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Weeks of Welcome Logo (the words "Weeks of Welcome" in the Kickoff font

Weeks of Welcome

Weeks of Welcome

With KSU Kickoff and the welcome week experience over, your involvement outside of the classroom does not stop! Through Weeks of Welcome that goes from Monday, Aug. 25 through Homecoming Week (Oct. 5 - Oct. 11), first-year students will have the opportunity to engage in programs, events, initiatives, and services that:

  • Develop Blue and Gold Affinity -- Generating school spirit for campus, the community, and KSU Athletics.
  • Community Involvement -- Familiarizing oneself with the Kent and surrounding community and how to get involved as a citizen. To learn more ways to get involved in the Kent community, please check out the following events calendar: Main Street Kent Events Calendar.
  • Academic Success -- Preparing for academic excellence.
  • Campus Resources -- Introduce important student services and resources on campus.
  • Sense of Belonging -- Feel a stronger sense of belonging to both the campus and surrounding communities.

 

Explore KSU Pathway

Want to get more involved in Weeks of Welcome activities and have a chance at $500 and $250 merit-based scholarships, in addition to winning one of 50 Flash Plushes (pictured below)? If this describes you, then try out the Explore Pathway in KSU Engage. Through completing various activities on campus and in the Kent community and recording them in the pathway in KSU Engage by October 17, students will be entered for a chance to win the aforementioned prizes. To learn more, go to the Pathways module in KSU Engage, or reach out to the Center for Student Involvement at csi@kent.edu and/or 330-672-2480.

 

KSU Kickoff Flash Plush

 

Weeks of Welcome Events

Week One: Aug. 24 - Aug. 30

Monday, Aug. 25 — CARES Center Welcome to Campus Iced Coffee Bar

  • Visit the CARES Center iced coffee bar pop-up to connect with their team and grab some iced coffee and breakfast treats.  
  • This event will take place on the first floor of the Kent Student Center in the Hub.

Tuesday, Aug. 26 — Flash Activities Board's (FAB) Special Event: Journals and Frames

  • Join FAB in creating memories for the new school year! Come decorate a journal or picture frame to use throughout college!
  • This event will be in room 218 of the Kent Student Center from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 27 — Kent State of Well-Being's Wellness Wednesday

  • Wellness Education around campus! Stop by their Well Hut to participate in brief activities that will help you learn about different health topics. 
  • Check out IG & Engage for specific locations each week (@kentstateofwellbeing).
  • This event will be in room 218 of the Kent Student Center from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 28 — Flash Activities Board's (FAB) Trivia Night

  • Come to FAB's First Trivia of the School Year!!! Have a chance to win great prizes during our four rounds;
    • 🧪STEM
    • 🌎History & Geography
    • 📺Entertainment
    • ⚡Kent State
  • And try Grill72's Appetizer Sampler, which is $2 off during the Trivia!

Saturday, Aug. 30 — Kent State Football versus Merrimack

  • Join us for the 2025 Home Opener as the Kent State Football Team takes on Merrimack in the Home Opener. 
  • The first 2,000 fans through the gates will receive a Fearless Flash Football Flag. 
  • Additionally, we'd like to invite all Flashes 101 members to the Flashes 101 Tailgate to join other incoming students in an exclusive event!
  • Kickoff is at 12 p.m.
Week Two: Aug. 31 - Sept. 6

Wednesday, Sept. 3 — Kent State of Well-Being's Wellness Wednesday

  • Wellness Education around campus! Stop by their Well Hut to participate in brief activities that will help you learn about different health topics.
  • Check out IG & Engage for specific locations each week (@kentstateofwellbeing).
  • This event will be in room 218 of the Kent Student Center from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 4 — Common Ground: Yoga for Peaceful Reflection

  • Come to the KSU Commons for a group yoga flow! 
  • Held on the hallowed ground of the National Historic Landmark Site that inspires peacefulness and reflection, this 40-minute session, led by a certified instructor from the Student Recreation and Wellness Center.
  • This session will focus on the themes of kindness, compassion, and fostering an inner connection to peace.
  • This event will take place from 4-5 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 4 — Flash Activities Board's (FAB) Grocery Bingo

  • Join the Flash Activities Board (FAB) for Grocery Bingo!
  • You will have a chance to win a variety of grocery items in special bundles.
  • Stick around for special grand prizes as well! 
  • This event will take place at 7 p.m. in room 218 of the Kent Student Center.

Friday, Sept. 5 — Fashion Show and Screening Event in Honor of Focus Feature's DOWNTOWN ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE

  • The School of Theatre and Dance and School of Fashion present a fashion show and screening event in honor of Focus Feature’s DOWNTOWN ABBEY: THE GRAND FINALE “The time has come to say goodbye.”
  • This will take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. in the E. Turner Stump Theatre in the Kent Center for Performing Arts.

Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5 & 6 — Restyle: Kids Clothing Event

  • Stop by the Williamson House to grab gently used kids' clothing for the school year. 
  • These events will be: Friday, September 5, 2025 from 3 - 7 p.m.; Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 
  • Donations of preloved clean, new, and gently used all sizes of children's clothing, shoes, and outerwear will be collected from August 1-29. 
  • Collection boxes are available during business hours at the Williamson House, Library, Child Development Center, and Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. 
  • Open to Kent State faculty, staff, and students. You don't need to donate to participate in the event!

 

Week Three: Sept. 7 - Sept. 13

Tuesday, Sept. 9 — International Admissions' Flag Cookie Decorating

  • Where are you from? Where do you want to go? International Admissions wants to know your story! Come tell them by decorating a cookie with the country flag of your choice. 
  • Plain sugar cookies and color frosting will be provided in Van Campen Hall, Room 111 (from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.). 
  • Bring your friends, decorate cookies, and share what you're looking forward to when you study abroad, while supplies last!  
  • This annual event is a chance for students and their families to enjoy food and music, in addition to student organization and local business tabling.
  • Also, enrolled Kent State University students can receive a free event-shirt as supplies last!

Wednesday, Sept. 10 — Kent State of Well-Being's Wellness Wednesday

  • Wellness Education around campus! Stop by their Well Hut to participate in brief activities that will help you learn about different health topics.
  • Check out IG & Engage for specific locations each week (@kentstateofwellbeing).
  • This event will be in room 218 of the Kent Student Center from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 12 — Flash Activities Board's (FAB) Black Squirrel Festival

  • There is no better way to kick off the fall Parents and Families weekend here at Kent State University than FAB’s Black Squirrel Festival.  
  • This annual event is a chance for students and their families to enjoy food and music, in addition to student organization and local business tabling.
  • Also, enrolled Kent State University students can receive a free event-shirt as supplies last!

Friday, Sept. 12 & Saturday, Sept. 13 — Parents & Families Weekend

  • Mark your calendars for a weekend packed with unforgettable moments and exciting family-friendly events. From beloved Kent State traditions to special programming designed with families in mind, there will be countless opportunities to celebrate with your favorite Golden Flash student. And yes, football is back! Don’t miss the action as the Golden Flashes take on the Buffalo Bulls!
  • To learn more, please visit the following link: https://www.kent.edu/parents/weekend.
Week Four: Sept. 14 - Sept. 20

Wednesday, Sept. 17 — Recreation and Wellness Services' Rec the Row

  • Recreation and Wellness Services will be hosting a resource fair on the K (Risman Plaza) to promote programs and offerings to members of the Fraternity and Sorority Life and general Kent State University community.  
  • Hope to offer a fun mix of informational and interactive experiences to participants!
  • This event will take place from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the Risman Plaza and Student Green.
Week Five: Sept. 21 - Sept. 27

Wednesday, Sept. 24 — Kent State of Well-Being's Fresh Check Day

  • Stop by the Risman Plaza from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. to learn more about mental health awareness and suicide prevention with Kent State of Well-Being.
Week Six: Sept. 28 - Oct. 4

Tuesday, Sept. 30 — Fall 2025 Internship and Job Fair (ALL MAJORS)

  • Looking for a job, internship, or just want to explore career options?
  • This event is open to all students and alumni from any campus who are interested in: Full-time, part-time, co-op, or internship opportunities,
    practicing your networking skills, learning about different industries, getting career advice, and making connections with professionals
  • Come as you are—whether you're actively job hunting or just curious about your options!
  • Need help getting ready? Attend a session with a career advisor or attend a drop-in session (no registration required) to get your resume reviewed, practice your elevator pitch, learn how to research organizations attending the fair, and ask quick career fair-related questions!
  • This event will take place from 11 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on the second floor of the Kent Student Center.

Wednesday, Oct. 1 — The School of Theatre and Dance Presents "Kentucky"

  • Kentucky By Leah Nanako Winkler Directed by Courtney Brown Hiro is a self-made woman making it in New York. But she is also single, almost thirty and estranged from her dysfunctional family who lives in Kentucky. 
  • When her little sister, a born-again Christian, decides to marry at twenty-two, Hiro takes it upon herself to do whatever she can to stop the wedding and salvage any shred of hope she had about her sister’s future. 
  • The themes of identity, religion and love collide in this unique coming-of-age story. "Kentucky" is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service. www.dramatists.com.
  • This show will take place from 7:30 -9:30 p.m. in the Wright-Curtis Theatre in the Kent Center for Performing Arts.

Friday, Oct. 3 — Women's Volleyball versus University of Buffalo

  • Home opener in the MACC Center for the Women's Volleyball team!
  • 100 schedule magnet giveaway and post-match autographs with the team.
  • Game will start at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 4 — Women's Volleyball versus University of Akron

  • Second home game of the season at the MACC Center for the Women's Volleyball team.
  • Youth Day and Gold Out themes.
  • 150 Gold t-shirts and post-match autographs with the team.
  • Game will start at 4 p.m.
Week Seven: Oct. 5 - Oct. 11

Monday, October 6 — Flash Activities Board's (FAB) FlashBash

  • Join FAB as they kick off homecoming week with FlashBash!
  • Come for a Flash bobblehead giveaway, inflatable games, snacks, and other fun activities!
  • This event will take place at Risman Plaza and the Student Green (will have an indoor weather location which will be announced as needed) from 6-8 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 7 — Women's Volleyball versus Ohio University

  • Home game at the MACC Center for the Women's Volleyball team.
  • Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night.
  • Game will start at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, October 8 — Center for Student Involvement's (CSI) Banner Making Event

  • Join CSI and FAB for a free banner making event for all student organizations participating in the homecoming parade on Saturday, October 11. 
  • All banner making materials will be free! What better way to show off your pride for your organization and Kent State University.
  • This event will take place from 12-3:30 p.m. in room 218 of the Kent Student Center.

Thursday, October 9 — Undergraduate Student Government's (USG) Fall Show

  • Check back soon for more details!

Saturday, October 11 — Annual Homecoming Parade

  • The annual Kent State University Homecoming Parade will take place from 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. this year on on Saturday, October 11.
  • The route will start at the KSU Ice Arena and will proceed onto Loop Road and then Summit Street towards campus. The parade will conclude at the intersection of Summit Street and Terrace Drive.
  • The parade is both a Kent State University and City of Kent event. This is a great opportunity to bring awareness and show pride for your organizations!
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