Weeks of Welcome

Signature Events

First Night

Welcome home, GW! The Office of Student Life is excited to host our annual First Night event, which celebrates the first Saturday that all GW undergraduate students are on campus. This year, the event will feature a wide array of attractions, giveaways, food trucks, performances, AND MORE!

MSSC Block Party 

Since 2004, the George Washington University’s (GW) Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) hosts the MSSC Block Party.

Faculty, staff and students who celebrate diversity join us for food, music and information sharing. More than 60 diverse student organizations and 10 departments participate. Student performance groups, music and structured dancing round out the day!

Org Fair Fridays

Find your place among GW's thriving community of 500+ student organizations at the org fair! Each week will spotlight new orgs, so there's always something to look forward to!

Schedule of Events

Welcome to GW! Events are added all the time, so bookmark this page and check back often to see what events we're adding to the schedule. Be sure to follow @StudentLifeatGW on Instagram and Tik Tok to get connected to the GW community, and for all the latest event updates.

August 20 - August 26

• August 22
  • Tie-Dye with RHA, 12-3pm at Anniversary Park
    • Color up the start of your year with RHA and come tie dye a shirt with the Residence Hall Association (RHA), learn about the organization, how to get involved in your residence hall, and enjoy a popsicle.
• August 25
  • First Night, 7-10pm, at University Yard, Potomac Square, and H St Parking Lot
    • Come kick-off the first Friday of the year at First Night 2023. First Night is an annual GW community carnival event, with inflatables, food, giveaways, and lots of fun! 

August 27 - September 2

• August 28
  • Screen on the Green, 8:30-10:30pm at MVC Quad (Rain Location Ames B101)
    • It's movie Monday on the Vern - come grab snacks and relax on the MVC Quad. Stayed tuned for your chance to vote for the movie on the @GWMVC Instagram!
• September 1
  •  Navigating New Horizons: Conquering Anxiety in College Transitions, 12pm at University Student Center Room 405
    • Join this workshop designed to equip students with the essential skills to cope with anxiety during periods of adjustment and transition. Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the commonly experienced anxiety when entering college, choosing or changing majors, and finding community! Facilitators will provide strategies to help students navigate these challenges, fostering resilience, self-compassion, and other effective coping mechanisms. Register for this workshop on GW Engage. 
• September 2
  • First Year Eats Kick-off, 11am-1pm at Pelham Commons
    • The goal of First Year Eats is to engage with students and create a sense of belonging - through the love of food. We invite all students to join in on the fun. During this event we will be sharing key resources, so all students feel ready to take full advantage of what GW Dining has to offer throughout the academic year.

September 3 - September 9

• September 6
  • OSA Advisor Meet & Greet, 2-4pm at University Student Center Grand Ballroom
    • Interested in studying abroad but not sure where to start? Join us for drop in advising with your school's dedicated Study Abroad Advisor. This is a great opportunity to get connected early with the Office for Study Abroad, learn about the study abroad process, get answers to your questions, and get well on your way to making your international dreams a reality!
• September 7
  • "Dig In" to Sustainability at GW, 5-7pm at GroW Community Garden (Across from Amsterdam Hall at H and 23rd Street)
    • Want to get involved with sustainability at GW?  'Dig In' to a delicious plant based meal at the GroW Garden with the sustainability community at GW.  Learn about student organizations, internship opportunities, courses, and more.
  • Meet the Greeks, 6-8pm at University Yard
    • Meet the Greeks is an opportunity for every chapter in all four councils to interact with each other and prospective new members.
• September 8
  • Calm Campus: Anxiety & Stress Management, 12pm at Student Health Center-CAPS Group Room
    • Join us for a workshop on anxiety and stress management. In this interactive session, CAPS clinicians will guide you through evidence-based strategies and practical tools to navigate the challenges of college life with resilience. Gain a deeper understanding of anxiety triggers, learn techniques for stress reduction, and develop personalized coping mechanisms to thrive academically and emotionally. Register for this website on GW Engage. 
  • Student Performance Showcase, 7-9:30pm at Betts Theater
    • The Student Performance Showcase is a tradition started by GW Class Council to celebrate the diversity of talent within our performing student organizations. Its purpose is to kick off the beginning of the year with a thrilling showcase to get the student body excited about what these organizations have to show throughout the year. The Showcase is also followed by a mini performance org-fair, so that interested students can talk to the members about joining their organizations. 
  • Org Fair Fridays, 4pm at University Yard (Rain Location USC 3rd Floor) 
    • Org Fair Fridays will showcase hundreds of student organizations throughout Weeks of Welcome. Each fair will introduce new and returning students to our vibrant community of organizations and student leaders. 

September 10 - September 16

• September 12
  • Healthy Communication and Boundary Settling in Relationships, 3:30pm-5pm at Mitchell Theater
    • The Office of Advocacy & Support will be hosting a conversation on building skills for Healthy Communication and Boundary Setting in Relationships. This conversation will discuss the application of these skills in intimate relationships, friendships, and roommate relationships. This conversation will also discuss issues of sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking.
• September 13
  • Healthy Communication and Boundary Settling in Relationships, 1:30pm-3pm at Mitchell Theater
    • The Office of Advocacy & Support will be hosting a conversation on building skills for Healthy Communication and Boundary Setting in Relationships. This conversation will discuss the application of these skills in intimate relationships, friendships, and roommate relationships. This conversation will also discuss issues of sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and stalking.
• September 14
  • "The World is Falling Apart and I'm Dying Inside": An Evening of Standup Comedy and a Keynote on Mental Wellbeing, 8pm at Betts Theater
    • Standup comic, author, and mental health specialist Joshua Rivedal will discuss the importance of investing in our own mental health and self-care. Rivedal will discuss recognizing and helping others in emotional distress, including: risk factors, signs and symptoms of someone in crisis, and how to intervene as a peer. Rivedal will lead off the session with some light standup comedy as an icebreaker and as a method of storytelling. He will also share a more poignant, serious side to his personal story regarding his struggles and triumphs around mental health to discuss some basics of mental health, coping and stress management strategies, how to cultivate resilience, and tips for self-care. The session will end with a Q&A.
• September 15
  • Social Ease: Navigating Anxiety in Social Settings , 12pm at Student Health Center-CAPS Group Room 
  • Org Fair Fridays, 4pm at University Yard (Rain Location USC 3rd Floor) 
    • Org Fair Fridays will showcase hundreds of student organizations throughout Weeks of Welcome. Each fair will introduce new and returning students to our vibrant community of organizations and student leaders. 

September 17 - September 23

• September 19
  • Study Abroad Fair, 1-4pm at Kogan Plaza (Rain Location USC Grand Ballroom)
    • The Office for Study Abroad is excited to welcome you to the 2023 Study Abroad Fair! This is a great opportunity to get a taste of the study abroad options available to you as a GW student. This is by no means an exhaustive tabling of all of our opportunities but rather a chance to see a vartiety sampling. There will be plenty of opportunities for engagement and chatting directly with representatives from study abroad programs across the globe! Our team will also be there to share more about our advising services and funding opportunities for study abroad! To register visit the OSA Events Page.
• September 22
  • Embrace & Empower: Nurturing Resilience (anxiety & Self Compassion, 12pm at Student Health Center-CAPS Group Room 
  • MSSC Block Party, 4 PM at University Yard
    • Since 2004, GW's Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) has held its annual Block Party on the first Friday during Fall Welcome Week. This vibrant event features food, music, and performance amongst faculty, staff, students/student organizations, families, and alumni, to celebrate diversity and build community.
  • Fall Gig (WRGW District Radio Mini-Concert), 7:30pm at Square 80
    • WRGW Fall Gig is an outdoor mini concert that showcases local GW musicians and artists. It will be a great night of art and entertainment for new students and the GW community as a whole!
• September 23
  • Welcome Day of Service and Convocation, 11am-4pm at Smith Center
    • Join the GW tradition of community and civic engagement! Come to Convocation where you will be welcomed to GW by President Granberg, Provost Bracey, and all of the deans, then grab your lunch and head out to get to know your DC neighbors through service across DC and the region

September 24 - September 30

• September 26
  • Studying STEM Abroad, 3-4pm at Funger Hall 210
    • The Office for Study Abroad has programs available for all GW STEM majors, and with careful planning, you can turn your study abroad dreams into a flight overseas! Join the Office for Study Abroad as we address the myths and realities of studying abroad as a STEM student. Learn about our top choice STEM programs, how to course map utilizing GW CATS, and how to have a study abroad conversation with your academic advisor to ensure that you are setting yourself up to have a successful semester abroad. Take your STEM studies internationally with the Office for Study Abroad!To register visit the OSA Events Page.
• September 29
  • Mind Over Matters: Navigating Anxiety & Depression , 12pm at University Student Center Room 405 
• September 30
  • Camp Wellbeing Kick-Off Fair, 11am at Square 80
    • Camp Wellbeing Kick-Off Fair will highlight wellbeing resources available to all students at GW, interspersed with interactive activities, food, and take-home wellbeing supplies. This event will kick off a week of wellbeing-related events and programming.

Dates to be determined

• MSSC Open House
  • The Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) invites the GW community to our first annual house event for students, faculty, staff, and alumni to learn more about the center and all it has to offer, including its history, programs, and events! The event will include tours, informational sessions, and opportunities to meet with MSSC staff and student leaders! Come check out the newly-renovated and reimagined MSSC on the 5th floor of the University Student Center.

Share Your WoW Events

We encourage student organizations and campus partners who are hosting events during Weeks of Welcome to share their WoW events with the community. We look forward to hearing about your WoW events for Fall 2023 - more information about WoW events will be available this summer!

Adding Events in Engage

This option is recommended for student organizations. You can add your events directly to Engage. Be sure to use the "Weeks of Welcome" category for your events. If you need assistance with adding your events to Engage, please contact Org Help.

Adding Events to the University Calendar

The University Calendar is a great tool, and one that we use to create the automatic feed of upcoming events. You can submit your event online. In order for your event to populate on our Weeks of Welcome events feed, you must add "Weeks of Welcome" as a Tag in the event submission webform. 

Sharing Events on Social Media

Follow @StudentLifeatGW on Instagram for weekly event spotlights, and be sure to tag us in your posts and stories so that we share your WoW events too! Events that are added to Engage and/or the University Calendar will be prioritized for promotion on our accounts. 

Contact Student Life

If you need support troubleshooting Engage or the University Calendar, please contact Student Life and we will be happy to assist!