Welcome Weekend has an energy all its own, and it will mark the beginning of your journey as a PBA student. During these exciting opening days, you’ll take part in all kinds of activities and events, meet fellow students, begin fostering relationships with faculty, and have a lot of fun while your family enjoy their own Welcome Weekend Programming. Welcome Weekend begins with check-in where students are assigned to a “fish” group which is comprised of other first-year students and two upperclassmen who serve as your group’s Fish Leaders. This is the group you’ll be with, taking part in fun activities, athletic events, and social gatherings.
Sailfish Start & Move-In
8 AM – 5 PM | Residence Halls
Check in at your Residence Hall and settle in. Then, head to Warren Library for your Onboarding resources to start your Sailfish journey.
Onboarding
8 AM – 5 PM | Warren Library
Gather essentials (like your PBA ID card), chat with Financial Aid, finalize your student account and billing, enjoy a photo op with your family, and more!
LWYL Community Fair (Love Where You Live)
9 AM – 3 PM | Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall Atrium
Explore the amazing things West Palm ϳԹ has to offer and connect with community partners.
Hydration Stations
9 AM – 3 PM | Various Locations
Take a break from the Florida sunshine and enjoy refreshments to stay hydrated.
Lunch on Your Own
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Campus Dining Locations
Students may use their meal plan. Family members may purchase meals at a Welcome Weekend discounted price.
New International Student Orientation
3 – 4:30 PM | Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall 319
**Please note that this event is mandatory for all new F1 visa holders**
International students are invited to meet with the International Student Services team to discuss important information about maintaining their visa status, adjusting to life at PBA, and more.
New International Student Welcome Dinner
5 – 7 PM
Special dinner outing for new international students immediately following the ISS Orientation.
Dinner on Your Own
5 – 7 PM | Campus Dining Locations
Students may use their meal plan. Family members may purchase meals at a Welcome Weekend discounted price.
Sunset Social
7 – 8 PM | Baxter Green
Come meet your new fellow Sailfish as we enjoy a night under the stars with games and cool treats.
Sailfish Start & Move-In
8 AM – 5 PM | Residence Halls
Check in at your Residence Hall and settle in. Then, head to Warren Library for your Onboarding resources to start your Sailfish journey.
Onboarding
8 AM – 5 PM | Warren Library
Gather essentials (including your PBA ID card), chat with Financial Aid, finalize your student account and billing, enjoy a photo op with your family, and more!
LWYL Community Fair (Love Where You Live)
9 AM – 3 PM | Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall Atrium
Explore the amazing things West Palm ϳԹ has to offer and connect with community partners.
Hydration Stations
9 AM – 3 PM | Various Locations
Take a break from the Florida sunshine and enjoy refreshments to stay hydrated.
Nursing Orientation
10 – 11 AM | Weyenberg Center
Mandatory Nursing Student Orientation for students entering PBA’s nursing program. This session will highlight specific requirements for entering the nursing program and a Meet and Greet with each students’ nursing advisor.
Lunch on Your Own
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM | Campus Dining Locations
Students may use their meal plan. Family members may purchase meals at a Welcome Weekend discounted price.
Honors Orientation
1 – 2 PM | Weyenberg Center
Students entering the Supper Honors Program are invited to connect with Dr. Tom St. Antoine, the program director, and many of the Honors faculty. Some current students will also be on hand to offer insights on starting the semester well. Family members are welcome to join!
Varsity Athlete Family Meeting
2 – 3 PM | Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall 319
Parents of incoming varsity student-athletes are invited to meet with the Director of Athletics and key members of the Sailfish Athletics staff. During this session, families will learn more about PBA Athletics, including important policies, processes, expectations, and the support services available to help student-athletes succeed both on and off the field.
Sensory Friendly Space
3 – 8 PM | DeSantis Chapel
Commuter Onboarding
4 – 5 PM | Warren Library
Incoming Commuters: Stop by Warren Library to get your PBA essentials, including your PBA card.
Commuter Connect
5 – 6:30 PM | Weyenberg Center
Incoming Commuters: We want you to get connected to the PBA community. Stop by to check-in and join us for a free meal!
Dinner on Your Own
5 – 6:30 PM | Campus Dining Locations
Students may use their meal plan. Family members may purchase meals at a Welcome Weekend discounted price.
Find Your Fish Group
6:30 – 7 PM | Baxter Green
Meet your Fish Group on the Baxter Green to join the Opening Rally in your designated group. Fish Groups are assigned at check-in.
Opening Rally (Students Only)
7 – 8 PM | Rubin Arena
A high-energy rally led by Steering Committee to kick-off Welcome Weekend festivities!
Family Reception
7 – 8 PM | Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall
Visit with members of the PBA Community and connect with other families as you enjoy Florida treats.
561 Block Party
8 – 9:30 PM | Rinker Green, Sailfish Square
Join the party to meet other students and key members of the PBA community. There will be food and lots of fun!
Men’s Breakfast (RSVP Coming Soon)
9 – 10 AM
Women’s Breakfast (RSVP Coming Soon)
9 – 10 AM
Onboarding
9 AM – 3 PM | Warren Library
Student services remain available for campus essentials (including your PBA ID card), Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and more!
Parent and Family Hospitality Area
9 AM – 3 PM | Lassiter Student Center
Take a break, run errands, get settled
10 AM – 12 PM
Church Connect
12 – 1 PM | Weyenberg Center
Join us for a meet and greet with local churches. Refreshments provided.
Lunch on Your Own
12 – 1 PM | Campus Dining Locations
Students may use their meal plan. Family members may purchase meals at a Welcome Weekend discounted price.
Life at PBA (Students and Families)
1 – 1:45 PM | Rubin Arena
Get oriented to life as a PBA student, hear from our University President, and find out all that is in store for you as members of the Sailfish family.
Find Your Fish Group
1:45 PM | Baxter Green
Meet your Fish Group on the Baxter Green before making your way as a group to Fish Group Fellowship.
Fish Group Fellowship (Students Only)
2 – 3 PM | Various Breakout Rooms
A time with your Fish Group to learn more about your journey at PBA to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction, and serve God boldly.
Becoming PBA Family
2 – 3 PM | DeSantis Chapel, Weyenberg Center, Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall
Join a breakout session tailored for parents and families to explore topics designed to support you throughout your student’s PBA journey.
Family Farewell
3 – 4 PM | Baxter Green
Parents and families are invited to join their students on Baxter Green for a special moment together and a blessing as they embark on this exciting new season at PBA.
*Please note: The family portion of our Welcome Weekend is now concluded. After this time we encourage families to say goodbye (for now) and begin their journey home. The students-only journey continues with more of Welcome Weekend activities.
Find Your Fish Group
4 PM | Baxter Green
Meet your Fish Group on the Baxter Green before making your way as a group to dinner.
Dinner With Your Fish Group
4:30 – 6 PM | Fraser Dining Hall
Students may use their meal plan.
RAC-reation
6:30 – 9 PM | Rinker Athletic Campus
A favorite tradition where we’ll enjoy friendly competition, activities, and refreshing treats.
Shuttle buses to the RAC will board at 6 PM outside the Warren Library.
Morning:
Visit a Local Church | Find a Church
Find Your Fish Group
12 PM | Baxter Green
Meet your Fish Group on the Baxter Green before making your way as a group to lunch.
Brunch With Your Fish Group
12:30 – 2 PM | Fraser Dining Hall
Enjoy a back-to-school brunch with your Fish Group. Students may use their meal plan.
Footwashing Tradition
2 – 4 PM | Rubin Arena
A beloved PBA tradition featuring worship and prayer as we celebrate the start of a new school year.
Onboarding
4 – 7 PM | Warren Library
Student services remain available for campus essentials (including your PBA ID card), Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and more!
Dinner on Your Own
5 PM | Campus Dining Locations
Students may use their meal plan.
Campus Housing Meeting
6 – 7 PM | Rubin Arena
**Mandatory meeting for all residential students.**
The Office of Residence Life will review community standards, housing policies, and key information to help students have a successful year in PBA’s residence halls. Resident Assistants (RAs) and Resident Coordinators (RCs) will be present to assist and answer questions.
Throughout Welcome Weekend, you’ll take part in all kinds of different activities:
Welcome Weekend is just as much about welcoming families of first-year students into the PBA family as the students themselves. Families are invited to attend activities such as the Family Reception, Life at PBA, Becoming PBA Family and more. Look for us at the Family Welcome Area in the Warren Library during Move-in days!
For more information about Welcome Weekend, please contact the Steering Committee: PbaStudents@pba.edu.
For more information about Move-In, please contact the Reslife office: Reslife@pba.edu – (561) 803-2555
Welcome Weekend is designed for new students starting in the fall semester. You’ll meet the Steering Committee, a student leader group that will guide you on your action-packed week.