Leaf Launch
All students new 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.
Leaf Launch Schedule
* = required activities for new students (unless otherwise noted for transfer students)
8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
Writing Assessment | Church-Chapel, CC 112
New first-year students who did not attend New Student Orientation (NSO) in person will take the writing assessment before check-in. Calendar invitations will be sent to these students with more instructions.9 – 11 a.m.
New International Student Orientation | NC 17
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 check-in following this session.9 – 11:30 a.m.
New Student Check-in (parents/families welcome!) | Church-Chapel, Fellowship Hall *
All new students will sign up for a check-in time and complete their final tasks and forms required to begin the fall semester. Spanish and ASL interpreters will be available. Students should look for an email at the beginning of August in their Goshen College email account with instructions on selecting their time.9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Move-In (parents/families welcome!) | Kratz, Yoder, and Kulp and apartments
Residential students will receive their key during Check-in. Help will be available to unload your vehicle(s) outside your residence hall or apartment building.10 – 11:30 a.m.
Commuter Student Open House (parents/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 a.m.- 1 p.m.
Lunch (parents/families welcome!) | 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 Welcome & Blessing (parents/families welcome!) | Church-Chapel
Students, parents, and family members can pick up their name tags before finding a seat.1:30 – 2:15 p.m.
Campus Welcome & Blessing (parents/families welcome!) | 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 and transfer students enrolled in CORE 100) | 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 with 17+ credit hours) | Church-Chapel, 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.The Academic Overview is the last required session on Thursday for transfer students. They are welcome to join the Farewell in Schrock Plaza, go to dinner at 5 p.m., and attend the men’s soccer game at 7 p.m.
2:15 – 3:30 p.m.
Parent & Family Welcome (parents/families welcome!) | Church-Chapel
Meet members of our Student Success team 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 English, Spanish, and ASL.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.
Orientation Group Competition (first-year and transfer students enrolled in CORE 100) | KMY Lawn and ICC classrooms *
Students will participate in a group activity with their orientation groups before walking to their ICC classroom and taking a survey for Leaf Launch.5 – 6 p.m.
Dinner (students only) | Westlawn Dining Hall
Students with an unlimited meal plan (carte blanche) will swipe their cards. The dinner is complimentary for students without a meal plan or those on a limited meal plan (30-, 65-, or 90-block); sign in at the cashier’s station.6 – 7 p.m.
Poster Party | Howell House
Students can stop by Howell House, one of our Intentional Living Community (ILC) houses, to make posters for the men’s soccer game. The group will walk together to the GC soccer complex.7 – 8:45 p.m.
Men’s Soccer vs. Calumet College of St. Joseph | GC Soccer Complex
Cheer on our men’s soccer team as they play against Calumet College of St. Joseph.9:15 p.m.
Residential Student Meeting (residential students only) | Residence Halls & Apts
Following the soccer game, residential students will meet at AD 28 (Administration Building, second floor) to review housing policies.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.
8:45 a.m.
Head to Class (first-year students) | ICC classrooms/buildings *
First-year students who went to breakfast should have finished eating, and students driving to campus should already be parked. All first-year students should not 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 (transfer students) | Faculty Offices *
Transfer students will meet with their academic advisor for their advising appointment (scheduled by the Registrar’s Office).
10:30 – 11 a.m.
Morning Gathering (first-year students) | 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. – 12 p.m.
Rotating Sessions | 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.
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Building a Healthy Community (transfer students) | Church-Chapel, South Fellowship Hall *
Building a Healthy Community requires all of us to do our part. Come and learn about how you can make GC a healthy, safe community during your time as a student. We’ll also introduce our on-campus personnel and resources who are dedicated to supporting you during your time here.The Building a Healthy Community session is the last required event on Friday for transfer students. They are welcome to attend the Academic Showcase at 3 p.m., go to dinner at 5 p.m., and join the outdoor campus movie at 8:30 p.m. on the KMY lawn.
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.
1:15 p.m.
Afternoon Gathering (first-year students) | Church-Chapel *
Students will sit with their orientation group; look for your Orientation Leaders upon arrival. Everyone will gather for important afternoon announcements before taking a survey distributed by the Office of Institutional Research.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 | 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 Showcase (first-year students) | Church-Chapel *
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 on a limited meal plan (35-, 65-, or 90-block plans); sign in at the cashier’s station.6 – 8:30 p.m.
Evening Excursion (first-year students) | Various off-campus locations *
Orientation groups will meet on the lawn outside the dining hall, then walk together to various faculty and staff host homes for activities.8:30 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.8:50 a.m.
Head to Morning Gathering | Church-Chapel, South Fellowship Hall *
Students living on campus should be up and walking towards the church, and students driving to campus should already be parked. All new students should be heading to the South Fellowship Hall in the Church-Chapel.
9 – 9:30 a.m.
Morning Gathering & Breakfast (first-year students) | Church-Chapel, South Fellowship Hall *
Students will grab a donut and sit with their orientation group; look for your Orientation Leaders upon arrival. Everyone will gather for important morning announcements and an overview of The Maple Mile.
9:30 – 12 p.m.
The Maple Mile (first-year students) | Various locations on campus *
Orientation groups will make stops at various locations on 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.
Survey Time (first-year students) | ICC classrooms *
Students will go to their ICC classroom following lunch to complete the second half of the Leaf Launch survey. Attendance and survey completion earn points towards the Leaf Launch Orientation Group competition.
Students will also have an opportunity to write down questions to be answered later on during the Real Talk session.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Campus Trivia (first-year students) | South Fellowship Hall *
Orientation groups will compete to find out who knows the most about Goshen College and current pop culture.
2:30 – 3 p.m.
How Title IX Supports You (first-year students) | South Fellowship Hall *
What is Title iX? Why is it important? What does it mean to you as a student at Goshen College? Hear from Patty Hartshorn, our Director of Health & Wellness and Title IX Coordinator, regarding Title IX.
3 – 4 p.m.
Real Talk (first-year students) | Various locations on campus *
Orientation groups will disperse for a final time as a group to reflect on our experience during Leaf Launch and to answer questions shared from earlier in the day. The Resident Assistants (RAs) will join the orientation groups for this session.
4 – 5 p.m.
Closing Ceremony (first-year students) | Church-Chapel *
Orientation groups will come together and celebrate the time shared during Leaf Launch and the beginning of the new academic year. The winner of the Leaf Launch competition will also be announced. The closing ceremony also includes one of GC’s long-standing traditions with the gifting of the mugs.The Closing Ceremony marks the end of required programming for first-year students. All new students are encouraged to participate in the remaining events on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon and evening.
5 – 7 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.Dinner on Saturday, August 23, is the last meal for which the Office of Orientation will cover the cost for students without a meal plan or on a limited meal plan (30-, 65-, or 90-block).
6 – 7:30 p.m.
Slip’n’Slide Kickball (optional) | KMY Lawn
Saturday night brings Slip’n’Slide Kickball, hosted by the Campus Activities Council (CAC). Be prepared to get wet as you slip and slide into the bases. The evening activities are optional, but all new students are encouraged to participate.
7:30 – 11 p.m.
Rec the Night (optional) | Outdoor Courts and KMY Lawn
Students can choose from a variety of outdoor recreational activities: sand volleyball and basketball in the outdoor courts, and soccer and spike ball on the KMY lawn. Hosted by Residence Life.Morning
Worship on your own | Various places of worship in the Goshen area
You can view a list of Goshen area churches at goshen.edu/faith/church-directory/9 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. Students without a meal plan can add money to their account via the app GET mobile (they must have their ID card available to swipe) or pay in 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. Students without a meal plan can add money to their account via the app GET mobile (they must have their ID card available to swipe) or pay in cash at the door. The dining hall will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; AVI will serve hot food between 12 and 1 p.m.
3:30 – 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. Students without a meal plan can add money to their account via GET mobile (with their ID card available for swiping) or pay cash at the door.7 – 8:30 p.m.
Welcome Back Event (optional) | Schrock Plaza
Join other students for the annual Student Life Welcome Back event on the eve of the first day of classes.
Monday, August 25, 2025
First day of classes for the fall semester.
Questions? Email orientation@goshen.edu