Division of Enrollment & Student Engagement

New Student Orientation and Family Programs

 

Weeks of Welcome
Aug. 21 - Sept. 7, 2025

 

Weeks of Welcome offers new and returning students a chance to visit with other students, get involved and celebrate the start of another great semester! It's a full schedule of various activities that are sure to be a strong foundation for building your Lumberjack memories in the upcoming academic year.

View Schedule

Did you know?

Weeks of Welcome includes the Student Government Association's oldest-standing tradition: the Watermelon Bash.

Faculty members originally organized the event at the end of the summer in the mid-1920s to help students who were arriving for the fall semester get to know each other. The deans purchased the watermelons for the bash, which originally took place in front of the Austin Building on Vista Drive.

Today's Lumberjacks now beat the heat with a slice of watermelon next to the Surfin' Steve fountain — another beloved structure added to the middle of campus in the 1980s.

Upcoming events

Events and activities are being added as their details are finalized.

Check back often as we approach the fall 2025 semester!

Women's Volleyball vs. Abilene Christian

National Pan-Hellenic Council Showcase

Discover the strength and tradition of the National Pan-Hellenic Council! Learn about the chapters, enjoy signature strolls and find out how to become part of the NPHC family at SFA.

SFA’s active NPHC fraternities and sororities include:

Free event open to all students. Hosted by Jacks Get Involved and Fraternity and Sorority Life. *Jacks Get Involved Week is designed to promote involvement in student organizations and showcase student-led events.

Graphic saying Weeks of Welcome Stephen F. Austin State University

Women's Volleyball vs. Sam Houston

Women's Soccer vs. Houston

Stay social

The fun doesn't stop after Weeks of Welcome — there always are opportunities to get involved and balance your academic/social life.