Thunder U
Thunder U is a welcome program that takes place prior to the start of school. Students indicate their favorite interest and participate in activities surrounding that interest throughout Thunder U. Thunder U offers a chance to connect with key resources, like your Ace, and learn other important information to get you started on the right foot.
Before Thunder U
- Complete Online Orientation (must be completed prior to Thunder U, can be found via Canvas on your mySUUportal)
- Complete the New Student Checklist
Students will be emailed the full Thunder U schedule with additional information from both the FYE Office and their Ace. If you are unfamiliar with campus locations, check our campus map for more information.
If you have specific questions about Thunder U, please contact your Ace! If you aren't sure how to contact your Ace you can email thenest@suu.edu.
Thunder U Schedule
Monday, January 6th
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
- Breakfast and Buddies (Student Center, Ballroom #145)
- Come play a round of Human BINGO and enjoy breakfast foods to start your day.
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Move-It Morning with President Mindy Benson (Student Center, Ballroom #145)
- Join us for morning YOGA and snacks with President Mindy Benson!
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- Campus (Resource!) Tours (Student Center, The Nest #178)
- Get a kickstart to becoming familiar with campus and it’s commonly used resources such as the Writing Center, Tutoring Center, Career Center, Academic Advising, and more!
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Crafts - Come Decorate Your Dorm! (Student Center, Living Room)
- Join us for a DIY hour of fun crafts like magnet making, keychain creations, potted plants, tote bags for the start of school, and more!
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- Trivia Throwdown and Gamer Showdown (Student Center, Living Room)
- From pop culture to campus history - put your knowledge to the test and join in on the friendly competition for an afternoon of trivia. Trivia not your style? We also have a variety of games and open gaming consoles that’ll keep you on your toes - ping pong, pool, board games galore, and virtual consoles. Come try them out!
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
- Student Wellness is Poppin' Off - Get to Know Your Wellness Tools (Student Center, Living Room)
- Learn about resources available to you through the Student Outreach and Support Office, Health and Wellness, as well as Counseling and Psychological Services.
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Open Mic and Mocktails (Student Center, Living Room)
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- A campus favorite activity - karaoke and popular soda drink mixes. Take the stage or sing along from the comfort of your chair - all are welcome to attend!
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Open Recreation (PE Building)
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- The PE Building offers pickleball, volleyball, basketball, indoor track, pool - and more!
Tuesday, January 7th
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Thunder U Check-In (Student Center, Convention Center #144)
- Please check-in to receive your free SUU T-Shirt and credentials to participate in events throughout the remainder of the day.
8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
- Resource Fair (Student Center, Rotunda)
- Get to know familiar faces across campus and learn more about what SUU has to offer you. Participate in a BINGO game to meet as many resources as you can and be entered in to win SUU Swag!
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
- New Student Induction (Student Center, Ballroom #145)
- All are welcome to participate in the formal induction of our newest TBirds!
11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
- Carter Carillon Bell Tower Tradition (Upper Campus, Carter Carillon Bell Tower)
- A campus favorite tradition, come launch your time here at SUU by walking under the Bell Tower. Parents, Family, and Community please stand to the west of the Bell Tower. SUU Community, please stand to the east of the Bell Tower.
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
- New Student Lunch (Student Center, Dining Hall)
- FREE lunch for all new, incoming students at the Dining Hall. Allergen accommodations available. Food options include build your own: Chicken Teriyaki, Pork Loin, Meatball Pasta, Chicken Tenders, Pizza, and Salad Bar in addition to other delicious desserts and sides.
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
- ACE Meeting
- Locations as follows:
| ACE | Location |
|---|---|
| Abby Braizer | ED 102 |
| Ada McKeehan | ED 103 |
| Alex Thornton | ED 202 |
| Andrew Cartier | BUS 120 |
| Benjamin Blake | BUS 238 |
| Brielle Hugh | BUS 240 |
| Brynn Kilpatrick | BUS 242 |
| Christian Actouka | BUS 243 |
| Elise Walker | BUS 244 |
| Harper Smith | BUS 246 |
| Kade Simmons | BUS 119 |
| Kamele Lung | BUS 251 |
| Landon Lee | BUS 250 |
| Leona Lombardi | BH 116 |
| Lisa Kirezi | BH 118 |
| Logan Eteuati | BH 205 |
| NathanSean Kirkby | BH 206 |
| Nikolette McKinney | BH 218 |
| Olivia Lopez | BH 219 |
| Pablo Suarez | BH 222 |
| Rachel Hardy | BH 311 |
| Tad Webb | BH 318 |
| Tanner Cornbridge | BH 320 |
| Yazmine Koster | BH 322 |
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
- Class Tours (Led by your ACE, beginning at the locations listed above.)
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
- College Meetings
- Locations as follows:
| College | Location |
|---|---|
| Business | Hunter Alumni Center - Gilbert Great Hall |
| Education and Human Development | Education Building (ED) 215 |
| Engineering and Computational Sciences | Hunter Alumni Center - Charles Hunter Room |
| Exploratory/Undeclared | Student Center, Church Auditorium |
| Health Sciences | PE Building Room #101 |
| Humanities and Social Sciences | Education Building (ED) 104 |
| Performing and Visual Arts | Student Center, Theatre |
| Science | Science Building Room #114 |
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
- Interest Events
- Sports - Laser Tag (Student Center, Convention Center #141)
- The ultimate battle of strategy, teamwork, and fun! Whether you’re a seasoned-pro or a first-timer, join us for an action-packed game of laser tag.
- Music - Vinyl Record Painting (Student Center, Starlight Room #208)
- Mosey through some groovy vinyl records, paint, and contribute your favorite tunes to the Thunder U 2025 Playlist.
- Trendy - Speed Friending! (Student Center, Living Room)
- Come get to know your fellow TBirds and make a few fast friends as launch into your time here at SUU.
- Gaming - Escape Room (Student Center, Convention Center #144)
- Times ticking - step into a brain-bending challenge that will put your problem solving skills to the test where wit, creativity, and collaboration will be the key to cracking the code successfully!
- Outdoors - Frehner Museum Exhibits (Science Addition Building, Frehner Museum)
- Take a short walk across campus to tour the SUU Greenhouse and Frehner Museum Exhibits. Located on the first floor of the Science Center Addition Building on the southeast corner of SUU's campus. Please note that the museum has a separate outdoor entrance on the west side of the SCA that is ADA accessible.
- Sports - Laser Tag (Student Center, Convention Center #141)
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
- Tradition Time
- Join us for an unforgettable assembly introduction to some of the most cherished SUU traditions that will become part of your story during your time at SUU. Tradition Time is a moment to feel the energy and pride of being a part of something much bigger—your new home on campus. Welcome Home, TBirds!
Is Thunder U Required?
Thunder U (orientation) is required for all new students under SUU Policy 6.5 IV-B-4K.
- Incoming first-year students are required to attend Thunder U.
- Transfer students are required to attend Thunder U.
- Non-Traditional students (over the age of 25, married and/or with children) are required to attend Thunder U. We also host a Non-Traditional Student Mix and Mingle during Thunder U, be sure to check for it on the complete schedule.
- International students are required to attend both the International Student Orientation and Thunder U.
- Veteran students are required to attend Thunder U and should connect with the Veteran Resource and Support Center to attend their Military Connected Orientation.
- Online campus students are exempt from attending Thunder U. Students with all online courses that are registered as a "main campus" student are still required to attend Thunder U. For questions about your campus designation, please contact your Ace.
- Parents of T-Birds Both in-person open houses and online orientation for parents are available through Parent and Family Services.