Welcome Week

8:30am-12:00pm – New Residential Student Check-In & Move-In

• Location: Center for the Arts Lobby, Various Residence Halls

Students and guests will check in at the Center for the Arts (CFTA). Upon arrival, students will receive a welcome folder containing helpful information, along with a T-shirt. Representatives from across campus will be available at the Blackbox Theatre. Students will also receive a ticket with their residence hall information to proceed with moving in.

11:00am-2:00pm – Lunch

• Location: Bailey Dining Commons

Students and up to 2 guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary lunch in the Dining Commons. Meal tickets will be provided at check-in.

2:00-4:00pm – New Commuter Check-In

• Location: Center for the Arts Lobby

Students can complete their check-in process during this dedicated window to ensure they’re ready to jump right into Welcome Week festivities.

4:00-4:30pm – Welcome Week Kickoff

• Location: Center for the Arts Concert Hall

Join Belhaven student leaders and staff as we officially launch Welcome Week! Hear our “Song of the Year” by Doug Eltzroth and be inspired by a message from Belhaven University President, Dr. Roger Parrott. Students will be dismissed to their first BU Session following the program.

4:30-5:00pm – Parent and Guest Session

• Location: Center for the Arts Concert Hall

While students head to the BU Session, parents and guests will remain in the concert hall for a warm welcome and message.

4:45-5:30pm – BU Session

• Location: Rugg Arena

Students will hear from the Student Development team about what to expect during Welcome Week and be introduced to their Peer Groups.

5:45-6:30pm – Peer Group Meetings

• Location: Irby Classrooms

Get to know your Peer Group and Peer Leaders during this first connection time designed to help you build relationships and settle in.

6:30-7:30pm – Peer Group Dinner

• Location: Bailey Dining Commons

Continue the conversation and enjoy dinner with your Peer Group in the Dining Commons. University Village and Commuter students will be provided with a meal voucher to attend.

7:00-9:00pm – Belhaven Block Party

• Location: Student Center and Student Center Lawn

Enjoy music, games, and Taco Bell tacos with your new classmates in the heart of campus!

7:30-9:00am – Breakfast

• Location: Bailey Dining Commons

9:30-11:30am – Prep for Success

• Location: Think Center, Warren Hood Library

Hosted by Student Care, this session helps you get organized and focused. Pick up your free Belhaven planner, create a vision board for your first year, and get practical tips on time management, academics, and self-care.

11:30am-1:00pm – Lunch

• Location: Bailey Dining Commons

Commuter students will receive meal vouchers. All students are invited to attend between sessions. 

1:00-1:45pm – BU Seminar: What It Means to be a Blazer

• Location: Irby 200

What does it truly mean to be a Blazer? In this session, you’ll hear from Belhaven’s Vice President of Athletics, who brings 30 years of experience, wisdom, and passion for this community. He will share what defines the Belhaven spirit, both on and off the field, and how you can live out the values that make this university unique.

3:30-4:30pm – Majors Meet & Greet

• Location: Billy Kim International Center 200 & 202

Connect with professors in your major and begin building relationships with faculty who will support you throughout your college journey.

5:30-6:30pm – Peer Group Dinner

• Location: Bailey Dining Commons 

6:30pm – Be a Blazer Night at the Mud Monsters Baseball Game

• Location: Trustmark Park | 1 Monsters Aly, Pearl, MS 39208

Join us for a fun night of baseball and fireworks at Trustmark Park! Gates open at 5:30PM. The first 100 students to bring their student ID to the booth outside the stadium will get a free ticket!

9:00am & 10:30am – Discover Jackson Tours

• Location: Meet outside of the Student Center

Hop on a guided tour to discover your new, beautiful, and historic home of Jackson, Mississippi!

11:30am-1:30pm – Lunch

• Location: Bailey Dining Commons

2:30-3:30pm – BU Seminar #2: To Serve, Not to be Served

• Location: Irby 200

The Belhaven University motto is “To Serve, Not to be Served.” Join Michael Pierce, Academic Support Specialist and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) advisor, as he shares how students can live out servant leadership and make an impact on campus and beyond.

5:00-7:00pm – Find Your People

• Location: Student Center Lobby and Student Center Theater

Students are invited to connect with their peers at a laid-back evening with various activities in the student center.

Various Times – Worship at the Church of your Choice

• Location: Meet at Student Center Booth

Join a student leader-led carpool to visit one of several local churches around the Jackson area.

11:30am-1:30pm – Lunch

• Location: Bailey Dining Commons

1:30-3:00pm – MS Museum of Art

• Location: Downtown Jackson

Enjoy an afternoon at the Mississippi Museum of Art- just minutes from campus. Explore the galleries at your own pace and experience a variety of works. Admission is free with a Belhaven ID.

3:00-4:30pm – Ultimate Frisbee

• Location: Belhaven Bowl

Get moving with a Sunday afternoon game of Ultimate Frisbee! Whether you’re competitive or just out for fun, all skill levels are welcome.

4:30-5:30pm – Classroom Tours

• Location: Meet at the Student Center Booth

Find your academic footing before classes begin! Student leaders will guide you through your classroom locations. Bring your class schedule to make the most of the tour.

5:30-6:30pm – Peer Group Dinner

• Location: Bailey Dining Commons

7:00-9:00pm – Residence Hall Crawl

• Location: All Belhaven Residence Halls

Experience the personality of each residence hall as you move from lobby to lobby for themed activities, snacks, and drinks. This is a fun way to meet new friends and see what each space has to offer!

7:30-10:00am – Welcome Back Coffee and Tea

• Location: Student Center Booth

Celebrate the first day of classes with free Shoebird Cafe coffee or Tea from Fondren Nutrition, while supplies last! Open to students, faculty, and staff!

8:30am-12:30pm – First Day Photobooth

• Location: Student Center Lobby 

Stop by the student center to get your picture taken and printed to commemorate your first day of classes! 

7:00pm – Campus Wide Movie Night

• Location: Belhaven Bowl

Relax under the stars with a movie night in the Belhaven Bowl! Bring a chair or a blanket and enjoy the show!

11:00am – Chapel

• Location: Center for the Arts Concert Hall

9:00pm – Mandatory Residence Hall Meeting

• Location: Various Locations

All residential students must attend this important meeting for their assigned residence halls. Residence Life staff will cover expectations, safety information, and community guidelines for the semester.

8:30-10:30am – Commuter Connect

• Location: Student Center Booth 

Commuters are invited to stop by the Student Center booth to grab a breakfast treat!

7:00-9:00pm – Kicking it with Campus Rec

• Location: Belhaven Bowl 

Get in the game with Campus Recreation! Sample a variety of intramural sports such as volleyball, soccer, ultimate frisbee, and more. Find out how to get involved all year long!

8:00-9:30pm – Campus Wide Worship

• Location: Billy Kim International Center 200 

Join together for a meaningful evening of worship and teaching as we gather to seek God with one another at the start of the semester!

8:00-10:00pm – Blazer Beach Bash

• Location: Billy Kim Entergy Pavilion (behind BKIC)

Don’t miss one of the most anticipated events of Welcome Week! Join us for a tropical-themed night full of music, snow cones, snacks, and a photobooth!

9:00am-12:00pm – Blazer Community Connect

• Location: Meet at Billy Kim International Center

Serve alongside your peers in an off-campus community service project, partnering with the Salvation Army. Pizza lunch to follow.

1:00pm – Belhaven Football Scrimmage

• Location: Belhaven Bowl

Cheer on the Blazers as they scrimmage against Rhodes College! 

4:30pm – Soccer Tailgate: Women's Alumni Soccer Match

• Location: Belhaven Bowl 

Come show your Blazer spirit and grab some Italian Ice as you cheer on the Blazers alumni team!

7:00pm – Men's Soccer Match

• Location: Belhaven Bowl 

Join us as we root for the Belhaven Men’s soccer team as they compete against the University of Mobile. 

7:00pm – 24 Hour Theater

• Location: Center for the Arts Hall 

Doors open at 6:30PM. Performance begins at 7:00PM. Free admission! Students who wish to perform, direct, or write plays for 24-hour theatre should email apo@belhaven.edu for more information.