First Engagements Schedule

Friday, August 19

New Student Move-in

When: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Residence Halls

New students will receive their move-in time slot from Residence Life before move-in day!

We will have the Mister Softee Ice Cream Truck in the Back Circle 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. to help you stay cool.

Legacy Welcome Lunch

This luncheon is by invitation only. For information please email Natasa Mongiardo.

Transylvania University alumni and legacies are invited to lunch at the Graham Cottage Alumni House.

Lunch in the Caf

Lunch served from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Hall Meetings for Residential Students

When: 7-8 p.m.
Where: Residence Halls

New students meet with their Resident Advisor (RA) and the rest of their floor mates!

Commuter Student Meeting

When: 7-8 p.m.
Where: Student Engagement Lounge, Campus Center

Commuter students will meet other commuter students and learn about getting involved on campus!

First Night Under the Stars

When: 8:30-10 p.m.
Where: Back Circle

Join the Class of 2026 for an evening of tie dye, marshmallow roasting, and hanging out under the stars!

Saturday, August 20

Family Campus Culture Session

When: 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Where: Pioneer Rooms

Parents and families can enjoy coffee and a donut at this informational meeting. Parents will hear from Dean Michael Covert, Dean Rebecca Thomas, Dean Sarah Bray, Dean Ashley Hill, and Dean Tracy Dunn!

First Engagements Group Meeting

When: 9:30-10 a.m.
Where: Assigned by Scholar

Students will have their first meeting with their First Engagements Scholar and group!

Parents & Families Meet With First Engagements Faculty

When: 9:30-10 a.m.
Where: Assigned by Faculty*

Parents and families will have the chance to meet with their student’s First Engagements faculty member.

*Students received an email including their First Engagements classroom location. Please check with your student to find the room number.

Pass on the Light Ceremony

When: 10:30-11:45 a.m.
Where: Haggin Auditorium

Transylvania’s motto reads In Lumine Illo Tradimus Lumen or “In That Light, We Pass on the Light” and they’re more than just words. New students, parents, and families are invited to attend this illuminating ceremony.

After this ceremony, students will have time to say goodbye to their families before afternoon activities!

Lunch in the Caf

Lunch served from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Pioneer Prep Sessions

When: 2-4 p.m.
Where: The Caf and Pioneer Rooms

Pioneer Prep sessions are designed to prepare you for life on a college campus. These sessions are required and you will attend with your First Engagements group. You will rotate from one session to the other with your group!

Alcohol Skills Training Program (ASTP) is a risk reduction intervention originally developed by the University of Washington to help students and young adults develop skills to either effectively resist using alcohol, or limit their consumption of alcohol.

Green Dot Bystander Intervention Training is a bystander education approach that aims to prevent violence with the help of bystanders. It is built on the premise that violence can be measurably and systematically reduced within a community. Read more about Green Dot.

Playfair! Team Building

When: 8:30-10 p.m.
Where: Beck Center

Join your new classmates for the Playfair experience!!

Sunday, August 21

Local Religious Services

Are you looking for meaningful fellowship with others? Are you searching for a spiritual home in the Lexington area? Or would you just like to learn more about the diverse faiths represented on campus and in central Kentucky?

Emily Miller, Director of Spirituality and Religious Life, is here to help you find your place! You can reach Emily at emiller@transy.edu.

Lunch in the Caf

Lunch served from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Foreign Language Placement Exams

When: 12-2 p.m.
Where: Assigned by Faculty

Students will take a placement exam in the language they plan to pursue. All students are required to take a language placement exam.

Pioneer Prep Session

When: 2-3 p.m.
Where: Haggin Auditorium

Pioneer Prep sessions are designed to prepare you for life on a college campus. These sessions are required and you will attend with your First Engagements group.

Understanding Title IX and the University Equal Opportunity Policy

Title IX’s benefits can be found in promoting equity in academic and athletics programs, preventing hostile environments on the basis of sex, prohibiting sexual harassment and sexual violence, protecting from retaliation and remedying the effects of other gender-based forms of discrimination.

“No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”

—Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 to the 1964 Civil Rights Act

Transy Traditions

When: 3-5 p.m.
Where: Old Morrison

Class of 2026 will participate in the campus cheer, greet line and class photo, three important Transy Traditions!

Outdoor Glow Party

When: 8:30-10 p.m.
Where: Back Circle

Join your classmates on the back circle to celebrate each other. There way be glow sticks, glow sports, music, and more!

First Engagements Class Meeting

When: 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: Assigned by Faculty*

Meet with your First Engagements faculty, have your first class session, and learn about the week ahead!

*Students received an email including their First Engagements classroom location. Please check with your Transy email to find the room number.