Fall 2026 Welcome Weekend Schedule
Welcome Weekend is packed with events to help you meet people, find your way around campus and get ready for your first week of classes. Some events are required based on your student type, major or housing assignment. Be sure to check the notes under each event so you know what applies to you.
Bring your Panther Card with you throughout the weekend. Some events may use it for check-in or attendance.
Thursday, August 20
The Great DuBois7 to 9 p.m | Library Quad
Kick off Welcome Weekend with The Great DuBois, a fast-paced circus show featuring juggling, hula hoops, unicycling, aerial artistry, contortion, magic and plenty of audience participation.
This award-winning duo has performed on international tours, major television shows and in The Greatest Showman. Bring a friend, grab a spot on the Quad and start the weekend with something you definitely do not see every day.
Sponsored by University Board.
Friday, August 21
Information Booth 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Library Quad
Have a question? Stop by the Information Booth for help finding events, locations or next steps throughout the day.
Welcome Weekend Check-In & New Student Photo 9 to 9:45 a.m. | O’Brien Field
Required for all new first-year and transfer students.
Check in for Welcome Weekend and join the official new student photo.
Academic Showcase 10 to 11:30 a.m. | Location based on major
Required for all new first-year and transfer students.
Meet people from your academic college, learn more about expectations for your program and get connected before classes begin.
Academic Showcase locations:
- College of Education, Health & Human Services:
- Lumpkin College of Business & Technology:
- College of Liberal Arts & Sciences:
- Undecided Majors:
Community Picnic 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | South Quad
Panther Prep 1 to 2 p.m. | Location based on assigned advisor
Required for all first-year students.
Check your EIU email for your invitation and location. You’ll review important academic information, connect with your advisor area and get ready for the start of classes.
Booth Library Welcome Party 2 to 4 p.m. | Booth Library
Think you know libraries? Think again. Explore Booth Library with activities, snacks and prizes.
Activities include:
- Library-wide scavenger hunt
- Stump the Librarian
- Refreshments
- Prizes
This event runs at the same time as Panther Quest, so you can check out both while you are there.
Panther Quest 2 to 4 p.m. | Booth Library
This is your first mission as a new Panther. Explore campus departments, learn about resources that can help you succeed and discover support services you may want to use during your first semester.
Bring your Panther Card for attendance. You can also enter a drawing for a prizes!
Lumpkin College of Business & Technology Living Learning Community Meeting 4 to 4:45 p.m. | 1120 Lumpkin Hall
Required for students living in the Lumpkin Living Learning Community.
Meet other students in your Living Learning Community and learn what to expect this year.
Up All Night Big Screen Movie: The Greatest Showman 7 to 10 p.m. | Library Quad
Start the night with Make a Blanket for a Cause at 7 p.m., then settle in for an outdoor showing of The Greatest Showman.
Students who make a no-sew blanket for a local cause will receive a free Welcome Weekend T-shirt.
Rain location: Grand Ballroom, MLK Jr. Union
Sponsored by University Board.
Saturday, Aug. 22
Panthers Give Back8 a.m. to noon | Locations vary
Freshman Connection Meet & GreetNoon to 2 p.m. | South Quad
Required for all first-year students participating in Freshman Connection.
Meet other students in the program and start building connections before classes begin.
EIU Connections Programs
Transfer Connection Meet & GreetNoon to 2 p.m. | South Quad
Required for all first-year students participating in Transfer Connection.
Meet other students in the program and start building connections before classes begin.
EIU Connections Programs
Find Your Classes Tours2 to 4 p.m. | Library Quad Information Booth
Bring your class schedule and take a tour to find your classroom buildings before Monday.
Information Booth2 to 5 p.m. | Library Quad
Have a question? Stop by the Information Booth for help finding events, locations or next steps throughout the day.
Quakin’ in the Quad: Carnival Spectacular6 to 10 p.m. | South Quad
The South Quad turns into a campus carnival for the night. Play games, win prizes, try your luck at bingo, check out the activities and hang out with other students before classes begin.
Come for the games, stay for the EIU energy.
Rain location: Martin Luther King Jr. University Union
Sponsored by University Board.
Sunday, Aug. 23
Information BoothNoon to 5 p.m. | Library Quad
Have a question? Stop by the Information Booth for help finding events, locations or next steps throughout the day.
Find Your Classes ToursNoon to 4 p.m. | Library Quad Information Booth
Pantherpalooza Student Involvement Fair1 to 4 p.m. | South Quad
Find your people at Pantherpalooza! Meet student organizations, campus departments and community groups, and explore ways to get involved outside the classroom.
With more than 130 groups represented, this is one of the easiest ways to discover clubs, causes, activities and opportunities that match your interests.
Sponsored by EIU Student Government Association.
EIU Registered Student Organizations
Art, Music & Theatre Orientation2 to 4 p.m. | Art Wing Concourse, Doudna Fine Arts Center
Required for all new Art + Design, Music and Theatre students.
Meet faculty, staff and other students before classes begin.
Residence Hall Floor Meetings7 to 8 p.m. | Residence halls
Required for students living in the residence halls.
Meet your floor community and learn what to expect while living on campus.
First Night Spirit Rally8 to 9 p.m. | O’Brien Field
Wrap up Welcome Weekend with EIU’s first spirit rally of the year. Join other students for music, performances, contests, giveaways and a grand prize drawing.
The rally will feature EIU student leaders, campus leaders, Panther athletics representatives, the Panther Marching Band, EIU Cheer Team, EIU Dancers, EIU Pink Panthers and EIU Prestigious Pantherettes.
Sponsored by EIU Student Government Association.
Looking for Something to Do Sunday?
Spiritual WellnessSeveral local campus ministry groups are hosting Sunday gatherings
- ACTS Campus Ministry
11 a.m., Buzzard Hall Auditorium - Baptist Collegiate Ministries / Campus Outreach
10 a.m., 1706 Community Drive, Charleston - Christian Campus House
10:30 a.m., 2231 Fourth Street, Charleston (Across from Lawson Hall) - Immanuel Lutheran Campus Ministry
8 a.m., 902 Cleveland Avenue, Charleston (Across from the Tarble Museum of Art off Ninth Street) - Latter-day Saints Student Association
9:30 to 11:30 a.m., 7426 West Country Club Road, Mattoon - Newman Catholic Center
Mass at noon, followed by an ice cream social, 500 Roosevelt Avenue, Charleston (Behind Lawson and Andrews halls) - Wesley Foundation
10 a.m., 2202 Fourth Street, Charleston (Next to the W parking lot)
Social & Physical WellnessYou can also use the day to explore campus and the Charleston area
- Walk the Panther Trail
- Go fishing at the Campus Pond
- Take the Panther Shuttle to the Square and explore downtown Charleston
- Visit Lake Charleston for a hike, fishing or hammocking
- Play disc golf on the campus course
- Find butterfly hotspots on campus through the Urban Butterfly Initiative
- Look for geocache locations around campus