Welcome Days

TV

Welcome Days 2026
August 19-26, 2026

Overview


LU Students on the field show a LU

Flyers – we hope you are getting excited for Welcome Days! Featuring a variety of experiences and events designed to help make TV your “home away from home” from day one. You’ll connect with peers, explore your campus and learn about all the resources available to you and your success as a Flyer!


Welcome Days 2026 Schedule


 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19

Building Community

8am-12pm

Move-In
New first-year student housing check-in will take place at your assigned residence hall where Residence Life staff will be ready to welcome you to campus! Any New Flyers not in first year housing can check-in at the Residence Life Office located on the ground floor of the LRC (G-21)

9am-10am

Advising & Registration Support
Meet with an Academic Services staff member to assist with registering for the Fall semester or making schedule changes.

LR-346 (3rd floor of the LRC)

9am-4pm

Managing Your Student Account Open Lab
Tuition is due on August 24th, the first official day of the fall semester. Did you pay your bill? If not, did you set up a payment plan via Nelnet? If you aren’t sure and/or have any questions about your bill and student account, stop by and talk with a staff member from Student Accounts.

TBD

9:30am-12pm

International Student Orientation and F-1 & J-1 Visa Advising: Undergraduate Students
This orientation is required for all new undergraduate students on an F-1 or J-1 visa. Important visa compliance and cultural information will be provided. Please bring your passport, I-20, and US address and phone number. Check-in is at 9:30. Orientation will begin promptly at 10 am.

SB 160

10am-12pm

First-Year and Commuter Student Scavenger Hunt
Learn more about our campus and engagement opportunities as you join Lewis Flyer Guides to complete this fun and engaging activity! The scavenger hunt will begin and end in the Student Rec and Fitness Center Fieldhouse.

Student Rec Center

11am-1:30pm

Lunch
Lunch specials are available for students and families to purchase in the Brown Dining Hall. Special dining rates of $10. Residents can use meal plans.

Brown Dining Hall | Brother James Gaffney Student Center

1:30pm-5pm

Parent and Family Orientation
The topics covered will include: Mission, Safety/Security, and Campus Supports.

Academic Science Building

Not able to attend? Presentations will be recorded and posted on the Lewis Parent webpage.

1:30pm-5pm

Cornerstone Seminar: Building Community
Today you will meet other incoming Flyers, participate in fun activities and learn about all the ways you can be an active member of our community.

*All First-year students are enrolled in Cornerstone Seminar, along with some transfer students and this meeting is required for course credit. Students should review their fall course schedule via myLewis for class meeting locations. Students can click on the Records & Registration icon once logged in and then select view student schedule.

5pm-8pm

Luau Themed Dinner
Meal Plan Swipes, Flyer Dollars, Cash/Credit accepted

Brother James Gaffney Student Center | Brown Dining Hall

6pm-8pm

New Flyer Luau
Enjoy Welcome Days with a dessert truck, DJ, henna, caricature, games, & SWAG giveaway- while supplies last!

Student Center Front Lawn (Rain location: Fieldhouse)

Get Your Henna On!
Brother James Gaffney Student Center | Rm.106

Get Your Caricature Drawn!
Brother James Gaffney Student Center | Rm.123

Limbo Contest!
Brother James Gaffney Student Center | Front Lawn

6pm-8pm

Resident Student Floor Meetings
Check with your Resident Assistant (RA) for the time and location of your floor meeting.  Meetings will last approximately 30 minutes.  This is an opportunity to learn more about living in community and meet other students living on the floor!

8pm-10pm

Resident Student Floor Meetings
Check with your Resident Assistant (RA) on your floor to confirm your meeting time and location.



 THURSDAY, AUGUST 20

Becoming a Flyer

9am-12:30pm

Cornerstone Seminar: Becoming a Flyer
Today you will experience New Flyer Convocation and officially become a Flyer! As you start your academic journey today, you will also get to connect with the academic departments, faculty, and staff who will support you for the duration of your time at Lewis.

*All First-year students are enrolled in Cornerstone Seminar, along with some transfer students and this meeting is required for course credit. Students should review their fall course schedule via myLewis for class meeting locations. Students can click on the Records & Registration icon once logged in and then select view student schedule.

9am-4pm

Student Accounts Q&A Support
Tuition is due on August 26th, the first official day of the fall semester.  Did you pay your bill?  If not, did you set up a payment plan via Nelnet?  If you aren’t sure and/or have any questions about your bill and student account, stop by and talk with a staff member from Student Accounts.

Library Computer Lab (1st floor of the LRC)

12:30pm-1:30pm

New Flyer Lunch
Commuter students - Charlie’s Place (Commuter Bingo)
Resident students – Brown Dining Hall

2pm-3pm

Advising & Registration Support
Meet with an Academic Services staff member to assist with registering for the Fall semester or making schedule changes.

LR-346 (3rd floor of the LRC)

3pm-4:30pm

Lewis Olympics – Founders/ Sheil / South and Commuter First-Year students
It’s a battle for the ages. Last year Founders took the trophy- let’s see who is up for the challenge.

University Green

5pm-8pm

Dinner
Meal Plan Swipes, Flyer Dollars, Cash/Credit Accepted.

Brother James Gaffney Student Center | Brown Dining Hall

6pm-7:30pm

New Flyer BINGO!
Come win some fantastic prizes!

Brother James Gaffney Student Center | Lobby

7:30pm

Intramural Sand Volleyball

4 on 4 Sand Volleyball - Intramurals are a great way to have fun, make friends, and enjoy a sport you may not have played before. Start with Sand Volleyball before the semester starts. No registration required! Just come to "The Backyard" behind Sheil and sign up your team of 4.

The Backyard



 FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 - Flyer Red Friday! Everyone is encouraged to wear red today for the first Flyer Red Friday of the semester.

First Week Prep

8am-12pm

Continuing and Returning Student Move-In
Returning student housing check-in will take place in your assigned Residence Hall. The Residence Life staff will be on hand at the halls to assist. The office in the LRC will also be staffed during this time.

9am-12:30pm

Cornerstone Seminar: First Week Prep
It is time to get ready for the first official day of classes on Monday! Today you will learn how to use Blackboard, find your classrooms, hear advice from faculty, learn about important goals to hit in your first semester at Lewis, and much more!

*All First-year students are enrolled in Cornerstone Seminar, along with some transfer students and this meeting is required for course credit. Students should review their fall course schedule via myLewis for class meeting locations. Students can click on the Records & Registration icon once logged in and then select view student schedule.

9am-4pm

Managing Your Student Account Open Lab
Tuition is due on August 24th, the first official day of the fall semester. Did you pay your bill? If not, did you set up a payment plan via Nelnet?  If you aren’t sure and/or have any questions about your bill and student account, stop by and talk with a staff member from Student Accounts.

Library Computer Lab (1st floor of the LRC)

12:30pm-1:30pm

University Picnic Lunch
Location: TBD

1pm-2pm

Cardboard Regatta Race - Supply Pickup
Teams will build boats out of cardboard and duct tape and race them in the Rec Center pool. Pick up supplies at the Rec Center front desk starting at 1pm. Supplies are limited- first-come, first served!

Team Guidelines:

  • 2–20 students per team
  • Only 10 teams total permitted
  • At least one person must be willing to get in the pool and pilot the boat
Rec Center

2pm-3pm

Advising & Registration Support
Meet with an Academic Services staff member to assist with registering for the Fall semester or making schedule changes.

LR-346 (3rd floor of the LRC)

3:30pm

Cardboard Regatta Race
Join fellow students, faculty, and staff for the hilarious campus tradition of the Cardboard Regatta Race! Teams will construct boats using only cardboard and duct tape. Race them across the pool to compete for prizes. Teams must report to the pool deck by 3pm. Race beings at 3:15pm.

Prize Categories:

  • Fastest Float: First to the finish line
  • Most Creative Design: theme, school spirit, decorations, and flair
  • Spirit of the Regatta: Team spirit, costumes, and energy
  • Titanic Award: Most spectacular sinking
Rec Center Pool

4pm-5pm

Club Team Showcase
You do not need to be on a university team to enjoy sports or athletics at Lewis. Come and learn about all our club teams, find one or two you like, meet some of our players, and stay active all year long!

Student Rec Center- Fieldhouse

5pm-8pm

Dinner
Resident students can use their Meal Plan. Commuters can use Flyer Dollars.

Brother James Gaffney Student Center | Brown Dining Hall

7pm-8:30pm

AGT Hypnotist – Chris Jones & Swag Giveaway!
Immerse yourself in the realm of impossibility and open your mind to the power of suggestion! Ever wonder who got Howie Mandel to shake his hand on AGT? That was Chicago’s very own Chris Jones! He’s also known for his appearances on ESPN, The Steve Harvey Show, WWE, and writing for Psychology Today. Fall under his hypnosis!

De La Salle Damian Theater (DL 250)



 SATURDAY, AUGUST 22

FLYERS WELCOME!

10am-1pm

Cereal Saturday & Brunch
Brother James Gaffney Student Center | Brown Dining Hall

10am-11:15am

Wake-Up with Wellness: Yoga Walk, Mindfulness
Front of Rec Center

1:30pm-3pm

Flyer Color Dash
Front of Rec Center


3pm-6pm

Flyer Welcome Bash with The Simple Remedy Trio Band!
Student Center Lawn (Rain location: Fieldhouse)

Fun Activities

  • DIY Plushie
  • Get Your Caricature Drawn!
  • Henna Anyone?
  • Bloom Bar
  • Rock Wall

Food Trucks (Free Food Tickets- While Supplies Last)

5pm-7pm Dinner
Brother James Gaffney Student Center | Brown Dining Hall

8pm-10pm

Welcome Mat Social
The Backyard at Sheil



 SUNDAY, AUGUST 23

7pm

Mass
Join us for the first Mass of the semester! Hot dogs will be served after mass. Families are invited to attend!

Sancta Alberta Chapel




 MONDAY, AUGUST 24 - Check Your Email for This Week at Lewis (TWAL) for All Events.  Follow us on Instagram @lifeatlewisu

 

First Day – Fall Classes

12pm-12:30pm

Mass
Sancta Alberta Chapel



 TUESDAY, AUGUST 25

12p-12:30pmm

Mass
Sancta Alberta Chapel



 WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26

11am-1pm

Fall Student Engagement Fair
Come find your tribe and visit our 70+ student organizations, departments, and get more involved this semester! Visit 10 tables to receive a free LU SWAG item- while supplies last!

Fieldhouse

12pm-1pm

Mass and Community Meal
Sancta Alberta Chapel, D’Arcy Great Room

12:30pm-2pm

Black August: Featuring PEP Students
Join students from the Prison Education Program as they share their creative talents. Through poetry, writing, and other forms of expression, this event centers voices from carceral spaces and reflects on justice, resistance, and the enduring power of Black creativity as a tool for liberation and radical hope. This will be a hyflex event with a Zoom option to join online.

Academic Science Building | University Dining Room (AS 104C) near Charlie’s Place

5pm-6:30pm

Black at Lewis
All are welcome at this community-building and networking event for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Academic Science Building | Faculty Dining Room (AS 103C) near Charlie’s Place



 THURSDAY, AUGUST 27

10am-2pm

Tasty Treat Thursday
Stop in throughout the day for fresh pastries, treats, coffee and tea!

Darcy Great Room

12pm-12:30pm

Mass
Sancta Alberta

7pm-9pm

Art Reception and Gallery Talk
Ruth Hong will discuss artwork from the exhibit “Coloring to Heal”.

Oremus Fine Arts Building | FA 127, 128, & 129


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