Orientation

Your college experience is already off to a great start because you’ve chosen Montana Western to begin your educational career.  We’ve put together an orientation program to help make the transition as seamless as possible.

Orientation is mandatory for all first-year and transfer students and because it’s fun and informative — you want to attend.  Orientation events include: Convocation (the official start of the school year ceremony), an inspirational talk, a hike to the hillside “M” and much more.

If you are a student athlete and will be coming to campus before the start of orientation, you are still required to attend orientation. Your coach is aware of orientation and expects you to attend so you can be successful in and out of the classroom.

Click here to view the Orientation Letter to Students. 


Orientation Schedule


Thursday, Aug. 18

9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
New students move into residence halls by appointment. Students will receive an email from Residence Life instructing them how to select a time slot for moving into the residence halls. It is important for students to honor their selected time slot. Check-in at the residence check-in tables in front of Davis Hall

8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Check in at the orientation table in front of Davis Hall

4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Check in at the orientation table in front of the Roe House

5:00 p.m.
Welcome Dinner (Mathews Lawn)

6:00 p.m.
Welcome Extravaganza (Mathews Lawn)

7:30 p.m.
Meet orientation leaders (Mathews Lawn)


Friday, Aug. 19 (Students & Families)

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
(Students wear black Orientation shirts today)
Breakfast for students and families (Dining Hall)

10:00 a.m.
Convocation & Keynote Address (Straugh Gym)
Legacy Plaza Ceremony

11:30 a.m.
Lunch for ALL (Mathews Lawn)
Photos with Baxter

1:30 p.m.
Meet & Greet with Professors and Academic Departments (Tundra)
Parent Session (Lewis & Clark Room)
Parents depart after session

3:00 p.m.
Amazing Bulldog Race (Legacy Plaza)

5:30 p.m.
Dinner for students only (Vigilante Field)
Sponsored by Engine 18

6:00 p.m.
Football Scrimmage (Vigilante Field)

8:00 p.m.
Movie (STC Great Room)


Saturday, Aug. 20 (Students Only)

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast for students only (Dining Hall)

10:00 a.m.
Choose between five orientation activities, signups will be available at orientation check in table.

12:30 p.m.
Lunch for students only (Dining Hall)

2:00 p.m.
Choose between five orientation activities, signups will be available at orientation check in table.

5:00 p.m.
Multicultural/Native American Session (Lewis & Clark Room) 

6:00 p.m.
(Students should wear black or red to this event)
Bulldog Feast (Keltz Arena)
Bulldog Brain Teaser


Sunday, Aug. 21 (Students Only)

8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast for students only (Dining Hall)

10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Students will rotate through four sessions:

1.) Office Business
2.) Help with Class Schedule and Class Location (SUB)
3.) “The Bulldog Way Program” (STC Great Room)
4.) Step-up Program (Lewis & Clark Room)

GroupBulldog WayStep-Up
Grp 1: Strawberry
Grp 2: Laffy Taffy
Grp 3: Green Apple
Grp 4: Blueberry Cobbler
Grp 5: Huckleberry
Grp 6: Red Velvet
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Grp 7: Cotton Candy
Grp 8: Mint Chip
Grp 9: Sugar Cookie
Grp 10: Sherbert
Grp 11: Watermelon
Grp 12: Key Lime Pie
1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m.

12:00 p.m.
Lunch for students only (Dining Hall)

5:00 p.m.
Dinner for students only (Dining Hall)

7:00 p.m.
All Residents Meeting (Beier Auditorium)

8:00 p.m.
Individual Residence Hall Floor Meetings

Move in Day


Community members, faculty, and staff:

Looking for ways to volunteer in the community? The Montana Western Moving Company (MWMC) has you covered. The MWMC is in its 7th year and was formed to help students and their families move into the residence halls on opening day.

All you need to do is sign up for a shift below and you will be emailed instructions on how to participate and receive a free t-shirt. 

This fun event will allow community members, faculty, staff and alumni to meet new students and welcome them on behalf of the campus and community of Dillon!

There are several two-hour shifts available so please register by Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 3 p.m. Move-in takes place on Thursday, Aug. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Who: You.

What: Montana Western Moving Company

When: Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022

Shifts: 8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m., 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Where: Montana Western Residence Halls: JDC and Mathews


Montana Western Moving Company Sign up


Keynote Speaker:


The Artistry of Studentship or How to Get Awesome at This Thing We Call College

Melinda Pfundstein is a joyful student of life and loves making curiosity cool. It is her personal mission to inspire creativity, wholeness, and authenticity in every space she facilitates. Through story, interactive engagement, tool-sharing, and more, the audience will: 

– Gain tools for building resiliency through self-assessment

– Receive a practice for leaning into inquiry and learning

– Acquire steps to fire up the imagination

– Learn ways to engage the inner compass to navigate college (and life!) with purpose


Bulldog Card Community Discounts

Show your Bulldog Card at any of the local businesses below to receive a discount.

3-D: 10% off, except custom
Angler Village: 50 cents off drinks and a chance to win a FREE drink every day for a MONTH.
African Oasis: 10% Off
Atomic 79: 10 % off
Beaverslide Coffee: free sugar cookie with drink purchase
Bookstore: 10% off
Gyro Wagon: $1 Off
Stageline Pizza: 5% discount on carry-out/dine-in orders
Susies: 10% off drinks on Saturdays
Therapie Spa: 10% Off
YMCA: Waive registration fee