Student Life

Fall campus

Welcome Week is here!

Welcome, Dickinsonians! As the 2024-2025 academic year begins, please join us for Welcome Week between Sunday, September 1st and Sunday, September 15th! Welcome Week consists of numerous programs and events designed to help students foster new relationships with students and Dickinson’s departments across campus. In short, Welcome Week aspires to facilitate a sense of community and belonging among faculty, students, staff, and Carlisle residents.

Here, students will find the full schedule of events of Welcome Week. Importantly: these events are not just for incoming students; all students are welcome to participate!

Be sure to check EngageD or CORQ for more events not accounted for in this schedule. 

If you have any questions, please contact Campus Life at 717-245-1671, or email campusactivities@dickinson.edu!


First Week of Classes

Sunday, September 1st

Convocation

  • Where: Academic Hall
  • When: 4:00 pm

Welcome Back Dinner

  • Where: Dining Hall
  • When: 5:30 to 7:30 pm

Monday, September 2nd

First Day of School Photos | Campus Life

Grab your friends, and make your way to the HUB Lobby to take your first day of school photos with Chris from Sure Shot Photos! We're sure your parents will love them.

  • When: 11:00am to 1:00pm
  • Where: Social Hall West

Tuesday, September 3rd

Women's Soccer versus Desales University | Athletics

  • Where: Dickinson Park (D-Park)
  • When: 6:30 pm

Wednesday, September 4th

Farm Works Pop-up | The College Farm

Come and enjoy a table with samples of gluten free, vegan muffins and organic carrots with vegan ranch dip!

  • Where: Britton Plaza (Rain Location: Lower Level of the HUB)
  • When: 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Diveristy, Equity, and Inclusion Open House Tour | The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Meet at Landis House (101 S. College St) and join a tour group that will take you to the Asbell Center for Jewish Life, the Access and Disability Services (OWLL) offices, and end at the new Popel Shaw Center for Race and Ethnicity – with appetizers, dinner, and dessert along the way!  Student led “tours” are an informal and fun way to get to see these spaces and learn about programs and opportunities through various DEI Offices. 

  • Where: Landis House (101 S. College St.)
  • When: 4:30pm - 6:30pm

Field Hockey versus York College | Athletics

Cheer on the Field Hockey team and grab some free swag (limited quantity)!

  • Where: Biddle Field
  • When: 4:00pm

Men's Soccer versus Shenandoah University | Athletics

Come support your Men's Red Devil Soccer team and snag from free merch (limited quantity)!

  • Where: Dickinson Park (D-Park)
  • When: 7:00pm

Kaufman Pollinator Garden Open House | The Center for Sustainability Education

Come learn from current master gardeners, ask questions, and learn how you can enhance Dickinson’s campus by creating habitat for your local pollinators. Find out how to get involved in The Hive at Dickinson and get free garden advice from the best around! Everyone is welcome to come and go as you are able to at this open house event. Feel free to stop by and bring a friend. We will be working in the garden and will accept any and all volunteers. Equipment is provided and no experience is necessary. Stop by to learn more!

  • Where: Kaufman Patio and Pollinator Garden
  • When: 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Thursday, September 5th

Sunrise Ceremony | The Center for the Futures of Native Peoples

Join us as we kick off the semester with a blessing from the Indigenous Elder Euguene Black Crow (Oglala Lakota Sioux Nation he'matanhan), a descendant from the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.

  • Where:Academic Quad (Rain Location: Center for the Futures of Native Peoples, 239 W. Louther St.)
  • When: 6:15am

Extended Orientation | Campus Life 

Please see the details for this event on your group's EngageD page!

The Handlebar Open House | The Center for Sustainability Education

We invite you to stop by our Welcome Week Open House at The Handlebar to explore the space, talk to volunteers, meet fellow cyclists, learn about how to get involved and what’s available to you! The Handlebar is open to students, faculty, and staff and families of Dickinson. We are always looking for volunteers. Come chat with our Biking intern to learn more. Snacks will be provided as well as giveaways, tour of the shop and information about all our biking programs. Come pump your tires and say hi! All are welcome to come and go as you are able. Stop by and bring a friend (No bike, No Problem!).

  • Where: The Handlebar 
  • When: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

LGBTQ+ @ Dickinson Welcome Back Picnic | The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The LGBTQ+ Center invites all LGBTQ+ Dickinsonians to attend the Fall 2024 Meet & Greet! Learn more about queer life at Dickinson while you eat, mix, and mingle with students, faculty, and staff. 

  • Where: Morgan Field (Rain Location: HUB Social Hall)
  • When: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Sophomore Welcome Class of 2027

Attention Class of 2027! Come join your class council on Britton Plaza to share feedback, concerns, and ideas while enjoying some sweet treats! Let us hear your thoughts and kick off the year! 

  • Where: Britton Plaza
  • When: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Friday, September 6th

Pizza on Weiss Plaza | The Trout Gallery and The College Farm

All are welcome to celebrate the opening of two exhibitions, William Gropper's American and The Legacy of Two Centuries of Black American Art, with free pizza provided by the Dickinson College farm, free beverages, and live music by The Herschel Tucker Band, https://www.herscheltucker.band/.

  • Where: Weiss Center for the Arts Plaza
  • When: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Men's Cross Country Little Three Championship | Athletics

  • Where: Dickinson Park (D-Park)
  • When: 6:00 pm

Women's Cross Country Little Three Championship | Athletics

  • Where: Dickinson Park (D-Park)
  • When: 6:00 pm

Football versus Randolph-Macon College | Athletics

  • Where: Biddle Field
  • When: 6:00 pm

Welcome Back Shabbat | The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Join us for services or dinner or both!

  • Where: Asbell Center for Jewish Life
  • When: Services will begin at 6:30; Dinner will begin at 7:30

Saturday, September 7th

Sundaes and Support | Wellness Center

Come over to the Wellness Center and show your TELUS app to get free ice cream!

  • Where: Wellness Center
  • When: 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

International Pain & Powder Festival (Caribbean Style) | The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

 A welcome/welcome back celebration Caribbean Style!  There will be music, Mexican, African, Caribbean, and South Asian food trucks, local vendors and information tables about clubs and groups on and off campus.  10% of food truck purchases will be donated to clubs and student groups of color.  Everyone is welcome and invited!

  • Where: Morgan Field
  • When: 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Volleyball versus Eastern Mennonite Univeristy | Athletics

Cheer on the Volleyball team and collect some free gear (limited quantity). 

  • Where: Kline Center
  • When: 11:00 am

Field Hockey versus Catholic University | Athletics

  • Where: Biddle Field
  • When: 1:00 pm

Volleyball versus Lebanon Valley College | Athletics

  • Where: Kline Center
  • When: 3:00 pm

Second Week of Classes

Sunday, September 8th

Activities Fair | Campus Life

Come have an opportunity to meet and sign up for clubs and organizations on campus. From academic organizations to fraternity and sorority life to social and service organizations, you are sure to find your people!

  • Where: Academic Quad
  • When: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

A.C.E. Peer Mentors Rita's on the Lawn | The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

First year, transfer and anyone who enjoy Rita's Italian Ice will meet the 2024-2025 A.C.E. Peer Mentors and classmates.

  • Where: Popel Shaw Center for Race and Ethnicity (233 West Louther Street)
  • When: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Monday, September 9th

Donuts with the CARE Team | CARE Team

As part of Welcome Week, enjoy a donut and learn more about how the CARE Team supports students! There will also be a support wall where students have the opportunity to share and take messages of support as we transition into a new school year.

  • Where: Britton Plaza
  • When: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Charter Day 

Charter Day occurs annually on September 9 to recognise the anniversary of Dickinson College's charter written in 1783. Please join us this year to celebrate Dickinson's 241st year as an institution with food, festivities, and music for all!

  • Where: Academic Quad
  • When: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Tuesday, September 10th

A.C.E. Peer Mentors Speed Matching The Division of Diveristy ,Equity, and Inclusion

First year and transfer students will meet and select A.C.E. Peer Mentors "speed dating" style.  Mentees will meet all the Mentors and ask questions, moving from table to table, selecting their 3 most compatible, possible Mentors to help them navigate their first year at Dickinson.  Food and beverages will be provided.

  • Where: HUB Social Hall
  • When: 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Trivia Night and Crafts | Waidner-Spahr Library

Do you like prizes and Rita's Ice? Are you ready to put your knowledge of popular culture and historical events to the test? Join us at the Library for Team Trivia, a friendly competition where groups work together to answer questions about popular entertainment, current events, and more. Bring your own team or join one when you get here. New rounds of competition will start throughout the evening and last approximately 20 minutes. Not into trivia? Join a crafting table in the Archives or stop by the Biblio Cafe for Rita's Ice. All craft and trivia participants will be eligible for raffle prizes!

  • Where: Waidner-Spahr Library, Biblio Cafe
  • When: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

The HIVE Open House | The Center for Sustainability Education

The Hive is buzzing, and we invite you to stop by The Welcome Week Hive Open House to get involved in Dickinson's beekeeping cooperative. This is an engaging and exciting opportunity to learn more about how you can be involved and volunteer to work with pollinator gardens, beekeeping, events, honey harvesting, or creating value-added products from bees. This come and go event will allow you to meet Hive volunteers, Chat with the Hive intern, share your ideas, take part in honey tasting, check out our beekeeping gear and see the bees in action. Everyone is welcome to come and go as they are able, so feel free to stop by and bring a friend.

Can’t make it but still interested? Please reach out to the Hive Intern thehive@dickinson.edu.

  • Where: The Dickinson Beehives (Rector Science Building)
  • When: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Wednesday, September 11th

Field Hockey versus Susquehanna University | Athletics

  • Where: Biddle Field
  • When: 4:00 pm

Night of Local Thrifts | The Center for Sustainability Education

Join the Center for Sustainability Education (CSE) on Wednesday, September 11th from 6 pm - 8 pm to walk into town to visit and support our local thrift stores LifeWorks Marketplace and C-Luv Thrift. The stores are hosting us for snacks and sales! For this event, the Marketplace and C-Luv Thrift will offer a 20% discount for students who provide their Dickinson ID!

Students are welcome to go as they please to these two locations on their own OR a student leader will meet on Britton Plaza to walk students to the shops as a group. Group walks will depart at 6 pm and 7 pm! Everyone is welcome so please bring your friends and a little spending money. Don’t buy new. Join us to find your most needed items!

  • Where: Meet at Britton Plaza to walk over together (optional).
    • C-Luv Thrift: 20 N Hanover St #102, Carlisle, PA 17013
    • LifeWorks Marketplace: 63 E Louther St, Carlisle, PA 17013
  • When: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Women's Soccer versus University of Mary Washington | Athletics

  • Where: Dickinson Park (D-Park)
  • When: 7:00 pm

Volleyball versus York College | Athletics

  • Where: Kline Center
  • When: 7:00 pm

Thursday, September 12th

Extended Orientation | Campus Life

Please see the details for this event on your group's EngageD page!

Free xChange Open House | The Center for Sustainability Education

The Free xChange, our campus reuse shop is always open but join us for our special Welcome Week Open House to learn more and explore the space, collection and meet volunteers.  Browse through free clothing and accessories, donate your items, and discover opportunities for further engagement. We are always looking for volunteers. Come chat with our Free xChange Intern to learn more. Snacks will be provided as well as giveaways, tours and information about all our campus reuse programs. All are welcome to come and go as you are able.
Stop by and bring a friend and an item to donate.

  • Where: The Free xChange (Inside Old Mailboxes, Lower-Level of Holland Union Building (HUB))
  • When: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Rotary Means Business - Speed Networking The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Students and members of the Carlisle Rotary Club will enjoy good food and beverages while learning about each other and community service opportunities in the area.  We will each create 60-second "elevator pitch" networking statements and practice with Carlisle community and professional leaders.  Co-hosted by A.C.E. Peer Mentors and The Popel Shaw Center for Race & Ethnicity.

Men's Soccer versus Gettysburg College | Athletics

  • Where: Dickinson Park (D-Park)
  • When: 6:00 pm 

Friday, September 13th

Check EngageD and CORQ for more details and events!

Saturday, September 14th

Men's Soccer versus Rosemont College | Athletics

  • Where: Dickinson Park (D-Park)
  • When: 1:00 pm

Sunday, September 15th

Check EngageD and CORQ for more details and events!