8:00 AM - 8:00 PM 

Welcome home! Be sure to check your move-in timeslot on the WKU Housing Portal and pick up your key at Parking Structure 3. Once your belongings are in your room and your vehicle is moved to a perimeter parking lot, you can get unpacked, settle in, and get ready to meet new people and learn what it means to be a Hilltopper!

6:00-8:00 PM | Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center Pool

Swim on by and watch Jaws in the Preston Center pool! Come dressed in your bathing suit and be sure to bring a towel. Pool noodles and floats provided.

Sponsored by Abound Credit Union.

7:30-9:00 PM | WKU Hardin Planetarium

Take a journey to the Stars! Visit the on-campus planetarium. Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance. Doors open at 6:30pm. After the show, take a VIP trip to the observatory and take a look at the moon through a telescope lens.(Weather dependent)

Hosted by the WKU Hardin Planetarium. 

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM 

Welcome home! Be sure to check your move-in timeslot on the WKU Housing Portal and pick up your key at Parking Structure 3. Once your belongings are in your room and your vehicle is moved to a perimeter parking lot, you can get unpacked, settle in, and get ready to meet new people and learn what it means to be a Hilltopper!

4:00 - 5:30 PM | DSU Nite Class | First Generation Students Invited to Attend

WKU is proud to welcome hundreds of first-generation college students to WKU! Meet fellow First Gen M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan students, First Gen alumni, and WKU staff who are ready to support you on your college journey. 

Dinner provided.

WKU defines first generation as “neither parent graduated from a traditional four-year college.” Contrary to popular opinion, it does not mean that you are the first one in your family to attend college. In addition, a student is considered "first generation" if his/her parents graduated with an associate's degree (two-year degree), attended college but failed to graduate or had a sibling graduate with a bachelor's degree.

4:00 - 6:00 PM | First Year Village Lawn

Pick up your WKU shirt for the official M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan class photo and add your goals to the #WKU2028 banner!

Sponsored by Abound Credit Union.

Water and power-aid provided by Coca-Cola. 

Before 6:00 PM

Students should plan to eat dinner before the 6:00 PM Cluster Block.

View WKU Restaurant Group

6:00 - 7:30 PM 

 On-Campus Residents - Meet on your residence hall floor/pod

Minton Honors Students - Meet in TBD Location

Commuter Students - Meet in DSU, Room 2081 (Student Government Association Chambers)

Kick off M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan activities with your residence hall peers! Plus, grab some WKU & M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan swag to prep for the evening activities.  

 7:30 - 8:00 PM | First Year Village Lawn

Last call to pick up your WKU shirt, take photos with Big Red, and get ready for your first Topper Walk with the Class of 2028! Make sure you’re wearing your WKU Red Shirt!

 8:00 - 8:15 PM | First Year Village Lawn  Houchens-Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium

Begin with the end in mind! The ceremonial walk to WKU’s Commencement is known as "Topper Walk." M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan students will start their Hilltopper Journey with the same tradition, led by Big Red!

 8:15 - 9:00 PM |  Houchens-Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium

It’sa M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan tradition! Get ready for the Class of 2028 photo on Feix Field followed by an evening of FUN! To help kick off the festivities, hear from WKU Dean of Students, Dr. Martha Sales.

Sponsored byAbound Credit Union. 

View WKU Class Photos

 9:00 - 10:00 PM | Houchens Industries - L.T. Smith Stadium  

 9:00 - 11:00 PM | South Lawn

It’s a dance party... but silent! Come dance while listening to different stations on wireless headphones.

9:00 - 11:00 PM |  Fresh Food Company

It's been a long day...you’re probably hungry! Swing by the Fresh Food Company in Downing Student Union and grab some breakfast with new friends!

9:00 - 11:00 AM | Check Guidebook App for Location

Get to know yourself, your peers, and WKU. In this session, you’ll talk about why you chose WKU and how to set yourself up for academic success.    

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM| Check Guidebook App for Location

During this time, you’ll eat lunch, take a campus tour with your small group, and learn about how to be financially smart in college.

 1:00 - 1:30 PM | Centennial Mall 

Unsure about which College Kickoff event to attend? Meet in Centennial Mall (located next to the Downing Student Union) and a M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan Mentor will point you in the right direction. 

1:30 - 3:30 PM 

Potter College of Arts and Letters: Russell Miller Theatre (Second Floor of FAC) 

Gordon Ford College of Business: Grise Hall Auditorium Room 235 

Ogden College of Science and Engineering: Van Meter Auditorium 

College of Health and Human Services: DSU Auditorium 

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences: Gary Ransdell Hall Auditorium 

Exploratory Students: DSU 3rd Floor

Meet your college faculty, learn about resources your college offers, and get ready for classes to begin!   

4:00 - 5:00 PM | Check Guidebook App for Location

Recap the morning’s discussion, ask questions, and spend some more time learning how to get involved at WKU. 

5:00 - 7:00 PM

View WKU Restaurant Group Options

4:00 - 5:30 PM | Meet next to Subway

Take a journey through the heart of Bowling Green with our Trolley Tour Adventure! Students are invited to hop aboard our charming trolley as we traverse the historic streets and vibrant avenues of downtown Bowling Green.

5:30 - 7:00 PM | Helm Commons

Grab your friends and come color, enjoy some tunes and sip some coffee from WKU's Spencer's Coffee.

Hosted by WKU Libraries.

6:00 - 8:00 PM | First Year Village Lawn

Come meet students like you, get to know allies, meet members of the Bowling Green community, and learn about resources on WKU’s campus for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Food, games, and music provided.

Sponsored by the Intercultural Student Engagement Center (ISEC), Black Student Alliance, WKU Chapter of NAACP,and HOLAS.

7:00 - 8:30 PM | Centennial Mall

It's another opportunity to MAKE A FRIEND at M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan!

Make a stuffed animal to help you remember this week! Lots of different animals to choose from! Limited quantities available. First-come, first-served.

7:00 - 9:00 PM | PFT Courtyard

Grab a friend and come express your creative side by decorating part of the First Year Village sidewalks! Sidewalk Chalk provided.

Sponsored by the Office of Student Conduct

9:30 - 10:30 PM | DSU Auditorium

We’re slowing this party down! Come play a nice, relaxing game - or two - or three - of old school bingo. Kick back and relax and hope to have the lucky board because these prizes are GOOD. 

9:00 - 11:00 AM | Check Guidebook App for Location

College life includes a lot of "adulting." Today, we’ll talk about how to manage your goals, your finances, your stress, and your time.

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Check Guidebook App for Location

Today’s rotation includes lunch and an opportunity to learn about employment opportunities. Check your Guidebook app to know where you start your rotation.  

1:30 - 2:30 PM | Check Guidebook App for Location

Recap the morning’s discussion, ask questions, and spend some more time getting to know your neighbors.

2:30 - 6:00 PM | WKU Store, DSU Ground Floor 

2:30 - 6:00 PM | Preston Health & Activities Center

The Preston Center is a 140,000 sq ft facility dedicated to serving all the fitness and recreational needs of the WKU Community. Come take a tour of the Preston Center! You can also participate in Pickleball during this open house.

Hosted by Campus Recreation and Wellness

6:00 - 8:00 PM 

View WKU Restaurant Group

5:00 - 7:00 PM | PFT Courtyard

Come and learn more about the Why Knot Us Black Male Initiative while enjoying some of your favorite carnival games and foods!

Sponsored by the Intercultural Student Engagement Center (ISEC) and Why Knot Us

Why Not Us | Learn More

5:00 - 6:00 PM | Meet at Centennial Mall

In the end, just like the TV show, only one team will be left standing. To win, teams will travel the Hill using clues, teamwork, bread crumbs, and a little bit of luck. The first team to arrive at the final destinationwill be receive a prize, but unlike the TV show, it will not be $1 million dollars (but still pretty awesome)!

Sponsored by the WKU Alumni Association. 

6:00 - 8:00 PM | Preston Center Blue Courts

Duck, dip, dive, and dodge! Bring back your elementary school skills with a fun game of dodgeball with new WKU friends. 

6:00 - 8:00 PM | Zacharias/Meredith Hall Lawn

Join us for an LGBTQIA+ social to meet new people and create new connections! All are welcome and encouraged to join!

Sponsored by the Queer Student Union, Topper Pride Alumni, and the WKU Pride Center

6:30 - 8:30 PM | Centennial Mall

Do you want to be part of a community where you can grow in your faith? Come meet our Campus Ministries at the Lawn Party. Enjoy food, music, lawn games and getting to know each other!

Hosted by Student Activities-Campus Ministries

7:00 - 9:00 PM | WKU Hardin Planetarium

Take a journey to the Stars! Visit the on-campus planetarium. Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance. Doors open at 6pm. After the show, take a VIP trip to the observatory and take a look at the moon through a telescope lens.(Weather dependent)

Hosted by the WKU Hardin Planetarium. 

7:30 - 8:30 PM | DSU Auditorium

Calling all pop-culture fanatics! Buzz in when you know the song, movie theme, TV theme or movie quote played.

Everyone in the audience gets to participate, and there are lots of prizes up for grabs!

8:30 - 10:30 PM | First Year Village Lawn

Get ready for a luminous adventure at our Glow-in-the-Dark Mini Golf Tournament! Students will team up for an electrifying round of glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. Glow sticks and golf supplies provided.

Hosted by the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity.

9:00 - 10:30 PM | Van Meter Hall

Are you ready for a frightening good time?

Join Creepy Campus podcast hosts Doug Tate & Jeremy Cloyd as they explore the ghost stories, urban legends, & true-crime mysteries that surround WKU.

It’s all good, clean fun, but you might want to bring your flashlight for the walk back home! 

Creepy Campus Podcast | Learn More

9:00 - 11:00 AM | Check Guidebook App for Location

In this session, you’ll learn what it means to be a member of the WKU Campus Community and learn about campus resources.

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM | Check Guidebook App for Location

You'll have a chance to eat lunch and meet with campus partners to learn more about important campus departments. Check your Guidebook app to know where you start your rotation.

1:00 - 3:30 PM | Raymond B. Preston Health & Activities Center Blue Courts

There is a place for everyone at WKU! Learn about the many organizations WKU has to offer.

Hosted by Student Activities.

3:40 - 4:30 PM | Residence Hall Floor

Get ready to stand up and cheer!

Our final small group will allow time to answer any questions and walk as a group to Diddle Arena for Topper Traditions.   

5:00 - 6:00 PM | Diddle Arena 

T-O-P-S TOPS-TOPS-TOPS!

It’s time to Stand Up and Cheer! Learn the fight song, how to wave the Red Towel, and meet your WKU Coaches and BIG RED!  

6:00 PM - Dark | DSU South Lawn 

M.A.S.T.E.R. Plan goes out with a BANG, literally! 

Food and entertainment provided, plus the evening concludes with a fireworks display at dark.

Topper Fest is open to all members of the WKU Community beginning at 5:30 PM. 

Learn More | Topper Fest 

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | You will receive information about where to meet

It's WKU's largest community service event! Volunteer your time at a local non-profit organization and connect with the Bowling Green community. 

T-shirt and lunch provided. 

What to Expect