2025-2026 Academic Year Opens

Muskingum's annual Welcome Weekend kicked off the 2025-2026 school year, bringing new and returning students back to campus. This fall, Muskingum welcomed 1,214 undergraduate students, including 414 first-year students in the Class of 2029.

Friday, Aug. 22, started early with Move-In Day for the newest Muskies. That afternoon, the Opening Convocation officially opened the year. Guest speaker Daniel Jennings '19, founder of Jennings Java, shared his story of starting his coffee journey in a Muskingum dorm room and growing it into a Columbus-based specialty coffee company. Afterward, the Class of 2029 gathered for their traditional class photo on the Quad.

From there, the Survivor-themed weekend officially began. Students decorated team flags, jumped right into challenges, and then spent the night enjoying mini golf, laser tag, and a bonfire with s'mores.

Saturday was filled with competition and fun. Teams battled it out in tug-of-war and water challenges before cooling off on the giant slip 'n slide at Patton Hill. Later that night, everyone came together on the football field for Movie Bingo, where students had the chance to win prizes under the stadium lights.

Sunday slowed down a little with an afternoon of fishing and floating on the pond, followed by Welcome Worship, giving students a chance to reflect and recharge before classes started.

After the first week of classes, Muskie Fest brought everyone back together on Friday, Aug. 29, with inflatables, games, Kona Ice, and dinner in the Steele Center atrium. The celebration carried into Saturday, Aug. 30, with the third annual New Concord Community Day, where students and community members enjoyed Vendors' Village, a Shop Walk, and Party in the Park with live music, food trucks, and games.

To kick off September, Muskies cooled off with free ice cream from Kent's Kones on Monday, Sept. 1, courtesy of President Hasseler. Then, the annual Involvement Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 2, gave students the chance to explore campus organizations and find ways to get involved.

Here's to another great year, Muskies!