ORIENTATION IS MORE THAN A WEEK!
Orientation is more than a week! The beauty of Duke is that there are endless resources and opportunities available to students, and it will take far more than a week (or semester) to discover them. The office of New Student and Family Programs partners with a host of campus partners to make sure that you are introduced to the campus resources you need the most when the time is right.
During the fall semester, we are excited to introduce Welcome Weeks. Throughout the first month of the fall semester, some of the largest on-campus partners will host weeks dedicated to introducing you to their work, organizations, and clubs. Go ahead and save the dates to learn more about these areas of the Duke Experience. Mid-summer, more information will be available through Duke Groups and communication about the activities hosted each week.
Welcome Weeks 2026
SAVE THE DATE FOR EACH WEEK!
Join us to co-create your outside-of-class experience with some amazing student organizations and hear about the path to leadership development at Duke.
Duke True North Leadership Panel
Tuesday, August 25, 6:00 - 7:30pm | Penn Pavilion
Hear from current students about their leadership experiences, advice, how to get involved, and what they've learned.
https://duke.campusgroups.com/sil/rsvp_boot?id=2281060&rel=title
What Does the Revolutionary War Mean for Us Today?
Thursday, August 27, 4:00 - 5:15pm | Nelson Music Room, East Campus
Learn from the past to think about the now! Fireside chat with author and Egan Visiting Professor Rick Atkinson. This event is part of We the People: A Duke and Durham Initiative.
Register here.
Duke Groups Fair
Thursday, August 27, 5:00 - 7:00pm | East Duke Lawn on East Campus
Find your involvement with student organizations a Duke! This is your chance to learn all about the different organizations and find a match for you.
View the full schedule of events for Involvement & Leadership Week.
Explore the arts at Duke through student showcases, Duke Arts performances, arts group auditions, and more. There's something for everyone.
View the full schedule of events for Arts Week.
Punk pARTy
Thursday, September 3, 5:00 - 7:30pm | Location shared after registration
Inspired by the Nasher exhibit, “Explosion! Bay Area Punk,” Duke Arts and the Nasher invite all students, undergraduate and graduate, to explore the museum, create punk-inspired art, and learn about various arts and activism related resources on campus. Students can make a button with a statement, up-cycle a t-shirt, screen print a poster and get a temporary tattoo while enjoying refreshments from the Nasher Cafe and a cash bar. Partners from Theater Studies, Cinematic Arts, Center for Documentary Studies, Art, Art History & Visual Studies, the Co-Lab, and the Office of Climate and Sustainability will join to share resources and other activities. Close out the night with a performance in the Nasher sculpture garden from R-Tronika, formed in New York by Peruvian artist Renzo Ortega, playing “Immigrant Songs,” in a blend of cumbia, punk, and synth.
Register Here to get more information, including the event location!
Duke Arts x Duke Coffeehouse Concert (artist TBA)
Wednesday, September 2, 6:00 - 8:00pm | Location shared after registration
Duke Arts and Duke Coffeehouse come together for a concert on the lawn at Duke Gardens. Artist to be announced soon!
Register Here to get more information, including the event location!
Connect with a range of clubs and organizations, the identity and cultural centers, and religious life groups.
View the full schedule of events for Identity, Culture & Religion Week.
CMA Craft & Chill
Tuesday, September 8, 4:00 - 6:00pm | CMA Coalition Space 2
Hosted by the Center for Multicultural Affairs.
Religious Life Fair
Wednesday September 9, 11:30am - 1:30pm | Bryan Center Plaza
Come meet the representatives of Duke Chapel and the Religious Life groups at Duke that are recognized by the Chapel. Get free swag, information about these groups and ministries, and free locopops! This event is open to all, free, and a drop by event.
MLWC Open House
Wednesday, September 9, 1:00 - 3:00pm | MLWC Lower Level Programming Space
Hosted by the Mary Lou William Center.
Wind Down Wednesday
Wednesday September 9, 4:00 - 6:00pm | Women's Center Lounge, Bryan Center, Rm 109
Hosted by the Women’s Center.
CSGD Kickback Friday
Friday, September 11, 4:00 - 6:00pm | CSGD, Bryan Center
Hosted by the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity.
Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown - Evening of September 11-13, 2026
Erev Rosh Hashanah Services
Friday, September 11, 6:30 - 7:30pm | Freeman Center, 1415 Faber St
Hosted by Jewish Life at Duke.
Erev Rosh Hashanah Dinner
Friday, September 11, 7:30 - 9:00pm | Freeman Center, 1415 Faber St
Hosted by Jewish Life at Duke.
Interfaith Crop Drop service project
Saturday, September 12, 8:30am - 12:30pm | Duke's East Campus in front of the East Duke Building.
Join Duke Chapel and Religious Life at Duke as we work together to package potatoes for agencies and individuals in our community. This event is open to all, free, and we just ask that you sign up at this link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0548A8AB29A1F8C43-64495979-2026.
Conservative Rosh Hashanah Services & Lunch
Saturday, September 12, 9:30am - 2:30pm | Freeman Center, 1415 Faber St
Hosted by Jewish Life at Duke.
Reform Rosh Hashanah Services & Lunch
Saturday, September 12, 10:00am - 1:30pm | Freeman Center, 1415 Faber St
Hosted by Jewish Life at Duke.
Rosh Hashanah Day 2 Services
Sunday, September 13, 9:30am - 1:00pm | Freeman Center, 1415 Faber St
Hosted by Jewish Life at Duke.
Rosh Hashanah Tashlich service and lunch in Duke Gardens
Sunday, September 13, 1:30pm - 2:30pm | Duke Gardens
Hosted by Jewish Life at Duke.
Connect with a wide range of academic services and opportunities available to students. Discover the tricks and habits for a successful Duke academic career.
View the full schedule of events for Academic Resources Week.
Residence Hall Meet-Ups
September 14 – 20 | East Campus Residence Halls
Drop by to chat with your Faculty-in-Residence and connect with academic resources such as Residence Hall Librarians and Peer Success Leaders. Each residence hall will have its own event, so stay tuned!
https://cglink.me/2do/r2281407
How to Land a Lab Workshop
Tuesday, September 15, 7:00 - 8:30pm | White Lecture Hall 107, East Campus
Interested in getting involved in research in the natural sciences? Attend this workshop hosted by Dr. Lutzoni to learn how to find a lab at Duke, what to look for, how to approach PIs, and interview tips.
https://cglink.me/2do/r2281387
Academic Programs/Resources Fair
Wednesday, September 16, 3:00 - 5:00pm | Gilbert-Addoms (GA) Down Under
A fair to showcase all the academic programs, resources, and opportunities offered to students during the academic year. Drop by to talk with campus programs, make new connections, and grab a printed tote bag and a free smoothie!
https://cglink.me/2do/r2281402
Student Panel on Research
Thursday, September 17, 5:00 - 6:00pm | Gilbert-Addoms (GA) Down Under
Join us for a panel discussion with upper-class students from all disciplines who are engaged in research. They'll be sharing their experiences, lessons learned, and the various ways and opportunities to get involved in undergraduate research while at Duke.
https://cglink.me/2do/r2281403
Dine with Faculty
Thursday, September 17, 5:30 - 6:30pm | Marketplace
Enjoy dinner with Duke faculty. Registration required. The conversation will center on the faculty's college experiences, transformative classes, and lessons they've learned as both students and professors. This event is for undergraduate students from the Class of 2030. Seats are limited and will be reserved on a first come, first served basis through Duke Groups.
Learn more about recreation opportunities and facilities at Duke. Discover a new wellness practice that will help you take care of yourself and be well at Duke.
Wellness Open House
Tuesday, September 22, 4:30 - 6:00pm | The Student Wellness Center
Deadlift Demo
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 1:00 - 2:00pm | Location coming soon!
More events coming soon!
Learn about Duke's technology resources and support to keep you plugged in and thriving throughout your Duke career.
OpenAI Day
Monday, September 28, 6:00pm | (virtual)
Hear from an OpenAI representative virtually in this hour-long session for advanced users of ChatGPT Edu.
Digital Detox Zone
Tuesday, September 29 |Time and location TBA.
Leave your cell phone at the door. Interact with an IT professional in a casual environment. See how creativity and innovation may get fostered when you briefly disconnect and reflect!
Adobe Express for Design
Wednesday, September 30, 6:00pm | TEC Conference Room (Co-Lab)
Dr. Todd Taylor, pedagogical evangelist at Adobe, will present a workshop on Duke's newest Adobe software, Acrobat Express. Limited seating.
Play the Cyber Bowl and Earn Points for Duke
October 1 - October 31
The Cyber Bowl is a month-long quiz competition, Oct. 1-31, that tests your cyber skills and knowledge. Play the Cyber Bowl by logging into cyberbowl.oit.ncsu.edu with your Duke NetID and taking a short quiz on topics such as passwords, phishing, malware and online privacy. Earn points and help Duke win.