Dean College's Fall Semester Kicked Off With a Bang
FRANKLIN, Mass. - Dean College welcomed back students for the Fall semester with a week full of events and opportunities.
Dean College’s 2026 Fall semester is now in full swing in Franklin. The first week back was thriving with students, families, and activities to kick off a new academic year. The weekend of August 29th marked the official start as residence halls filled with students and their belongings. Returning students prepared for a new year, while first year students began adjusting to their new beginnings.
Autumn Feinberg (‘29), a returning student, viewed her move in experience as “returning to a place that already felt familiar. Coming back to campus for my sophomore year felt exciting.”
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The first week back offered more than just unpacking and organizing. Dean College Student Activities planned a series of events for the opening week of the semester to give students the chance to interact with others on campus, reconnect with friends, and learn more ways to become involved as a Dean College Student.
Sunday morning featured an Aroma Joe's Pop Up, giving students a reason to rise and explore campus. Students enjoyed the Boomer's Bash on Sunday night, which marked one of the first major social events of the semester. Complete with lawn games and clear skies, students had the opportunity to enjoy time with friends and meet others!
Monday marked the last day of August and was full of opportunities. The Student Involvement Fair took place in the early afternoon. Here, students could learn about the numerous clubs offered on campus and were able to sign up to be a part of them.
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“I loved learning about all the clubs from the club leaders,” First year Sarah Berube (‘30) commented on the Student Involvement Fair, “they were all so passionate and well prepared... which made me eager to join!”
Students also had the chance to attend the Welcome Back Cookout later in the afternoon for even more chances to connect with new people, returning friends, and enjoy food and music!
First Year students were a part of the Matriculation Ceremony. The ceremony happens yearly for first years and marks the official process of being admitted as a student at Dean College. The ceremony is repeated 4 years later at graduation to mark the end of the college career.
“It was so cool to learn about the history behind Dean,” said Berube, “I also love the tradition of touching the bulldog when you start... and touching it again when you graduate.”
Tuesday, September 1st marked FDOC, or the First Day of Classes. Along with students moving around to find their classes and settling into Fall schedules, students were able to take FDOC photos to commemorate the start of a new year.
Classes beginning did not mean activities ending, though. On Wednesday, September 2nd, Dean Activities brought in a Pancake Artist, which combined breakfast and artwork. Students got to munch on creative pancakes and even request a design of their own.
On Friday, September 4th, Commuter Students were welcomed to their own event, as Dean Activities hosted a Dirty Soda and Bagels event. Another great opportunity for students to connect with other members in the Dean community. The Academic Week wrapped up with Karaoke Night that was hosted in the Student Center Atrium.
Saturday September 5th offered a Dunkin Pop-up, and Sunday Sept 6th had Awpie Way set up with lawn games and a food truck to end the busy first week back.
The return to Campus gave students more than just a start to their classes. The events provided opportunities to build connections, discover campus, and settle into another semester.
