Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University students will be welcomed to campus with a variety of information and activities during Week of Welcome, Aug. 24-30.

"Week of Welcome, or WOW, is important for all Kansas State University students, especially our new students," said Gayle Spencer, associate dean of student life and director of student activities. "WOW is designed to have opportunities, resources and events for students to ensure their success at Kansas State University. We are most excited about the addition of a new event, the convocation, to our schedule."

Convocation, from 6-6:50 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, in Bramlage Coliseum, is the official kickoff to the academic school year. It will feature speakers and information on how Kansas State University students can succeed academically. Doors for the convocation open at 5:30 p.m. New students will receive a free T-shirt and other gifts.

Other Week of Welcome events include:

* Saturday, Aug. 24 -- Walk Your Schedule will be 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for new students and 1-3 p.m. for nontraditional and transfer students. At 8:30 p.m., enjoy an outdoor movie, "The Great Gatsby," sponsored by the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council, on the Bosco Student Plaza at the K-State Student Union. A late-night breakfast, music and lawn games will follow from 10:30 p.m.-1 a.m. at Old Stadium, also known as Memorial Stadium. A free pancake and sausage breakfast will be served to the first 5,000 students.

* Sunday, Aug. 25 -- Walk Your Schedule will be 1-4 p.m. for new students and 1-3 p.m. for nontraditional and transfer students. The College of Engineering's New Student Welcome will be 3-5 p.m. in the engineering complex atrium and plaza. Students will learn about the college, tutoring services and receive a free college planner. The College of Architecture, Planning and Design mentor meeting will be 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the Pierce Commons at Seaton Hall. The meeting is for students in the environmental design studies program. First-year students will be placed in studio groups with returning students, who will serve as mentors. The 2013 K-State Kickoff will be 7-8:30 p.m. at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The kickoff will include a free dinner and the chance to learn many university traditions.

* Monday, Aug. 26 -- The Student Alumni Board is sponsoring ice cream floats, bakery cookies, live music and tours at the K-State Alumni Center from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Pictures at the Wildcat statue will be available on the center's terrace.

* Tuesday, Aug. 27 -- Authentic Hawaiian entertainment, including drumming and dancing, will be from noon-1 p.m. on the Bosco Student Plaza at the K-State Student Union. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m., academic advisers from the College of Business Administration will be on the first floor of the Union to answer question about the college. The Hawaiian dancing will resume from 5:30-8:30 p.m. as part of the 17th Street Fair, which will also include a live karaoke band, carnival rides and games, caricature artists and free food on the Bosco Student Plaza. At 9 p.m. in the Union Ballroom, the office of student life will sponsor Mike Domitrz, founder of the Safe Date Project, who will present "Can I Kiss You," which is about sexual assault awareness and healthy dating.

* Wednesday, Aug. 28 -- Career and employment services advisers will meet with students at a free lunch from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the Holtz Hall south lawn. Students who activate and update their career and employment services account will receive a free T-shirt. Gunpowder 'n Lead country rock band will play from noon-1 p.m. at the Bosco Student Plaza. Academic advisers from the College of Business Administration will be available on the first floor of the Union from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. to answer questions about the college.

* Thursday, Aug. 29. Career and employment services will host the Part-time Opportunities Fair from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Union Ballroom, where students can visit with community employers searching for part-time help, interns and volunteers. From 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Coffman Commons, which is south of Hale Library, students in the College of Arts and Sciences can learn about new opportunities to fund student research and travel. The Union Program Council and office of student activities and services will sponsor the Union Expo and Activities Carnival from 6-8 p.m. in the Union. Information about student organizations and free giveaways will be available. Events for the day will wrap up with "An Evening with Tom Deluca," a hypnotist and entertainer, at 9 p.m. in McCain Auditorium. Tickets are available at the McCain box office.

* Friday, Aug. 30 -- A football watch party will start at 7:30 p.m. in the Union food court. Sponsored by the Union Program Council, the Cat's Den convenience store will supply free popcorn while fans watch the Wildcats' first football game of the season on a big-screen television.

More information on Week of Welcome, including campus and commercial sponsors, and related activities planned by student organizations, is available at http://wow.k-state.edu, contacting wow@k-state.edu, or on Twitter at #kstateWOW.