Welcome Week
Are you ready for Welcome Week 2025? We're excited to kick off the new school year with Welcome Rallies, giveaways, a scavenger hunt and more!
Westville Welcome Rally
Wednesday, August 27
Noon to 2 p.m.
We will be in the Kesling Gymnasium in DSAC from noon to 2 p.m. to kick off the new school year! Connect with your fellow students and discover resources and organizations across our campuses.
Hammond Welcome Rally
Thursday, August 28
Noon to 2 p.m.
We will be in the SULB Plaza from noon to 2 p.m. to kick off the new school year! Connect with your fellow students and discover resources and organizations across our campuses.
In the event of rain or excessive heat, the welcome rally will take place inside SULB.
All Welcome Week Events
Friday, Aug. 22
Decorate the House (Hammond)
Help the Student Life Team create a CLEAN canvas this week for Decorate the House! Stop by the Mane Zone and SULB Lounge for cleaning supplies to wipe down windows so they can be painted again for the following week!
Friday, Aug. 22
Cookout with a Cop
Stop by University Village (behind Peregrine Hall on the Hammond campus) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to enjoy free food as you meet and mingle with Purdue University Northwest Police.
Co-Sponsored by PNW Athletics
Sunday, Aug. 24
For the Win
Students and families are invited to join us on campus to prepare for the first week of school. All our offices on both campuses will be open and walkable from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Campus Ambassadors available on site to help you walk through your Fall semester schedule.
See Hammond Campus “For the Win” Details
See Westville Campus “For the Win” Details
Monday, Aug. 25
First Day of School Picture Day
Kick off the new school year with a smile! The Office of Student Life will be taking First Day of School photos for students and staff at the Bell Tower outside of SULB and NILS from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 26
Meet the Greeks: Greek Life Fair
Interested in what sorority and fraternity life has to offer, but you’re unsure where to get started? Meet current Greek organization members, ask questions and explore how Greek Life can enhance your collegiate experience in the Mane Zone from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 26
BINGO: The Giant Game Giveaway
New to campus or just looking for something fun to do? Join the Office of Student Life for a fun-filled night of bingo! Bring your friends, test your luck and compete for a chance to win exciting prizes—including oversized versions of classic games such as UNO, Twister, Spoons and more!
Wednesday, Aug. 27
Westville Welcome Rally
We will be in the Kesling Gymnasium in DSAC from noon to 2 p.m. to kick off the new school year! Connect with your fellow students and discover resources and organizations across our campuses.
Thursday, Aug. 28
Hammond Welcome Rally
We will be in the SULB Plaza from noon to 2 p.m. to kick off the new school year! Connect with your fellow students and discover resources and organizations across our campuses.
In the event of rain or excessive heat, the welcome rally will take place inside SULB.
Keep the Fun Going!
Aug 28
Hammond Welcome RallyCollect giveaways, connect with your fellow students and discover PNW resources and organizations at the Hammond Campus’ 2025 Welcome Rally!
Aug 29
Acorn Concert Series: Mike & Joe (Modern Rock Tribute)Immerse yourself in the timeless magic of the Modern Rock with Mike & Joe, a revitalizing tribute band at the 2025 Acorn Concert Series!
We’re excited to get back to classes for the fall semester! See what to expect and how to thrive with PNW’s back-to-school guide.
Show your pride! PNW has more than 80 student organizations to help you develop your passion and connect with friends.
To request a disability-related accommodation, please contact the Office of Civil Rights at civilrights@pnw.edu or (219) 989-2163 five days prior to the event.
In accordance with Purdue policies, all persons have equal access to Purdue University’s educational programs, services and activities, without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or status as a veteran. See Purdue’s Nondiscrimination Policy Statement. If you have any questions or concerns regarding these policies, please contact the Office of Civil Rights at civilrights@pnw.edu or (219) 989-2337.
PNW Scavenger Hunt
August 6 through September 8
Kick off the semester with Student Life as they head this year’s Scavenger Hunt. One lucky winner will receive a 13” Macbook Air with Apple Care. We will also hold random drawings to give away Beats Studio Buds to fifteen students.
Decorate the House
August 9
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
SULB Concourse
Help paint PNW black and gold!
PNW students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate and help bring the festive atmosphere throughout the campus!
Cookout with a Cop
August 14
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
University Village
Stop by University Village (behind Peregrine Hall on the Hammond campus) to enjoy free food including burgers, hotdogs, cookies and chips and bottled water!
Decorate the House
August 16
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
SULB Concourse
Help paint PNW black and gold!
PNW students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate and help bring the festive atmosphere throughout the campus!
For the Win
August 18
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hammond and Westville Campuses
We understand that the days leading up to the beginning of the semester, and even the first week, can be stressful trying to figure out your class schedule and where exactly on campus they’ll be – so we’d like to help you with that!
All our offices on both campuses will be open and walkable, with Campus Ambassadors available on site to help you walk through your Fall semester schedule.
First Day of School Picture
August 19
Noon to 12:30 p.m.
Bell Tower
Take your first day of school picture under the Bell Tower!
Mane Zone Open House
August 20
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Mane Zone, CLO
Come out and check out the new additions to the Mane Zone!
Retro Musical Chairs
August 20
12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
SULB Portico
Join the Office of Student Life for a quick game of musical chairs between classes!
Enjoy meeting new people and making new friends.
Welcome Rally – Westville
Wednesday, AUGUST 21
NOON TO 2 P.M.
LSF Plaza
Kick off the new school year with the Westville Welcome Rally! Connect with your fellow students and discover resources and organizations across our campuses.
Welcome Rally – Hammond
Thursday, AUGUST 22
11 A.M. TO 2 P.M.
SULB Plaza
Kick off the new school year with the Hammond Welcome Rally! Connect with your fellow students and discover resources and organizations across our campuses.
Decorate the House – Tear Down
August 23
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
SULB Concourse
Help the Student Life team take down Window Paint from Welcome Week in this civic service opportunity! Make some friends and grab a snack on us!
We hope to see you again when we repaint the windows for Homecoming!
Mane Zone Game Nights: Back to School Edition
August 27
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Mane Zone, CLO
Ready for some back-to-school fun? Hang out and meet new friends within The Mane Zone located in CLO.
Connect with fellow students who share your passion for gaming and forge new alliances. Be sure to unwind, socialize, and create lasting memories by being a part of the MANE fun!
T-shirts distributed at the Welcome Rallies sported a unique "I'm Powering Onward" design.
Students at the Westville Rally got plenty of swag and food to kick off this school year.
The extreme heat didn't stop students from having fun at this year's Hammond Welcome Rally!
Student organizations were well represented during the Welcome Rallies.
Students at the Westville Welcome Rally were all smiles for photos!
Fun backdrops provided the perfect spot for back to school photos with friends!
Student organizations, colleges and departments joined in on the tabling fun.