Bison Bound

Bison Bound 2026

 FALL BISON BOUND DATES

• Bison Bound 1 - Thursday-Friday, June 11-12, 2026
• Bison Bound 2 - Thursday-Friday, July 9-10, 2026

Registration for fall Bison Bound opens February 1 for all students who have paid their enrollment fees. To register, please login to your admissions portal and view the "Checklist Forms" section to select the session of your choice. 

All incoming students must complete orientation in order to register for fall classes and enroll.

Other Important Dates

• Move-In Day - August 12th, 2026!
• Stampede (Welcome Weekend) begins on Thursday evening, Aug. 13-16, 2026
• Fall classes begin on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026

Before you come to Bison Bound

• Review Admissions requirements (if applicable)
• Join NearPeer! We want to give you a head start on one of the most important parts of orientation — connecting with future classmates! With that in mind, Harding has partnered with Nearpeer. Nearpeer is a social media peer-to-peer networking platform specifically for Harding students that matches and connects incoming students based on their similarities and common interests. You can locate others in your program of study, find a roommate, or just make connections. All admitted students will receive a personal email invitation to join.

June and July Bison Bound Schedule

Day 1 (Thursday): 

8-9 a.m. - Check-in at the Benson Auditorium

9-9:45 a.m. - Welcome session in the Benson Auditorium

10-11:30 a.m. - Academic fair in the Ganus Activities Complex (GAC)

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Dorm check-in and dorm tours (see check-in info in the accordion group below)

10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Complete unfinished essential checklist items (see checklist in the accordion group below)

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Searcy Business Fair in the Heritage Lobby

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. - Lunch in the University Dining Hall (Caf) or other dining options

12:45-1:05 p.m. - College deans welcome sessions (by college)

1:15-2 p.m. - Advising breakout session 1, specific location by major

2-2:45 p.m. - Advising breakout session 2, specific location by major

2:45-3 p.m. - Regroup in the Benson Auditorium for student groups

3-5:45 p.m. - Student groups split off (see student group schedules below) (students only)

3-4:15 p.m.- Parent Session 1: Bison Basics, Benson Auditorium 

4:15-5:30 p.m. - Parent Session 2: Finding their Herd, Benson Auditorium 

5:45-7:30 p.m. - Dinner in the Caf

Student Group 1:

3-3:45 p.m. - Life at Harding: student involvement and spiritual life at the Anthony and Wright Administration Building Auditorium

4-4:45 p.m. - Bison breakout in the Founders Room

5-5:45 p.m. - Take student ID photo and register vehicle at the Kendall Building

Student Group 2:

3-3:45 p.m. - Bison breakout in the Founders Room

4-4:45 p.m. - Take student ID photo and register vehicle at the Kendall Building

5-5:45 p.m. - Life at Harding: student involvement and spiritual Life at the Anthony and Wright Administration Building Auditorium

Student Group 3:

3-3:45 p.m. - Take student ID photo and register vehicle at the Kendall Building

4-4:45 p.m. - Life at Harding: Student involvement and spiritual life at the Anthony and Wright Administration Building Auditorium

5-5:45 p.m. - Bison breakout in the Founders Room

Day 2 (Friday): 

8-8:45 a.m. - Breakfast in the Caf (students only)

9-10 a.m. - Worship and connection in the Benson Auditorium

10 a.m.-11 a.m. - Parent Session 3: Your First Year Experience, Benson Auditorium

10 a.m.-1 p.m. - Student class scheduling and registration, specific locations by major

10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. - Dorm tours

11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Parent Information Fair in the Heritage Lobby

11 a.m.-1 p.m. - Bison Bound Bash in the Heritage Lobby

You're officially a bison—welcome to Harding!