Leaf Launch

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 New Student 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 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Move-In (parents/families welcome!) | Kratz, Yoder, and Kulp residence halls and Romero Apartments
Residential students will receive their key during New Student Check-in. Help will be available to unload your vehicle(s) outside your residence hall or apartment building.

11 a.m.- 1:30 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.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 a.m.
Commuter Student Reception (parents/families welcome!) | Union, Commuter Student Lounge
The Commuter Student Association (CSA) and campus partners welcome our newest commuter students and their families. Light refreshments and beverages will be served.

1 – 1:30 p.m.
Doors open for the Campus Welcome & Blessing (parents/families welcome!) | Church-Chapel, Sanctuary *
Students should pick up their Leaf Launch lanyards before finding a seat. Orientation Leaders will be outside the southeast entrance handing out lanyards.

1:30 – 2 p.m.
Campus Welcome & Blessing (parents/families welcome!) | Church-Chapel, Sanctuary *
Join Dr. Rebecca Stoltzfus, president of Goshen College, and Jen Shenk, campus pastor, as we welcome new students.

2 – 2:30 p.m.
Family Farewell (parents/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. Rain location: Church-Chapel.

The Family Farewell is the last scheduled event for parents and families. Parents and families should plan to leave at this time.

2:30 – 3 p.m.
New Leaf Launch Kick-Off (students only) | Umble Center *
We officially kick off Leaf Launch at this exclusive event for new students.

3 – 5 p.m.
Orientation Groups (students enrolled in CORE 100) | KMY Lawn and ICC classrooms *
New students (enrolled in CORE 100 fall semester) will participate in activities with their orientation groups before walking to their CORE 100 (ICC) classroom.

3 – 5 p.m.
Academic Overview (students not enrolled in CORE 100) | Church-Chapel, Koinonia Room *
New students (not enrolled in CORE 100 fall semester) will be welcomed by the Dean of Students and meet with representatives from the Registrar’s Office and the Academic Dean’s Office to review academic programs and policies at GC.

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.
Residential Student Meeting (residential students only) | Church-Chapel, South Fellowship Hall *
Before the soccer game, residential students will meet to review housing policies. Commuter students will join at the end of the meeting to learn the official GC chants and cheers for Maple Leaf sporting events. Everyone will walk together to the GC Soccer Complex. 

6 – 7 p.m.
Commuter Student Poster Party (commuter students only) | Union, Commuter Student Lounge
Commuter students can stop by the Commuter Student Lounge to make posters for the men’s soccer game. At 6:45 p.m., the group will walk together to the Fellowship Hall and join residential students in learning the official GC chants and cheers for Maple Leaf sporting events. Everyone will walk together to the GC Soccer Complex.

7 – 8:45 p.m.
Men’s Reserve Soccer vs. Lake Michigan | GC Soccer Complex
Cheer on our men’s soccer team as they play against Calumet College of St. Joseph. Students will be shown ahead of time how to secure their free ticket at goshen.edu/tickets. 

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 (students enrolled in CORE 100) | ICC classrooms/buildings *
Students who went to breakfast should have finished eating, and students driving to campus should already be parked. All students enrolled in CORE 100/ICC should be heading to their CORE 100/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.

8:45 a.m.
Head to the library (students not enrolled in CORE 100) | Good Library *
Students who went to breakfast should have finished eating, and students driving to campus should already be parked. All students who are not enrolled in CORE 100/ICC should be heading to the campus library.

Look for Orientation Leaders outside the library to welcome new students. 

9 – 10:20 a.m.
CORE 100: Identity, Culture, and Community (ICC) | Assigned classrooms *
All students enrolled in CORE 100—Identity, Culture, and Community (ICC) will attend their first class session. 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 – 9:30 a.m.
Introduction to the Library (students not enrolled in CORE 100) | Good Library *
Students not enrolled in CORE 100 will meet with the campus librarians for a welcome and overview of the building and available resources. Students will complete the Library iTour during the advising appointment block when they’re not meeting with their advisor.

9:30 – 11 a.m.
Advising Appointments (students not enrolled in CORE 100) | Faculty Offices *
Students not enrolled in CORE 100 will meet with their academic advisor for their advising appointment (scheduled by the Registrar’s Office).

10:30 – 11 a.m.
Morning Gathering (students enrolled in CORE 100) | Church Chapel, Sanctuary *
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 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.

11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
New Student Sessions (all new students) | Various locations *
Students will attend either “Building a Healthy Campus,” co-hosted by Student Life, Residence Life, Campus Safety, or the Title IX session led by the Center of Health & Wellness. Orientation Leaders will guide their groups to the assigned locations.

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 (all new students) | Church-Chapel, Sanctuary *
Students will sit with their orientation group; look for your Orientation Leaders upon arrival. Everyone will gather for important afternoon announcements before attending the last new student session.

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.
New Student Sessions (all new students) | Various locations *
Students will attend either “Building a Healthy Campus,” co-hosted by Student Life, Residence Life, Campus Safety, or the Title IX session led by the Center of Health & Wellness. Orientation Leaders will guide their groups to the assigned locations.

This session marks the end of required programming for students not enrolled in CORE 100. This group of students is invited and encouraged to attend any or all of the remaining Leaf Launch programming on Friday and Saturday. 

3 – 4:30 p.m.
Academic Showcase (students enrolled in CORE 100) | Church-Chapel, Sanctuary *
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 in the Sanctuary 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 during 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.

6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Evening Excursion (students enrolled in CORE 100) | 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. This activity is optional, but all new students are encouraged to join.

Saturday’s activities are required for all students enrolled in CORE 100. Students not enrolled in CORE 100 are welcome to join in any or all activities.

8:50 a.m.
Head to Morning Gathering (students enrolled in CORE 100) | 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 (students enrolled in CORE 100) | 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 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The Maple Mile (students enrolled in CORE 100) | 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.

12:30 – 2 p.m.
Lunch (students enrolled in CORE 100)| 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.

2 – 2:30 p.m.
Afternoon Gathering (students enrolled in CORE 100) | Church-Chapel, Sanctuary *
Students will sit with their orientation group; look for your Orientation Leaders upon arrival. Everyone will gather for important afternoon announcements before attending the last round of new student sessions.

2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
New Student Sessions (students enrolled in CORE 100) | Various Locations *
Students will rotate between “ASC,” hosted by the ASC Success Coaches, and the Library iTour, hosted by the Librarians. Orientation Leaders will guide their groups to the assigned locations.

4:30 – 5 p.m.
Closing Ceremony (students enrolled in CORE 100) | Church-Chapel, Sanctuary *
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 students enrolled in CORE 100. All new students are encouraged to participate in the remaining events on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon and evening.

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.

Dinner on Saturday, August 28, 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).

7:30 – 10 p.m.
That 70’s Show (optional) | Church-Chapel, Fellowship Hall
We’re jumping back to the 1970’s for an evening of trivia and other activities. Students can form their own teams to compete in trivia and other activities for great prizes. Prizes will also be given out for best costumes. Snacks and drinks will be provided. 

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. – 11 a.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.

11 a.m. – 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.

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.

 

First day of classes for the fall semester.