Connection Weekend 2026 on August 7–9 is your first big adventure as a Panther—and it’s all about making friends, having fun, and getting comfortable with campus life before classes begin.
After Community Building on Friday, you will join half of the other new students on either the Black Team or the Gold Team. Your team will rotate through various challenges during Connection Weekend. These activities include friendly competitions, exciting challenges, and team-building exercises designed to help you bond, explore the campus, and become familiar with Ferrum.
Scroll down to check out everything you need to know about:
Get ready to have fun, connect, and show your Panther pride—we can’t wait to see you there!
TEAM CHALLENGE #1 – SULLIVAN FOUNDATION: COMMUNITY BUILDING
The Sullivan Foundation will facilitate community building and self-discovery activities. This will help you get to know your fellow students as well as yourself.
TEAM CHALLENGE #2 – LOVE AND LIQUOR
Featuring special guest Linda Hancock, Ph.D., this highly interactive session is focused on addressing misperceptions versus reality when it comes to issues such as alcohol, sex, and relationships.
TEAM CHALLENGE #3 – TITLE IX & TIMELY CARE
Hear from our Title IX Coordinator and learn what Title IX is, how and when it applies to you, and (most importantly) how to report! Then learn how to sign up for Timely Care to get access to doctors, therapists, and health experts from your phone—anytime, anywhere!
TEAM CHALLENGE #4 – CAMPUS POLICE & EMERGENCY
Packed with information about campus safety, emergency response, and personal decision making.
TEAM CHALLENGE #5 – TITLE IX GAMESHOW
Review what you learned about Title IX in Team Challenge #3 during this fun, gameshow activity.
TEAM CHALLENGE #6 – PANTHER STEPS
Students will meet in their Gateway classrooms for a handoff from Connection leaders to instructors to tour Brightspace and review etiquette and student responsibilities.
All students new to the college* are required to attend the student orientation Connection Weekend that will be held Friday, August 7, through Sunday, August 9, 2026.
*Students are classified as freshmen, for registration purposes, if they enter having completed fewer than 24 transferable college credit hours after graduation from high school and are required to attend Connection Weekend.
The following students may be exempted from Connection Weekend, but are encouraged to participate:
The Dean of Students, Jill Adams, must approve any exceptions.
Please get in touch with Dean Adams at jadams@ferrum.edu or (540) 365-4541.
Schedule of Activities
| 9:00–11:00 am* | New Resident Student Check-In (Last name A–J) Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall |
| 12:00–2:00 pm* | New Resident Student Check-In (Last name K–Z) Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall |
| 1:00–2:00 pm* | New Commuter Students Arrive Blue Ridge Mountain Room in Franklin Hall |
| 3:00–4:00 pm* | New Commuter Student Meeting Virginia Room in Franklin Hall |
| 4:30–5:45 pm* | Dinner Dining Hall in Franklin Hall |
| 6:00 pm* | New Student Induction Ceremony Vaughn Chapel |
| 7:30 pm* | Black & Gold Teams Challenge #1: SULLIVAN FOUNDATION: COMMUNITY BUILDING Fitness Center |
*Attendance required.
Schedule of Activities
| 7:00–8:30 am | Breakfast Dining Hall in Franklin Hall |
| 8:45–9:45 am* | SULLIVAN FOUNDATION: HEAD, HEART, HUSTLE WORKSHOP Fitness Center |
| 10:00 am–12:00 pm* | Black & Gold Teams Challenge #2: Love & Liquor Sale Theatre in Schoolfield Hall |
| 12:00–1:30 pm | Lunch Franklin Hall Quad |
| 1:45 pm* | Black & Gold Team Meetings Designated Classrooms |
| 2:15–3:00 pm* | Black Team Challenge #3: Title IX & TIMELY CARE Sale Theatre in Schoolfield Hall Gold Team Challenge #4: Campus Police Garber Hall 106 |
| 3:15–4:00 pm* | Black Team Challenge #4: Campus Police Garber Hall 106 Gold Team Challenge #3: Title IX & TIMELY CARE Sale Theatre in Schoolfield Hall |
| 5:00–7:00 pm | Dinner Dining Hall in Franklin Hall |
| 8:00 pm* | Black & Gold Teams Challenge #5: Title IX Game Show Sale Theatre in Schoolfield Hall |
*Attendance required.
Schedule of Activities
| 7:30–9:00 am | Breakfast Dining Hall in Franklin Hall |
| 11:00 am–1:00 pm | Lunch Franklin Hall Quad |
| 1:30 pm* | Black & Gold Team Meetings Designated Classrooms |
| 2:00–4:00 pm* | Black Team Challenge #6: Panther Steps Designated Classrooms |
| 4:30–7:00 pm | Dinner Dining Hall in Franklin Hall |
| 9:00 pm* | Hall Meeting in Your Residential Building |
*Attendance required.
KNOW THE COLLEGE
Learn about traditions, resources, policies, and all the things to make your first day, semester, and year a success!
KNOW YOURSELF
Learn about what will bring you success at Ferrum College. Where are your classes? How will you become involved? What can you do to thrive?
KNOW YOUR PEERS
Connect and engage with current and new Ferrum College students, plus our amazing faculty and staff.
