Purdue to host Weeks of Welcome

Purdue will celebrate the beginning of the fall semester by highlighting the first five weeks of student events and programming. This collaborative effort includes areas within Student Life, the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, and Teaching and Learning, as well as the expansive group of more than 900 recognized student organizations. 

Known as “Purdue Weeks of Welcome,” the events will introduce students to the vibrant extracurricular experiences generations of Boilermakers have come to enjoy. The culmination of Purdue Weeks of Welcome will be the University’s celebration of Homecoming, scheduled for the weekend of Sept. 23-25. 

Highlighted events include: 

B-Involved Fair: Purdue Student Activities & Organizations’ B-Involved Fair is scheduled for noon to 3 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 20) on the Gold Intramural Fields next to the Córdova Recreational Sports Center' (Co-Rec). The fair is the premiere opportunity for students to learn about and connect with over 900 student organizations on campus.

Welcome Back Bash: The Purdue Student Union Board will present a 1970s-themed Welcome Back Bash on Aug. 26 in the PMU Ballrooms.

“Bloom!” with SWAY: Purdue Convocations and the Purdue Memorial Union present SWAY, an Australian circus arts company, in its production of “Bloom!” After turning thousands of heads on Purdue’s campus in 2011, SWAY returns for a series of outdoor performances at 12:30 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8-9 on the Purdue Memorial Union lawn. Audience members will enjoy acrobatic performance artists known for their stunts atop 14-foot sway poles during a 20-minute, vibrant experience inspired by the brilliant colors of Smoky Mountain wildflowers. Admission is free with lawn seating.

Global Fest: The large-scale street festival Global Fest will return on Sept. 17 with live music, dancing, international food vendors, craft beer and international vendors in downtown West Lafayette, anchored around Northwestern and Columbia streets. This collaboration between Purdue Convocations, the city of West Lafayette and the International Center of West Lafayette celebrates the music and culture of the diverse communities that call our community home. Admission is free.

Homecoming activities: A full slate of Homecoming activities will begin with the Homecoming Kickoff and Spirit Games on Sept. 21, a massive Pep Rally on Sept. 22 and the traditional Homecoming Parade on Sept. 23. Admission to all events is free.

PMU activities: The Purdue Memorial Union will be hosting multiple karaoke and bingo nights, live airings of the “Jeff Brohm Show” and live music. Admission is free. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

Campus units and recognized student organizations promoting events on social media during the first six weeks of the semester are encouraged to use the hashtag #PurdueWOW to make events easily searchable for students. A webpage has been created that will collect all posts using #PurdueWOW into a centralized space that can also be shared with students in campuswide communication efforts.