Major Welcome

You've declared! Join us to learn more about your new major.

Each spring, the College holds a Major Welcome event, where students are welcomed by faculty members of their chosen majors.

This year, Major Welcome will be held throughout the months of February and March on days and times set by each department. There, students will have the opportunity to meet faculty, staff, and other students in their field; learn more about opportunities in their program; and, of course, celebrate their major! 

Departments expect students to attend the Welcome Event of their primary major unless in class at that time. Find the 2026 schedule of events as well as answers to frequently asked questions below.

2026 Major Welcome Events Schedule

African & African-American Studies    

March 2026
Location TBD

 
American Culture Studies    

February 25, 2026, 2 to 3:30 p.m.    
McMillan Hall, Room 140


Anthropology   

February 19, 2026, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
McMillan Hall, McMillan Cafe
   

Art History & Archaeology

March 2026
Location TBD


Asian American Studies

March 2026
Location TBD


Biology

March 2026
Location TBD


Chemistry    

February 26, 2026, 2:30 to 4 p.m.
Wrighton Hall, Room 400


Classics/Ancient Studies    

February 27, 2026, 10 to 11 a.m.
Umrath Hall, Room 224   


Comparative Literature

March 26, 2026, 4 to 5 p.m.
Ridgley Hall, Room 319


Data Science in the Humanities (DASH)

March 2026
Location TBD


Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences

March 2026
Location TBD


East Asian Languages and Cultures

March 3, 2026, 4 to 5 p.m.
Busch Hall, Room 18 


Economics

March 16, 2026, 6:15 to 7 p.m.
Seigle Hall, Room 301
*Please note: The department will host the welcome session in concert with its annual Faculty-Student Pasta Dinner on the third floor of Seigle Hall, beginning at 5:30 p.m. All Economics majors and minors as well as Econ+CSE and Math+Econ majors are invited; sophomores are encouraged to attend the Welcome Session beginning at 6:15 p.m.

    
Education    

March 3, 2026, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Seigle Hall, Room 107

    
English    

March 5, 2026, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.   
Dunker Hall, Hurst Lounge 


Environmental Policy

March 3, 2026, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Seigle Hall, Room 207


Environmental Studies

March 2, 2026, 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Schnuck Pavilion, Room 202

 

Film & Media Studies

March 2026
Location TBD

        
Germanic Languages & Literatures

March 26, 2026, 4 to 5 p.m.
Ridgley Hall, Room 319

 

Global Studies    

January 30, 2026
Location TBD


History    

March 3, 2026, 10 to 11 a.m.
Location TBD


Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies   

February 26, 2026, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Busch Hall, Room 18 or outside Busch Hall (weather-permitting)


Linguistics   

February 27, 2026, 10 to 11 a.m.
Wilson Hall, Room 104


Mathematics    

February 23, 2026, 4 to 5 p.m.
Cupples I, Room 199

        
Medical Humanities 

March 2026
Location TBD


Performing Arts - Dance and Drama

March 2026
Location TBD


Philosophy    

March 2026
Location TBD

        
Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology    

March 2026
Location TBD


Physics  

March 2026
Location TBD


Political Science    

March 3, 2026, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.   
Seigle Hall, Room 207


Psychological & Brain Sciences 

March 2026
Location TBD


Public Health & Society 

February 25, 2026, 3 to 4 p.m.
Hillman Hall, Room 200


Romance Languages and Literatures - French    

March 2026
Location TBD


Romance Languages and Literatures - Italian

March 2026
Location TBD


Romance Languages and Literatures - Spanish    

March 2026
Location TBD


Russian Language and Literature

March 2026
Location TBD


Sociology

February 25, 2026, 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. 
Seigle Hall, Room 104


Speech & Hearing

March 6, 2026, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. 
DUC, Room 248


Statistics & Data Science

March 2026
Location TBD


Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies

March 2, 2026, 4 to 5 p.m. 
McMillan Hall, Room 221

 

*Please note: all session times listed below are in Central Standard Time (CST)

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I have class during my department event time? 

It is the expectation of the department that you attend the Welcome Event for your prime major unless in class at that time. That said, go to class but please contact your major advisor or department to find out what you missed.

Can I go to the Welcome Event for a second major or minor?

Departments welcome second majors and minors.

My major isn't listed. What should I do? 

If your major isn't holding a welcome event, please contact your major advisor to learn more about important information and opportunities in your program as well as meet with faculty and staff.

I know my major but haven't declared yet. How do I do that?

Declaring is a two-step process. Check out this video with instructions here, and still be sure to go to your Major Welcome Event. For additional information on declaring your major, visit the Major Declaration page.