NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University will welcome students back to its campus this month as the 2024-25 academic year begins with move-in day, information sessions, and various activities designed to help them connect with the University, its resources, and the community.

Thursday, Aug. 22 marks the kickoff of an annual orientation program designed to help first-year students get acquainted with other Northwest students, learn about the campus, and enjoy some entertainment before fall classes begin on Monday, Aug. 26. Students will start moving into campus residence halls on Aug. 22 and have been provided additional information in their Northwest email accounts.

Northwest's Cat Crew offers support to families during move-in day and helps new students transfer their belongings into residence halls. To facilitate a smooth move-in process, Northwest will close some parking lots and reroute traffic during these times. Community members should also expect an increase in traffic volume.

University Police will direct traffic starting at about 7 a.m. on Aug. 22 within move-in zones to engage with arrivals and reduce confusion.

For more information about on-campus traffic and parking, contact University Police at 660.562.1254 or follow the department for real-time updates on Twitter or Facebook.

Northwest's back-to-school fireworks display is an annual highlight that concludes Advantage activities and adds excitement to the night before fall classes begin. Color games are part of Northwest's Advantage activities again this year from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 23 at the Memorial Bell Tower.

Advantage includes various activities designed to help acclimate students to Northwest and the community. The schedule includes Northwest’s annual convocation for new students at 4 p.m., Friday, Aug. 23 in Bearcat Arena. Beginning at 4:45 p.m., as the convocation concludes, Northwest community members and families are invited to line the sidewalk at the Memorial Bell Tower in the center of campus to welcome new students as they walk under the tower in celebration of starting their college careers and entering the Bearcat family. The University encourages attendees to wear Bearcat gear and wave handmade welcome signs at the event.

Advantage activities conclude with the University’s annual back-to-school fireworks display at about 8:30 p.m., at Donaldson Westside Park located west of Northwest campus on North Country Club Road. The fireworks display is open to the public.

A complete Advantage schedule is available by visiting [University website]. For events happening on Northwest campus throughout the year visit [University website]. For more information about Advantage contact [contact details].