Wheaton College Massachusetts

Winter Orientation 2026 - Day 1
2026-01-19 10:00 (America/New_York) | All Campus, 26 E. Main St., Norton, MA, 02766, United States
Day 1 Schedule: Monday, January 19, 2026
Orientation is a required program for all new and transfer students.
Items marked (M) indicate Mandatory Participation.
Register for Winter Orientation
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Residential Student Check-in (M)
Balfour-Hood Campus Center, Atrium
For new and transfer students who will be living on campus. When you arrive on campus, park in Lot #4. Then, head directly to the Balfour-Hood Campus Center Atrium. There will be a designated check-in table for new and transfer students where our friendly staff will welcome you to campus. Please contact reslife@wheatoncollege.edu with any specific questions about move-in.
4:30 – 5:00 p.m. Commuter/Off-Campus Student Check-in (M)
Balfour-Hood Campus Center, Atrium
For new and transfer students who will be living off-campus. When you arrive on campus, park in Lot #4. Then, head directly to the Balfour-Hood Campus Center Atrium. There will be a designated check-in table for new and transfer students where our friendly staff will welcome you to campus. Please contact reslife@wheatoncollege.edu with any specific questions about check-in.
5:00 p.m. Meet Your Orientation Leaders (M)
Balfour-Hood Campus Center, Club Hub
Meet with Orientation Leaders and participate in a fun activity to get to know the other new students.
5:30 p.m. Dinner with Orientation Leaders (M)
Chase Commons
Enjoy your first dinner at Wheaton College with the Orientation Team.
6:30 p.m. Candle Lighting Ceremony
Outside of Chapel
A time-honored Wheaton tradition: the lighting of candles to commemorate the start of your Wheaton journey!
7:00 p.m. Game Night!
Balfour-Hood Campus Center, Atrium
Compete for glory and level up your new connections with a variety of board games and Mario Kart.
View the Day 2 Orientation Schedule

Winter Orientation 2026 - Day 2
2026-01-20 08:30 | 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)
Classroom 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

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!
