Additionally, second-year students are invited to join in on the activities to make up for their Welcome Week celebration being held virtually last year.

“Welcome Week is extremely important to our new Cardinal students because it helps them get familiar with their new home,” said Kaitlyn Robinson, assistant director of Welcome Week and Parents Association. “By participating in Welcome Week, they learn about campus resources available to them and make important connections that are going to help carry them during their first year here at UofL.”

With the continued spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Welcome Week staff are making sure student health and safety is a priority during the events. UofL will follow CDC guidelines, including mask mandates, regardless of vaccination status at any indoor event, surface sanitization and hand sanitizer stations at every Welcome Week event.

Welcome Week this year includes events like Late Night Ice Cream Floats, SOUL, Sunrise Yoga and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity’s Annual Icebreaker. The coordinators have also developed new events for first- and second-year Cards to look forward to, such as the Cardinal Frenzy, Prom and the first-ever Welcome Back Concert.

“I think students are most excited about the Welcome Back concert and Prom this year,” Robinson said.��

Prom is for first and second-year students who did not get to experience their high school prom because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is about having fun with friends and coming as you are. After five years of trying to get a concert added to the list of events, SHAED will be taking over Cardinal Stadium for the Welcome Back Concert. Students will be able to be on the field for this inaugural event.

With hybrid events offering both in-person and virtual options to join, students can feel safe and included in making those new memories this year. Along with a hybrid event model, Welcome Week staff are introducing a new event that will let Cards experience various cultures from around the world. WorldFest is an opportunity for students to see how their differences are what make them special in this world and UofL.

“There’s never been a Welcome Week like this one before,” Robinson said.

To stay up to date about the events, download the UofL New Cards app from or the . Welcome Week questions can also be emailed to f�ڲ⾱���ٳܱ������dzܾ�������������.����.��

According to Kathy Meyer with the Office of Student Involvement, the event is a good opportunity for new students to connect with the community. The event kicked off on campus with Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, Congressman John Yarmuth and UofL President Neeli Bendapudi.

The students then split up into groups and helped 40 different organizations throughout Louisville.��

“I feel like I didn’t do enough in high school. Being in college and being in this community, this is a great way for me to grow and really help a community that I’m a part of,” said UofL freshman Will Randolph.��

Check out , and additional highlights from Saturday’s efforts below.�� 

Fischer opened his comments by encouraging students to “really jump in and be a big part of our city,” which he noted is going through a renaissance right now, bolstered by $11 billion worth of construction projects.

“I encourage you to use bike share or to walk the city and see everything that’s going on … to see the wonderful transformation,” he said.

Fischer also encouraged students to choose to get involved during their time at UofL.��

“I got involved when I was in college and it changed my life,” he said. “You’re not going to learn as much if you play it safe.”

Fischer outlined three values that drive the city of Louisville: lifelong learning, health (mental, physical and environmental) and compassion.

“Compassion is when we respect our citizens so that their potential flourishes,” he said.

Fischer also acknowledged last weekend’s events at the University of Virginia, strongly condemning white supremacy, racism and bigotry. His statements elicited an enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

“You are entering college at an extraordinary and interesting time. We need your voice,” he said. “We need you to think of yourself as more than someone who is in their second day at the University of Louisville. How do you use your new platform as a UofL student to do good? … Do something for which you expect nothing in return.”

Interim president Greg Postel, who introduced Fischer, encouraged students to ensure their service is not just a one-time event.

“I hope this is the beginning for a lifetime of community service,” Postel said. “(Community engagement) is part of the fabric of what UofL is all about.”

“Welcome Week is an important traditional program that promotes new student engagement and success by providing students with opportunities to develop fundamental skills, knowledge and personal connections essential for their transition to UofL,” said Loni Yost, director of First Year Initiatives.��

Some noteworthy events include:

Aug. 16

• Move-In Day, 8 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Move-In Day will feature volunteers, complimentary drinks and pizza for everyone courtesy of Papa John’s.
• Cardinal Kick Off, 3:30-5:30 p.m., Library Lawn West, UofL’s Interim President Dr. Greg Postel helps kick off Welcome Week. Enjoy free food, photo booth, UofL swag, music and a chance to win a new bike.
• Bid Day, 3-10 p.m., Students receive an invitation to the sorority they were matched with through the mutual selection process.

Aug. 17

• SOUL: Student Outreach Uniting Louisville, 8 a.m. check-in; 8:30 a.m.– 12:30 p.m. service projects, Student Activities Center, includes a free t-shirt, interactive group discussion and group service project featuring Mayor Fischer with the keynote.
• Kick Back in the Stacks, 6-8:30 p.m., Ekstrom Library, The library features a mix of dancers, magicians and other novelty performers; bingo; interactive service project; a photo station; scavenger hunt; local food samples, etc. Learn about the Library and other important campus resources.

Aug. 18

• Alumni Association Picnic, 6-7:30 p.m., Humanities Quad, Enjoy food, music, giveaways, and fun. Hear from SOAR (Student Organization for Alumni Relations) on how to bridge the gap between current students and alumni.
• Night at the Museum: What’s Your Speed?, 7-10 p.m., Speed Art Museum, Enjoy a night of tours, snacks, games, art-making and adventure as students explore the galleries and get to know the Speed Art Museum.

Aug.19

• CARDnival, 8-10:45 p.m., SAC West Plaza, Join the Student Activities Board for a night out at the CARDnival complete with arcade and casino games, featuring free food, music, inflatables, and prizes.

Aug. 20

• 25^{�ٳ���}Annual Icebreaker and All Campus Cookout, 6-8 p.m., Red Barn/West Plaza, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and National Pan-Hellenic Council’s (NPHC) fraternities and sororities welcome all new students to the campus.

The full schedule of events is .��