Big Red Welcome begins today

Students run onto the field during the 2010 Big Red Welcome "Tunnel Walk." Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communications.
Students run onto the field during the 2010 Big Red Welcome "Tunnel Walk." Photo by Craig Chandler, University Communications.

The annual Big Red Welcome for thousands of new and returning Huskers starts today with New Student Convocation. A full slate of welcome back events, including a celebration and festival, continue through Aug. 21.

Beginning 5:15 p.m. Aug. 19 with the New Student Convocation at Devaney Center and ending with the Welcome Festival at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21 in the Stadium Loop on the east side of Memorial Stadium, the weekend is a tradition, complete with the highlight for many, doing the "Tunnel Walk" at Memorial Stadium — running from the team tunnel, to the music, video and cheers at Memorial Stadium just like the Nebraska football team. The Tunnel Walk for new students is 8:30 p.m. Aug. 19. A huge Welcome Festival in the Stadium Loop 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21 includes information booths, giveaways, activities and events.

As many as 15,000 students or more participate in the weekend events. An event rundown following includes times and locations. Attendees must have an NCard for admission to these events. Several activities are planned during the first week of classes Aug. 22-26 to continue the welcome festivities.

Big Red Welcome events include:

Friday, Aug. 19 — 3:30 p.m., Commuter Student Gathering, Nebraska Union; 5:15 p.m., New Student Convocation, Devaney Center, (doors open at 4:30 p.m.); 7 p.m., Cornhusker Marching Band concert, Memorial Stadium; 8:30 p.m., Tunnel Walk, Memorial Stadium; 9 p.m.; Pep Rally, Campus Rec Center; 9:20 p.m., Husker Mania party, Campus Rec Center; midnight, Movies at the Grand, Grand Theatre.

Saturday, Aug. 20 — 11 a.m., Bike Trails, Campus Rec Center; 1 p.m., Class Schedule Tours begin, Nebraska Union (tours begin every half-hour until 3:30 p.m.); 4 p.m., Bike Trails, Campus Rec Center; 9:30 p.m., Party at the Union, Nebraska Union; Midnight, Pancake Breakfast, Union Plaza.

Sunday, Aug. 21 — 6:30 p.m., Welcome Festival, Stadium Loop.

Monday, Aug. 22 — 7:30 a.m., fall semester classes begin.

— Kelly Bartling, University Communications

More details at: http://go.unl.edu/9bo