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WOW 2024: Parent, Family, and Supporter Orientation

First-Year Experience

Parent, Family, & Supporter Orientation

Friday, August 16th - Saturday, August 17th, 2024

Welcome to the Concordia Experience. We invite you to attend orientation with your student as we believe you play an integral role in your student's transition to Concordia University Irvine. We have both Student Sessions and Parent, Family, and Supporter Workshops scheduled for Orientation. In addition to ensuring that your student receives the necessary support to settle in comfortably, we also want to prepare you as a valued member of the Concordia Family.

Parent, Family, and Supporter Sessions

We are so excited to welcome the incoming class of 2024! As we prepare for your arrival, we are finalizing the schedule for WOW 2024. The updated schedule will be posted in April. The following schedule is the 2023 schedule, but will give you a preview into some events that you can get excited about for your orientation! If you have specific questions, please email us at [email protected].


Friday, August 18th

7:30 AM - 10:00 AM | Residential Check-In and Clearance | East Parking Lot/ Grimm Hall Patio

All new students will receive their check-in time to their Eagles Email. Please arrive at your scheduled time and check in at the East Lot. You will receive your welcome packet with the W.O.W. Schedule and your nametag. Residential Students will be directed to check in with RES Life.

Students with holds on their account will need to clear their holds before being able to move into their housing assignment. You can look up holds via your MyRecords account. In order to speed up your check-in process, holds with the following departments should be cleared prior to your arrival on campus.

  • Admissions
  • Bursar
  • Financial Aid
  • Registrar
  • Wellness Center

7:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Residential Move-In | Uppers Lawn

Residential students will check in at Uppers Lawn to meet their Resident Director and Resident Assistant. You will pick up your key and Hunt shirt at your designated building’s tent. Cars will be directed to move- in zones based on their housing assignment. Once the vehicle is completely unloaded, you will be directed to park in the Main Lot.

8:00 AM - 7:00 PM | Information Booth Open | CU Center Patio

If you have any questions during the weekend, feel free to stop by the Information booth. Stop by the information booth for: extra schedules, lanyards, meal tickets, or for late check in.

9:00 AM - 6:30 PM | Bookstore Open | Bookstore (Gym Breezeway)

Pick up Concordia swag or purchase your textbooks at our bookstore, located in the heart of campus.

9:00 AM - 6:30 PM | Mailroom Open | Mailroom (Ground Level of the Student Union)

Visit the Mailroom to set up your mailbox or pick up any packages. All personal mail can be sent to Concordia’s address:

Your Name
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, CA 92612

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM | Commuter Check-In and Clearance | East Parking Lot/ Grimm Hall Patio

All new students will receive their check-in time to their Eagles Email. Please arrive at your scheduled time and check in at the East Lot. You will receive your welcome packet with the W.O.W. Schedule and your nametag.

Students with holds on their account will need to clear their holds before being able to move into their housing assignment. You can look up holds via your MyRecords account. In order to speed up your check-in process, holds with the following departments should be cleared prior to your arrival on campus.

  • Admissions
  • Bursar
  • Financial Aid
  • Registrar
  • Wellness Center

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Commuter Workshop | DeNault Auditorium, Grimm Hall 120

Meet other commuter students, learn about lounge spaces on campus, and hear about all of the fun commuter events to add to your calendar- including $1 commuter lunches! Make sure to attend for your chance to win some awesome prizes to make your life as a commuter easier!

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM | Lunch Zone | Commons Lawn

11:30 AM - 1:30 PM | Academic Department and Campus Resource Fair | Gym Breezeway

Check out all that Concordia has to offer to help you succeed academically, socially, and spiritually. Students who check in via QR code will be entered into the Saturday Closing Ceremony raffle for a chance to win prizes worth up to $500! If you have not taken your ID card photo yet, make sure to visit Campus Safety’s booth by the gym entrance.

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM | Presidential Welcome | Nelson Amphitheater

Students, Families, and Supporters are invited to join us for the official start to W.O.W. President Michael Thomas and ASCUI (Associated Students of Concordia University Irvine) Samuel Schult will share a few words about the Concordia experience.

2:00 PM - 3:45 PM | Parent Session with Administration | CU Center

Parents, Families, and Supporters are invited to hear from Concordia University Irvine leadership about what to expect from the Concordia experience and how to support your student during their first year.

You will hear from:

  • Dr. Michael Thomas, President
  • Rev. Dr. Scott Ashmon, Senior Vice President, Provost
  • Megan Bouslaugh, Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students
  • Crystal Rosenthal, Athletic Director
  • Tim Odle, Vice President of University Operations and Athletics

3:45 PM - 4:30 PM | WOW Family Worship | Nelson Amphitheater

Gather in worship with the Concordia family in this special worship service, led by our campus ministry team, abbey west, and Campus Pastor Quinton Anderson.

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM | Dinner Zone | Commons Lawn

4:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Honors Welcome Session | DeNault Auditorium, Grimm Hall 120

Honors Program students and supporters are invited to meet with Dr. C.J. Armstrong, the Director of the program, to learn more about the experiences and courses offered for Honors students.

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Disability Access Services (DAS) Open House | Paul and Cathy Schroeder Library and Learning Commons, Testing Center

Stop by the Testing Center to look at our facilities and meet the Director of DAS, Stephanie Staley. Light refreshments provided.

5:30 PM - 6:15 PM | Parent Session in Spanish | Unity Center

Join HSI Director Erika Sanchez and Graduate Assistant Gerardo Duran for a parent session in Spanish to get key information about supporting your student during their Concordia experience.

6:15 PM - 7:00 PM | Multicultural Family Reception | Unity Center and Unity Center Patio

All are welcome to meet Mrs. Mo, Director of Diversity, Success Coach, and Lead Conduct Officer, and the LEAD Diversity Awareness team for a special reception to celebrate the diversity of our student body. Stay for music, dancing, and fellowship.

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | Parent, Family, and Supporter Happy Hour | President Thomas’ Home (On Campus behind the Good Shepherd Chapel)

Calling all Parents and Supporters! Join Dr. Michael Thomas, his wife, Kim, and other key members of the Concordia community for drinks and desserts while your student gets settled on campus. This “open house” style event will allow you to meet other families, speak with President Thomas, and unwind from a long day of moving your student into their new home.

Saturday, August 19th

8:30 AM - 2:00 PM | Information Booth Open | CU Center Patio

If you have any questions during the weekend, feel free to stop by the Information booth. Stop by the information booth for: extra schedules, lanyards, meal tickets, or for late check in.

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM | Coffee Reception | Student Union Patio

Start the morning with coffee, tea, and light pastries before the first events of the day.

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Parent Session with Student Affairs | CU Center

Parents and Supporters are invited to hear from key Student Affairs Directors about campus resources, life on campus, and how to best guide your student through their transition to college.

You will hear from representativesfrom the following departments:

  • Residence Life
  • Wellness Center
  • Student Life and Leadership
  • Outdoor Recreation and CU Active
  • Academic Advising
  • Campus Safety
  • Career Services
  • And more!

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM | Family Brunch | Commons Lawn

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Closing Ceremony | Nelson Amphitheater

Join us for a time of celebration and prayer as Parent, Family, and Supporter Orientation comes to a close. New students will hear from the Dean of Students about what it means to be a Golden Eagle as they create the Incoming Class of 2023 art piece.

12:30 PM- 1:30 PM | CU Later: Root Beer Float Send Off | CU Center Patio

Snap a family picture at the photo booth and grab a root beer float served by Concordia Alumni! This event concludes Parent, Family, and Supporter Orientation. We thank you for coming out to support your Golden Eagle and hope that you will join us for Fall Family Festival on October 27th.

1:30 PM - 2:00 PM | POptional: Parent Meeting with DAS | Testing Center

If you have additional questions about Disability Access Services, feel free to stop by the Testing Center to chat with Stephanie Staley.

W.O.W. Master Schedule

Concordia University Irvine Parent Connection

Families often experience an adjustment period when a child enters a new university, whether they are entering as a first-year student, transferring from another college or university, living on campus, or commuting. As a parent, you have also begun a new phase in life as you take a supportive role in your student's newest endeavor.

We want to assure you that you will not be alone in experiencing this transition. Our campus staff is dedicated to support and assure the well-being of your student as well as address any questions or concerns you have. Specifically, the Office of First-Year Experience is geared toward providing you student resources that ensure a smooth transition.

We value our partnerships with parents and family members as we strive to develop your student into a wise, honorable, and cultivated student. To successfully develop a supportive network for your student, we ask for your assistance in fostering your student's growth as they will be seeking your guidance and advice throughout their time at Concordia.

We encourage you to be a member of our parent mailing where you will receive newsletters, our University's magazine, The Concordia Today, and event invitations by enrolling in the free Concordia University Irvine Parent Connection Association.

Join the Concordia University Irvine Parent Connection Association »
Join the Concordia University Irvine Parent Facebook Page »

Helpful Resources

Contact Us

Concordia University Irvine
First-Year Experience

Phone: (949) 214-3065
Email: [email protected]

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