Iowa State's third annual Cyclone Welcome Weekend, Aug. 23-25, will celebrate the start of a new academic year with all-day programming on Saturday, Aug. 24. "Catch the Vibe" kicks off with a Friday evening cookout (6-8 p.m.) at Lied Recreation Center. All new and returning students are invited to these free events. They'll need their university ID to participate.
Cyclone Welcome Weekend is coordinated by the division of student affairs and assisted by many. Within about 48 hours of an Aug. 8 request, faculty and staff had filled nearly 100 volunteer slots, either for the weekend events or preparatory tasks Aug. 19-20.
The Friday cookout and much of Saturday's programming is coordinated with Destination Iowa State events for first-year students. Saturday on-campus events include:
- 8 a.m.-noon, G.O.A.T. breakfast served, central campus, yoga sessions with goats begin at 8:15 a.m. and 9 a.m.
- 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Gallery of Games, MU Great Hall, tabletop and board games
- Noon-3 p.m., Bug Village, offered by the ISU Insect Zoo, displays, costume contest, bug treats, Advanced Teaching and Research Building
- 1-3 p.m. (second session 3-5 p.m.), Nerdology, trivia team game show with prizes hosted by improv comedians, MU Sun Room
- 1-3 p.m., Colossal Volleyball Clash, volleyball with a 40-inch ball, State Gym
- 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 8 p.m.), Hypnotist and comedian Chris Jones, Stephens Auditorium
Additionally, the Ames Public Library will host an open house Saturday for ISU students (11 a.m.-2 p.m., 515 Douglas Ave.). There, they can learn about the library's free services, pick up a library card, win gift cards to Main Street businesses and enjoy games and snacks.
A Sunday addition to Cyclone Welcome Weekend is the inaugural Passport Adventure for students at Parks Library. During this drop-in event (2-5 p.m.), students collect stamps in their passport as they navigate the building to learn about resources and services the library offers for them. To get started, students pick up a passport at the table near the main desk.
