{"id":716542,"date":"2026-08-30T12:30:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-30T16:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/?p=716542"},"modified":"2026-09-15T14:17:55","modified_gmt":"2026-09-15T18:17:55","slug":"welcome-week-move-in-orientation-2026-27-academic-year-716542","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/welcome-week-move-in-orientation-2026-27-academic-year-716542\/","title":{"rendered":"Yellowjackets from the start: Welcome Week sets the tone for a new school year"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-embed\">\n<div class=\"wp-embed-wrap\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Welcome Week at the University of Rochester\" width=\"1062\" height=\"597\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/t2IX18o-3sg?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Excitement, anticipation, and school spirit abound as new and returning students arrive at URochester for the start of the 2026\u201327 academic year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1132,"featured_media":717342,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[43302,3286,18632,16072,18432,10026,10406,37032,41012,12692],"class_list":["post-716542","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-community","tag-class-of-2030","tag-eastman-school-of-music","tag-hajim-school-of-engineering-and-applied-sciences","tag-school-of-arts-and-sciences","tag-school-of-medicine-and-dentistry","tag-school-of-nursing","tag-simon-business-school","tag-student-life","tag-videos","tag-warner-school-of-education"],"acf":{"external":"","hide_featured_image":true,"related":"show_related","style":[713332,715442,714032],"content_modules":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"pt-0","title":"<h2><strong>Excitement, anticipation, and school spirit abounded as new and returning students arrived at URochester for the 2026\u201327 academic year.<\/strong><\/h2>","content":"Celebration (and confetti, naturally) was in the air as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/\">University of Rochester\u00a0<\/a>welcomed about 1,400 new undergraduates, including first-year and transfer students, for the 2026\u201327 academic year. They hail from across the country and around the world, arriving with impressive academic records\u2014and\u00a0experiences that range from publishing novels and performing at Carnegie Hall to launching nonprofits, flying planes, and even championship barrel racing.\r\n\r\nThroughout a Welcome Week marked by hallowed\u2014and more recent\u2014traditions, Yellowjackets new and old are set to begin the semester guided by connection, wonder, and the spirit of URochester's motto of <em>Meliora<\/em>.\r\n\r\n<em>URochester Photos by J. Adam Fenster, Gary Kong, and Keith Bullis.<\/em>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716782\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-24_Move_in_26fall-0028.jpg\" alt=\"University of Rochester D\u2019Lions, resident advisors, and first-year fellows cheer and welcome incoming students as they arrive for Move-In Day 2026.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716792\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-24_Move_in_26fall-0048.jpg\" alt=\"Kayra Ustunkok \u201930 and her mother unpack and organize her room in Genesee Hall \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716802\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-25_ESM_move-in_0789.jpg\" alt=\"Rory Sandner and orientation leader Donna Hren transport a cart.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716812\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-25_ESM_move-in_1016.jpg\" alt=\"First-year students of the class of 2030 move in at Eastman School of Music\u2019s Student Living Center \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>A MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: <\/strong>First-year and transfer students settled into their new lives on URochester\u2019s River Campus and Eastman Campus, aided, as ever, by family members, URochester faculty and staff, and friends old and new.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-717052\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-20_Class_Rock_Painting_26summer-0019.jpg\" alt=\"University of Rochester D\u2019Lions student orientation leaders paint the Class Rock.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>PAINT BY NUMBER:<\/strong> It isn\u2019t official until the class rock says so. URochester D\u2019Lions student orientation leaders give the unofficial landmark a glow-up for the Class of 2030 outside of Susan B. Anthony Halls on the River Campus.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716822\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-14_White_Coat_Ceremony_26summer-0114.jpg\" alt=\"Members of the Class of 2030 recite the oath during the White Coat Ceremony.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716832\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-14_White_Coat_Ceremony_26summer-0084.jpg\" alt=\"A member of the Class of 2030 receives a white coat during the White Coat Ceremony.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>FIT CHECK:<\/strong> The School of Medicine &amp; Dentistry\u2019s incoming class took its next step toward becoming medical professionals, receiving their white coats at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.urmc.rochester.edu\/news\/story\/smd-welcomes-class-of-2030-with-white-coats-and-cheers\">21st annual Dr. Robert L. and Lillian H. Brent White Coat Ceremony<\/a>. The class includes 105 students from 27 states and several countries.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716852\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-26_Convocation_0696.jpg\" alt=\"Students attend the convocation ceremony \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716862\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-26_Convocation-5043.jpg\" alt=\"Students attend the convocation ceremony \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/><img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716872\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-26_Convocation-5091.jpg\" alt=\"Students attend the convocation ceremony.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT:<\/strong> Sunshine, smiles, bubbles, and yes, even Rocky, were out in full force as URochester leaders welcomed first-year students and their families during this year\u2019s Convocation ceremony.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716882\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-26_Convocation-5070.jpg\" alt=\"University President Sarah Mangelsdorf delivers remarks during the convocation ceremony .\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/><strong>STEERING THE (LEADER)SHIP:<\/strong> \u201cAs you study and live and take part in campus life, you will be taking lessons in how to be a leader; how to listen respectfully to ideas that may challenge you; how to honestly evaluate evidence; how to seek out opinions to round out your picture of the world in which we all live and work,\u201d encouraged URochester President Sarah Mangelsdorf during her Convocation remarks.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716902\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-26_Convocation-5113.jpg\" alt=\"Students sign the class roll. \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716912\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-26_Convocation-5118.jpg\" alt=\"Students sign the class roll. \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED:<\/strong> Following Convocation, first-year students signed the class roll as a symbol of their entry into the URochester community. Class rolls are preserved in Rush Rhees Library.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716922\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-25-Eastman-Welcome-Week-Kate-Speech-Class-Photo_GK-0083.jpg\" alt=\"First-year Eastman School of Music students are welcomed. \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716932\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-25-Eastman-Welcome-Week-Kate-Speech-Class-Photo_GK-0094.jpg\" alt=\"First-year Eastman School of Music students are welcomed. \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>PERFORMANCE PLUS:<\/strong> New students to the Eastman School of Music sported their Class of 2030 shirts during their welcome in Eastman Theatre\u2019s illustrious Kodak Hall.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716962\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-26_candlelight_ceremony_1243.jpg\" alt=\"Student performs a backflip during the candlelight ceremony.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716942\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-26_candlelight_ceremony_2754.jpg\" alt=\"First-year and transfer students attend a jersey giveaway and Candlelight Ceremony. \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716952\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-26_candlelight_ceremony-5076.jpg\" alt=\"Students of the University of Rochester class of 2030 along with transfer students attend a jersey giveaway and Candlelight Ceremony \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1201\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>ENTER THE QUAD SQUAD:<\/strong> Does it get any better than this? Under a gorgeous August sky, first-year and transfer students experienced the annual Candlelight Ceremony and received their class jerseys on the Eastman Quadrangle\u2014perhaps the most dynamic <a href=\"https:\/\/rochester.edu\/college\/wcsa\/programs\/rochester-traditions.html\"><strong>Rochester Tradition<\/strong><\/a>.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716972\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-26_candlelight_ceremony-5060.jpg\" alt=\"John Blackshear, vice president for student life, DJs during the candlelight ceremony.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>HEY, DJ, KEEP PLAYING THAT SONG:<\/strong> John Blackshear, <span data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">vice president for student life, lent his considerable DJ skills to the mix, bringing energy and vibes to the Candlelight Ceremony. (Stream his set playlist below!)<\/span>","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"","title":"<h3><strong>Stream the Candlelight After Dark mix from DJ Blackshear<\/strong><\/h3>","content":"<iframe style=\"border-radius: 12px;\" src=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/embed\/playlist\/2zTWFM73D1At5U5jLMs75a?utm_source=generator&amp;si=19f884201ae440c2\" width=\"100%\" height=\"352\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-testid=\"embed-iframe\"><span style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe>","background_color":"#00205b","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text","anchor":"","css_class":"pt-0","title":"","content":"<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-716992\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-28_Wilson-Day_0202.jpg\" alt=\"Class of 2030 students weed and mulch lilacs at the Lilac Adventure Zone at Highland Park with members of the Highland ParkConservatory during Wilson Day.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-717002\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-28_Wilson-Day_0478.jpg\" alt=\"Class of 2030 students weed and mulch lilacs at the Lilac Adventure Zone at Highland Park with members of the Highland ParkConservatory during Wilson Day.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>A DIFFERENT SORT OF ALL-HANDS MEETING:<\/strong> Wilson Day of Engagement, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/college\/cce\/civic-engagement\/days.html\">a beloved tradition for more than 35 years<\/a>, offers students the opportunity to get to know the Rochester community and learn about its history through meaningful, hands-on interactions. As part of this year\u2019s outing, Class of 2030 students volunteered at the Lilac Adventure Zone in Highland Park with members of the Highland Park Conservatory.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-717012\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-28_Class_of_2030_0206.jpg\" alt=\"River Campus Class of 2030 class photo. \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-717022\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-25-ESM-Class-of-2030-Photo-Kodak-2_KB2.jpg\" alt=\"Eastman School of Music Class of 2030 class photo. \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>SMILE LIKE YOU MEAN IT:<\/strong> New undergraduate students in the School of Arts &amp; Sciences, the Hajim School of Engineering &amp; Applied Sciences, and Simon Business School form the iconic \u201cSpirit R\u201d for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/college\/orientation\/programs\/welcome-week\/fall\/photo.html\">traditional group photo<\/a> on the Wilson Quadrangle on URochester\u2019s River Campus, while members of the Eastman School of Music\u2019s Class of 2030 strike an \u201cE\u201d in the historic Eastman Theatre.\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-717482\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-29_-Field_Day-5081.jpg\" alt=\"Students take part in games, inflatable activities, and outdoor recreation during Field Day.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-717492\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-29_-Field_Day-5083.jpg\" alt=\"Students take part in games, inflatable activities, and outdoor recreation during Field Day.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>ALL FUN AND GAMES:<\/strong> Is it even really Field Day if you don\u2019t slide down the inflatable slide?\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-717502\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-29_Celebrate_Rochester-5013.jpg\" alt=\"Members of the Trombone Choir perform during Celebrate Rochester.\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-717512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-29_Celebrate_Rochester-5018.jpg\" alt=\"Xclusive performs during Celebrate Rochester. \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<img class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-717522\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/2026-08-29_Celebrate_Rochester-5064.jpg\" alt=\"Rangoli performs during Celebrate Rochester. \" width=\"2000\" height=\"1200\" \/>\r\n\r\n<strong>HOLD FOR APPLAUSE:<\/strong> As a Welcome Week finale, it\u2019s hard to top <a href=\"https:\/\/rochester.edu\/college\/wcsa\/programs\/celebraterochester.html\">Celebrate Rochester<\/a>, which offers first-year students a sample of URochester\u2019s global community through an evening of music, dance, and other performances from groups like the Trombone Choir, Xclusive, and Rangoli. Students can learn more about how to get involved through <a href=\"https:\/\/ccc.rochester.edu\/club_signup\">CCC<\/a>.","background_color":"#ffffff","width":"width-medium"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image_gallery","anchor_id":"","css_classes":"","overline":"","title":"<h3><strong>Simon says, <\/strong><b>\u201c<\/b><strong>Welcome to URochester!<\/strong><b>\u201d<\/b><\/h3>","content":"At the <a href=\"https:\/\/simon.rochester.edu\">Simon Business School<\/a>, orientation is more than an introduction\u2014it\u2019s the start of the relationships, experiences, and challenges that will define the months ahead. Even before classes officially began, the <a href=\"https:\/\/simon.rochester.edu\/programs\/full-time-mba\">Simon MBA experience<\/a> was already underway. The newest class spent orientation giving back alongside Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County, tackling their first case competition, learning about experiential learning opportunities, and getting to know classmates at a pre-fall social event.","above_below":"above","background_color":"#f4f4f4","images":[717572,717582,717652,717592,717612,717622,717632],"caption":"no","credit":"no"},{"acf_fc_layout":"image_gallery","anchor_id":"","css_classes":"","overline":"","title":"<h3><strong>A very Warner welcome<\/strong><\/h3>","content":"During the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warner.rochester.edu\/\">Warner School of Education &amp; Human Development<\/a>\u2019s Welcome Week, students experienced opportunities to connect with classmates, hear from current students and Warner leadership, and learn about resources that will support their transition and well-being. We also welcomed our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warner.rochester.edu\/blog\/warner-fulbright-teachers-rochester-2026\">2026 Fulbright Teachers<\/a>, who arrived on campus in mid-August for three weeks of orientation before beginning the fall semester and their teaching placements. This year marks the fourth consecutive year that the Warner School has hosted Fulbright Teachers from around the world.","above_below":"above","background_color":"#FFFFFF","images":[717672,717712,717692,717702,717682],"caption":"no","credit":"no"}]},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Yellowjackets from the start: Welcome Week sets the tone for a new school year<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Excitement, anticipation, and school spirit abound as new and returning students arrive at URochester for the start of the 2026\u201327 academic year.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/newscenter\/welcome-week-move-in-orientation-2026-27-academic-year-716542\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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