Welcome Back, Golden Eagles
Whether you’re a new student or returning student, we are excited to offer opportunities for you to connect with your campus community. Check out what is in store as you begin the first few weeks of the semester!
New & Returning Students
Welcome to Cornerstone! Below are your arrival day and orientation details to kick off the semester.
Early Arrivals | Student-Athletes
Select athletic teams (new and returning students) will be moving in early before orientation week officially begins.
- Arrival Day: Monday, August 5 | Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball Arrival
- Arrival Day: Friday, August 16 | Men’s and Women’s Cross Country
- Arrival Day: Tuesday, August 20 | Men’s and Women’s Golf Arrival
Check-in Location: Bernice Hansen Athletic Center
Each athlete arrival day will follow the schedule timeline below.
| Time (EST) | Event |
|---|---|
| 11 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. | Residential and Commuter Check-in |
| 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Residential Move-in |
| 2:30 p.m. | Team Programming |
Arrival Day & Orientation Week | All New Students
Date: Friday, August 23
All new students and their family members are welcome to participate in events on Friday, August 23, as you celebrate this milestone day and connect with your campus community at Cornerstone.
| Time (EST) | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9-9:45 a.m. | Pickitt Hall Check-In/Move-In: Even Room Numbers | Bernice Hansen Athletic Center |
| 9:45-10:30 a.m. | Keithley Hall Check-In/Move-In Quincer Hall Check-In/Move-In | Bernice Hansen Athletic Center |
| 10:30-11:15 a.m. | Pickitt Hall Check-In/Move-In: Odd Room Numbers | Bernice Hansen Athletic Center |
| 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Lunch | Dining Commons |
| 11:15 a.m.-noon | Central Hall Check-In/Move-In Cook and Van Osdel Hall Check-In/Move-In Apartments Check-In/Move-In | Bernice Hansen Athletic Center |
| 1-1:45 p.m. | Commuter Student Check-In | Bernice Hansen Athletic Center |
| 1:45-2:15 p.m. | Commuter Welcome Session | Bell Tower Lawn |
| 2:30-3:30 p.m. | All New Student Activity & Parent Resources Fair | Christ Chapel Courtyard |
| 4 p.m. | All New Student Dedication Service | Christ Chapel |
| 5 p.m. | Student Send-Off | Around Campus |
| 5:30 p.m. | Orientation Week Check-In | Bernice Hansen Athletic Center |
| 6 p.m. | Orientation Week Kickoff | Bernice Hansen Athletic Center |
Date: Saturday, August 24
On their first full day on campus, new students continue their transition into our community through on-campus and local activities.
| Time (EST) | Event |
|---|---|
| 8-9 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 10 a.m.-12 p.m. | Campus Scavenger Hunt |
| 12-1 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Shared Journeys: Academic Foundations |
| 3:30-5 p.m. | Free Time |
| 5-6 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7 p.m. | Saturday Night Lights |
Date: Sunday, August 25
| Time (EST) | Event |
|---|---|
| 8-9 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 10 a.m.-1 p.m. | Attend a Local Church |
| 12-1 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1-5 p.m. | Explore Grand Rapids |
| 5-6 p.m. | Dinner |
Date: Monday, August 26
| Time (EST) | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:45-8:45 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9-9:30 a.m. | Class Picture |
| 9:30-11 a.m. | Group Breakout Sessions: Campus Departments |
| 11:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. | Lunch |
| 1-2:45 p.m. | Future Forward: Campus Opportunities |
| 3-4:30 p.m. | Opportunities Fair |
| 4:30-6 p.m. | Dinner |
| 7 p.m. | Karaoke |
Date: Tuesday, August 27
| Time (EST) | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:45-8:45 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 10:30-11:30 a.m. | New Student-Athlete Session |
| 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 2-4 p.m. | Mixer: Insights with Professors |
| 4 p.m. | All Campus Worship |
| 5-6:30 p.m. | Dinner |
Fall Semester Launch | New & Returning Students
Take a look at what to expect from your first days on campus.
Date: Tuesday, August 27
| Time (EST) | Event |
|---|---|
| 7:45-8:45 a.m. | Breakfast |
| 9 a.m. | Dorms Open/Returning Student Move-in |
| 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Lunch |
| 4 p.m. | All Campus Worship |
| 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Dinner (Dining Commons Open) |
| 7 p.m. | Women's Soccer Game vs. Grace Christian |
Date: Wednesday, August 28
First day of classes begin! Regular semester dining commons hours for breakfast, lunch and dinner also begin on this day.
More to check out:
- 10 a.m. | Welcome Back to Campus Chapel Service
- 7 p.m. | Women’s Volleyball vs. Spring Arbor
Date: Thursday, August 29 – Friday, August 30
- August 29 | Back to Campus Bash
- August 30 at 10 a.m. | On-Campus Church Fair
- August 30 at 7 p.m. | Women’s Soccer vs. Saint Francis (Ind.)
September Events Overview
There’s more to look forward to in September! Take a look at activities and events planned for the month and stay up to date on details by following @cornerstoneu on Instagram.
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| September 3 | 3 p.m. | Men's Soccer vs. St. Francis |
| September 4 | 10 a.m. Various | Convocation Intramurals Kickoff |
| September 6 | 7 p.m. | Women's Volleyball vs. St. Francis |
| September 7 | 1 p.m. 3 p.m. | Women's Volleyball vs. Cumberland Women's Volleyball vs. IUSB |
| September 9-13 | Various | Small Group Kickoff Week |
| September 13 | TBD | Capture the Campus & Smores Night |
| September 18 | 6:30 p.m. | Bonfire Night (hosted by Multicultural Affairs) |
| September 20 | 7 p.m. | Women's Volleyball vs. Defiance |
| September 21 | 2 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 7 p.m. | Women's Volleyball vs. Lourdes Men's Soccer vs. Indiana Tech Women's Soccer vs. Indiana Tech |
| September 23-27 | Various | Spirit Week |
| September 24 | 7 p.m. | Chai Chat (hosted by Multicultural Affairs) |
| September 25 | 7 p.m. | Men's Soccer vs. Michigan-Dearborn |
| September 27-28 | Various | Homecoming & Family Weekend |
| September 27 | 7 p.m. | Powderpuff Football (Pickitt vs. Cook) |
| September 28 | 2 p.m. 4:30 p.m. TBD | Women's Volleyball vs. Madonna Women's Soccer vs. Cleary Pumpkin Carving |
Plus, we anticipate 50+ events hosted by student organizations this fall! Remember to check out what individual student organizations are doing throughout the semester for more ways to connect with friends. A few organizations on campus include:
- American Marketing Association (CU Chapter)
- Board Game Club
- Delight (CU Chapter)
- Engineering Club
- Exercise Science Club
- Met by Love
- Nursing Club
- Pickleball Club
- Sustainability Club
- Theatre Club
- Turning Point USA