On Sunday, August 20, plan to swing by the courtyard/Multi-purpose Room of Shenandoah Hall between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. In addition to grabbing ice cream, you'll be able to pick up your welcome swag, learn about Honors student organizations, and meet some of the HON 100 Teaching Fellows.

On Wednesday, August 30 between 4:00 and 6:00 p.m., we will be hosting a picnic in the Festival Lower Drum to welcome all our First-Year students. Come meet your fellow Honors students, Honors faculty, and have some tasty grub. To attend, you must RSVP no later than August 25.

The Book of Delights: Essays by Ross Gay is chock full of ideas that are great to explore as you transition to college life. While the entire Honors community is encouraged to participate in the Common Read, we have assigned The Book of Delights: Essays to all first year students to explore during the summer.

HON 100 Teaching Fellows will include themes from the book in class, and there will be student programs offered in the Honors College relating to the book as well. Copies of the book are available for less than $20 from major retailers online. Anyone needing assistance in procuring the book should email honors@jmu.edu.

The Office of Residence Life manages the sign-up process for Move-In Day appointments; Honors students do not have any kind of separate process. The dates for first year student move-in are August 18-19. If you have questions about move-in processes or your dorm, give the Housing Office a call at 540-568-4663 or email them at res-life@jmu.edu.