Just as the buzz of construction slowed a bit on the Hesston College campus with the completion of the Northlawn renovation, the buzz of students returning took its place.

Hesston College is gearing up for the start of another academic year with the annual Opening Weekend beginning Friday, and classes starting Monday, Aug. 17.

Students have been arriving a few dozen at a time since last Thursday when resident assistants moved in for a weekend of training. Fall athletes arrived Sunday evening and jumped right into training and getting to know one another Monday morning. International students, aviation students, ministry assistants and Jumpstart participants will arrive Tuesday evening to get a head start on classes and training for their roles for the year. The dorms will open for all remaining students Friday afternoon.

Registration has also been happening for different groups of students throughout the week with the bulk of it to take place Saturday morning, followed by orientation for new students.

Several annual Opening Weekend events are free and open to the public. Opening Celebration, the first campus community event for the year will be at 8 p.m., Friday, Aug. 14, in the Hesston Mennonite Church Sanctuary.

The volleyball team, under the leadership of head coach Jessica Cleveland, will give a team season preview with a Maroon and Gold scrimmage at 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15, in Yost Center.

Sunday’s schedule features a 10:30 a.m. worship service with Hesston Mennonite Church. The apex event of the weekend – Mod Olympics – will be at 7:30 p.m., on the soccer field.

See the full Opening Weekend schedule here.