Winter Orientation 2026 - Day 2
2026-01-20 08:30 (America/New_York) | All Campus, 26 E. Main St., Norton, MA, 02766, United States
Day 2 Schedule: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Orientation is a required program for all new and transfer students.
Items marked (M) indicate Mandatory Participation.
Register for Winter Orientation
8:30 – 8:50 a.m. Morning Check-In (M)
Hindle Auditorium Lobby (Discovery Center)
All new and transfer students should check-in for Orientation Day 2. Refreshments will be available.
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Orientation Kick-Off (M)
Classroom 3332 (Discovery Center)
Students will be welcomed by the Dean of Students and Student Government Association President.
9:30 – 10:30 a.m. Wheaton Curriculum Overview (M)
Filene Center (Kollett Hall)
Learn about the unique Compass Curriculum, the Wheaton Advising model, and other academic support structures available to help you succeed in your transition to academics at Wheaton College
10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Orientation Leader Checkpoint/Brain Break
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Wheaton Honor Code & Community Expectations (M)
Classroom 3332 (Discovery Center)
12:00 – 12:50 p.m. Lunch with Student Leaders
Chase Commons
1:00 p.m. ‘Around the Dimple’ Resource Tour (M)
Join your Orientation Leaders to learn about the various campus resources departments that are available to assist you during your time at Wheaton.
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Bystander Intervention, Title IX and the College Response to Sex Discrimination (M)
C lassroom 3332 (Discovery Center)
Learn about the College’s Title IX Policy and Resources and discuss Bystander Intervention strategies and expectations as a Wheaton student.
Content Notice: Students should note that this session will raise topics and discussion of sensitive topics relating to these policies, including but not limited to sexual assault, domestic violence, sexual harassment, and stalking. Students are encouraged to attend and step out if time or space are needed during the presentation. If a student feels they are unable to attend the session due to the topic area, they should contact orientation@wheatoncollege.edu to discuss alternative options for receiving the important information from the session.
3:10 p.m. Find Your Classes Tour/ ‘Downtime Destinations’ Tour
Depart from Hindle Auditorium Lobby
Students can choose to join their Orientation Leaders on a tour of campus study spaces and common areas or the chance to locate their Fall semester class locations.
5:00 p.m. Dinner
Chase Commons
View the Day 1 Orientation Schedule

MAP Day Spring 2026
2026-03-18 09:00 - 17:00 | All Campus, 26 E. Main St., Norton, MA, 02766, United States
Get the time and space for reflection, exploration and forward motion on Spring 2026 MAP Day. The day’s events will include a keynote address from former U.S. Rep. James Langevin (D–R.I.), a career fair featuring more than 70 organizations, and a showcase for student scholarship and creativity.
Here’s a quick preview of the day:
9:00–10:30 AM — Academic Festival
Poster sessions in the Filene Center (drop by!) and short academic presentations across campus
10:30–11:30 AM — Workshops (Session I)
Choose from sessions on academic opportunities, career preparation, and creative exploration.
11:30 AM–12:30 PM — Group Advising by Major/Department
Meet with faculty and advisors to learn about research, internships, and opportunities in your field.
12:30–1:30 PM — Major Declare-a-thon Celebration (Filene Center)
Ready to declare a major? Advisors, faculty, and the Registrar’s Office will help you start the process. There will be cake.
12:30–3:00 PM — Career & Internship Fair (Clark Center)
Required for seniors and strongly recommended for all students.
12:30–3:30 PM — Workshops (Session II)
Additional sessions begin throughout the afternoon, so you can attend several of interest (and also have time to get over to the career fair)
3:30–4:30 PM — Keynote Speaker
Former U.S. Representative James Langevin will close the day with reflections on service, leadership, and resilience. Seats in Weber Theatre require a free ticket reservation.
Helpful Links:

Pre-register for MAP Day sessions
Full MAP Day schedule | PDF version
Reserve a ticket for the keynote (free)
MAP Day event page

Beverly Lyon Clark Children's Literature Symposium
2026-04-11
You are all cordially invited to the Fifth Annual Beverly Lyon Clark Children’s Literature Symposium, commemorating the late researcher, educator, and beloved Wheaton colleague with contemporary scholarship exploring storytelling and materials intended for young peoples. The all-day event begins with light refreshments at 8:30am.

The Children’s Literature Symposium is a yearly tradition that honors the late Professor Beverly Clark (1948-2021), by providing the opportunity for undergraduate students, early-career researchers, and creatives to share their experiences and relationships with children’s literature. The theme for this year’s symposium is trees—representative of growth, roots, family, and life.

Register here

Questions? email bevlclarksymposium@gmail.com

Jay Goodman Political Series, Part 4
2026-04-16 19:00
Join Ted Nesi ’07 and the Office of Engagement for a virtual conversation with Christine T. Whitman ’68. Together, they’ll discuss her work to reshape today’s political party system in Washington, D.C., and explore how Americans can move beyond a system often defined by gridlock.
Whitman is the president of The Whitman Strategy Group (WSG), a consulting firm specializing in energy and environmental issues. She previously served in the cabinet of President George W. Bush and was the 50th Governor of New Jersey—the first woman to hold the role—serving from 1994 to 2001.
Register Today

Class Dismissed: A Retirement Performance Honoring Professor Ann Sears
2026-04-18 14:00 - 17:00 | Cole Memorial Chapel, Norton, MA, 02766, United States
Following nearly five decades of teaching, Professor of Music Ann Sears has decided that this will be her last semester at Wheaton. To celebrate all she’s done on campus, a musical performance will take place in Cole Memorial Chapel and feature faculty and alumni.
Following the performance in Cole Memorial Chapel, light refreshments will be offered in Emerson Dining Hall.
Registration for the event is free. Gifts can be made in honor of Ann’s retirement and will be allocated to the Leyon-Kilkenny Music Fund which was established in 1996 by Teddy Krause Leyon ’57 and Anne Leyon Kilkenny ’84 to cover the cost of private lessons for non-music majors.
Register Today

Honors Convocation 2026
2026-04-30 17:00 - 18:00 | Cole Memorial Chapel, Norton, MA, 02766, United States
Please join President Whelan, Provost Jonathan Millen, and Darnell Parker, Vice President of Student Affairs, at Honors Convocation to celebrate excellence in academic and intellectual pursuits.
Joel Relihan, Professor of Greek, Latin, and Ancient Mediterranean Studies, will deliver the keynote address, “Silence.”
Departmental and College awards will be presented to students who have distinguished themselves as scholars and academic citizens of Wheaton College. Prabidhi Malla, Class of ’26 Chair, will present the Senior Class Faculty Appreciation Award and Provost Jonathan Millen will announce the recipient of this year’s endowed honorary professorships.
The lineup for the procession begins promptly at 4:45 p.m. College Marshals Stephanie Daniels and Bob Morris will line up the Faculty (in regalia) in front of Knapton Hall and Seniors (in robes) in front of the Chapel. (In the case of inclement weather: Faculty will line up in the lower level of the Chapel; seniors will line up in Balfour-Hood).
Honors Convocation is open to the public but seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. The recording of the ceremony and the official program will be available online shortly after the event.
Please direct any questions to the Office of the Provost at provost@wheatoncollege.edu. We hope you can join us for this special academic tradition!

2026 Design Capstone poster display
2026-05-05, 2026-05-06, 2026-05-07, 2026-05-08, 2026-05-09, 2026-05-10, 2026-05-11, 2026-05-12 and 9 more dates | Haas Concourse and Lobby, Watson Fine Arts
The design capstone is a chance for senior design majors to apply their knowledge and skills to a topic of their choice. Posters show and explain what students investigated and why, the steps they took to add depth to their understanding and how they responded with design concepts through sketches, diagrams, prototypes and mockups.
Projects will be on display May 5–May 16, 2026

2026 Design Capstone opening reception
2026-05-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Haas Concourse and Lobby, Watson Fine Arts
Join the senior design majors as the celebrate opening of their capstone project poster display. The design capstone is a chance for senior design majors to apply their knowledge and skills to a topic of their choice. Posters show and explain what students investigated and why, the steps they took to add depth to their understanding and how they responded with design concepts through sketches, diagrams, prototypes and mockups.
The posters will be on display May 5–May 16, 2026

Student Film Screening
2026-05-05 19:00 - 20:30 | Watson Fine Arts – Weber Theatre, Norton, MA, 02766, United States
Join the Film, Media & Communications Department for their spring 2026 student film screening. Student work from the following courses will be shown: Production I, Animation I, Cinematography, Video Art, Stop Motion Animation, Digital Editing, Media Workshop, and FNMS senior seminar.

Mary Lyon Leadership Society Virtual Town Hall
2026-05-07 12:00 | Virtual
Join Provost Jonathan Millen as he explores the tangible value of a Wheaton liberal arts degree in an evolving professional landscape.
Featuring insights from Professor Dana Polanichka and Professor Drew Davinick, the discussion bridges the gap between diverse disciplines like History and Biology to showcase how interdisciplinary learning builds adaptability.
Attendees will learn how Wheaton’s academic framework fosters the critical thinking and teaching innovations necessary to prepare students for the challenges of “what’s next” in today’s world.
Register Today

Ensemble Experiments 2026 presents: Sunday Dinner at the Denouments
2026-05-07 19:30, 2026-05-08 19:30 | Kresge Experimental Theatre, Watson Fine Arts
Students participating in the senior seminar in theatre present their original capstone performance. This year’s project is supported by Playwright-in-Residence & Professor of English Charlotte Meehan.
Pay-what-you-can tickets are available via the Watson Box Office .

Honors Thesis Parade
2026-05-11 11:30 | Mars Center for Science and Technology, Norton, 02766, United States
Please join us at 11:30 a.m. on Monday, May 11, at the entrance to Mars Science Center, for Wheaton’s Honors Thesis Parade! The parade will assemble at 11:15 a.m. and begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. The parade will be held rain or shine, so remember to bring an umbrella if necessary.
We celebrate the enormous achievement of an Honors Thesis with a parade from Mars Science Center, around the quad, and to the Doll’s House, where students will check that their theses have been uploaded correctly, Provost Millen will read the titles of the theses, and President Whelan will sound the thesis gong for each student!
Please join us for this annual rite of spring. Wear your Alternate Regalia (or your academic regalia), or an appropriate costume (or really whatever you wish), bring instruments, noise-makers, signs, flags, and banners, and help celebrate Wheaton students’ triumphs after their year of very hard work! Friends and supporters of thesis students are encouraged to join the parade.

Commencement and Reunion
2026-05-16 09:30 | The Dimple, Norton, MA, 02766, United States
Wheaton celebrates the 191st Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. and welcomes back alumni for reunion weekend May 15–17th, 2026.
More about Commencement
