New Student Orientation
Welcome to your guide to New Student Orientation (NSO) at Earlham! As you begin your Earlham journey, our NSO staff are dedicated to helping you get acquainted with the people, places and services that will help you on your path to graduation.
Fall 2026 New Student Orientation (NSO) will be:
• Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, for international students
• Friday, Aug. 21, 2026, for domestic students
Make sure you have your calendars marked and know what to expect when arriving on campus.
Learn more about what you need to do before arriving at orientation on our page for new students.
2026 Schedules
Please note that athletic students begin orientation on Tuesday, Aug. 18 – International on Wednesday, Aug 19 and All-student NSO begins on Friday, Aug. 21.
Schedules are subject to change. We will post any updates as we have them.
| Tuesday, August 18 • Athletics NSO (Fall Athletes) | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 8am | Folder, ID, Key Pick up | Student Life |
| 11:30 | Lunch | Friends Room A |
| 5:30 | Dinner | Cafeteria |
| Wednesday, August 19 • Athletics NSO (Fall Athletes) | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 7:30-8:30 | Breakfast | Dining Hall |
| 12-1:30 | Lunch | Dining Hall |
| 5:30-7 | Dinner | Dining Hall |
| Wednesday, August 19 • International NSO | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 9 am – 9 pm | Airport Shuttles for Unaccompanied Students | Dayton (DAY), Cincinnati (CVG), Indianapolis (IND) |
| 1 pm – 5 pm | Arrival and Move-In Check in at the Student Life Office on the first floor of Earlham Hall. Take some students to get their money after moving in (private info). | Earlham Hall, Student Life Office |
| 3 pm – 4 pm | Campus Tour | Tyler Hall, Admissions Office |
| 4 pm – 5:30 pm | Jet Lag Short Nap Time | |
| 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Dinner with NSO Leaders | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm | Free Store “Shopping” | Dennis Hall |
| 8 pm | Relax and Settle In | |
| Thursday, August 20 • International NSO | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 7:30 am – 8:30 am | Breakfast | Dining Hall |
| 9:00 am – 11:30 am | Settling Into Your New Home – Immediate Needs International student athletes can arrive at 10am. | Runyan Center, MRC |
| 12 pm – 1:30 pm | Lunch with NSO Leaders / Family Lunch with International Student Advisors and Admissions | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall – Friends Room B |
| 1 pm – 1:30 pm | Work Awards & On-Campus Employment | |
| 1:30 pm – 2 pm | Adjusting to Being Away from Home | |
| 2 pm – 3 pm | Student Services Campus Tour | Earlham Hall Lobby |
| 3 pm – 5 pm | Necessity Shopping in Richmond (Walmart) | Public Safety Lot |
| 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Dinner with NSO Leaders | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 7 pm – 8:30 pm | Welcome Reception & Evening Activity – Ice Breaker Games | Runyan Center, MRC |
| Friday, August 21 – All Student NSO | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 7:30 am – 8:30 am | Breakfast. | TBD |
| 8 am – 11 am | Check-In and Registration All new students must first check in at the AWC to obtain the NSO schedule, get their Earlham ID and access the residence halls. | Athletics & Wellness Center Concourse |
| 8 am – 11 am | Check-In with International Student Advisers (International Students) | LBC 124 |
| 9 am – 4 pm | Institutional Advancement Refreshment Center | Between Bundy & Barrett Residence Halls |
| 9 am – 3 pm | Campus Bookstore Open | Runyan Student Center |
| 9 am – 10 pm | Runyan Student Center Desk – Resource for Directions & Questions | Runyan Center / Maycrossen Student Lounge |
| 11 am – 12 pm | EPIC for Families (Brian LaDuca) 60-minute session introducing families to Earlham’s career development resources, the Epic Journey, Epic Advantage, and Micro-credentials. | Goddard Auditorium, Carpenter Hall |
| 11:30 am – 1:30 pm | Cafeteria Open for Lunch – Students and Families | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 11 am – 5 pm | Late Arrival Check-In: Folder & Schedule Pick Up | Earlham Hall, First Floor, Student Life Office |
| 1 pm – 3 pm | Resource Fair | Lilly Library |
| 1 pm – 3 pm | Campus Tours | Tyler Hall |
| 1 pm – 3 pm | Joseph Moore Museum Open | Joseph Moore Museum |
| 2:30 pm | Meet NSO Leaders at The Heart ★ Required NSO Leaders facilitate introductions, share expectations, answer questions, and lead an ice breaker. | The Heart |
| 3 pm | Welcome and Matriculation Ceremony All students and families are formally welcomed to Earlham. | Chase Stage |
| 4 pm | Students Meet NSO Leaders on The Heart | The Heart |
| 4:30pm-6:30 pm | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | |
| 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm | President’s Reception (Families Only) | CVPA Atrium |
| 4:30 pm | Men’s Soccer Scrimmage All students walk with their group to the game. | Soccer Field |
| 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm | Dinner with NSO Leaders Join your NSO leader at 6 at the table | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 7:15 pm | Residential Living Expectations Overview ★ Required Welcome to Richmond see what we have to offer! Students learn about residential living expectations with Residence Life staff. | Wilkinson Theatre, Runyan Center |
| 8 pm | Field Night! Celebrate your first official night on campus with games and fun | The Heart |
| 9 pm | Fire and S’mores Get to know your NSO group over a fire and s’mores. | The Heart |
| 10 pm | RA Make and Take Hall Activity Make something to brighten up your room: sand art, moss art, or jellyfish air plants. | Residence Halls |
| Saturday, August 22 – All Student NSO | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 10 am – 12 pm | Explore Richmond ★ Required for Non-Student Athletes (Parents encouraged) Farmers Market, Depot District, Coffee Crawl. Van rides from LBC available. Free continental breakfast at 9 am in the Richmond Room. | Meet LBC parking lot |
| 10 am – 12 pm | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | |
| 12 pm – 1 pm | Concurrent Lunch Sessions Option A – General Lunch: Earlham Dining Hall Option B – Cunningham Cultural Center Luncheon: Runyan Student Center, Comstock Room. Honoring the legacy of Earlham’s first African American graduate, Clarence Cunningham, Class of 1924. Option C – Quaker Luncheon: Friends Room A&B, Dining Hall. Hosted by Quaker Fellows for Quaker students, families, and Quaker-curious individuals. | |
| 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm | Living in Community Across Global and Ethnic Lenses ★ Students Only Strategies for inclusive communication and cross-cultural engagement. | Lingle Hall, CVPA |
| 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm | Parent Transition Meeting: How to Help Your Student Succeed in College (Parents Only) | Goddard Auditorium, Carpenter Hall |
| 3 pm – 4 pm | Parents Meet Students & NSO Leaders on The Heart – Farewell! | The Heart |
| 3 pm – 5 pm | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | |
| 5:45 pm – 7 pm | Dinner with NSO Leaders ★ Required Sit with your group. Look for your leader’s name on the table (with balloons). Conversation starter cards provided. | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 7 pm – 8:30 pm | Ice Cream Social and Water Games Rain location: Comstock and MRC. | The Heart |
| 8:30 pm | Residence Hall Activity with RA’s & Snacks Required Activity TBD. | Residence Halls |
| Sunday, August 23 – All Student NSO | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 10 am – 12 pm | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | |
| 10 am | Clear Creek Quaker Meeting: Unprogrammed Not a Quaker? No problem – be curious and experience what it’s all about. | Sout Meeting House, next to OA Hall |
| 11:30 am – 12:45 pm | Brunch | Dining Hall |
| 12:45 pm – 1 pm | Meet with Your NSO Leaders in Runyan Center Hallway Walk together as a group to the C-Word Presentation. | Runyan Center |
| 1:15 pm – 2:45 pm | C-Word Presentation ★ Required (All New Students & All Student Athletes) Fun improv presentation on a serious topic. Learn about Title IX and who to contact for support. | Wilkinson Theater, Runyan Center |
| 2:45 pm – 5:30 pm | Free Time Unpack, meet hallmates, explore campus, Walmart shuttles with EC shuttle, Free Store. Or: Explore the Wellness Center – climbing wall, pool, energy center. | |
| 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | |
| 5:30 pm – 7 pm | Dinner | Dining Hall |
| 7 pm – 8:30 pm | Our Community ★ Required Presentations by Public Safety + fun EC skits. Learn the EC Principles and Practices. | Wilkinson Theatre, Runyan Center |
| 8:30 pm | Build a Community Game Night Community building over games and crafts. Meet new classmates! Receive your first EC plant from our greenhouse. See if you can keep it alive until graduation. | Runyan Center & Maycrossen Student Lounge |
| Monday, August 24 • Academic Monday ★ All Sessions Required ★ | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 7 am – 9 am | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | |
| 7:30 am – 9:30 am | Breakfast | Dining Hall |
| 9:45 am – 11 am | Earlham 101: First Class (Required) Meet your academic advisor and be introduced to Earlham 101 – a course designed to help you navigate college life, explore campus resources, and build essential skills. | |
| 11 am – 12pm | EPIC and Career Coaches Kick off your Epic Journey with hands-on sessions. Meet your Career Design Coaches. | AWC (3 locations) |
| 11:30 am – 1:30 pm | Lunch | Dining Hall |
| 11:30 am – 1 pm | Transfer Student Lunch – Host: Lunch with transfer students, campus resources, and members of the Registrar’s Office and Academic Affairs. | Friends Room A&B, Dining Hall |
| 1:15 pm – 2 pm | Academic Classroom Exploration with NSO leaders Walk around campus to find your classrooms and key campus spaces. | Meet at The Heart |
| 2 pm – 4 pm | Language Placement Sessions | Landrum Bolling Center |
| 2 pm – 3 pm | Sprintax Tax Software Required for all international students on F-1 visas. Bring your laptop. | LBC 103 |
| 3 pm – 4 pm | Meeting for Students Interested in Instrumental Music Ensembles Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Hand Drum Ensemble, Rhythm Project, Javanese Gamelan, Guitar Ensemble, Brass Quintet. Also covers private instrumental lessons. | Lingle Hall, CVPA |
| 3 pm – 5:30 pm | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | |
| 4 pm – 5 pm | Meeting for Students Interested in Choral Music Concert Choir (no audition) and Chamber Singers (auditioned). Meet the director and returning students. | Lingle Hall, CVPA |
| 4 pm – 5 pm | Theatre Arts Department Open House Co-hosted by Theatre Arts and Earlham Theatre Company. Learn about auditions, workshops, productions, classes, and student employment. All welcome! | McDaniel Studio Theatre, CVPA |
| 5:30 pm – 7 pm | Dinner | Dining Hall |
| 7 pm – 10 pm | Earlham Extravaganza Games, make and take, music, rides and more! Evening of fun hosted by Student Engagement. | Comstock Field Rain location: AWC Trueblood Gym. |
| Tuesday, August 25 – All Student NSO | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 7:30 am – 9:30 am | Breakfast | Dining Hall |
| 8:30 am – 10:30 am | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | |
| 11 am | Check-In with NSO Leader | The Heart |
| 11:15 am | New Student Photo All incoming first-year students take the class photo on The Heart, then meet classmates. | The Heart Rain location: AWC Performance Gym. |
| 11:30 am – 1:30 pm | Lunch | Dining Hall |
| 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm | Heartshake: A Celebration Around the Heart Earlham tradition to kick off the academic year with the new President. The entire community circles The Heart. DJ Nick Johnson performs in front of Earlham Hall! | The Heart |
| 1:30 pm – 3 pm | Athletics Orientation Review NCAA compliance, athletic department policies, and how athletic participation transcends the field of play at Earlham. | Wilkinson Theater |
| 1:45 pm – 3:30 pm | Explore Earlham and the Richmond Community • Visit Miller Farm (Activity TBD) • Wellness Center Open Hours • Equestrian Center Open House (pick-up/drop-off in CVPA lot) • Walmart Shuttles (pick-up/drop-off at Public Safety) • Joseph Moore Museum – Mastodon Meet-Up with live animals and info on museum jobs • Back campus exploration and hike | |
| 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | |
| 4:45pm | Meet with NSO Leaders on the Heart Walk to women’s soccer game as a group. | |
| 5pm | Women’s Soccer Game | Soccer Field |
| 4 pm – 5 pm | Theatre Arts Department Open House All welcome. No experience required. Learn about field trips, auditions, productions, classes, and employment. | McDaniel Studio Theatre, CVPA |
| 5:30 pm – 7 pm | Dinner | Dining Hall |
| 7-8 pm | Trivia Night Get your smarts on before classes start! Win prizes. | MayCrossen Student Lounge |
| Wednesday, August 26 – All Student NSO | ||
| Time | Event | Location |
| 7:30 am – 9:30 am | Breakfast | Dining Hall |
| 8 am | Classes Begin 🎓 | |
| 11 am – 1 pm | Inspirational Chalkboard Messaging Rain location: Runyan Hallway. Leave your mark on Earlham’s first day! | The Heart |
Getting here?
First things first—let’s get you to campus! Earlham is located on National Road 40, not far from I-70. We are in the Eastern Time Zone.
Flying?
Richmond is situated near three international airports, including Dayton, Indianapolis and Cincinnati. If you will need transportation from the airport to Earlham, please consider flying into Dayton so you can catch one of our provided shuttles or arrange for a charter van.
If you plan to send baggage and parcels ahead, please send them directly to Earlham College at the following address, labeled with your name:
Earlham College
801 National Road West
Richmond, IN 47374
The package should not weigh more than 70 pounds (or 32 kilograms). Please be sure to include an identification tag on all of your luggage.
New Student Orientation photos
First Night Block Party
Explore in Box
Move-in
Explore in Box
Hugs & see you soon
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Class of 2028
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Earlham Extravaganza
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