As a new student to Gannon University, you are invited to participate in the January Orientation Program. This program is specifically designed to help you get to know Gannon and discover many of the opportunities that will be available to you. Though you may have already participated in a new student orientation at a previous institution, our Orientation highlights all aspects of the Gannon community — its resources, staff members, and fellow students — that are important for you to know. This page will be updated with dates and orientation schedules as they become available. Please check back frequently.
Expected Arrival Dates
- Saturday, January 16 - Monday, January 18
- Monday, January 18 – U.S. National Holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr (“MLK Day)”
Mandatory Check-In Day Tuesday, January 19 - 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
- Bring your original documents (I-20 or DS-2019, passport, visa) to Beyer Hall, second floor lobby, adjacent to the Office of Global Support & Student Engagement
- Dinner
Wednesday, January 20
- 9:00 am – Continental Breakfast – Yehl Ballroom
- 9:15 am – Introductory Activity
- 10:00 – Welcome to the University by Dr. Walter Iwanenko, Academic Provost and Vice President for Student Experience
- 10:15 – Morning Sessions – Yehl Ballroom
These sessions will introduce you to the Office of Global Support and a variety of resources for navigating your transition to the U.S. and to Erie. You will get to meet other international students at Gannon in leadership roles among various student organizations, as well as discuss what U.S. classroom culture is like and how to engage with professors, classmates and staff so that you can have a successful and rewarding experience.
- 12:30 – Lunch
- 1:30 pm – Language Placement Test – Beyer 405
Thursday, January 21
- Breakfast
- 9:00 am – Sessions led by staff and students of the Office of Global Support & Student Engagement – Yehl Ballroom
You will be introduced to life in Erie and the abundant opportunities available to you both on campus and in the community, as a city built on one of the Great Lakes! We will review behavioral expectations and protocols for interacting with others at Gannon. We will also review the requirements and responsibilities of being an F-1/J-1 visa student and maintaining your status while studying in the U.S.
- 12:30 pm – Lunch
- 1:30 – 3:00 pm – ESL Orientation Session in Beyer 405
- 1:30 pm – A Panel of Gannon faculty will share their perspectives, guidance and experiences of academic challenges and rewards of studying in the U.S. and at Gannon.
- 3:00 – 4:30 pm Global Coffee Hour – Join the campus community for this weekly tradition held each Thursday in Beyer Hall on the 2nd floor lobby next to Leadership Development & Engagement and Global Support. Global Coffee Hour is an informal gathering where all students and community members can drop-by for coffee, tea, light snacks, and to meet new friends or old ones, and co-sponsored by various student organizations, depts, and community groups.
Friday, January 22
- 9:00am - 12:30pm – Graduate Student Orientation – All sessions will be in Zurn 104
- 9:00 –10:00 Ignite Your Passion –Learn about all the different ways to get engaged on campus through Service, Campus Ministry, Recreation and Wellness, Globalization, and Campus Engagement as graduate students.
- 10:00 – Welcome from the Deans and Associate Deans of the Graduate School
- 10:30 – 12:30pm - Sessions will cover academic resources and expectations, research and internship resource, communication, and career goals as graduate students at Gannon University.
- 9:45 am – Undergraduate Orientation - Check in - Yehl Ballroom
- 10:00 am – Undergraduates - Introduction to campus by University President Dr. Taylor
- 10:30 am – Undergraduates - Small groups with transition guides
Meet with your Transition Guide, who will share the student perspective on the Gannon Experience. This session will connect you with other students while discovering more about the University. You will also learn about the tools and resources to be successful in your transition to Gannon. (Remote student session to be included here as its own small group)
- 10:30 – 12:30 – ESL Orientation session – Beyer 409
- 12:30 pm – Lunch – All in Metz Cafeteria
Enjoy lunch in our café where you can build connections with some of our Residence Life and Commuter Life upper-level students as you eat together.
- Afternoon Sessions
- 1:30 pm – IgKnight Your Passion- Undergraduates - Yehl Ballroom
Learn about all the different ways to get engaged on campus through Service, Campus Ministry, Recreation and Wellness, Globalization, and Campus Engagement.
- 2:45 pm – Final Questions and Closing - Undergraduate Session
- 3:00 pm – Sessions – Undergraduates and Graduate students
Take a customized campus tour with our Transition Guides and find where your classes are in academic buildings. This is also an opportunity to schedule an appointment with Global Admissions, Student Success Center, etc. for any questions you might have prior to the start of classes.
- Join us for dinner and Virtual Trivia at 9:00 pm. Other weekend events can be found on engage.gannon.edu
These events are MANDATORY for all new undergraduate students.
Contact Information
Office of Global Support and Student Engagement
Beyer Hall 202
109 University Square
Erie, PA 16541
globalsupport@gannon.edu
Phone: 814-871-7480
Mobile: +1 814-397-2170
Office of English Language and Global Training
Beyer Hall 401
109 University Square
Erie, PA 16541
Phone: 814-871-7992
Toll-Free: 1-800-426-6668
Leadership Development and Campus Engagement
Beyer Hall 201
109 University Square
Erie, PA 16541
engagement@gannon.edu
Phone: 814-871-7138
Resource Contacts