Bulldog Beginnings
Transitioning into university life is challenging. Bulldog Beginnings is designed to help students meet that challenge.
Bulldog Beginnings
Bulldog Beginnings is TLU's two-part orientation designed to support students as they transition to life at TLU and to provide the best possible start to a successful education. Most of all, it's an opportunity to meet new people, adjust to a new environment, develop friendships, and become involved in a new community.
Bulldog Beginnings is ҹ̵'s Orientation program and is required for all incoming freshmen and transfer students.
Bulldog Beginnings: Part I
Incoming Students will attend Bulldog Beginnings: Part I on June 6, 2025 or July 25, 2025.
Bulldog Beginnings: June 6
Bulldog Beginnings: July 25
Bulldog Beginnings: Part II (Orientation)
-
Saturday, August 23rd
Time Location Description 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Residence Halls Move-In for Residential Students
Student Health & Wellness Center Open
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Alumni Student Center Bookstore Open for Textbook Purchase & Pickup 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Alumni Student Center Bulldog Buddy Marketplace 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Alumni Student Center Check-In for Commuter Students
Take a moment to buy your textbooks, grab some TLU Gear, and take care of any housekeeping items!
11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Hein Dining Hall or Lunch on Your Own Picnic Favorites 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Dunne Conference Center, Tschoepe Hall Commuter Student Welcome Session
The welcome session is a wonderful opportunity to meet other first-year commuter students! Our student leaders will also highlight the monthly events that are specifically designed for commuters, how to stay connected, available resources, and ways you can get involved with the new commuter student advisory board!
2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Tschoepe Hall 131 Transfer Student Social
The Transfer Student Social is a time to get to know other transfer students, learn about upcoming transfer events, and get any last-minute questions or concerns answered.
3:30 - 4:30 p.m. Jackson Auditorium New Student & Family Matriculation Ceremony Matriculation Ceremony
This TLU tradition establishes a uniformed appearance and a sense of unity among the freshman class while also highlighting the significance of the occasion. In the spirit of this new tradition, all first-year students are expected to wear some combination of black, white, or gold professional business attire. Examples include white blouses, collared shirts, or button-down shirts and black skirts, slacks, or pants.
4:30 - 4:45 p.m. Parent & Family Cheer Tunnel
Immediately after the Matriculation Ceremony, join us outside of Jackson Auditorium as we congratulate and cheer on the newest members of the Bulldog community!
4:50 – 5:00 p.m. Walk To Chapel for Class Photo 5:00 – 5:30 p.m. Alumni Student Center Parent & Family Send Off
Parents and families are welcome to visit the Affirmation Station inside the Alumni Student Center to write a word of encouragement for their students and/ or leave a note of encouragement for our other Bulldogs. Students and families are welcome to take pictures with Tallulah or outside at the TLU backdrop to honor saying goodbye and starting a new chapter as a TLU student.
5:15 – 7:00 p.m. Hein Dining or Dinner on Your Own Dinner 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. Residence Halls Campus Housing Meeting
(Mandatory meeting for all on-campus residents)
-
Sunday, August 24th (Students Only)
Time Location Description 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Hein Dining Hall Brunch (normal operating hours) 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Jackson Auditorium Student Check-in 2:15 – 3:30 p.m. Jackson Auditorium Welcome & Title IX for Students
We’ll kick off the morning with a welcome and introduction of the TLU community values that will guide how we engage with each other as the Texas Lutheran community. The Title IX presentation will review definitions of prohibited conduct, important policies, resources, and support services that pertain to Title IX. In addition, it engages students in fostering healthy relationships and preparing them to recognize and respond to sexual assault and harassment when it occurs.
3:40 – 4:30 p.m. Various Locations FREX & Transfer Connections
Students will break out into their FREX 134 sections to begin building relationships with their classmates and Peer Mentor. Transfer students not enrolled in a FREX section will join a group specifically for Transfer students to connect with fellow transfers. Groups will stay together for the remainder of the day.
4:30 – 5:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Various Locations Class Tour & Campus Resources Rotations
In small groups, students will take a tour of campus to find where each of their fall classes are being held to support a less stressful first day of class. When not on the class tour, students will test their knowledge of resources available on campus to support their success.
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Tschoepe Hall Dunne Conference Center Everyone is invited to a TLU community-wide dinner sponsored by the various churches here in Seguin! Additionally, please stop by to pick up your Bulldog Beginnings orientation shirt and enjoy some relaxing activities with our Library staff. -
Orientation Leaders
MEET YOUR 2025 ORIENTATION LEADERS HERE: Orientation Leaders
-
Connect With Your Peer Mentor
Meet your 2025- 2026 Peer Mentors Here
Peer Mentors assist first-year students during orientation and throughout the year with their personal and academic transition into the TLU community. From facilitating and planning orientation activities to attending all Freshman Experience (FREX 134) classes to organizing social activities outside of class, Peer Mentors not only guide students through their first year, but they also experience it with them.
Each Peer Mentor has an individual page the Peer Mentor page where their FREX students can get to know them better and use as an additional resource about the course. Peer Mentors have good academic and discipline records, have demonstrated their commitment to TLU through leadership and involvement and come highly recommended from TLU faculty and staff.
Move-in times for residential students are based on which residence hall they will be living in. Times will be posted on the . Once you arrive on campus on Saturday, August 23, we are asking everyone to enter campus at W. Kingsbury St. (Highway 90) and Fritz St. You will see Bulldog Stadium on your right and the baseball and softball fields on your left. Student Affairs staff will be at the arrival tent to provide directions on unloading and moving into the residence halls.
The Fall 2025 Move-In Guide will be available soon.
Summer Webinar Series
TLU’s Student Affairs team has prepared four summer webinars for incoming students and families to learn more about specific on-campus resources. There is no registration required; just join using the Zoom link provided below.
-
Understanding the Financial Aid Offer & Billing Statement
Date: Wednesday, June 11th 12pm-1pm
Recording:
Passcode: 4g6iW4h*
Pursuing your education is an investment in your future. We are partnering with Student Financial Services to guide you through a sample Financial Aid Offer and Billing Statement to ensure you have a clear understanding of the financial commitment in continuing your education at TLU. While staff may not be able to answer student-specific questions, they’ll address general questions.
-
Parents & Supporters: Tips for Supporting your Student
Date: Wednesday, June 18th 12pm-1pm
Recording:
Passcode: $YKkZN!6
The transition to college is a season in which many students are learning how to advocate for themselves and take more ownership of their decisions. TLU understands the important role parents, families, and supporters play in students navigating this transition and their students’ success. Join us for a parent panel as TLU parents share tips on how they supported their students. We’ll also share about the variety of resources available for parents and family members, including TLU's web resources, monthly parent emails, as well as Bulldogs Beginnings, TLU’s orientation experience.
-
Acing Your Academics
Date: Wednesday, July 9, 12-1 PM
Link:
In talking with first-year students and faculty from our First Year Experience course, adjusting to the academic expectations of college is one of the biggest challenges in the first semester. For this session we’re partnering with Student Success & Retention and Academic Affairs to guide you in how to be academically prepared for the first semester. We’ll go over how to read a syllabus, how to prepare for class, and tips for excelling academically. Hear directly from faculty about how you can make a strong start to the semester.
-
Finding Community: Getting Involved & Living on Campus
Wednesday, July 23, 12 - 1 PM
Link:
Building a social network is an important aspect of student success. This session is focused on how students can find and connect with others, whether commuting or living on campus. The Director of Student Engagement will share where and how students can start connecting with student organizations and what events to look forward to during Weeks of Welcome. The Director of Campus Living will also lead a discussion on what you need to know about living on campus and what to expect on move-in day on Saturday, August 23.
Hotel Reservations
-
Hampton Inn
TLU has worked with Hampton Inn Seguin to secure a discounted rate for parents and families during Orientation weekend.
Rate of $149 + tax for a king room or $159 + tax for a double queen room, based upon availability, from August 22-23, 2025. To make reservations, parents will need to contact the hotel directly to request the TLU Orientation Weekend Rate.
Hampton Inn Seguin
Address: 1130 Larkin Ave, Seguin, TX 78155
Phone: (830) 379-4400
Call Hampton Inn Seguin for reservations
-
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Seguin
Address: 1501 TX-46 N, Seguin, TX 78155
Phone: (830) 372-0567
For more information
To make reservations, parents will need to contact the hotel directly, to request the “TLU Orientation Weekend Rate”.
Campus Map 2025
Bulldog Beginnings 2024
The memories made and the journeys started at Bulldog Beginnings!
