帝王会所

The Class of 2029 started its journey as Bobcats during Welcome Week, marching in the parade up Richland Avenue on Sunday, Aug. 24, and then finding their way around campus when classes began on Monday, Aug. 25.

OHIO celebrated the arrival of the new students and welcomed back all of the returning students with a wide variety of events during Welcome Week 2025. Events were held on all of OHIO鈥檚 campuses providing students with fun opportunities to engage with campus life, make new friends and familiarize themselves with the resources available to support their academic and personal success.

Welcome Week was held Aug. 21-31 and began with OHIO students, faculty and staff assisting with the annual move-in days. While students, parents, grandparents and siblings carried boxes and totes into the residence halls (or 鈥渨atched the car鈥� or 鈥渕anaged鈥� the moving in) the Bobcat move-in crew also carried items in and helped students find their new homes.

帝王会所 President Lori Stewart Gonzalez and other OHIO leaders also helped during the move-in, carrying boxes, welcoming new students and assuring parents.

Once the students were all moved into their new homes, the Division of Student Affairs hosted a wide range of events throughout the week, and the students packed the events.

More than 4,000 first-year students posed for the Annual Class Photo in Peden Stadium on Friday, Aug. 22. The home of the MAC Football Champion Bobcats, the stadium was filled with laughter and smiles, as the new Bobcats got together officially for the first time. Many will return to Peden Stadium this weekend and throughout their time as students (and likely as alumni) to cheer on the Bobcats, thrill to the music and dancing of the Marching 110, and enjoy beautiful days with Bobcat fans who will become lifelong friends.

Also on Friday evening, the fun and excitement escalated as more than 1,700 students participated in the Baker Bash in the Baker University Center. OHIO hosted special events and activities on all five floors of Baker, and students enjoyed free food, learned what pancake art is (did they waffle over what type of art to make?) and made fun memories with new friends.

Students took part in welcome events at their academic colleges on Saturday and then had time to explore campus and get settled into their new homes before the Party at Ping in the evening. Held on the front lawn of the Ping Recreation Center, the party attracted more than 2,500 students.

The event featured live music, a performance from the Marching 110, free food from local vendors, a photo booth, yard games and much more.

On Sunday, OHIO students heard from President Gonzalez, additional University leaders and alumni speaker Imani Edwards during the First Year Student Convocation in the Convocation Center.

More than 4,000 students participated in the annual event where they were officially welcomed to campus and given advice for starting their time at OHIO.

鈥淐lass of 2029, you are standing at the edge of something extraordinary,鈥� President Gonzalez said. in her remarks. 鈥淵ou have the talent, the drive, and the support to make these next few years some of the best of your life.鈥�

鈥淪o go to class. Get involved. Ask for help. Explore the bricks. Find your favorite study spot. Leave your mark on College Green. And above all鈥攂e proud to be a Bobcat,鈥� President Gonzalez said. 鈥淲elcome to the family. Let鈥檚 make it a great year!鈥�

Edwards told the students that she was honored and excited to have the opportunity to talk with the new students and share a few thoughts as a fellow Bobcat.

鈥淪ay yes to the new opportunities that may scare you. Say yes to joining a new club and being involved on campus. Take the risk by signing up for courses that pique your interest,鈥� Edwards said. 鈥淔ail fast and early so that you gain a better understanding of who you are and what it is you want to do in this world. The thing about time is that we don鈥檛 get it back and it never stops. So don鈥檛 take it for granted - especially here and now.鈥�

Right after the First Year Student Convocation, the Marching 110 and President Gonzalez led the students up to the College Green for the Involvement Fair.

The College Green was packed with booths representing student organizations at the Involvement Fair, and thousands of new Bobcats had the opportunity learn about clubs and groups they could join while they also heard an amazing performance from the Marching 110 and enjoyed  time together on the College Green.

After students began classes on Monday, Aug. 25, the rest of the week was filled with activities including:

• Presidential Pizza Party 鈥� Pizza parties were held on all of OHIO鈥檚 campuses. On the Athens campus, President Gonzalez and other OHIO leaders passed out pizza on the College Green to hungry students, faculty and staff.
• Welcome Week Petting Zoo- Bobcats enjoyed interacting with goats, bunnies, alpacas and other animals on the South Beach.
• Bobcat Block Party and Fireworks Show 鈥� Students celebrated the end of the first week of classes with fireworks, free ice cream, music and games at the Paw Print Park on South Green. OHIO's Housing and Residence Life team would like to thank and express its deep appreciation for each of the student organizations that served as sponsors for this year's unforgettable event.