New students and returning Eagles have a lot to look forward to during this year’s All American Welcome, the period American University designates from Aug. 19 to Sept. 6 to welcome first-year students and help them transition onto campus.
Welcome Week is packed with activities that will help new students become familiar with AU’s campus and student organizations. If you’re a new or returning student who’s wondering how you can pass time during the week prior to classes beginning, or if you want to meet some new friends, check out The Eagle’s highlight list of Welcome Week events.
Wednesday, Aug. 21
To wake yourself up, visit the University Library’s lower level for coffee and donuts from 9 to 11 a.m. to meet AU’s hard working librarians over a delicious breakfast.
For an icy treat in the hot afternoon, stop by the Quad across from the Mary Graydon Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a snow cone.
If you’ve worked up an appetite for dinner, visit the Kogod School of Business’ lawn that faces Massachusetts Avenue for hot dogs and a hangout from 7 to 9 p.m. The event is hosted by Cru, a Christian faith student group.
Chi Alpha Campus Ministries is hosting a cereal and board games event from 8 to 10:30 p.m. in the McDowell Hall Formal Lounge. This is a great chance to meet students and get carried away playing board games for hours.
Thursday, Aug. 22
American University Hillel is taking students on a free trip to the Newseum from 12 to 4 p.m. While the Newseum usually requires purchasing a $25 ticket, Hillel is welcoming any student to join them on an all expenses-paid trip into the city. Meet in front of the Kay Spiritual Life Center at 12 p.m. and don’t forget your U-Pass for the Metro.
The Residence Hall Association wants to make sure new students feel like AU’s campus is like home, so from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Quad 2, join RHA for local D.C. food and music to get a hint at what it means to call the District home.
A classic D.C. student staple is visiting the national monuments at night. Luckily, the AUCatholic student association will be leading students into the city following a mass service beginning at 5:30 p.m. AUCatholics will be leaving for the Metro at 6 p.m. from the Kay Spiritual Life Center steps.
Friday, Aug. 23
From 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., get to know your academic school. In the lobbies of the School of Public Affairs, the School of Communication, the School of International Service, the Kogod School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences, get to know your school’s deans, advisors and professors. You can also get yourself some free school merch. Visit the School of Communication to meet the students in charge of Student Media organizations, and stop by other schools to see what other clubs you can join when the semester begins.
Starting at 11 a.m., new students will get a proper AU welcome through Convocation. President Sylvia Burwell, Student Government President Angela Chen and Scholar-Teacher of the Year David Haaga will give speeches that are sure to ignite school spirit.
After Convocation, enjoy an All-American BBQ on the Quad from 12 to 2 p.m.
From 7 to 9 p.m., AU’s Physics Department is hosting a movie night in Don Meyers Technology and Innovation Building room 213 where students can meet physics professors. Get ready to critique and enjoy an infamous science-fiction film.
For late night fun, Chi Alpha Campus Ministries is hosting their 12th Annual Glow Games from 10 to 11:45 p.m. There will be free pizza and glow-in-the-dark games like volleyball and frisbee and make yourself some glow bracelets.
Saturday, Aug. 24
Get a kick of culture from 3 to 6 p.m. on the Quad at AU’s Culturefest. The event will highlight student organizations and communities for students of color. Enjoy entertaining performances, free food, music and local vendors. Make sure to catch a performance from the District’s local Soka Tribe, a Caribbean dance team.
Cru will be hosting Frisbee After Dark from 8 to 10 p.m. on the Reeves Field. This is a great chance to get competitive with new friends and find some new teammates.
Sunday, Aug. 25
RHA is hosting a tie-dye fest from 3 to 5 p.m. on the Quad. They will provide supplies for students to tie-dye an RHA shirt or socks, tapestries and anything a first-year student can dream of.
A final special activity to see is Capitol Steps from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Amphitheater. Capitol Steps is a satirical comedy group, created to poke fun at politics and satirize the very staffers and public officials that work just beyond the Capitol’s steps.
There’s so much to see and do both on campus and off campus, and many AU organizations are providing the opportunities to travel the city or get familiar with a new campus. Make new friends, learn about D.C. and AU culture and enjoy free treats all throughout Welcome Week.
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