Orientation Schedule
New Student Orientation will take place August 19-23, 2026.
This is a sample schedule pulled from 2025. Please check back in the coming months for the final summer 2026 schedule.
Please note that attendance is mandatory at starred (*) events.
Wednesday, August 20
Time |
Event |
|
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
Davidson College Store Open 137 N Main Street |
|
11 a.m. |
Lunch (Student meal plans begin Aug. 20 at 7:30 a.m.) |
|
Lunch Options Available 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Dinner Options Available 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
|
|
*7 – 8 p.m. |
Opening Session Baker Sports Complex New students and their families will kick-off orientation with a special welcome from President Doug Hicks and other campus leaders. |
|
*8 – 9 p.m. |
Wildcat Living Baker Sports Complex Incoming students will be introduced to the Residence Life Office team and their designated Hall Counselor or Resident Advisor. In this meeting, incoming students will learn about the Residence Life policies and resources while living at Davidson. |
Thursday, August 21
Time |
Event |
| 7:30 – 10 a.m. |
Breakfast Options Available Vail Commons |
| 8:30 – 10 a.m. |
Orientation Fair Baker Sports Complex Visit with representatives of different college departments and programs who will be available to answer questions and describe their services. |
| 9 – 10:30 a.m. |
Campus Tours Baker Sports Complex Optional Campus Tours led by Orientation Team Mentors will be leaving from the entrance of Baker at 9:00, 9:30, and 10:00. Signups not required. |
|
9 – 10:30 a.m. |
Student Employment Paperwork Baker Sports Complex The Human Resources Office will be helping students who have federal work study process their I-9 forms in the Union Atrium. Please bring necessary documents. |
| 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. |
Davidson College Store Open 137 N Main Street |
|
*10:45 – 11:45 a.m. |
OTM Chat New students will meet their Orientation Team Mentor (OTM) and Orientation group in the space assigned to them on their nametag. |
| Noon – 1:30 p.m. |
Orientation Picnic Chambers Lawn Be our guest for lunch under the trees with your family and new classmates. |
| *1:45 – 2:30 p.m. |
Academic Life at Davidson Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union Learn about academic expectations and support resources at Davidson. This session will prepare you for Add/Drop as well as your individual meetings with your holistic advisers. |
|
*2:30 – 3:45 p.m. |
Davidson Resources Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union New students will learn about campus resources from The Center for Civic Engagement, Lula Bell's Resource Center, The Chaplain's Office, The Matthews Center for Career Development, The Center for Student Health and Wellbeing, and the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion. |
|
4 – 5:30 p.m. |
A Sweet Sendoff The President’s House, Backyard Enjoy a sweet treat in the President's House Backyard with your fellow students and their families. |
|
6 – 8:30 p.m. |
Transfer Student Social Meet at Alvarez College Union Transfer Students are invited to a night of bowling, arcade games, and dinner after the first full day of Orientation! Transportation will be provided and the group will meet in the Alvarez College Union parking lot at 6 p.m. |
|
Dinner Options Available 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. |
|
|
9 – 11 p.m. |
Ice Cream Social Alvarez College Union Get to know your classmates over ice cream, crafts, games, and karaoke! |
Friday, August 22
Time |
Event |
| 7:30 – 10 a.m. |
Breakfast Options Available Vail Commons |
|
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Davidson College Store Open 137 N Main Street |
| *9 a.m. – 3 p.m. |
Individual meeting with your holistic adviser Students will receive meeting details from their holistic adviser through their Davidson email account. |
| 10 – 11 a.m. |
Transfer Student Advising Session C. Shaw Smith 900 Room, Alvarez College Union Transfer Students will meet with staff members from the Registrar's Office to discuss key academic milestones that will be different from their previous institutions. This session will address topics that may be different or new to allow for a smoother transition to Davidson! |
|
Lunch Options Available 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. |
|
|
Afternoon Activities Choose from a variety of activities offered by campus offices and programs: |
|
| 1 - 1:30 p.m. |
Navigating Dietary Needs Vail Commons Join us at Vail Commons to help navigate food allergies and special dietary needs at Davidson. |
|
1 – 3:15 p.m. |
Student Employment Paperwork Alvarez College Union Atrium The Human Resources Office will be helping students who have federal work study process their I-9 forms on the 2nd floor of the Alvarez College Union. Please bring necessary documents. |
|
1:30 – 3:15 p.m. |
Computer and Device Setup Assistance Technology and Innovation on Main Street (213 N. Main St) or Alvarez College Union, 3rd Floor Get help with wireless access, printer setup, Duo permissions, and other technology questions. |
| 1:30 – 3:15 p.m. |
Check Out the Library: Your Guide to the Library During Construction Lilly Family Gallery, Chambers Building Cool off with King of Pops popsicles while you discover how the library will support you during our two-year renovation! Explore hands-on activities, tour library spaces in Chambers Building, and learn more about the future George Lawrence Abernethy Library. |
| *4 – 5 p.m. |
Exploring Our History Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union Learning from our past is essential to striving for excellence and building a more inclusive future. Students will watch a documentary-style video exploring the college's history with race and promoting reconciliation efforts. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion where questions from the audience will be welcomed. |
|
*5 – 6 p.m. |
OTM Chat New students will meet their Orientation Team Mentor (OTM) and Orientation group in the space assigned to them on their nametag. |
|
Dinner Options Available 5 – 8 p.m. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. |
|
| 6:30 – 8 p.m. |
Transfer Student Social Lake Campus Join your fellow Transfer Students for a pizza picnic at Lake Campus! Transportation will be provided and the group will meet in the Alvarez College Union parking lot at 6:30 p.m. |
| 9 – 10 p.m. |
Mark Toland: Mentalist Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union Come experience a mind-boggling and awe-provoking show from an award winning mentalist and mind reader. Starting at 9:00pm, the College Union will have games, crafts, and a sweet treat! |
Saturday, August 23
Time |
Event |
|
8 – 10 a.m. |
Breakfast Options Available Vail Commons |
| 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. |
Davidson College Store Open 137 N Main Street |
|
9 – 9:45 a.m. |
Guided Mindfulness Meditation The Oasis, Fourth Floor of Alvarez College Union Begin your day with mindfulness! Join Ivan Mayerhofer, Associate Buddhist and Interfaith Chaplain, for some mindfulness practices that support peace of body and mind. Meet in the Oasis, which is inside the Chaplains’ Office on the 4th floor of the College Union, directly to the left after going up the stairs or elevator. |
| *10 – 11 a.m. |
Introduction to Green Dot OTM Groups 1-25 Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union The Green Dot Program mobilizes people across settings and contexts to create safe, healthy, and respectful spaces. By equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary to do their part, cultures can shift and all forms of harassment and interpersonal violence can be reduced. |
| *10 – 11 a.m. |
Civic Engagement Project OTM Groups 26-50 New students will meet their Orientation Team Mentor (OTM) and Orientation group in the space assigned to them on their nametag. |
|
Lunch Options Available 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. |
|
| *1 – 2 p.m. |
Introduction to Green Dot OTM Groups 26-50 Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union The Green Dot Program mobilizes people across settings and contexts to create safe, healthy, and respectful spaces. By equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary to do their part, cultures can shift and all forms of harassment and interpersonal violence can be reduced. |
| *1 – 2 p.m. |
Civic Engagement Project OTM Groups 1-25 New students will meet their Orientation Team Mentor (OTM) and Orientation group in the space assigned to them on their nametag. |
| 2 – 2:45 p.m. |
Class of 2029 Group Picture Chambers Lawn Join your classmates for a class picture in front of Chambers Building. |
|
*3 – 4:15 p.m. |
A Community of Respect Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union Student Health Advisers dive into Davidson’s Community Values and the ways that we respect ourselves, each other, and campus policies. |
|
Dinner Options Available 5 – 8 p.m. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. |
|
|
*5:30 – 10:30 p.m. |
A Night at the Museum: Discovery Place Charlotte Buses leave from Baker Parking Lot Join your classmates on a trip to the Discovery Place Museum in Uptown Charlotte for a night of fun! Dinner will be provided and students are required to ride the bus to and from the event. Trip waivers will be signed in OTM Chat II. |
Sunday, August 24
Time |
Event |
|
8 – 11 a.m. |
Breakfast Options Available Vail Commons |
| 10 – 10:45 a.m. |
Guided Mindfulness Meditation The Oasis, Fourth Floor of Alvarez College Union Begin your day with mindfulness! Join Ivan Mayerhofer, Associate Buddhist and Interfaith Chaplain, for some mindfulness practices that support peace of body and mind. Meet in the Oasis, which is inside the Chaplains’ Office on the 4th floor of the College Union, directly to the left after going up the stairs or elevator. |
|
Lunch Options Available 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 11 a.m. – midnight 11:00a.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
|
|
*11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. |
2025 Common Read Presentation Duke Family Performance Hall, Alvarez College Union Lily Brooks-Dalton will be joining us for a discussion about her book, The Light Pirate, which is this year's Common Read selection. Questions can be presubmitted online through the Library's digital reading guide. An optional book signing will take place following the discussion. |
|
*2 – 3:30 p.m. |
OTM Chat New students will meet their Orientation Team Mentor (OTM) and Orientation group in the space assigned to them on their nametag. |
|
Dinner Options Available 5 – 8 p.m. 11 a.m. – midnight 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. |
|
|
*7 – 9 p.m. |
Honor Code Commitment Ceremony Meet on your hall at 7 p.m. New students learn about the Honor Code and participate in the commitment ceremony. |