The University of Findlay officially welcomed its newest students to campus during Orientation Weekend, Aug. 20-22.

Students, faculty and staff completed more than 50 service projects for organizations within the community on Saturday.

Volunteers help pull tires out of the Blanchard River as one of the many projects UF students, faculty and staff helped with on Saturday.

Dr. Katherine Fell, UF’s president, meets new students during orientation projects.

Click here to view more photos from the service projects.

In 2002, the University began incorporating a large-scale freshman service project into orientation weekend. New students are sent in groups to various locations in the community to complete several-hour projects that include painting, cleaning, landscaping, organizing and helping non-profit organizations and churches with projects they otherwise would not be able to complete.

On Sunday, Aug. 22, students attended a welcome ceremony in Winebrenner Theological Seminary and participated in the traditional Arch Ceremony on the front lawn of Old Main.

Click here to view an eight-minute video clip of the welcome ceremony.

Click here to view photos from the Arch Ceremony.

Two students smile as they lead their class through the Griffith Memorial Arch.

A picnic welcoming new students and their families was held on the Cory Street Mall following the ceremony.

Several students enjoy a picnic Sunday evening.

A family enjoys the picnic with their college student.

Classes began Monday, Aug. 23. Click here to view the academic calendar for the year.