Tennessee Tech University will welcome new and returning students back to Tennessee’s College Town with a series of celebrations, social gatherings, live music and community events billed as “Week of Welcome 2025.”

The festivities kick off on Thursday, Aug. 14 and continue through Tuesday, Aug. 26. New student move-ins take place on Thursday, Aug. 14 and Friday, Aug. 15. The first day of fall classes is Thursday, Aug. 21.

“Week of Welcome is our way of showing Golden Eagles how excited we are that they have chosen Tennessee Tech and how committed we are to providing them with a meaningful, engaging student experience that puts them first,” said Tech President Phil Oldham. “Our staff teams across campus have planned more than 50 high-energy events designed to foster meaningful connection for students and to help each of them feel right at home on our campus. To new and returning Golden Eagles, we say ‘welcome home!’”

Week of Welcome’s marquee event will be the third annual “College Town Kickoff” block party and concert from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23 in downtown Cookeville. Students, families and the public are invited to enjoy carnival-style attractions, food trucks, local vendors, and live music from a chart-topping performer set to be announced soon.

Find details on each of the more than 50 events at https://www.tntech.edu/weekofwelcome/ . Select highlights of Week of Welcome 2025 are listed below:

Friday, Aug. 15
– 6 p.m. – “Live on the Plaza” music and ice cream social at Centennial Plaza

Monday, Aug. 18
-8 p.m. – “Movie at Tucker Stadium.” Enjoy free concessions and a showing of “Twisters.”

Tuesday, Aug. 19
-3:00 p.m. – University convocation in the Hooper Eblen Center. This event is for freshmen and their families only. (Note: Freshman students should arrive at 2:45 PM and must wear the purple 2025 freshman t-shirt received at SOAR).
– 4 p.m. – Class of 2029 photo at Tucker Stadium.

Wednesday, Aug. 20
-5 p.m. – “Mix and Mingle Involvement Fair” on the Lab Science Commons lawn, where students can meet representatives from Tech’s more than 200 student organizations.

Thursday, Aug. 21
-11 a.m. – “Connect with Cookeville” and Golden Eagle t-shirt giveaway on Centennial Plaza. Students can grab free Tech apparel and meet local businesses that support students with exclusive discounts as Golden Eagle Perks Partners.

Friday, Aug. 22 
-11 a.m. – “Food Truck Friday” on the Main Quad with various food trucks and vendors for students to expand their lunch options.
– 7 p.m. – Free bowling at “Bowling World,” located at 545 Neal Street in Cookeville.

Saturday, Aug. 23
– 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. – “College Town Kickoff.” Enjoy a day of carnival attractions, local vendors, and live music in beautiful downtown Cookeville. Additional details set to be announced soon. The event is free and open to the public.