Kick off your semester with a week of events designed to help you meet new people, explore campus resources, and start your UNK experience with confidence.
*Required for new students
2:30 PM-3:00 PM | Bell Tower Greens
Start your Blue Gold Welcome experience by meeting up with your herd at the Bell Tower. You will get to know your weekend herd, make new connections, and get excited to kick things off together!
3:00 PM-3:30 PM | Bell Tower to Health and Sports Center
Step into the excitement as you parade across campus with the UNK Marching Band leading the way. It is a high-energy tradition that brings the incoming class together and celebrates the start of your UNK journey.
3:30 PM-4:00 PM | Health and Sports Center
Join the official welcome to your UNK experience with special remarks from campus and community leaders. You will feel the energy, celebrate together, and learn the traditions that make being a Loper special.
4:00 PM-5:00 PM | Health and Sports Center
Meet your Loper Leaders and settle in with the herd you will spend Blue Gold Welcome with. This session helps you build connections, feel more comfortable, and begin the weekend with confidence.
5:00 PM-8:00 PM | Campus Greens
Explore campus organizations, services, and community partners while enjoying a free picnic on the Campus Greens. This is your chance to discover ways to get involved, find support, and start building your place at UNK.
8:00 PM-9:00 PM | Residence Halls
Meet your residence hall staff and get to know the community you will be living in. You will learn important information, ask questions, and start feeling more at home in your new space.
9:00 PM-10:30 PM | Fountain
Wrap up the night with music, movement, and a chance to connect with new friends at this one-of-a-kind event. Pick your channel, find your vibe, and enjoy a fun night in the heart of campus.
9:00 AM-9:30 AM | Cope Stadium
Start your morning with breakfast and time to reconnect with your herd at Cope Stadium. It is a simple, energizing way to begin the day together before the next Blue Gold Welcome experiences begin.
9:30 AM-10:00 AM | Foster Field
Be part of the official class photo and help capture this exciting milestone at the start of your UNK journey. It is a special moment you will always be able to look back on.
10:15 AM-11:15 AM | Ponderosa Room
Get a clear, helpful introduction to the campus tools, resources, and services that will support you throughout your UNK journey. This interactive event will help you feel more prepared, more confident, and ready to ask for help when you need it.
11:30 AM-3:00 PM
Spend the afternoon moving through experiences designed to help you connect, explore, and feel more prepared for college life. Each stop gives you a new way to build confidence, meet people, and discover what being a Loper is all about.
Loper Lunch in The Graze
Take a break, grab lunch, and enjoy time with other new students in The Graze. It is a great chance to recharge, keep conversations going, and settle into the day together.
Loper Field Day
Jump into quick, fun activities that give you a taste of intramural sports and recreation at UNK. You will compete and discover new ways to stay active and involved on campus.
Lopers Thrive: Wellness Essentials
Learn about the wellness resources and support that can help you thrive at UNK. This session will give you practical tools, helpful information, and confidence in taking care of yourself throughout the year.
Loper Leagues: Herd Huddle
Connect with your herd through friendly competition, conversation, and activities led by Loper Leaders. You will get answers to your questions, learn from current students, and keep building friendships along the way.
3:00 PM-6:00 PM | Campus-Wide
Head out across campus to explore important spaces, connect with support offices, and find your classes before the semester begins. Along the way, you will complete missions through the ExploreUNK digital scavenger hunt at go.unk.edu/exploreunk and build confidence navigating campus.
7:30 PM-9:30 PM | Fountain
Celebrate the end of the day with s’mores, music, frozen treats, and yard games by the fountain. It is the perfect chance to relax, have fun, and keep making memories with your fellow Lopers.
6:00 PM-8:00 PM | Yanney Park
Celebrate your first week at UNK with an evening full of energy, music, food, and fun at Yanney Park. From yard games to food trucks, this is your chance to make memories and enjoy being part of the Kearney community.
11:00 AM-11:30 AM | All Residence Hall Lobbies
If your student lives on campus, stop by the lobby to meet their residence hall coordinator and learn about the support available in their community. It is a great chance to ask questions, get peace of mind, and feel more confident about the semester ahead.
2:00 PM-2:30 PM
Use this time to share a meaningful final moment with your student before their required Blue Gold Welcome Orientation events begin. This is the best window to say goodbye, as it will be difficult to reconnect with them once the afternoon activities start.
2:30 PM-3:00 PM | Bell Tower to Health and Sports Center
Line up on the sidewalk between the Bell Tower and the Health and Sports Center to cheer on your Loper as they begin their journey at UNK. We will have signs and spirit gear available to help you celebrate, show your pride, and be part of this exciting Blue Gold Welcome tradition.
3:30 PM-4:00 PM | Health and Sports Center
Join campus and community leaders for an energetic official welcome to UNK. You will celebrate this milestone and share in the excitement, pride, and promise of the journey ahead.
4:00 PM-5:00 PM | Library
Take a moment to relax, enjoy refreshments and snacks, and connect with other Loper families before heading home. It is a warm, welcoming space to reflect on the day, ask final questions, and leave feeling supported for this next chapter.
