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.
Your first stop — Pick up your key, student ID, and orientation schedule & resources:
Families are welcome to attend several events on Friday and Saturday.
Full schedules
PLEASE NOTE: Your coach will provide you with a full training schedule.
Tuesday, Aug 18
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 a.m. | Folder, ID, Key Pick up | Earlham Hall, Office of Student Life |
| 11:00 a.m. | Welcome! Please join us for an informational session and welcome to athletics at Earlham College. You will hear from our Athletics team along with our student services team including counseling services, student engagement, financial aid, and athletic training. Our main presenters are as follows: Lauren Horton, Associate Athletic Director, Head women’s volleyball coach Nick Johnson, Director of Athletics Sayward Salazar, Director of Student Engagement Steve Sakosits, Senior Associate Director of Athletics Paul Sneigowski, President of Earlham College Bonita Washington-Lacey, Vice President of Student life and Dean of Students. | Runyan Center, Wilkinson Theatre |
| 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch and Student Panel | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 5:30-7:00 p.m. | Dinner | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
Wednesday, Aug 19
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| Noon-1:00 p.m. | Lunch | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 5:30-7:00 p.m. | Dinner | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
Thursday, Aug 20
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| Noon-1:00 p.m. | Lunch | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 5:30-7:00 p.m. | Dinner | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
Friday, Aug 21
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
Wednesday, Aug 19
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. | Airport Shuttles for Unaccompanied Students | Dayton (DAY), Cincinnati (CVG), Indianapolis (IND) |
| 1-5:00 p.m. | Arrival and Move-In Folder, ID, and Key pick up 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, Office of Student Life |
| 3-4:00 p.m. | Campus Tour | Tyler Hall, Office of Admissions |
| 4-5:00 p.m. | Jet Lag Short Nap Time | Residence Halls |
| 5:30-7:00 p.m. | Dinner with NSO Leaders | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 6:30-7:10 p.m. | Free Store “Shopping” | Dennis Hall |
| 7:15-8:15 p.m. | Ice Breakers with NSO Leaders (Required) | The Heart (Campus Quad in front of Earlham Hall) |
| 8:15 p.m. | Relax, Settle In, and Sleep | Residence Halls |
Thursday, Aug 20
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30-9:30 a.m. | Golf Practice for Golf Team | Richmond Elks Golf Course |
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 9-11:00 a.m. | Settling Into Your New Home – Immediate Needs • Phone plans / SIM cards • Bank information • Know Your Rights • Setting up your dorm room / Shopping list for Walmart • How to pay for things – credit cards vs. cash • How to add devices on Wi-Fi (IT) International student athletes can arrive at 10am. | Runyan Center, Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) |
| 12-1:30 p.m. | Lunch with Metz Manager and NSO Leaders / Family Lunch with International Student Advisors and Admissions Food Services Director will meet with students and families at 12:30 to discuss dining options and answer questions. | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall — Patio Room |
| 1-1:30 p.m. | Work Awards & On-Campus Employment | Runyan Center, Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) |
| 1:30-2:00 p.m. | Adjusting to Being Away from Home | Runyan Center, Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) |
| 2-3:00 p.m. | Student Services Campus Tour | Meet in Earlham Hall Lobby |
| 3-5:00 p.m. | Necessity Shopping in Richmond (Walmart) | Meet in the parking lot in front of Public Safety |
| 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Dinner with NSO Leaders | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 7-8:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception & Evening Activity Casual meet and greet students, faculty and staff at Earlham College | Runyan Center, Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) |
Friday, Aug 21
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30-8:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
📌 = REQUIRED for all students
🫂 = Family Welcome
🏆 = For Student Athletes in Fall Sports (Golf, Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country)
🌍 = For International Students
Friday, Aug 21 — Students and families welcome
| Open to | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALL (who haven’t already moved in) + 🫂 | 8-11 a.m. | Check-In and Registration All new students must first check in at the AWC to obtain the NSO schedule and access the residence halls. • NSO folder & schedule pick up at the Admissions table • Room keys and loft kit information at the Residence Life table • ID pick up, car & bicycle registration, and safety info at the Public Safety table Commuter students should arrive between 10:30-11:00 a.m. Residential students arriving after 11 a.m. should report to the Office of Student Life in Earlham Hall. Open until 9:00 p.m. | Athletics & Wellness Center, Concourse |
| 🏆 | 8-11 a.m. | Athletic practice times will be shared by your coach. | Coaches will provide location. |
| 🌍 + 🫂 | 8-11 a.m. | International students: Check-In with your International Student Adviser Bring: visa, passport, I-20, I-901 SEVIS fee receipt. • 8 AM: Athletes & Early Bird Check-In & F1 Regulations Session • 9 AM-10 AM – General Check-In with Travel Documents • 10AM-11AM: F1 Regulations Session | Landrum Bolling Center, Room 124 |
| ALL + 🫂 | 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | Institutional Advancement Refreshment Center Stop by for refreshments and a warm Earlham welcome! Complimentary beverages and snacks, EC goodies, alumni connections, and a letter-to-future-self tradition. Chance to win a welcome basket! | Between Bundy & Barrett Residence Halls |
| ALL + 🫂 | 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. | Campus Bookstore Open Use your 15% off coupon (found in your NSO folder) for EC gear! | Runyan Center |
| ALL + 🫂 | 9:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. | Runyan Center Desk – Resource for Directions & Questions | Runyan Center, May-Crossen Student Commmons |
| ALL + 🫂 | 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. | Lunch — Free lunch for all students and families. | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| ALL + 🫂 | 1-3:00 p.m. | Resource Fair IT Services, Title IX & Equal Opportunity, Disability & Accessibility, Health & Counseling, Student Health Insurance/HR, Food Services, Library Services, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Wellness, Registrar, Postal Services, Academic Deans/Advisors, Student Support, Off Campus programs, First Financial Bank, Morrison Reeves Library, Reid Health. | Lilly Library |
| ALL + 🫂 | 1-3:00 p.m. | Campus Tours Please meet at Tyler Hall for a campus tour. Tours will leave at 1pm and 2pm sharp. | Tyler Hall |
| ALL + 🫂 | 1-3:00 p.m. | Joseph Moore Museum Open Open for tours and fun! The museum is open regularly Tues-Sun. | Joseph Moore Museum |
| ALL + 🫂 | 1-3:00 p.m. | Office of Religious Life Open House You are invited to stop by the Office of Religious Life to meet our inter-religious chaplain, Mimi, and talk about spiritual and soul nurture. | Virginia Cottage |
| 📌 ALL | 2:30 p.m. | Meet NSO Leaders at The Heart NSO Leaders facilitate introductions, share expectations, answer questions, and lead an ice breaker. Walk together to Matriculation. | The Heart (Campus quad in front of Earlham Hall) Rain location: Athletics & Wellness Center, Trueblood Gym |
| 📌 ALL + 🫂 | 3:00 p.m. | Welcome and Matriculation Ceremony All students and families are formally welcomed to Earlham. Presiding: Paul Sniegowski, President; Lori Schroeder, Provost; James Logan, Dean of Faculty; Jennifer Seely, Dean of Academic Student Success; Bonita Washington-Lacey, VP for Student Life; Jeff Perkins, VP of Enrollment. | Chase Stage (in front of Lilly Library) Rain location: Carpenter Hall, Goddard Auditorium |
| 📌 ALL | 4:00 p.m. | Meet NSO Leaders at The Heart Ice breakers and get-to-know-you games. Each group receives pompoms to cheer on the soccer team at 4:30 pm. | The Heart (Campus quad in front of Earlham Hall) |
| 🏆 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | Coach to provide locations |
| 🫂 | 4:30-5:30 p.m. | President’s Reception (Families Only) | Center for Visual & Performing Arts, Atrium |
| 📌 ALL | 4:30 p.m. | Men’s Soccer Scrimmage All students walk with their group to the game. Pompoms provided – show your school spirit! | Matlack-Messer Soccer Field |
| ALL | 5:30-7:00 p.m. | Dinner with NSO Leaders Join your NSO leader at 6pm at their table in the dining hall. | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 📌 ALL | 7:15 p.m. | Residential Living Expectations Welcome to Richmond! Students learn about residential living expectations with Residence Life staff. BRING YOUR EARLHAM PILLOW CASE FOR A PHOTO SHOOT! | Runyan Center, Wilkinson Theatre |
| 📌 ALL | 8:00 p.m. | Field Night! A night filled with friendly competition with fun field games! The winning team will receive a trophy with their team picture to be displayed in Runyan Center! Fire and S’mores Get to know your NSO group over a fire and s’mores. | The Heart (Campus quad in front of Earlham Hall) |
| 📌 ALL | 10:00 p.m. | Make and Take Hall Activity with your RA (Resident Assistant) Make something to brighten up your room: sand art, moss art, or jellyfish air plants. | Residence Halls |
Saturday, Aug 22 — Students and families welcome
| Open to | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 📌 ALL | 9:00 a.m.-Noon | Explore Richmond Farmers Market, Depot District. You can choose 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. as your departure time. See your NSO folder to register. Free continental breakfast at 8:45 a.m. in the Richmond Room of LBC. If you drive on your own, please stop by and pick up information about Richmond. | Meet Landrum Bowling Center (LBC) parking lot |
| 🏆 | 10:00 a.m.-Noon | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | Coach will provide location. |
| ALL | 12-1:00 p.m. | Concurrent Lunch Sessions Option A – General Lunch: Earlham Dining Hall Option B – Quaker Luncheon: Patio Room, Dining Hall. Hosted by Quaker Fellows for Quaker students, families, and Quaker-curious individuals. Parent and family lunch will be $9 and can be paid via credit card or cash at the door. | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| ALL | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Cunningham Cultural Center reception and dessert Cunningham Cultural Center Reception: Honoring the legacy of Earlham’s first African American graduate, Clarence Cunningham, Class of 1924. Join us for dessert after lunch, and iced coffee bar. | Runyan Center, Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) |
| 📌 ALL | 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Living in Community Across Global and Ethnic Lenses (Students Only) Facilitated by Gariot Louima, Chief of Staff & VP for Equal Opportunity and Compliance. Strategies for inclusive communication and cross-cultural engagement. | Center for Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), Lingle Hall |
| 🫂 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Family and campus collaborators: How to help your student succeed in College (Family members only) Facilitated by Bonita Washington-Lacey, VP for Student Life. Speakers: Jason Elliot (Public Safety), Nick Johnson (Athletics), Angie Hobkirk (Res Life), Jennifer Seely (Academics), Cathryn Dickman (Wellness) | Carpenter Hall, Goddard Auditorium |
| ALL + 🫂 | 3-4:00 p.m. | Families Meet Students & NSO Leaders on The Heart – Farewell! Cookies and punch provided. | Meet at The Heart (Campus Quad in front of Earlham Hall) |
| 🏆 | 3-5:00 p.m. | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | Coach will provide location. |
| 📌 ALL | 5:45-7:00 p.m. | Dinner with NSO Leaders Sit with your group. Look for your leader’s name on the table with balloons. | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 📌 ALL | 7-8:30 p.m. | Ice Cream Social and Water Games Celebrate your first official night on campus with games and ice cream! | The Heart (Campus Quad in front of Earlham Hall) Rain location: Runyan Center, Comstock Room |
| 📌 ALL | 8:30 p.m. | Residence Hall Activity with RA’s & Snacks | Residence Halls |
Sunday, Aug 23
| Open to | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | 10:00 a.m.-Noon | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | Coach will provide location. |
| ALL | 10:00 a.m. | Clear Creek Quaker Meeting: Unprogrammed Not a Quaker? No problem – be curious and experience what it’s all about | Stout Meeting House, next to Olvis-Andr?? Hall |
| ALL | 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. | Brunch | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 📌 ALL | 12:45-1:00 p.m. | Meet with Your NSO Leaders in Runyan Center Hallway Walk together as a group to the C-Word Presentation. | Runyan Center, Hallway |
| 📌 ALL | 1:15-2:45 p.m. | 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. *Meets Title IX requirements. | Runyan Center, Wilkinson Theater |
| ALL | 2:45-5:30 p.m. | Free Time Unpack, meet hallmates, explore campus, check out the Free Store, enjoy the Wellness Center – climbing wall, pool, energy center. Shuttles to Walmart leave from the Office of Public Safety at 3:15, 3:45, and 4:15 p.m. | Everywhere! |
| 🏆 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | Coach will provide location. |
| ALL | 5:30-7:00 p.m. | Dinner with NSO Leaders | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 📌 ALL | 7-8:45 p.m. | Our Community Presentations by Public Safety + fun EC skits. Learn the EC Principles and Practices. Public Safety: Jason Elliot, Assistant Director of Public Safety. Earlham Theater Company (ETC) Skits Earlham Principles & Practices facilitated by Mimi Holland, Coordinator of Quaker Life & Religious Life. Nick Johnson Athletic Director, Padgett Gustavson Women’s soccer coach; Lydia Harvey Women’s Soccer coach, and George Rickett Cross country and track coach. | Runyan Center, Wilkinson Theater |
| 📌 ALL | 8:45 p.m. | 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, Comstock Room |
Monday, Aug 24 — Academic Monday (All Sessions Required)
| Open to | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 | 7-9:00 a.m. | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | Coach will provide location. |
| ALL | 7:30-9:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 📌 ALL | 9:45-11 a.m. | Earlham 101: First Class (Required) Meet your academic advisor and attend your first Earlham 101 class- a course designed to help you navigate college life, explore campus resources, and build essential skills. | Check your folder for location; NSO leaders available to assist on The Heart |
| 📌 ALL | 11:00 a.m.-12:15 p.m. | Epic Career Coaches Kick off your Epic Journey with hands-on sessions. Meet your Career Design Coaches. | Runyan Center, Comstock Room |
| ALL | 11 a.m.1:30 p.m. | Lunch | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| TRANSFER STUDENTS | 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. | Transfer Student Lunch – Host: Tiffany Hong, Corinne Deibel (Registrar) and Jennifer Seely (Academic Dean for Student Success). Lunch with transfer students, campus resources, and members of the Registrar’s Office and Academic Affairs. | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall — Patio Room |
| 📌 ALL | 1:15-2:00 p.m. | Academic Classroom Exploration Meet your NSO Leader and walk around campus to find your classrooms and key campus spaces. Bring your class schedule! | Meet at The Heart (Campus Quad in front of Earlham Hall) |
| ALL (if required) | 2-4:00 p.m. | Language Placement Sessions • Japanese: Rooms 224 & 226 • Latin: Room 212 • Spanish: Room 105 | Landrum Bolling Center |
| 🌍 | 2-3:00 p.m. | Sprintax Tax Software (International Students Only) Required for all international students on F-1 visas. Bring your laptop. | Landrum Bolling Center, Richmond Room |
| ALL | 3-4:00 p.m. | Meeting for Students Interested in Instrumental Music Ensembles (Student Athletes can meet individually if interested) Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Hand Drum Ensemble, Rhythm Project, Javanese Gamelan, Guitar Ensemble, Brass Quintet. Also covers private instrumental lessons. | Center for Performing and Visual Arts (CVPA), Lingle Hall |
| 🏆 | 3-5:30 p.m. | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | Coach will provide location. |
| ALL | 4-5:00 p.m. | Meeting for Students Interested in Choral Music Concert Choir (no audition) and Chamber Singers (auditioned). Meet the director and returning students. | Center for Performing and Visual Arts (CVPA), Lingle Hall |
| ALL | 4-5:00 p.m. | 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! | Center for Performing and Visual Arts (CVPA), McDaniel Studio Theatre |
| ALL | 5:30-7:00 p.m. | Dinner | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 📌 ALL | 7-10:00 p.m. | Earlham Extravaganza Games, make and take, music, rides and more! Evening of fun hosted by Student Engagement. | Comstock Field Rain location: Athletics & Wellness Center, Trueblood Gym |
Tuesday, Aug 25
| Open to | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALL | 7:30-9:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 🏆 | 8:30-10:30 a.m. | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | Coach will provide location. |
| 📌 ALL | 11:00 a.m. | Check-In with NSO Leader Classes begin tomorrow – take a moment to breathe, ask questions, and get ready for your first day! | The Heart (Campus Quad in front of Earlham Hall) |
| 📌 ALL | 11:15 a.m. | New Student Photo All incoming first-year students take the class photo on The Heart, then meet classmates. | The Heart (Campus Quad in front of Earlham Hall) Rain location: Athletics & Wellness Center, Performance Gym |
| ALL | 11:30 a.m.- 1:30 p.m. | Lunch | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| 📌 ALL | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Celebration of the Heart: A Celebration Around the Heart Earlham tradition to kick off the academic year with the College community. The entire community circles The Heart. DJ Nick Johnson performs in front of Earlham Hall! | The Heart (Campus Quad in front of Earlham Hall) |
| 🏆 | 1:3-3:00 p.m. | Athletics Orientation Review NCAA compliance, athletic department policies, and how athletic participation transcends the field of play at Earlham. | Runyan Center, Wilkinson Theater |
| ALL | 1:45-3:30 p.m. | Explore Earlham and the Richmond Community Check NSO folders for registration information and locations. • Visit Miller Farm • 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 – Planetarium Roller Coaster Ride Show! *motion sickness warning* • Back campus exploration and hike | Everywhere! |
| 🏆 | 3:30-5:30 p.m. | Fall Athletic Practice Times Golf, Men’s & Women’s Soccer, Volleyball, Cross Country. | Coach will provide location. |
| ALL | 4-5:00 p.m. | Theatre Arts Department Open House All welcome. No experience required. Learn about field trips, auditions, productions, classes, and employment. | Center for Performing and Visual Arts (CVPA), McDaniel Studio Theatre |
| 📌 ALL | 4:45 p.m. | Meet with NSO Leaders on the Heart Walk to women’s soccer game as a group. | The Heart (Campus Quad in front of Earlham Hall) |
| ALL | 5:30 p.m. | Women’s Soccer Game and Tailgate Cheer on your classmates and enjoy walking tacos! | Metlack-Messer Soccer Field |
| ALL | 5:30-7:00 p.m. | Dinner | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| ALL | 7-8:00 p.m. | Trivia Night Get your smarts on before classes start! Win prizes. | Runyan Center, May-Crossen Student Lounge |
Wednesday, Aug 26 — First day of class
| Open to | Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALL | 7:30-9:30 a.m. | Breakfast | Earlham Hall, Dining Hall |
| ALL | 8:30 a.m. | Classes Begin 🎓 | See your class schedule. |
| ALL | 11:00 a.m. | Community Chalkboard Messaging Leave your mark on Earlham’s first day! Three large chalkboard panels placed by the Richmond Art Museum (RAM) so you can help create an Earlham community mural. RAM is located on the Richmond High School Campus on Hub Etchison Pkwy – 5 blocks from campus! | The Heart (Campus Quad in front of Earlham Hall) Rain location: Runyan Center Hallway |
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
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Hugs & see you soon
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Class of 2028
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Earlham Extravaganza
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