Belton, Texas – On Wednesday, August 17, an estimated 640 incoming freshmen traveled to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor campus for the start of this year’s Welcome Week. Throughout the course of the week, those students will move into their dorms, participate in fun activities, and become a part of the Mary Hardin-Baylor community.
This year’s Welcome Week promises to be the biggest in UMHB history, as this year’s freshmen enrollment appears to be on track to once again break records.
One of the most unique things about the week is that all of the planning for the events is handled by students. Seniors Andy Ramirez and Karis Emert have been acting as co-directors with the help of a steering committee and hundreds of student, faculty, and staff volunteers.
“We’ve been thinking about it all summer,” Ramirez said. “obsessing about all the little details, like making sure the sprinklers are turned off before events.”
Ramirez says that the focus of the event is to ensure an easy transition for incoming students.
“From the first second they walk on campus, we want them to feel at home and comfortable,” Ramirez said. “You’re home, and we want you to feel that way.”
To aid in this transition, new freshmen are placed in family groups based on their major. These groups, led by student Cru Leaders, stay with students for their entire first year.
Below is a schedule of all this year’s Welcome Week events.
Wednesday, August 17 |
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7:30 AM | Move-in/Registration | Big Tent in Quad |
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10 AM – 1 PM | Vendor Fair | Bawcom 2nd Floor Lobby |
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1:00 PM | Parent Session | Walton Chapel |
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2 PM-4 PM | President’s Meet and Greet | Great Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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5:45 PM | Commuter/Late registration | Luther Memorial |
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6:15 PM | Welcome Week Family Group Rally | Luther Memorial |
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7:15 PM | Welcome Week Kick-off | Walton Chapel |
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8:00 PM | First Night | Respective Living Areas |
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9:30 PM | Coffeehouse | King Street |
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Thursday, August 18 |
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8 AM | Breakfast | Dining Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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9:00 AM | Love CTX | Luther Memorial |
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12 – 12:45 PM | Lunch Group A | Dining Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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12:45 – 1:30 PM | Lunch Group B | Dining Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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1:40 PM | Crusader Cup | Great Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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3:00 PM | Family Group #1 | Locations map for details |
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5:30 – 6:15 PM | Dinner Group A | Dining Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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| Transfer Mixer | Great Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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6:15 – 7 PM | Dinner Group B | Dining Hall Bawcom Student Union |
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| Transfer Mixer | Great Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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7:00 PM | Family Group #2 | Locations map for details |
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8:00 PM | Large Group Session | Walton Chapel |
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8:30 PM | Spirit and Tradition | Walton Chapel |
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9:45 PM | Late Night Movie: Big Hero 6 | Crusader Stadium |
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Friday, August 19 |
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8:30 AM | Breakfast | Dining Hall Bawcom Student Union |
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10:15 AM | Street Smarts | Walton Chapel |
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11 AM-1 PM | Big Fair & Lunch | Quad |
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1 -5 PM | Choir Auditions | Presser 411 |
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1:30 PM | Academic Seminar | Walton Chapel |
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1:50 PM | Academic Mixers |
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| Business | Lord Conference Room, Parker |
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| Christian Studies | Manning Chapel, Meyer |
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| Education | Walton Chapel |
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| EXSS | Mayborn Recreation Gym |
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| Humanities | Davidson 202 |
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| Nursing | Nursing Education Center 105 |
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| Performing Art | Hughes Recital Hall, Presser |
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| Social Sciences | Great Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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| Visual Arts | Baugh 221 |
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5 PM | Family Group #3 | Locations map for details |
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6 – 6:45 PM | Dinner Group A | Dining Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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6:45 – 7:30 PM | Dinner Group B | Dining Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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7:45 PM | Paint up | Quad |
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8:30 PM | The Color Games | Rec Field |
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Saturday, August 20 |
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9:15 AM | Breakfast with Color Groups | Quad |
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10:15 AM | Campus Tours | Various Locations |
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11:30 AM | UMHB Trivia | Walton Chapel |
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12 – 12:45 PM | Lunch Group A | Dining Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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12:45 – 1:30 PM | Lunch Group B | Dining Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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1:30 PM | Spiritual Life Seminar | Walton Chapel |
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3 PM | Mandatory Dorm Meetings | Various Resident Halls |
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| Commuter Mixer | 2nd Floor Lobby, Bawcom Student Union |
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5 PM | Family Group #4 | Locations map for details |
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5:30 – 6:15 PM | Dinner Group A | Dining Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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6:15 – 7 PM | Dinner Group B | Dining Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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7:15 PM | Awards | Walton Chapel |
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8:00 PM | Block Party | King Street |
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Sunday, August 21 |
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9:30 AM | Church with Family Group |
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12 PM | Lunch with Family Group |
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4 PM | Family Group #5 | Various Locations |
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5:00 – 5:45 PM | Dinner Group A | Dining Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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5:45 – 6:30 PM | Dinner Group B | Dining Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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6:40 PM | Worship | Walton Chapel |
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7:30 PM | Fall Athlete Pre-Dubbing | Great Hall, Bawcom Student Union |
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8:00 PM | Dubbing Ceremony | Luther Memorial | ||
