MSU Debut Events Welcome New Students, Help With Transition to College

BOZEMAN — To welcome incoming students to campus, Montana State University will host a series of events in August and September known at MSU Debut.

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MSU Debut is a collection of co-curricular events and activities at the beginning of each semester with the goal of engaging students and showcasing the best of the university’s campus community. According to Chris Pruden, student engagement and leadership adviser in the university’s Office of Student Engagement, the series of events equips students for a successful transition to MSU, empowers them to contribute to the Bobcat community, and fosters inclusion, integrity and belonging. This year, it has expanded to nearly 50 events beginning Saturday, Aug. 21.

“We are so excited to welcome all students back to campus with a line-up of stellar events,” Pruden said. “There is something for everybody, so I would encourage students of all classes to have a look at the calendar and join us at one of our events.”

New to the schedule are adventure excursions. Excursions include day hikes at scenic local trails, whitewater rafting, overnight camping, two-day backpacking trips and rock climbing.

Other events include the popular Rockin’ the M on Aug. 29, a more than 100-year-old tradition where new students give the rocks on the “M” on Mount Baldy a fresh coat of paint. Aug. 24 will bring the annual “M” photo in Bobcat Stadium at 1 p.m. All freshmen will receive a free gold T-shirt to wear for the photo.

Wednesday, Aug. 25, is the first day of classes at MSU, and a pancake breakfast will be served for students in front of Montana Hall. Members of the campus community will be on hand to answer questions and direct students to classrooms.

College football is back this season, and the annual Gold Rush football game against Drake University will start at 6 p.m. on Sept. 11. On Sept. 15 the Involvement and Study Abroad Fair will take place, where tables from various clubs and organizations offer opportunities for students to get involved in their local and global communities.

A full schedule and more details about MSU Debut events follow:

Saturday, Aug. 21

Info tent, noon-5 p.m., Centennial Mall. Have questions? Looking for information about the first day of classes? Individuals can stop by to grab handouts and chat with MSU orientation leaders about any questions they might have.
Campus tours, 2-2:45 p.m. and 3-3:45 p.m., leaving from north entrance of the Strand Union Building on the Centennial Mall.

Sunday, Aug. 22

Info tent, noon-5 p.m., Centennial Mall.
Campus tours, 11-11:45 a.m. and 2-2:45 p.m., leaving from north entrance of the SUB.
Student panel, 3-3:45 p.m., Procrastinator Theater. Current students will answer questions, discuss their experiences on campus, detail what to expect in the semester and more.
Best of Bozeman, 6-6:45 p.m., Procrastinator Theater. MSU orientation leaders will give recommendations for what to do in Bozeman, like the best hikes, restaurants and events.
Walk to Peets Hill, 7 p.m., leaving from north entrance of the SUB.

Monday, Aug. 23

Registration labs, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Roberts Hall computer labs. Incoming freshmen who have not yet registered for classes are required to visit and receive a fall semester schedule. Anyone can drop in and ask questions.
Catapalooza, 10 am.-3 p.m., Centennial Mall. There will be music, free food and giveaways. There will also be 175 campus groups and community vendors in attendance to welcome new Bobcats.
Bookstore Bonanza, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., MSU Bookstore in the SUB.
MSU Trivia, 7 p.m., SUB Ballroom A.

Tuesday, Aug, 24

Recreational Sports and Fitness showcase, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Lambert Turf Field.
Paying for School, 9-9:45 a.m., SUB Ballroom A. Representatives from Financial Aid, Financial Education and Student Accounts will cover important financial information such as fees, how to pay your bill, information on scholarships and more.
AYCSS-Becoming an MSU Bobcat: Navigating the University Experience, 10-10:45 a.m., SUB Ballroom A. The Allen Yarnell Center for Student Success will discuss programs and experiences for students to strengthen their experience in and out of the classroom.
Registration labs, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Roberts Hall computer labs.
“M” Photo, 1 p.m., Bobcat Stadium. All freshmen will receive a free gold T-shirt as they form the “M” for the annual photo. President Waded Cruzado will also speak at the event.
Block party, 2-4 p.m., Kagy fields. A celebration after the M photo with carnival games and a DJ.

Wednesday, Aug. 25

Welcome tent and pancake breakfast, 7-11 a.m., Centennial Mall. Volunteers will be stationed across campus to help students find their classes and welcome them to MSU. A pancake breakfast will be served featuring pancake artists making edible portraits of students.
Photo scavenger hunt, 7-11 a.m., Centennial Mall. Instructions will be available at tents on the mall.
Multicultural/BIPOC meet and greet, 3-5 p.m., east lawn between the SUB and Roberts Hall. Students, faculty and staff from the Black, Indigenous and people of color communities are invited to kick off the new semester with the opportunity to build community and learn about expanding opportunities and resources for BIPOC students on campus.

Thursday, Aug. 26

LGBTQ+ meet and greet, 3-5 p.m., east lawn between the SUB and Roberts Hall. Students, faculty and staff from the LGBTQ+ community are invited to kick off the new semester, build community and learn about opportunities and resources for LGBTQ+ students on campus.
Bozeman bike tour, 3:30-5 p.m., Outdoor Recreation Program Building. The Outdoor Rec Program and Office of Sustainability will host a bike ride around Bozeman. Helmets are required. Limited bike rentals are available through ORP.

Friday, Aug. 27

Movie on the lawn, 6-8 p.m., location and film to be announced.

Saturday, Aug. 28

MSU Debut Service Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon. Students can give back to the community in MSU’s biggest service event of the year. Registration is required.
Mountain adventure day hike, 10 a.m., ORP building. Gear rentals are available and transportation is provided. Event is $5.
Mountain adventure whitewater rafting, 10 a.m., ORP building. Equipment and transportation are provided. Cost is $5.
Jamestown Revival live in concert, doors open at 6 p.m., concert at 7, Jabs Hall lawn. Free entry to the event, but a CatCard is required. There will be onsite food trucks.

Sunday, Aug. 29

Rockin’ the M, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Freshman can give the rocks of the “M” a fresh coat of paint to refresh the landmark of the MSU and Bozeman communities. Registration is required.
Mountain adventure day hike, 10 a.m., ORP building. Cost is $5.

Monday, Aug. 30

Bear spray clinic, 3:30-5:30 p.m., ORP building. Participants will learn simple and practical skills in a controlled and educational environment.

Tuesday, Aug, 31

Bozeman bike tour, 3:30-5:30 p.m., ORP building. No cost.

Wednesday, Sept. 1

Rec Center Rumble, 7-9 p.m., SUB basement Rec Center. Free bowling and billiards as well as snacks, trivia, prizes and more.

Friday, Sept. 3

Comedian Tone Bell, 7 p.m., SUB ballrooms. An accomplished stand-up who tours nationwide, Bell's one-hour comedy special debuted on Showtime in 2019.

Saturday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 6

Mountain adventure camping overnight, 10 a.m., ORP building. Vehicle-based overnight camping in the mountains around Bozeman. Transportation and camping equipment will be provided. Cost is $15.
Mountain adventure backpacking: women specific, 10 a.m., ORP building. Attendees will spend two nights of camping and adventure in the backcountry. Transportation, food and equipment are provided. Cost is $15.
Mountain adventure backpacking, 10 a.m., ORP building. Cost is $15.

Tuesday, Sept. 7

Bozeman bike tour, 3:30-5:30 p.m., ORP building.
Bear spray clinic, 3:30-5:30 p.m., ORP building.

Wednesday, Sept. 8

Singo musical bingo, 7 p.m., SUB Ballroom A. Traditional Bingo, but with songs instead of numbers.

Friday, Sept. 10

Game night with Rook’s, 7 p.m., Inspiration Hall in Norm Asbjornson Hall. An evening of board games hosted by Rook’s Games and More. Games and snacks will be provided.

Saturday, Sept. 11

Mountain adventure day hike, 10 a.m., ORP building. Cost is $5.
Gold Rush, 6 p.m., Bobcat Stadium. Bobcat fans show off their pride by wearing gold and cheering on MSU’s football team as they host Drake University under the lights. Tickets are required.

Sunday, Sept. 12

Mountain adventure whitewater rafting, 10 am., ORP building. Cost is $5.
Mountain adventure rock climbing, 10 a.m., ORP building. Equipment and transportation is provided. Cost is $5.
Cats with dogs, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Story Mill Park, Lalani Pavilion. Bring your dog for a walk in West Paw Dog Park. MSU gear for dogs will be available.

Monday, Sept. 13

Bear spray clinic, 3:30-5:30 p.m., ORP building.

Wednesday, Sept. 15

Involvement and Study Abroad Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Centennial Mall. The fair will host several clubs and organizations and offer an opportunity for students to get involved in their local and global communities.

Saturday, Sept. 18