Welcome 2026

Welcome 2026 starts soon! We've got an absolute blast planned for you and can't wait to see you here. 

Students - please register you and your guests for Welcome 2026 on DiscoverEast so we know you’re planning to attend.

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Fall 2026 Welcome Weekend Schedule

Friday, August 21

  • Early Arrival Student Move-in
    8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 
    North and South Hall
  • Lion Launch Welcome
    7:00 p.m.
    South Hall Lobby
    Join us for food, fun, Bingo, and great prizes. Let’s launch an unforgettable year!
  • Local Shopping Shuttles
    3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
    West Halls Parking Lot
    Need something for your dorm room or the start of classes? Take a ride on our local shopping shuttles.

Saturday, August 22

  • First-Year Residential Student Move-In
    8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
    Check-in: North and South Hall Lobbies
  • Penn State Hazleton Offices
    8:00 a.m. to Noon in Highacres Café
    Noon to 4:00 p.m. in regular office locations (See the Facilities Guide below.)
    • Advising and Career Services (204 Butler TLRC)
    • Financial Aid (212 Schiavo Hall)
    • Housing and Food Services/Parking Passes (in the Housing and Food Services Office, upper level of the Highacres Café, near the mailboxes)
    • Information Technology (IT) (116 Butler TLRC)
    • Registrar (204 Butler TLRC)
    • Student Success Center (203E Butler TLRC)
       
  • Commuter Student Welcome and Check-In
    2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
    Evelyn Graham Academic Building Lobby
    Learn more about the Penn State Hazleton commuter community and resources. Human Bingo!
  • Resident Round-Up
    2:30 p.m.
    North and South Hall Lobbies
    Resident students will meet in their respective hall lobbies (North Hall or South Hall) to join their Resident Assistants (RAs) and walk together to the gym for a Welcome Weekend session and Convocation.
    Wear your new T-Shirt!
  • Odd Rod: A Journey of Resilience (all students)
    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium in the Physical Education Building
    An inspiring story of resilience and achievement.
  • Parent Welcome Reception
    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    Dr. Lil Junas Garden, next to Schiavo Hall
    Rain Location: Center for Multicultural Engagement, Lower Level of Butler
  • Convocation (Students - Wear your blue T-shirt given to you at Welcome check-in!)
    4:15 to 5:00 p.m. 
    Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium in the Physical Education Building
  • Blue and White BBQ
    5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
    Picnic Pavilion 
    Rain Location: Lower and Upper Levels of Butler TLRC
    Co-Sponsored by the Penn State Hazleton Alumni Society and the Hazleton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association. 
  • Family Departure and Farewell
    6:00 to 6:15 p.m.
    Picnic Pavilion 
    Rain Location: Lower and Upper Levels of Butler TLRC
  • Lion Lawn Party
    6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
    Picnic Pavilion  
    Rain Location: Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium
    Tug-of-war competition, cornhole competition, and obstacle course.
  • Residential Student Community Meeting
    8:00 to 9:00 p.m.
    South Hall Lobby and Lounge
    Join Residence Life staff, your RA, and other residents.

Sunday, August 23

  • Local Shopping Shuttles
    10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    West Halls Parking Lot
    Pick up your last-minute campus necessities with our local shopping shuttles.
  • Open Recreation
    10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    Gym and Sports Court
    Enjoy open recreation at the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium and the sport court near South Halls.
  • Athletes Interest Meeting 
    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium
    Connect with coaches and student-athletes.
  • Commuter Student Meet-Up
    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium
    Get to meet your fellow commuting students.
  • Free Daps Comedy Show
    4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
    Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium
  • Welcome Back Block Party
    5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
    University Drive, adjacent to North and South Halls 
    Rain location: Highacres Café
    Join Penn State Hazleton students for a relaxed event where you can connect, enjoy great food, and pick up some cool novelty items before classes begin.

Commuter Student Welcome Weekend Schedule

Saturday, August 22

  • Penn State Hazleton Offices
    8:00 a.m. to Noon in Highacres Café
    Noon to 4:00 p.m. in regular office locations (See the Facilities Guide below.)
    • Advising and Career Services (204 Butler TLRC)
    • Financial Aid (212 Schiavo Hall)
    • Housing and Food Services/Parking Passes (in the Housing and Food Services Office, upper level of the Highacres Café, near the mailboxes)
    • Information Technology (IT) (116 Butler TLRC)
    • Registrar (204 Butler TLRC)
    • Student Success Center (203E Butler TLRC)
  • Commuter Student Welcome and Check-In
    2:00 to 3:00 p.m.
    Evelyn Graham Academic Building Lobby
    Learn more about the Penn State Hazleton commuter community and resources. Human Bingo!
  • Odd Rod: A Journey of Resilience (all students)
    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium in the Physical Education Building
    An inspiring story of resilience and achievement.
  • Parent Welcome Reception
    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    Dr. Lil Junas Garden, next to Schiavo Hall
    Rain Location: Center for Multicultural Engagement, Lower Level of Butler
  • Convocation (Students - Wear your blue T-shirt given to you at Welcome check-in!)
    4:15 to 5:00 p.m. 
    Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium in the Physical Education Building
  • Blue and White BBQ
    5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
    Picnic Pavilion 
    Rain Location: Lower and Upper Levels of Butler TLRC
    Co-Sponsored by the Penn State Hazleton Alumni Society and the Hazleton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association. 
  • Family Departure and Farewell
    6:00 to 6:15 p.m.
    Picnic Pavilion 
    Rain Location: Lower and Upper Levels of Butler TLRC
  • Lion Lawn Party
    6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
    Picnic Pavilion  
    Rain Location: Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium
    Tug-of-war competition, cornhole competition, and obstacle course.

Sunday, August 23

  • Local Shopping Shuttles
    10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    West Halls Parking Lot
    Pick up your last-minute campus necessities with our local shopping shuttles.
  • Open Recreation
    10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    Gym and Sports Court
    Enjoy open recreation at the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium and the sport court near South Halls.
  • Athletes Interest Meeting 
    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium
    Connect with coaches and student-athletes.
  • Commuter Student Meet-Up
    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium
    Get to meet your fellow commuting students.
  • Free Daps Comedy Show
    4:00 to 5:00 p.m.
    Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium
  • Welcome Back Block Party
    5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
    University Drive, adjacent to North and South Halls 
    Rain location: Highacres Café
    Join Penn State Hazleton students for a relaxed event where you can connect, enjoy great food, and pick up some cool novelty items before classes begin.

Parent Welcome Schedule

Saturday, August 22

  • Penn State Hazleton Offices
    8:00 a.m. to Noon in Highacres Café
    Noon to 4:00 p.m. in regular office locations (See the Facilities Guide below.)
    • Advising and Career Services (204 Butler TLRC)
    • Financial Aid (212 Schiavo Hall)
    • Housing and Food Services/Parking Passes (in the Housing and Food Services Office, upper level of the Highacres Café, near the mailboxes)
    • Information Technology (IT) (116 Butler TLRC)
    • Registrar (204 Butler TLRC)
    • Student Success Center (203E Butler TLRC)
  • Parent Welcome Reception
    3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
    Dr. Lil Junas Garden, next to Schiavo Hall
    Rain Location: Center for Multicultural Engagement, Lower Level of Butler
  • Convocation (Students - Wear your blue T-shirt given to you at Welcome check-in!)
    4:15 to 5:00 p.m. 
    Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium in the Physical Education Building
  • Blue and White BBQ
    5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
    Picnic Pavilion 
    Rain Location: Lower and Upper Levels of Butler TLRC
    Co-Sponsored by the Penn State Hazleton Alumni Society and the Hazleton Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association. 
  • Family Departure and Farewell
    6:00 to 6:15 p.m.
    Picnic Pavilion 
    Rain Location: Lower and Upper Levels of Butler TLRC

Welcome Week Activities

Monday, August 24

  • Nittany Bingo Night with Big Prizes!
    7:00 p.m.
    Highacres Café

Tuesday, August 25

  • Blue and White Field Frenzy 
    Noon to 1:30 p.m.
    Sports and Recreation Field
    Free during common hour? Head to the field for wiffle ball, tailgate games, everything Penn State, FREE ice cream with Police Services, and plenty of Blue & White spirit!

Wednesday, August 26

  • Club/Organization Involvement Fair
    11:30 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
    Campus Mall Walkway
    Rain location: Upper Butler Lobby

Thursday, August 27

  • Paint & Sip - Eye of the Hurricane
    Noon to 1:30 p.m.
    Campus Mall Walkway
    Rain location: Upper Butler Lobby
    Join us for painting, tasty snacks and dips, refreshing drinks, and great company. No artistic talent required – just bring yourself and enjoy!

Friday, August 28

  • Hello Sister Pop/Rock Band
    5:00 p.m. - Acoustic Pre-Show at the Highacres Café
    8:00 p.m. - Main show at the Slusser/Bayzick Building Black Box Theater

    Celebrate the end of the first week of classes by joining your new friends at this musical event!

Saturday, August 29

  • Knoebels Amusement Park
    FREE trip to Knoebels! 
    Visit the Student Services and Engagement Office in Butler 105 to learn more and sign up. Bus departs the West Halls Parking Lot at 1:00 p.m.

Facilities Guide 

Advising & Career Services
204 Butler TLRC
Normal hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Welcome Weekend 
Saturday, August 22 
8:00 a.m. to Noon in Highacres Café
Noon to 4:00 p.m. in 204 Butler TLRC

Bookstore
Normal hours: Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Welcome Weekend 
Saturday, August 22 
Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Counseling Services
105 Physical Education Building
Normal hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Financial Aid
212 Schiavo Hall
Normal hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Welcome Weekend 
Saturday, August 22 
8:00 a.m. to Noon in Highacres Café
Noon to 4:00 p.m. in 212 Schiavo Hall

Health Services
704 West Halls
Normal hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Highacres Café (Dining hall)
Normal Hours: Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Welcome Weekend 
Friday, August 21, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 22, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Sunday, August 23, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. 

Housing and Food Services - PARKING PASSES
Highacres Café, upper level near mailboxes
Normal hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Welcome Weekend 
Saturday, August 22, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
Sunday, August 23, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

Information Technology
116 Butler TLRC
Normal hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Welcome Weekend 
Saturday, August 22 
8:00 a.m. to Noon in Highacres Café
Noon to 4:00 p.m. in 116 Butler TLRC

Lofstrom Library
Normal Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, closed; Sunday, Noon to 4:00 p.m.

Physical Education Building
Normal Hours: Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.; Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, Noon to 5:00 p.m.

Registrar
204 Butler TLRC
Normal hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Welcome Weekend 
Saturday, August 22 
8:00 a.m. to Noon in Highacres Café
Noon to 4:00 p.m. in 204 Butler TLRC

Student Services & Engagement
105 Butler TLRC
Normal hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Student Success Center
203E Butler TLRC
Normal hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
Welcome Weekend 
Saturday, August 22 
8:00 a.m. to Noon in Highacres Café
Noon to 4:00 p.m. in 203E Butler TLRC