2026 Truman Week Schedule
We have an exciting week planned to introduce you to the Truman Community!
Wednesday August 12
| 8:00 am - 5:30 pm | Residence Hall Check-in Shifts start at 8 am, on the hour, students have 3 hours to move in. Registration will begin on July 1. To register for a shift go to Residence Life Fall Opening. |
| 8:00 am - 5:00 pm | Band equipment locker & instrument check-out Ophelia Parrish east entrance Band members only |
| 11:00 am - 1:00 pm | Lunch Ryle and Missouri Dining Halls |
| 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Games at the REC or Flexible Time Activities Join us in the REC for games or use the afternoon to Explore Truman! The Bookstore will be open from 8 am-5 pm to pick up course materials or any last minute Truman swag. |
| 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm | OCE: Dinner for the Culture SUB Down Under 1101 Join the Office of Community Enrichment for dinner and some community building! Learn more about who we are and how we have fun! We’ve invited representatives from various student organizations, including cultural and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, & People of Color) student organizations, so come along for a good time and great food. And if that’s not enough, we’ve also got give-aways! |
| 5:30 pm - 6:50 pm | Dinner Ryle and Missouri Dining Halls |
| 7:00 pm - 7:50 pm | House Community Introductions for on-campus residents |
| 8:00 pm - 8:50 pm | Residence Hall Meetings You will have the opportunity to connect with your entire residence hall community and interact with fellow students and staff members. We'll be discussing the week ahead, how to get connected with the community, and the traditions of Truman Week. |
| 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Commuter Student Check-In SUB Conference Room 3000 (3rd Floor) Find out what Truman Week is about and how you can make the most of it. |
| 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm | Ice Cream Social at the Fountain Get together with the rest of the new Truman family members and have some ice cream to top off a great day! Also dance in the fountain with President Sue Thomas! |
Thursday August 13
| 7:00 am - 8:30 am | Breakfast in Dining Halls • Ryle Dining Hall • Missouri Dining Hall |
| 8:00 am - 9:20 am | Flexible Time Activities Use this time to explore Truman, walk your class schedule, pick up your textbooks, or complete your Brightspace modules. |
| 9:30 am - 11:50 am | Majors Welcome Make connections with the faculty, staff and other new students in your major. View Majors Welcome Sessions |
| 11:30 am - 1:30 pm | Lunch in the Dining Halls |
| 1:30 pm - 3:20 pm | Rotation Session 1 & 2 Your assigned sessions and location for each rotation will be on your personalized schedule: Sessions Include: Consent and Non-Discrimination: Institutional Compliance Office Overview, Designing Your Truman Life (First-Year Students), Setting You Up for Success (Transfer Students), Shade Tree Times, and The Beginnings of Belonging. |
| 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Safety & Security on Campus Overview Baldwin Auditorium This required workshop is packed full of valuable safety information, parking information, and general rules and laws regarding campus and Kirksville. You will also learn how to sign up for campus emergency notifications. |
| 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Shade Tree Time In college as in life, there may be times you feel uncomfortable. There may be other times you feel unsafe. In this group conversation, you'll talk through the difference and examine ways to advocate for your safety and success by using personal strategies with fellow students and trusted campus resources. |
| 5:30 pm - 6:45 pm | Picnic on the Quad Let University administrators and faculty members serve you as we gather on the Quad for dinner and enjoy some great music from a local band. Rain location: Student Union Building |
| 6:15 pm - 6:50 pm | Music Ensemble Interest Meeting Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall This meeting is for anyone interested in participating in a music ensemble at Truman. Ensembles are open to students of all majors. |
| 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Truman Lecture: Baldwin Auditorium A longstanding tradition, the Truman Lecture is a shared academic experience for all new students to participate in an engaging presentation from an esteemed member of the faculty. Professor Chad Mohler, Ph.D., will be presenting this year's lecture. |
| 8:00 pm - 8:30 pm | College Cup Info Session: Check with your hall staff or orientation leader for locations. |
| 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm | Movie Kirk Forum Join the Student Activities Board for “Daddy Daycare" and movie snacks. |
Friday August 14
| 7:00 am - 8:30 am | Breakfast in Dining Halls • Ryle Dining Hall • Missouri Dining Hall |
| 9:00 am - 11:00 am | Rotation Session 3 & 4 Your assigned sessions and location for each rotation will be on your personalized schedule: Sessions Include: Consent & Non-Discrimination: Institutional Compliance Office Overview, Designing Your Truman Life (First-Year Students), Setting You Up for Success (Transfer Students), Shade Tree Times, and The Beginnings of Belonging. |
| 11:30 am - 1:30 pm | Lunch in the Dining Halls • Ryle Dining Hall • Missouri Dining Hall |
| 1:30 pm - 2:20 pm | First-Year Advising and Setting the Scene for Your Academic Success Baldwin Auditorium Students will meet the academic advising team from the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) and learn about advising at Truman. A student’s CAE advisor is their connection to academic help, course enrollment, study skills, and degree requirement information in the first year. |
| 2:30 pm - 3:20 pm | First-Year Seminar Class Introduction Meet your instructor and get the scoop on the rest of the semester. View your "personalized schedule" (see button below) for the location of your first-year seminar session! |
| 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm | Convocation Line up immediately following your Seminar Class on the Quad to march into Baldwin Auditorium Convocation is a long-standing tradition that gets students and faculty excited about the opportunities they have to partner in the learning process, and most importantly, to officially welcome new students to Truman! |
| 5:15 pm - 7:00 pm | Dinner in Dining Halls • Ryle Dining Hall • Missouri Dining Hall |
| 6:00 pm - 6:50 pm | LGBTQ+ Dessert Reception Georgian Room Looking for something sweet? Well, come take your pick from our array of treats as you mix and mingle with current and incoming students! We’ve invited representatives from allied student orgs, faculty, staff, and members of the community as well. So, come on in because these sweet treats aren’t going to eat themselves! |
| 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Shade Tree Time Commuter Students – See Group Leader for Location On-Campus Students – See RA for Location Small group discussions and reflections about life as a Truman Student, how to connect, engage, maintain balance, be academically successful, and maintain your physical and mental health. |
| 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm | College Cup Prep Time College Cup Challenge Info |
| 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm | Ridiculous Relays Competition Stokes Stadium Cheer on your team as they power through the Ridiculous Relays College Cup Challenge Info |
Saturday August 15
| 6:45 am - 9:30 am (See Dining Hall) | Breakfast in Dining Halls • Ryle Dining Hall: 6:45 am - 9:30 am • Missouri Dining Hall: 7:00 am - 9:00 am |
| 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | Bulldogs in Action Service Event SUB Georgian Room Discover opportunities in the Kirksville Community to make a difference by serving others. |
| 10:00 am - 12:00 pm | Flexible Time Activities Use this time to explore Truman, pick up course materials at the Truman Bookstore, to prepare for College Cup Activities or complete any remaining Brightspace modules. |
| 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | University Bookstore Open Come pick up your textbooks, grab some Spirit Wear, and School Supplies! Picture Yourself at Truman (Photo Op); Bulldog Manifestation Wall; Color Me Truman |
| 11:00 am - 1:00 pm | Lunch in the Dining Halls • Ryle Dining Hall • Missouri Dining Hall |
| 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm | First Generation Student Lunch SUB Down Under 1101 Are you a first-generation college student? Not sure if you are? No worries! Come join us for lunch and meet other first-generation college students. You can learn all about the resources available to you, and what it means to be first. This event will be full of current and incoming students, faculty, staff, and good vibes! We hope to see you there! |
| 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm & 2:20 pm | Pre-Med Information Session Kirk Building Forum This session will help you understand how to maximize your preparation for medical school. Hear from our pre-health professions advisor, connect with other pre-med students, and learn about programs such as Still Scholars. |
| 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm & 2:30 pm - 3:00 pm | Truman Student Tools Kirk Building Learn how to navigate and use your new Microsoft Outlook email and calendar like a pro! Activities include how to craft college-level emails, tackle your inbox quickly, schedule all your priorities effectively, and easily upload a file of Truman events and important dates into your calendar! |
| 2:30 pm - 3:20 pm | Pre-MAE Information Session Kirk Building Forum This session will help you understand the pre-MAE program and how to prepare to enter Truman's Master of Arts in Education. Future teachers should attend to hear about their first steps on their way to the classroom! Hear from MAE Department Chair Dr. Jocelyn Stevens. |
| 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Flexible Time Activities Use this time to explore Truman, prepare for the College Cup, pick up course materials at the Truman Bookstore, and much more! |
| 3:30 pm - 4:20 pm | Pre-Law Information Session Kirk Building Forum This session will help you understand how to maximize your preparation for law school. Hear from pre-law advisor Brian Reeves and Criminal Justice Studies faculty member Dr. Elizabeth Wiles, connect with other pre-law students, and learn about the pre-Law student organization Phi Alpha Delta. |
| 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm | Sprinkle of Kindness with Panhellenic SUB Georgian Rooms Making notes of encouragement to give to the local elementary school. |
| 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm | FSL Time at the REC Student REC Center Come play pick-up games with members of fraternity and sorority life. |
| 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm | Dinner • Ryle Dining Hall • Missouri Dining Hall |
| 6:30 pm - 7:00 pm | College Cup Rally Outside each Residence Hall Rally with your team and get all revved up for the College Cup Finals! |
| 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm | THE BIG TRUMAN SHOW Baldwin Auditorium Cheer on your College Cup team and showcase Truman pride by joining all your fellow first-year students from all across campus at this culminating event. The night includes the Zoom Out competition, Name That Tune contest, Community Tik Tok challenge, and more. At the end of the evening, teams will receive their awards, and this year's winner of the coveted College Cup will be announced. |
| Immediately Following The Big Truman Show | The Student Activities Board After Party Quad It's the coolest way ever to end the week. |
Sunday August 16
| 8:30 - 9:30 am | Breakfast in Dining Halls • Ryle Dining Hall • Missouri Dining Hall |
| 10:00 am - 4:00 pm | University Bookstore Open Come pick up your textbooks, grab some Spirit Wear, and School Supplies! Picture Yourself at Truman (Photo Op); Bulldog Manifestation Wall; Color Me Truman |
| 11:00 am - 6:00 pm | Rec Center Open |
| 11:00 am - 1:00 pm | Lunch in the Dining Halls • Ryle Dining Hall • Missouri Dining Hall |
| 12:30 - 1:30 pm | Pershing Scholar Lunch Missouri Hall: Chariton Room Calling all Pershing Scholars! Join us for lunch and get a chance to connect with returning Pershing Scholars. It’s a great time to learn more about what it means to be part of the Pershing Society and the opportunities available to you during your time at Truman. Hope to see you there! |
| 12:30 - 4:00 pm | CLA+ Testing VH 1000 Every year, before classes begin, a cross-section of students are identified for first-year Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA+). The CLA+ is a writing and thinking exam that measures students' higher order skills. |
| 1:00 - 5:00 pm | IT Service Center Open Pickler Memorial Library 203 |
| 2:30 - 4:30 pm | IFC Meet and Greet Quad Outdoor games on the Quad. |
| 2:30 - 4:30 pm | Fraternity and Sorority Life Meet the Chapters SUB Activities Room Come meet chapter representatives and learn about recruitment/intake. |
| 4:30 - 6:30 pm | Dinner in Dining Halls • Ryle Dining Hall • Missouri Dining Hall |
| 5:00 - 7:00 pm | International Student Pizza Party I-House (111 E Patterson St) Join the Center for International Students one more time before the end of Truman Week to grab some food and hang out with returning international students. We can’t think of anyone better than your peers to tell you about getting plugged into the community and how to really make Truman your home away from home. We can’t wait to see you there! |
| 7:00 - 9:00 pm | Truman State University Rockin’ New Year’s Eve with Sue Thomas Kick off the new semester with President Sue and the Truman Community! |
Important notes about the schedule:
Your Personalized Schedule
Truman Week Personalized ScheduleEvery student has a personalized schedule, based on different variables (residence, major, advisor, enrollment in certain course sections, etc.). It’s essential that you consult your personalized schedule to ensure you are in the correct sessions.
Rotation Sessions
At four places on the schedule, you will see what are called “Rotation Sessions.” These are activities and presentations that are best suited to smaller groups. Therefore, we have divided the incoming students into four sub-groups. The sub-groups will be assigned to one of the four sessions during each rotation.
Rotation Session Descriptions