ELKINS, W.Va. — Davis & Elkins College will welcome new and returning students to campus Aug. 14-21 with a series of Welcome Week activities centered on the theme “Grow Where You’re Planted.”
New and first-year students will check in from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Booth Library. Students with last names beginning with N-Z should arrive from 9-11:30 a.m., while students with last names beginning with A-M should arrive from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Student-athletes, coaches, faculty and staff will be stationed at first-year residence halls to assist students and their families with the move-in process.
A parent reception hosted by the Office of Institutional Advancement will be held from 2-3 p.m. at Graceland Inn. First-year students will line up for the college’s traditional Matriculation Convocation at 3:30 p.m. before processing from Booth Library to Harper-McNeeley Auditorium in Myles Center for the Arts. The ceremony will begin at 4 p.m.
During the convocation, members of the Davis & Elkins College Board of Trustees, senior administrators, faculty and staff will formally welcome first-year students into the D&E community. The processional mirrors the walk students will take at commencement.
Dinner will follow in Senate Commons. Students may use their meal plans, while parents and family members may attend for $10 per person. First-year residence hall meetings will begin at 6 p.m., followed by a glow party at 8 p.m.
Returning students will check in from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at Booth Library. Students with last names beginning with N-Z should arrive from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., while students with last names beginning with A-M should arrive from 12:30-2 p.m.
Saturday’s activities will also include brunch from 10 a.m.-noon in the dining hall and a mandatory College 101 session for first-year students from noon-2 p.m. in Senate Commons.
The Wild and Wonderful Country Fest will begin at 1 p.m. at the Citizens Bank of West Virginia Amphitheatre, with gates opening at noon. The event is free for D&E students, faculty and staff. In the event of inclement weather, activities will move to Harper-McNeeley Auditorium. The D&E women’s soccer team will hold a scrimmage at 2:30 p.m. at Nuttall Field.
On Sunday, Aug. 16, students may attend a welcome back worship service at 11 a.m. in Robbins Memorial Chapel. The college’s traditional Summer Celebration Carnival will take place from 1-4 p.m. at Myles Plaza. Presented by the Office of Student Life, Student Assembly and Senator Entertainment, the carnival will feature a mechanical bull, dunk tank, waterslide, Magic Mirror, games and prizes.
Classes for the fall 2026 semester begin Monday, Aug. 17. Welcome Week activities will continue throughout the week with the following events:
- Community Fair from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday at Halliehurst
- Student Government Association meeting at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Eshleman Science Center, Room 413
- Welcome Back Bingo at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Timms Lounge
- Club and Organization Fair at 11 a.m. Thursday on the Halliehurst porch
- The Icebreaker at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Icehouse
- D&E Night on the Town on Friday, August 21 at participating Elkins restaurants
Registration remains open for new and transfer students. For more information, call 304-637-1230.
