborhood Night* Residence Halls Enjoy fun games with great giveaways! Check with your SOS leader for your meet-up time. |
Sunday, Aug. 17
| Returning Students Move-In and Breakfast on Your Own Central Market is only open for lunch and dinner on weekends. |
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| 10-11 a.m. | Spiritual Wellness at Central Upper Chapel Join the Campus Ministries team for a Welcome Week worship service. Attendance is optional. All are welcome! |
| 11-11:45 a.m. | Lunch Central Market |
| 12-1:15 p.m. | Can I Kiss You? Event Central Hall, Douwstra Auditorium This is a mandatory session for all new students and their SOS leaders. Award-winning author, publisher and speaker Mike Domitrz returns to Central for a fun, impactful program on dating and intimacy. Featuring supporting remarks from your Student Body President Parker Lawrence ’26. |
| Optional Afternoon Sessions | |
| 2 p.m. | Shuttle to Walmart Maytag Student Center, Fred’s Patio |
| 2-2:30 p.m. | Music Meeting: Students Interested in Instrumental Groups Cox-Snow Recital Hall |
| 2-5 p.m. | A Cappella Choir Auditions Auditions will be scheduled ahead of time by the music department. Please check your email for details on your audition time and location. To sign up for an audition, email Mark Babcock ’91, M. Joan Kuyper Farver Endowed Chair in Music and professor of music, at babcockm@central.edu. |
| 3 – 4:30 p.m. | Dorm Decor: Make and Take Maytag Student Center, BMW Rooms Stop by this free event to relax and flex your creative side by creating a fun decor item for your room. Snacks and all supplies are provided. |
| 5:30-7 p.m. | Peace Mall Picnic* Central’s pond and Peace Mall This is open to all students. Enjoy a great meal together with your fellow Central students as we celebrate the beginning of a new school year. Go Dutch! |
| 6-8 p.m. | Back-to-School-Bash* The Weller Center for Business and International Studies, lawn This is open to all students. Enjoy free Max’s Coffee and HoneyBee Camper Co. soda bar, lots of fun activities and swag — you can also win great prizes! Sponsored by Student Development, the Campus Activities Board and Student Senate. |
| 8:30-9:30 p.m. | The Calm Chapel, Wallace Spencer Stepenske Amphitheater Join Chaplain Joe Brummel and the Campus Ministries team for a spiritually uplifting opener to the academic year. Attendance is optional. All are welcome! |
Monday, Aug. 18
| Have a great first day of classes! Please check campus dining hours and menu via the DutchConnect app (iOS or Android). | |
| 7-9 p.m. | Residence Life Area Meetings Various Locations This is a mandatory session for all new students. Check with your RA for your exact meeting time and location. |
Tuesday, Aug. 19
| 11-11:50 a.m. | Academic Advisor Meetings Various locations This is a mandatory session for all new students. |
| 12-12:45 p.m. | Transfer Luncheon Central Market, rooms 106-108 This event is an opportunity for transfer students to enjoy an informal lunch to get to know their faculty advisers and ICS section instructor. |
More Events Through Labor Day
Friday, Aug. 22 |
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| 5:30-7 p.m. | Tacos and Tailgate Tournament Gaass Hall, court and lawn Join us for delicious food catered by a local, minority-owned business and enjoy fun social activities or compete in one of our tailgate game contests for prizes! Hosted by Central Student Support Services and Student Involvement. |
| 8-10 p.m. | Late Night Central Game Show Night Maytag Student Center Join us Friday, Aug. 22, for a fun night of Game Shows! We will be playing Family Feud, Wheel of Fortune, Deal or No Deal and Minute to Win It! Sign up Friday night. CASH PRIZES! Hosted by Student Development. |
Saturday, Aug. 23 |
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| 9-11 a.m. | Community Service Event Maytag Student Center, Atrium |
| 8:30-10 p.m. | CAB Movie on the Lawn Kuyper Athletics Complex, east-side lawn Join the Campus Activities Board for a fun movie-viewing experience complete with popcorn and a make-your-own stuffed animal activity. Stop by the CAB table during Welcome Week events to vote on which movie you think should be selected for the event! Rain location: Douwstra Auditorium. |
Wednesday, Aug. 27 |
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| 6-7:30 p.m. | Student Involvement and Organization Fair* Central’s pond Attendance is required for all new students and SOS leaders. Get connected with leaders from many of Central’s great student organizations, grab a snow cone and learn how you can get involved right away! Rain location: Graham Conference Center, Vermeer Banquet Hall. |
Sunday, Aug. 31 |
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| 8:30-10:30 p.m. | Glow-in-the-Dark Capture the Flag* Central’s pond Team up with new friends and compete for Capture the Flag glory across campus. Glow sticks provided. Sponsored by InterVarsity, Campus Ministries and FCA. |
Explore Pella & Campus!
- Hike, bike, swim, explore at Lake Red Rock
- Check out one of Pella’s local coffee shops
- Catch an afternoon matinee at Pella Cinemas
- Get in a workout at the Maytag Wellness Center
- Enjoy some quiet time to yourself with a book, a nap or a walk
- Visit one of the many ice cream shops
- Put together a puzzle in Maytag (available to check out at the Information Center on the first floor)
- Check out some of the many great locally-owned businesses around the square downtown.
- Challenge yourself to a windmill hunt with friends – how many can you find in Pella?
- Grab a friend and have a relaxing time on one of the swinging benches by the pond.
