Orientation at Montana Western is designed to welcome first-year and transfer students to campus and prepare them for the academic year. Over the four days, students will engage with peers, faculty, and staff through interactive sessions, icebreakers, and team-building activities before classes begin on Monday, August 18. These experiences help build friendships and lay the foundation for a supportive network that extends throughout students’ time at UMW.
“By participating in New Student Orientation, students will be introduced to Experience One through immersive, hands-on activities, acquire skills to help them succeed in their university journey, and develop a sense of belonging and connection with other students, faculty, and staff,” said Mike Piazzola, Senior Director of Student Life.
Festivities begin on Thursday, August 14, as students move into the UMW residence halls. Members of the campus and Dillon communities are invited to volunteer for Move-In Day to help welcome new students to Montana Western. To sign up, visit https://www.umwestern.edu/orientation and complete the “Montana Western Moving Company” form.
The ceremonial start of the academic year—Convocation—will be held on Friday, August 15, at 10:00 a.m. in the Straugh Gymnasium, followed by the Legacy Plaza Ceremony. A Welcome Lunch for students, families, faculty, and staff will follow on the campus lawn in front of Mathews Hall.
Orientation events will continue through the weekend with activities such as hiking to the “M,” axe throwing, floating the Beaverhead River, and other opportunities to explore Dillon and the surrounding area. The weekend will conclude with the Bulldog Feast and the return of an alumni favorite: the Bulldog Brain Teaser!
For the full schedule of events, visit https:/
