Rec "N Wild

Enjoy water events, games and treats at Rec 'N Wild on Thursday, Aug. 24. At last year's event, David Kim (left), Amy Whitaker and Steven Robinson cooled down with flavored ice.

The University of Texas at Dallas has expanded its annual welcome back for new and returning students with Weeks of Welcome (WOW) events that include a block party, comedy show, poetry jam, water games and plenty of free food.

Organized by various campus departments, Weeks of Welcome will include more than 45 events over two full weeks.

“We have been expanding over the years to where we now have two full-blown weeks of welcome-back activities. There will be something for everyone, whether it’s dancing at a block party, participating in water games, watching a movie with your friends or just cooling off with a frozen treat,” said Tineil Lewis, assistant director of student life programs.

Welcome Week banner

Full Schedule: For details about activities from Sunday through Sept. 1, visit the Weeks of Welcome website.

Where's Temoc? Snap a pic of Temoc during Weeks of Welcome and tag it with #TemocSighting to win prizes. Follow @Official_Temoc on Instagram. 

Get Social: Tag your Weeks of Welcome photos with #WelcomeComets. The best pictures will appear on the #WelcomeComets Tagboard. 

Activities will begin Sunday, Aug. 20, with the formal University Convocation, featuring keynote speaker Roslyn Dawson Thompson, president and CEO of Dallas Women's Foundation. The convocation, which marks the start of the academic journey for incoming students, will be followed by a Welcome Back Bash featuring a catered Mediterranean meal outside the new Davidson-Gundy Alumni Center.

The Welcome Back Block Party that evening will feature live DJs, mechanical bull riding, video games, glow sticks and dancing at Northside Apartments.

New this year will be the dedication of the Temoc Display, featuring the University mascot’s original costume, in the Visitor Center and University Bookstore Atrium.

Also, MTVU will be auditioning UT Dallas students who want to try out for a video DJ role in upcoming episodes during Cometville at the Student Union Mall on Wednesday, Aug. 23.

Rec N' Wild will feature water rides, games and treats at the Intramural Softball Field on Thursday, Aug. 24. Students can participate that evening in the Silent Disco, a dance with wireless headphones, in Recreation Center West.

Actor and stand-up comedian T.J. Miller from the HBO sitcom “Silicon Valley” will highlight a comedy show in the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building Lecture Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

During Weeks of Welcome, campus departments and offices will provide free food including ice cream, breakfast tacos and cookies.