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August Welcome Experience

Welcome home.

Your August Welcome Experience (AWE) is five days of activities designed to introduce new students (all first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 24 credits) to our vibrant campus life, campus resources, academic preparation, and community engagement that embodies what it means to be part of our Northland community. AWE is dedicated to setting you up for a successful first semester at college. Think of this week as time specifically set aside to get you ready for starting your college career.

A complete orientation schedule will be posted here in early August.

Parking Passes

Parking enforcement begins at midnight on the first night of classes.
New students can purchase a parking permit in advance of coming to campus or anytime after their arrival.

Get in Touch

Office of Student Affairs
Phone: 715-292-0356
Email

About AWE

You will be participating in several events, activities, and workshops including:

  • Engaging in several events designed to specifically for you to meet your fellow classmates, faculty, and staff to create a sense of belonging on campus
  • Getting off campus in outdoor opportunities developed to introduce you to the local area, peers, and parts of Northland’s culture to create a sense of place with our natural world Don’t worry—these outings are meant for everyone and are designed to introduce you to our outdoors
  • Learning our ins and outs of college expectations, policies, and resources to create a sense of personal and community understanding and success

The goals of AWE are to foster opportunities that promote campus engagement, promote personal and social development, provide students with information about services, support systems, and issues facing college students.

The purpose of AWE is to prepare students to be successful at Northland by:

  • Creating a welcoming environment that builds a sense of community among the incoming class and connects them to faculty, staff and other students
  • Providing a framework for years of success through the communication of expectations, culture, and standards
  • Presenting information and resources that will allow students to make informed and appropriate academic plans and healthy social choices

Before you know it, AWE will conclude and you’ll have the weekend to recharge and get ready for classes the following week. Your resident assistant (RA) will let you know what else they have planned, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to continue to get to know others and explore the area.

AWE Schedule

Fall athletes may have modifications to their orientation schedules due to athletic commitments.

Sunday, August 27, 2023

Resident Community Floor Meetings
7–8 p.m. • Residence Halls

Resident assistants (RAs) will welcome those living on campus during the first community meeting. RAs will share meeting locations and additional details.

This event is for students living on campus.

Monday, August 28, 2023

Breakfast
7:30–9:00 a.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center
Baldwin Commons is in the Ponzio Campus Center near the entrance facing the Campus Mall.
AWE Week Kickoff and Campus Welcome
9:00–9:30 a.m. • Campus Mall
The Campus Mall is the grassy area outside of the Ponzio Campus Center opposite the side facing the parking lot.
AWE Group Meetings and Trip Sign Up
9:30–11:30 a.m. • Campus Mall

Meet your AWE leaders and group members, and sign up for your trips!

Lunch and Introduction from Dining Services
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center

Meet the faces of your dining staff, and enjoy lunch with your groups!

Campus Resource Tour
1–3 p.m.

Need student employment or help with your class schedule? Meet the faces and spaces of staff across campus and hear how they can help you!

Student Success at Northland College
3:00–3:30 p.m. • Alvord Theatre, Ponzio Campus Center
The Alvord Theatre is in the Ponzio Campus Center near the entrance facing the parking lot.

Join Academic Success Coach Noah Goyke, Accommodation Specialist Donna Jones-Isley, and Student Engagement Coordinator Savannah Pasella for a talk about strategies to succeed both personally and academically at Northland.

AWE Group Check-in
3:30–4:30 p.m. • Designated group meeting spot
Dinner
4:30–6:00 p.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center
First-year Class Photo
6 p.m. • Ponzio Stadium

All first-year and transfer students will gather in the Ponzio Stadium for the tradition of the new student class photo with President Dayton. In the event of inclement weather, the photo will instead be taken on Tuesday, August 30, at 6 p.m.

Tuesday, August 29, 2023

All Students

Breakfast
7:30–9:00 a.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center

Students Going on a Morning or Full-day Outdoor Pursuits Trip

Gather and Depart for Outdoor Pursuits Outings
9 a.m.

Groups on half-day trips will return before lunch; groups going on full day outings will return to campus prior to dinner. AWE leaders will share additional information regarding meeting times and locations, as well as what to bring on your trip.

Students Staying On Campus

On-campus Activities/Free Time
9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Whether you’re going on a trip or taking the day to unwind, please feel welcome to join in on the different campus activities going on during this time! Please refer to the “On-campus Activity Schedule” provided by AWE leaders.

Students Not On a Full-day Outdoor Pursuits Trip

Lunch
12–1 p.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center

Students Going on an Afternoon Outdoor Pursuits Trip

Gather and Depart for Outdoor Pursuits Outings
1 p.m.

Groups on half-day afternoon trips will return before dinner (making it back to campus around 4 p.m.). AWE leaders will share additional information regarding meeting times and locations, as well as what to bring.

All Students

Outdoor Pursuits Trips Return/Clean Up/Free Time
4 p.m.
Dinner
4:30–6:00 p.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center
Health and Safety at Northland College
6:00–6:30 p.m. • Alvord Theatre, Ponzio Campus Center

Join Counseling Services Coordinator Adri Digirolamo, Health Services Manager Jennifer Newago, and Campus Safety Director Dawayne Lampson for an overview on health and safety resources that Northland offers.

Sex Signals
7:00–8:30 p.m. • Alvord Theatre, Ponzio Campus Center

Wednesday, August 30, 2023

All Students

Breakfast
7:30–9:00 a.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center

Students Going on a Morning Outdoor Pursuits Trip

Gather and Depart for Outdoor Pursuits Outings
9 a.m.

Groups will return before lunch. AWE leaders will share additional information regarding meeting times and locations, as well as what to bring on your trip.

Students Staying On Campus

Free Time/Campus Offices Open
9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Want to go back to sleep? Want to go work out in the Fitness Center? Need to visit a staff member to take care of something? Use this time!

All Students

Lunch
12–1 p.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center
Campus Tour Part Two
1:00–2:30 p.m.

Go with your group to see the other great parts of campus!

Wellness Fair
2:30–4:30 p.m. • First Floor Main Hall, Ponzio Campus Center and Campus Mall

Learn more about campus health initiatives, use the bouldering wall, and learn about other wellness-based activities.

Dinner
4:30–6:00 p.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center
Campus Scavenger Hunt
6–8 p.m.

Work with your AWE group to find clues across campus leading to a surprise at the final location.

Thursday, August 31, 2023

All Students

Breakfast
7:30–9:00 a.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center

Students Going on a Morning or Full-day Outdoor Pursuits Trip

Gather and Depart for Outdoor Pursuits Outings
9 a.m.

Groups on half-day trips will return before lunch; groups going on full day outings will return to campus prior to dinner. AWE leaders will share additional information regarding meeting times and locations, as well as what to bring on your trip.

Students Staying On Campus

On-campus Activities/Free Time
9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Whether you’re going on a trip or taking the day to unwind, please feel welcome to join in on the different campus activities going on during this time! Please refer to the “On-campus Activity Schedule” provided by AWE leaders.

Students Not On a Full-day Outdoor Pursuits Trip

Lunch
12–1 p.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center

Students Going on an Afternoon Outdoor Pursuits Trip

Gather and Depart for Outdoor Pursuits Outings
1 p.m.

Groups on half-day afternoon trips will return before dinner (making it back to campus around 4 p.m.). AWE leaders will share additional information regarding meeting times and locations, as well as what to bring.

All Students

Outdoor Pursuits Trips Return/Clean Up/Free Time
4 p.m.
Dinner
4:30–6:00 p.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center
Minglefest/Campus Bonfire
6:00-8:30 p.m. • Wheeler Fire Ring
The fire ring is located between Wheeler Hall and Mead Hall.

Friday, September 1, 2023

Breakfast
7:30–9:00 a.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center
Service Outings
9 a.m.–12 p.m. • Meet at the Campus Mall

Connect with the community and learn more about opportunities Northland students can be a part of!

Lunch
12–1 p.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center
Tie Dye!
1–3 p.m. • Campus Mall

Join Professor Leslie Vincent for a tie-dye workshop, or design your own!

Service Opportunity
Tie-dye another shirt or bandana to support Camp Brother Bear and the Brother Bear Fund with Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Jackie Moore.
AWE Group Wrap-up and Closing Meeting
3:00–4:30 p.m. • Designated group meeting spot
Dinner
4:30–6:00 p.m. • Baldwin Commons, Ponzio Campus Center
Superior Stones Tradition and Sendoff
6–7 p.m. • You’ll meet with your AWE group at a predetermined location that your AWE leader will share with you

Each student receives a stone collected from the shores of Lake Superior, and this campus tradition symbolizes your connection to Lake Superior and your new community of Northland College. You’ll be asked to put your unique mark on that stone, whether it be signing it, or even fully decorating it—as long as you’ll recognize it when your graduation day comes. These stones are proudly displayed in the Ponzio Campus Center until your graduation, upon which you’ll receive your stone as a keepsake in remembrance of your time at Northland and on the shores of Lake Superior.

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