Tartan 101
New Scots Meet New Opportunities
Tartan 101 kicks off one week before classes begin at Alma College, giving you a fantastic opportunity to explore both the campus and the surrounding community in new and exciting ways! Get ready to enjoy fun social programs and activities like hypnotist shows, outdoor movie nights on the lawn, game shows, and much more. The full Tartan 101 schedule is designed to help you feel confident in your decision to become a Scot, while making sure you settle comfortably into your new home at Alma.
Meet Your First-Year Guides
Meet Your First-Year Guides
Meet Your First-Year Guides
As a first-year student, you’ll be part of the First Year Seminar (FYS) and you’ll be matched with a First Year Guide (FYG). This peer mentor will help you during your transition to Alma and will be there during Tartan 101 and the entirety of the fall semester.
The 2026 Tartan 101 Schedule
The 2026 Tartan 101 Schedule
The 2026 Tartan 101 Schedule
| Wednesday, August 26 | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM – Noon | New Student Move-In | Heritage Center |
| 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM | Get Settled in Residence Hall | Residence Halls |
| 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Family Picnic | Hamilton Commons |
| 1:00 PM | Alma College Legacy Picture | Thomas Andison Chapel |
| 1:00 – 3:00 PM | Family Pictures and Goodbyes | Bruske & Gelston Lobbies |
| 3:15 PM | Meet your Guide | Chapel Lawn |
| 3:30 – 4:30 PM | Opening Kickoff * | Presbyterian Hall |
| 4:45 PM | Team Meeting #1 * | Heritage Lawn |
| 5:45 PM | Dinner | Hamilton Commons |
| 7:00 – 7:45 PM | Residence Hall Meetings * | Your Floor/Hall |
| 8:00 PM | BINGO with FSL | Tyler Van Dusen Commons |
| Trivia | Blockhouse – downtown Alma |
| Thursday, August 27 | Location(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 – 8:45 AM | Breakfast | Hamilton Commons |
| 9:00 AM | Academic Advisor Meet & Greet * | Various Locations |
| 10:00 – 10:45 AM | Scot Swap | Hood Building |
| 11:00 – 11:45 AM | Navigating Differences 101 | Presbyterian Hall |
| 11:45 – 12:45 PM | Lunch | Hamilton Commons |
| 1:00 – 2:15 PM | Team Meeting #2 * | SAC Classrooms |
| 2:15 – 3:30 PM | Break/Get ready for Convocation | Your Room |
| 3:30 – 4:00 PM | Line up for Convocation * | Mac Mall |
| 4:00 – 5:00 PM | Convocation * | Presbyterian Hall |
| 5:00 – 6:30 PM | Traditions Dinner * | Art Smith Arena |
| 8:00 PM | Daniel Martin – Magician | Presbyterian Hall |
| Friday, August 28 | Location(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Breakfast | Hamilton Commons |
| 8:30 AM | Gateway to Gratiot Kickoff * | SAC Classrooms |
| 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | Gateway to Gratiot * | Various Locations |
| 12:00 – 1:00 PM | Lunch | Hamilton Commons |
| 1:00 PM | New Student Picture * | Amphitheater Steps |
| 1:30 PM | Harlan Cohen –The Naked Roommate * | Presbyterian Hall |
| 3:15 PM | Be a True Scot * | SAC Classrooms |
| 5:30 PM | Dinner | Hamilton Commons |
| 7:00 PM | Hypnotist – David Anthony | Presbyterian Hall |
| 8:30 PM | Glow Party & Silent Disco | Stone Rec Center |
| Saturday, August 29 | Location | |
|---|---|---|
| 9:30 – 11:00 AM | Clash of the Clans – Intramural Competition | Stone Rec Center |
| 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM | Taste of Downtown | Downtown Alma |
| 3:00 – 5:30 PM | Tartan Turn Up | Chapel Lawn |
| 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Dinner | Hamilton Commons |
| 9:00 – 11:00 PM | Movie on the Lawn | Lawn behind Rec |
| Sunday, August 30 | Location(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Church Services in Alma | Various |
| 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM | Brunch | Hamilton Commons |
| 12:00 -12:45 PM | Walk Your Class Schedule | Meet your guide in your SAC classroom (optional) |
| 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM | College Kickstart at Walmart | Bus will be in parking lot between Bruske and Rec Center |
| 7:00 PM | Christian Worship Service | Thomas Andison Chapel |
| 9:00 PM | Catholic Mass | Thomas Andison Chapel |
Helpful Links
What’s Next?
New Scot Checklist
Don’t forget to take a look at your New Scot Checklist! It’s the perfect way to make sure you’re all set and ready for fall term.
First-Year Seminar (FYS)
All first-year students participate in an immersive experience designed to help them build lasting friendships and a strong foundation for academic success, centered around subjects they are passionate about.