ORIENTATION GUIDE

AUG. 30-SEPT. 2, 2025

More Information: Email lindsey.leonard@wartburg.edu
Hours: M-F 8 a.m.-4 p.m. | Phone: 319-352-8486

The following schedules are tentative and subject to change.

First Year Schedule

8-10:30 a.m. Group A Move In (all first and third floors)
10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Group B Move In (all ground and second floors)
Knief Outdoor Athletics Pavillion (D Parking Lot)

Orientation staff and resident assistants, and Wartburg faculty and staff will assist you with moving into your new residence hall. Get your room keys and check in for new student orientation. Residence hall staff will be available throughout the day for any questions you may have. When you are settled into your room, visit the tents on Clinton Field!

10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Taking Care of Business
Saemann Student Center

Stop by the Saemann Student Center to conveniently ask questions and manage any final business.

     – Business Office, Financial Aid, and Student Employment – McCoy Rooms, Saemann Student Center
     – Wartburg Store – Saemann Student Center
     – Mail Center – Saeman Student Center
           Students sign out their parking passes at the mail center window!
     – Information Technology Services – Saemann Student Center
            Register your laptop and get help with any technological concerns.

3-4 p.m. Opening Ceremonies/Knighting
Levick Arena

Opening Ceremony kicks off Orientation and introduces students and their families to Wartburg’s history, mission, and special traditions. Features of the event include a traditions video, remarks from President Rebecca Ehretsman, and the knighting ceremony. New students come forward to be welcomed into Wartburg Knighthood by President Ehretsman and two vice presidents.

4-4:15 p.m. Goodbyes on the Lawn
Campus Lawn

Gather outside of the W with your family and friends to say good-bye and mark this important moment as you transition into your life as a college student. Chaplain Maggie, dean of spiritual life, will lead a special blessing for you and your family/friends as you are joined by staff, faculty, and classmates who will accompany you in the years to come. A special treat will end our time together before students begin their orientation activities.

4:30 p.m. Families Depart

4:45 p.m. Orientation Kick Off
Levick Arena

Students will be greeted by members of the Student Life Staff, meet the Orientation Team and break out into their orientation groups.

4:45-5:45 p.m. Parent Reception
Greenwood
 With your students dining on campus with their orientation groups, parents and guests are invited to join President Becky Ehretsman for an outdoor reception at her home. This event will be an open house, so please come as you are. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and converse with fellow parents and guardians of new students, along with college staff.

5:45-6:45 p.m. Student Dinner
Mensa, Saemann Student Center

Join your Orientation Group for dinner!

7 p.m. Residence Hall Meeting
Levick Arena

Meet with staff from Residential Life, Campus Safety & Security, and Operations & Maintenance, and learn how to have a positive on-campus living experience.

7:30 p.m. Playfair
Campus Lawn (Rain site: The W Fieldhouse)

Ready to start your college career with a bang? Come to Playfair and meet your class! This program focuses on campus unity and school spirit. It’s entertaining and fun, all while allowing you to make new campus friendships.

9:30-10:20  a.m. Kickboxing
Fieldhouse Court 1, The W

10:30-11:20 a.m. Yoga on the Lawn
Campus Lawn

11:15 a.m.–1 p.m. Brunch
Mensa, Saemann Student Center

1-2 p.m. Class
Various Classrooms

Bring your computers to class to walk through various items including how to print, how to make meal transfers, where to find important information, and more! Attendance will be taken.

2–3:15 p.m. Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training
Neumann Auditorium

This program uses a combination of audience interaction, improv exercises, and thoroughly researched information to break down walls and have a needed conversation about sex.

5:15–6:30 p.m. Dinner
Mensa, Saemann Student Center

7:30 p.m. Choose your activity!
Various Locations

Paint-a-Pot Event
The Ubuntu Center Individual pot decorating andrelaxing bonding with classmates to represent your own new journey as a Wartburg Knight!

Sand Volleyball
Volleyball Courts behind The Manors

Join fellow students for a friendly (or competitive!) game of sand volleyball! Spectators welcomed!

Outdoor Movie
Clinton Field
Grab a blanket and your new friends and enjoy a relaxing movie with popcorn.

Memory Box Making
Library K-Statt

Decorate a memory box to store all of your college memorabilia!

8:30 p.m. Worship and Ministry Fair
Outside Wartburg Chapel

Gather around the campfire for music, s’mores and worship. Be welcomed by Wartburg Spiritual Life and Campus Ministry, meet the student leaders of our many faith expression groups, and learn about local churches as you begin to find where your faith will flourish.

6:30–8:30 a.m. Breakfast
Mensa, Saemann Student Center

9:30-11 a.m. Class Team Building
Campus Lawn

Meet your SEM 100 instructor and enjoy a series of teambuilding activities with your SEM 100 class which will test your problem solving, communication, and creativity skills. Attendance will be taken.

11 a.m. Classroom Tours
Orientation leaders will show you around campus to familiarize you with classrooms and other happenings.

12-1 p.m. Lunch
Mensa, Saemann Student Center

3-4 p.m. Adjusting to College Workshop
Making the transition to college is full of new feelings, new challenges, and new opportunities. Join members of Counseling Services to learn proven strategies to ease the stress and fully embrace this new chapter!

4:15-5:15 p.m. Residence Hall Programs
Various Locations

Get to know your RA and floormates. Get excited for this wonderful opportunity to get to know the students you are living with! 

5:15–6:30 p.m. Dinner
Mensa, Saemann Student Center 

6:30–9 p.m. Knightout
Campus Mall (rain site: The W Fieldhouse)

Come enjoy a fun night filled with caricatures, snacks, inflatables, yard games, a photo booth, music, and so much more!

6:30–8:30 a.m. Breakfast
Mensa, Saemann Student Center

8:30–9:30 a.m. Class
Various Classrooms

Bring your laptop! You will learn about important academic related resources! You’ll also head out to the lawn to take your official class photo! Remember to wear your class shirt, given to you by your orientation leader.

9:45 a.m. Class Photo
Campus Lawn

10:15 a.m. Opening Convocation
Levick Arena, The W

Opening Convocation is a Wartburg tradition that marks the beginning of a new academic year and brings together the Wartburg community to celebrate higher education while welcoming the incoming class.

11:15 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch
Mensa, Saemann Student Center

1-2:30 p.m. Group Advising
Various Locations

 Meet professors in each department for advising questions and tips on succeeding in your major. You also will get to meet more people seeking the same degree as you.

  • Biology: Science Center (SC) 102
  • Business Administration/Accounting/Economics: Whitehouse Business Center (WBC) 214
  • Chemistry/Biochemistry/Engineering Science: Science Center (SC) 247
  • Elementary Education: Old Main (OM) 100
  • English/Languages: Luther Hall (LH) 201
  • Exploring: Third Floor, Vogel Library
  • Exercise Science, Physical Education, and Health and Fitness Studies: The W 2006 (Human Performance Lab)
  • History: Luther Hall (LH) 324
  • Journalism & Communications: McElroy Center (MC) 134
  • Mathematics/Computer Science/Physics: Science Center (SC) 134
  • Music: Fine Arts Center (FAC) 104
  • Religion & Philosophy: Grossmann Hall (GRO) 131
  • Social Sciences (Psychology, Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Criminology/Social Justice): Luther Hall (LH) 326
  • Social Work: Old Main (OM) 200

3-4 p.m. First Generation Celebration
Let’s celebrate the achievement of the individuals who are the first in their families to accomplish the significant milestone of pursuing a college education!

5–7 p.m. Dinner
Mensa, Saemann Student Center

6:30 -7:30 p.m. Involvement Fair
Campus Lawn

Learn about involvement opportunities available to you at Wartburg including study abroad, student organizations, honor societies and more!

Orientation is complete. Good luck with classes, and if you have any questions, please contact an Orientation staff member.
Go to www.wartburg.edu/calendar for more campus activities after orientation week! 

Transfer Schedule

8-10:30 a.m. Transfer Student Move-In

12-1 p.m. Transfer Cookout
Campus Lawn
This celebration cookout will be held in honor of all transfer students! Meet the college president, Dean of Faculty and Dean of students, begin connecting with resources and programs, and engage in your own Knighting Ceremony!

1:15 p.m. How-To Wartburg
Whitehouse Business Center 214 (Buckmaster)
Bring your laptop to this session to learn how to print, how to complete meal transfers, where to find important information, and generally get familiar with your Wartburg resources.

2:15-3:15 p.m. Classroom Tours 
Orientation leaders will show you around campus to familiarize you with classrooms and other happenings. 

5:15–6:30 p.m. Dinner
Mensa, Saemann Student Center

6–9 p.m. Knightout 
Campus Mall (rain site: Fieldhouse in The W) 

Come enjoy a fun night filled with caricatures, snacks, inflatables, yard games, a photo booth, music, and so much more! 

6:30–8:30 a.m. Breakfast
Mensa, Saemann Student Center

11:15 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch
 Mensa, Saemann Student Center

2:30  p.m. Group Advising 
Check your email for communication from your adviser.

5-7 p.m. Dinner
Mensa, Saemann Student Center

6:30 p.m.
Involvement Fair
Campus Mall
Learn about involvement opportunities available to you at Wartburg including study abroad, student organizations, honor societies and more!

Orientation is complete. Good luck with classes, and if you have any questions, please contact an Orientation staff member.
Go to www.wartburg.edu/calendar for more campus activities after orientation week! 

Cloud Print is Wartburg’s online printing system that allows you to send files and/ordocuments to the printers on campus. Follow these directions to print to the printer in your residence hall or to any printer across campus. 

CHOIR PLACEMENTS
Audition for a choir

  • Wartburg Choir (touring concert choir (SATB) | Dr. Lee Nelson, conductor,  lee.nelson@wartburg.edu | Rehearsals on Monday thru Thursday (4:50-6:15 p.m.)
  • Castle Singers (touring chamber ensemble (SATB) | Dr. Nicki Toliver, conductor, nicki.toliver@wartburg.edu | Rehearsals on Monday thru Friday (3:45-4:40 p.m.)
  • Kantorei (SATB choir) | Dr. Karen Black, conductor, karen.black@wartburg.edu | Rehearsals on Wednesday and Friday (3:45-4:40 p.m.)
  • Ritterchor (tenor/bass choir) | Dr. Lee Nelson, conductor, lee.nelson@wartburg.edu | Rehearsals on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday (3:45-4:40 p.m.)
  • St. Elizabeth Chorale (soprano/alto choir) | Dr. Nicki Toliver, conductor, nicki.toliver@wartburg.edu | Rehearsals on Monday, Tuesday & Thursday (4:50-5:45 p.m.)

HANDBELLS
For questions or information about Handbell Choir, please contact Dr. Karen Black at karen.black@wartburg.edu.

ORCHESTRA, WIND ENSEMBLE, SYMPHONIC BAND
Audition for an instrumental ensemble

  • Wind Ensemble (touring band ensemble) | Dr. Lia Snead, conductor,  lia.snead@wartburg.edu | Rehearsals Monday through Thursday (4:50-6:15 p.m.)
  • Kammerstreicher (touring ensemble) rebecca.nederhiser@wartburg.edu | Rehearsals Monday through Friday (3:45-4:40 p.m.)
  • Wartburg Community Symphony  | Dr. Rebecca Nederhiser, conductor,  rebecca.nederhiser@wartburg.edu | Rehearsals Monday (7-9:30 p.m.) and Thursday (7-9 p.m.) 
  • Symphonic Band | Dr. Lia Snead, conductor, lia.snead@wartburg.edu | Rehearsals on Mondy, Wednesday, and Friday (3:50-4:40 p.m.)
  • Knightliters (jazz band) | Josh Hakanson, conductor, josh.hakanson@wartburg.edu | Rehearsals on Wednesdays (8:30-10 p.m.)