Gratitude is one of the most empowering, God-honoring gifts that we can share with one another. I received this precious gift at the end of the school year from one of our freshmen and one of our graduating seniors.
The freshman ran up to me after our Commencement concert to give me a handwritten note describing his first year at Wheaton. His message praised God and expressed gratitude to me for his growth as a Christian, a scholar, a musician, and a member of the Wheaton College community.
I received a similar note following Commencement, from a student who transferred to Wheaton and enjoyed a spiritually, intellectually, and athletically transformational experience on our campus.
Both students wanted to testify to God’s goodness. They also wanted to make a personal connection and encourage me in my leadership of the College.
Now I write—somewhat more legibly—to express my gratitude to you as a beloved Wheaton College parent. Thank you for partnering with us in the Christian education of your student. Thank you for all the ways that you continue to love and support your Wheatie. Thank you for pointing your precious son or daughter to Jesus Christ. And thank you for praying for us over these summer months.
Gratefully,
Philip Ryken President
Welcome, New Parents!
If you are receiving this newsletter for the first time, it means you are officially a Wheaton parent. Welcome to the Wheaton family!
Throughout the year, the Parent Engagement team works to keep you well informed, and one way is through this monthly e-newsletter. Each issue contains important information relevant to your student’s Wheaton experience, so we encourage you to read the newsletter in its entirety.
We look forward to meeting new parents on campus at the beginning of Wheaton Passage in August. We will send pertinent information about Wheaton Passage via email, so keep an eye on your inbox, but in the meantime, familiarize yourself with the parent engagement website. For those who like to plan ahead, make note of future dates.
We are here to support you as you launch your student at Wheaton. It’s an exciting time and we can’t wait to see you on campus!
Update Your Contact Information
Returning parents, we want to be sure our information reaches you, so if any of your contact information has changed, please complete the update your contact information form. Thank you!
Wheaton Passage
Wheaton College’s signature orientation program for new students is called Passage – and it’s just around the corner! Designed to foster meaningful connections and ease the transition into college life, Passage offers every new student a compelling, Christ-centered introduction to Wheaton. Our team is filled with anticipation as we prepare to welcome the Class of 2029 and new incoming transfer students to campus this August.
Students arrive with their families on August 13 or 14, depending on their program. Upon arrival, student leaders, faculty, and staff will be ready to assist with move-in and to participate alongside you in worship, devotions, and activities that offer a first look at Wheaton’s vibrant Christian community. After opening events, new students will embark on their Passage trips – traveling to HoneyRock in Wisconsin, the City of Chicago, or into Wisconsin’s wilderness for trips that include rock climbing at Devil’s Lake State Park, backpacking along the Ice Age Trail, and canoeing on the Wisconsin River. These shared experiences help students build meaningful friendships and begin their first Wheaton College Course: Holistic Human Flourishing. In it, students will reflect on what it means to grow intellectually, spiritually, and relationally – and how to pursue flourishing during their time at Wheaton.
Following the Passage trips, students return to campus for student-focused programming to learn more about academic and club options, campus life, and residence life. Classes start on August 27, 2025.
Please double-check your student’s assigned arrival day to guarantee a smooth start. August 13 arrivals include football players, ROTC students, international students, and music majors. Please plan to arrive between 2:00 – 5:00 pm. August 14 arrivals include students participating in Northwoods, Equestrian, Urban Downtown, Urban Woodlawn, and Wildness Passage. August 22 arrivals are designated for Transfer students participating in Transfer Passage.
As you pack and plan, don’t forget to check out the packing lists for each Passage track, available on the Passage website.
If you have questions, we’re here to help. Visit the Passage website or email us at passage@wheaton.edu. If your student has accommodation needs, please reach out to the Learning and Accessibility office at LAS@wheaton.edu. For questions about financial assistance for the $995 Passage program fee, contact Student Financial Services at sfs@wheaton.edu.
We’re so glad your student is beginning their Wheaton journey – and we can’t wait to welcome you both in August!
Registration for Fall 2025 Classes
Continuing students should already be registered for Fall 2025. Incoming students (first-year and transfer) should review their admitted student checklist for all tasks related to registration and onboarding to Wheaton College. Transfer students are required to meet with Academic Advising; please encourage your student to check their Wheaton email for details about transfer student registration.
Additional note for first-year students: the Academic Advising Office is happy to assist with registration via email (academic.advising@wheaton.edu) or with an optional advising appointment. Students can use their Wheaton credentials to make an appointment here. Unfortunately Academic Advising is not able to help with technical issues; however, our AIT Help Desk team is very helpful for technical issues, so if your student encounters technical issues making an appointment or with any Wheaton College systems, they should reach out to AIT.Service.Desk@wheaton.edu or call 630-752-HELP. First-year students need to complete an advising questionnaire before they are given a time to register in July. All students should be registered for CORE 101: First Year Seminar and a minimum of 12 hours/credits before arriving for Passage!
Center for Vocation and Career (CVC) Summer Opportunities
Although campus is quieter in the summer, the Center for Vocation and Career is still in full swing to provide resources for your student or recent graduate! Virtual or in-person coaching appointments are available all summer for current Wheaties. If your student has vocational questions, wants to discuss their current job or internship, or needs a thought partner as they consider their next career step, encourage them to book an appointment here.
We’re not just looking out for current students. Alumni have full access to CVC services for two years after graduation, so recent graduates are welcome to make a coaching appointment here. Additionally, the CVC is offering two virtual workshops for young alumni. These sessions cover how to prepare for interviews (June 18, 12:00 p.m. CDT) and how to network effectively (June 25, 12:00 p.m. CDT). Encourage your recent graduate to sign up for one or both workshops here.
Summer at Wheaton
Campus Activity During the Summer Months
Many folks think that campus is quiet all summer long (and certainly it is quieter without the full student body), but the Event Services (ES) department helps fill campus spaces with a wide range of groups to better steward all of the College’s resources during the summer months. This summer, Wheaton will host over 22 residential camps and conferences, including music camps, sports camps, and Christian youth conferences. At the same time, there will be over a dozen special events and celebrations such as graduations, recitals, and concerts in our performance and meeting spaces.
The ES team recently received a heartwarming word of encouragement. A youth sports camp participant had been asked to write a school paper about his favorite place to be in the world. His response: basketball camp at Wheaton College. Perhaps one day, that camper will return as a Wheaton student!
We invite you to pray for all those visiting Wheaton this summer -- that their experiences will create positive memories that will last a lifetime. Every conference group is welcomed to campus by a team of Wheaton students working to bring Christ-like hospitality and customer service excellence to the residence halls. We invite you to pray for our student team as well -- that their work this summer will be gratifying and productive.
How can you pray for Wheaton this month?
Pray for new students and their families as they prepare to join the Wheaton community this fall.
Pray for current students, faculty, and staff, who are spending the summer months studying, working and/or serving throughout the world.
Pray for administrators to find rest and refreshment during these summer months.
Pray for alumni around the world as they seek to live "for Christ and His Kingdom."
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/t4_pending/media/about/Dr-Ryken-in-office-2019.jpg)
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/t4_pending/media/parent-engagement/Passage-2024-Parent-Photo-Booth-option-2.jpg)
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/t4_pending/media/parent-engagement/Registering-on-laptop.jpg)
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/t4_pending/media/parent-engagement/CVC-Sign.jpg)
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/t4_pending/media/parent-engagement/Event-Services-Summer-Camp-Registration.JPG)
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/t4_pending/media/parent-engagement/praying-students-for-prayer-page-1.jpg)
/filters:quality(85)/prod02/channel_1/t4_pending/media/giving/Blanchard-Summer-1.jpg)