Four students sit on rocks at the Acropolis laughing

Sapere Aude Pre-orientation

All students in the Humanities Program (registered for HUM 103) are required to take part in the pre-orientation program Sapere Aude, six days of community building, introductions, games, and close reading and discussion of key texts and artifacts with all eight Humanities faculty members, fellows, librarians and archivists and instructional designers.

Our Sapere Aude pre-orientation is a great way to start your Davidson College experience with your Humes cohort and the Humanities Fellows. 

Humes students can do both Sapere Aude and any of the other pre-orientation programs or take part in any athletic team's pre-season activities. Humes is accessible to all!

Program Dates & Location

  • Program Dates: August 18-23, 2023
  • Location: Holston Conference Center in the beautiful North Carolina mountains

Program Cost

There is no cost. All travel, room, and board expenses are covered by the Humanities Program.

Arrival Information

New Humesters should arrive on campus to stow their things in the college warehouse except for a small bag and day pack for Sapere Aude, and we’ll board buses for the mountains. The warehouse is open daily and is located at 209 Ridge Road, Davidson, N.C., 28035, on campus.

If flights from faraway places can’t arrive on the morning of departure, Friday morning, please contact our program coordinator Susan Archer (suarcher@davidson.edu).

International students should be in touch with both Susan Archer and Sayre Weir (saweir@davidson.edu) about arrival times. 

Information for Parents and Families

Specific summer 2023 parent information session dates and times are forthcoming.

For new Humesters’ parents and families who are unable to be present for regular orientation, we will hold a parent and family orientation session.

This would replace the session for parents and families during regular orientation. We can also do a zoom orientation session for Humesters’ parents and families who are unable to be on campus.

Follow Us on Social Media

Follow the Instagram accounts for @hum_fellows and @HumDavidson for details and sneak-peek info.