All new students to Goshen College participate in on-campus orientation before classes start.
Leaf Launch is our mandatory orientation for new students. This orientation is a necessary time of transition, and activities and sessions are required unless otherwise noted. Students should plan to be available from Thursday, August 21, through Sunday, August 24, and begin making plans accordingly. Optional activities are scheduled for Sunday, August 24.
It is important to note that this is not only orientation but also the beginning of CORE 100, a required class for first-year students and transfer students with fewer than 17 transfer credit hours. For both of these reasons, students must be present on the first day of classwork to establish the academic habits and foundational knowledge necessary for a successful semester. We ask that students treat this schedule like a job schedule: your attendance is required.
First-year students at Goshen College are identified as first-time, full-time students who have not completed any college credit, AND transfer students bringing less than 17 credit hours with them. Transfer students are those who’ve earned 17 or more credit hours at a different college or university.
Visit our FAQ page for answers to our most frequently asked questions.
* = required activities for new students
Thursday, August 21, 2025
9 – 11:30 a.m. — Check-In for all new students (parents and families welcome!) | College Church, Fellowship Hall *
All new students will sign up for a time to go through the check-in line and complete the final tasks and forms required to begin the fall semester. Interpreters will be available.
Tasks include completing any missing forms that weren’t required for course registration, confirming how you will pay for college (a cashier will be available for payments), receiving your laptop (for students who opted in via the Laptop Selection Form and submitted the Laptop Agreement Form), and picking up your ID card (if you didn’t already during NSO). You’ll also receive a folder with the necessary documents for Leaf Launch.
Students should look for an email in their Goshen College email account at the beginning of August with instructions on selecting their time.
9 a.m. – Noon — Move-In for residential students (parents and families welcome!) | Kratz, Yoder, Miller, and Kulp Residence Halls and Student Apartments *
Residential students will receive their room key during Check-In.
9 – 11 a.m. — New International Student Orientation | Church-Chapel, Koinonia Room
New international students will participate in an orientation session hosted by the International Student Advisor. This session is mandatory for all new international students at Goshen College. Students will go through the check-in process following this session.
10 – 11:30 a.m. — Commuter Student Open House (parents and families welcome!) | Union, Commuter Student Lounge
Commuter students can stop by after completing Check-In to meet student leaders from the Commuter Student Association (CSA) and to visit the Commuter Student Lounge.
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Lunch | Westlawn Dining Hall, Off-Campus
On-campus dining is available (payment is accepted by cash or credit at the door), or you can go off-campus for lunch.
1 p.m. — Doors open for the Campus Welcome & Blessing (students) | Church-Chapel
Students, parents, and family members should pick up their name tags before finding a seat for the welcome and blessing.
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. — Campus Welcome & Blessing (parents and families welcome!) | College Church, Chapel *
Join Dr. Rebecca Stoltzfus, president of Goshen College, and other members of the GC community as we welcome new students.
2:15 – 3:30 p.m. — New Leaf Launch (first-year students only) | Umble Center *
We officially kick off Leaf Launch at this exclusive event for new first-year students.
2:15 – 3:45 p.m. — Academic Overview (transfer students only) | College Church, Koinonia Room *
New transfer students will meet with representatives from the Registrar’s Office and the Academic Dean’s Office to review academic programs and policies at GC.
2:15 – 3:30 p.m. — Parent & Family Session (parents and families) | College Church, Church-Chapel
Meet members of our Student Success and Student Life teams to learn more about the ways Goshen College supports students. Hear from parents and students on how they navigated the transition from high school to college. The session will be provided in both English and Spanish.
3:30 – 4 p.m. — Farewell (parents and families welcome!) | Schrock Plaza
Students will have the opportunity to say farewell to their parents and family members before continuing with the Leaf Launch schedule.
The Farewell is the last scheduled event for parents and families. Parents and families should plan to leave at this time.
4 – 5 p.m. — Group Activity (students only) | KMY Lawn *
5 – 6 p.m. — Dinner (students only) | Westlawn Dining Hall *
The dinner is complimentary for students without a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan (30-, 65-, or 90-block).
6 – 7 p.m. — New Student Campus Meeting (students only) | Umble Center*
7 – 8:45 p.m. — Men’s Soccer vs. Calumet College of St. Joseph | GC Soccer Complex
Orientation groups will walk together to the men’s soccer game following the New Student Campus Meeting. Students will learn some of the chants and other traditions associated with GC sports.
8:45 – 9:30 p.m. — Residential Floor Meetings (residential students only) | Residence Halls & Apartments *
Following the soccer game, residential students will meet with their fellow residents on their floor.
Friday, August 22, 2025
7:30 – 8:45 a.m. — Breakfast | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with an unlimited meal plan (carte blanche) will swipe their cards. The Office of Orientation will cover the breakfast cost for students without a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan (30-, 65-, or 90-block plans); sign in at the cashier’s station.
8:35 a.m. — Head to the library (transfer students) | Good Library *
Transfer students who went to breakfast should have finished eating, and students driving to campus should be parked. All transfer students should now be heading to the library.
8:45 a.m. — Library introduction (transfer students) | Good Library *
Transfer students will meet the librarians, who will provide instructions on completing the Library iTour during the academic advising block.
8:45 a.m. — Head to class (first-year students) | Westlawn Dining Hall *
First-year students who went to breakfast should have finished eating, and students driving to campus should be parked. All first-year students should be heading to their ICC classrooms.
Look for Orientation Leaders outside buildings where ICC sections meet. They will have signs with the section numbers to help everyone locate the correct building on the first day of class.
9 – 10:20 a.m. — CORE 100: Identity, Culture, and Community (ICC) (first-year students) | Assigned Classrooms *
All first-year students will begin their first college course during Leaf Launch: CORE 100—Identity, Culture, and Community (ICC). ICC meets weekly on Mondays (M), Wednesdays (W), and Fridays (F) from 9 to 9:50 a.m. Students will sign up for advising appointments during class on Monday.
9:15 – 11 a.m. — Advising Appointments and the library iTour (transfer students) | Faculty Offices *
Transfer students will be assigned an advising appointment with their academic advisor during this time. Students should complete the library iTour when they are not meeting with their advisor.
10:30 – 11 a.m. — Morning Gathering (first-year students) | College Church, Chapel *
ICC sections will walk to the Church-Chapel together and sit in their assigned section; look for your Orientation Leaders upon arrival. Everyone will gather for important morning announcements before orientation groups break off. Students who arrive on time will have their names put in a drawing for fabulous prizes! Orientation Leaders will take attendance.
11 a.m. – Noon — Rotating Sessions (all new students) | various locations *
Students will rotate between the “Building a Healthy Community” and “Student Resources & ASC Co-Working” sessions with their orientation groups. One rotation will take place before lunch.
Noon – 1:30 p.m. — Lunch | Westlawn Dining Hall *
Students with an unlimited meal plan (carte blanche) will swipe their cards. The Office of Orientation will cover the lunch cost for students without a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan (30-, 65-, or 90-block plans); sign in at the cashier’s station.
1:30 p.m. — Afternoon Gathering (all new students) | College Church, Chapel*
Students will sit with their orientation group; look for your Orientation Leaders upon arrival. Everyone will gather for important afternoon announcements before orientation groups break off. Students who arrive on time will have their names put in a drawing for fabulous prizes! Orientation Leaders will take attendance.
2 – 3 p.m. — Rotating Sessions (all new students) | Various locations *
Students will rotate between the “Building a Healthy Community” and “Student Resources & ASC Co-Working” sessions with their orientation groups.
3 – 4:30 p.m. — Academic Open House (all new students) | Various locations * Academic departments will host open houses across campus. Faculty will be available to answer questions and engage with students. Students are encouraged to be curious and visit departments that spark interest beyond their intended major or program. A sign-in sheet will be available at each location. Orientation Leaders will collect the names and add them to drawings for prizes.
Students will gather for instructions before visiting campus departments and professors.
4 – 6 p.m. — Athletic Practice | Various locations
New student-athletes participating in a fall sport will report to practice. Student-athletes should be dressed for practice following lunch so they can leave right after the last session. The dining hall will be open until 7 p.m. for dinner.
4 – 5 p.m. — Taking care of Business (optional) | Various offices
The hour before dinner is an excellent time for students to stop by offices and take care of any school-related business that needs to get done before classes begin. Departments or student groups may opt to schedule meetings or gatherings during this time and will notify students in advance.
5 – 6 p.m. — Dinner | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with an unlimited meal plan (carte blanche) will swipe their cards. The Office of Orientation will cover the dinner cost for students without a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan (35-, 65-, or 90-block plans); sign in at the cashier’s station.
6:30 – 8 p.m. — Evening Excursion (all new students) | various locations *
Orientation groups will meet at various employee houses near campus.
8:30 – 10:30 p.m. — Outdoor Campus Movie (optional) | KMY Lawn
The Campus Activities Council (CAC) will host an outdoor movie for all students. The evening activities are optional, but all new students are encouraged to participate in them.
Saturday, August 23, 2025
7:30 – 8:45 a.m. — Breakfast | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with an unlimited meal plan (carte blanche) will swipe their cards. The Office of Orientation will cover the breakfast cost for students without a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan (30-, 65-, or 90-block plans); sign in at the cashier’s station.
8:50 a.m. — Head to Morning Gathering | College Church, Chapel*
Students who went to breakfast should have finished eating, and students driving to campus should be parked. All new students should be heading to the Church-Chapel.
9 – 9:30 a.m. — Morning Gathering (all students) | College Church, Chapel*
Students will sit with their orientation group; look for your Orientation Leader upon arrival. Everyone will gather for important morning announcements and an overview of The Maple Mile.
9:30 a.m. – Noon — The Maple Mile | Various locations on campus *
Orientation groups will work through a scavenger hunt that takes them around campus. Students will learn about available resources, meet employees who can help them connect, and visit spaces that aren’t on the Admissions campus tour.
12 – 1 p.m. –Lunch | Westlawn Dining Hall *
Students with an unlimited meal plan (carte blanche) will swipe their cards. The Office of Orientation will cover the lunch cost for students without a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan (30-, 65-, or 90-block plans); sign in at the cashier’s station.
1 – 1:30 p.m. — Surveys | ICC Classrooms *
Orientation groups will meet in their ICC classrooms. Transfer students will meet together (location TBD). Students will complete two surveys.
1:30 – 2:15 p.m. — Campus Trivia | TBD *
Orientation groups will have a chance to compete for prizes.
2:15 – 2:45 p.m. — Title IX | TBD *
Orientation groups will learn more about Title IX.
3 – 4 p.m. — Real Talk | TBD *
Orientation leaders and resident assistants will answer new student questions.
4 – 5 p.m. — Closing Ceremony | College Church, Chapel*
As part of a long-standing tradition, new students will receive a gift during our closing ceremony.
The Closing Ceremony concludes the required portions of Leaf Launch. While the remaining Saturday and Sunday schedule is optional, we encourage students to engage as much as possible.
5 – 6 p.m. — Dinner (optional) | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with an unlimited meal plan (carte blanche) will swipe their cards. The Office of Orientation will cover the dinner cost for students without a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan (35-, 65-, or 90-block plans); sign in at the cashier’s station. This is the last meal covered as part of Leaf Launch.
6 – 7:30 p.m. — Slip ‘N Slide Kickball (optional) | KMY Lawn
The Campus Activities Council (CAC) will host Slip ‘N Slide Kickball following dinner.
7:30 – 11 p.m. — Rec the Night (optional) | Rec Fitness Center and KMY Lawn
Various indoor and outdoor activities will be offered, including group-oriented and individual activities.
Sunday, August 24, 2025
8 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Continental Breakfast | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with an unlimited meal plan (carte blanche) or a limited meal plan (30-, 65-, or 90-block plans) will swipe their cards to access the dining facilities. Students who do not have a meal plan can add money to their account via GET mobile (they must have their ID card available to swipe) or pay cash at the door.
12 – 1 p.m. — Brunch | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with an unlimited meal plan (carte blanche) or a limited meal plan (30-, 65-, or 90-block plans) will swipe their cards to access the dining facilities. Students who do not have a meal plan can add money to their account via GET mobile (they must have their ID card available to swipe) or pay cash at the door.
3 – 5 p.m. — Guided Campus Tours (optional) | Schrock Plaza
Returning Goshen College students will offer guided campus tours for new students. New students can bring a copy of their class schedule and walk the path of their Monday, Wednesday, and Friday (MWF) schedules, as well as their Tuesday and Thursday (TR) schedules. New students can stop by Schrock Plaza outside the Harold & Wilma Good Library anytime between 3 and 4:30 p.m. to participate in this optional activity.
5 – 6 p.m. — Dinner | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with an unlimited meal plan (carte blanche) or a limited meal plan (30-, 65-, or 90-block plans) will swipe their cards to access the dining facilities. Students who do not have a meal plan can add money to their account via GET mobile (they must have their ID card available to swipe) or pay cash at the door.
7 – 8:30 p.m. — Welcome Back Event (optional) | Schrock Plaza
Join other students for an ice cream social on the eve of the first day of classes. Hosted by Student Life.
Monday, August 25, 2025
First day of classes for the fall semester.