Bonner Orientation at Carson Newman University is a week-long event where incoming Bonners are introduced to the program by current and/or graduated Bonners. During the process, they get familiar with the three fundamental pillars of the Bonner program at Carson-Newman: Campus, students, and community partners. The campus component involves a community tour, providing knowledge about Jefferson City, Carson-Newman Campus, and the Center for Community Engagement. Concerning the “Student” pillar, there are activities designed to facilitate reflection, self-exploration, and bonding with peers. Finally, orientation introduces new students to “Sites and Service” with a spectrum of events including cornerstone activities like site-speed dating and the opportunity to serve at about two to three different sites during their orientation week for an hour. After, they are allowed to reflect on their service formally. See the program/agenda below for more information:

1. LEADER’S EDITION
Carson-Newman Bonner Scholars
Fall Orientation

2. Day One
Dress Code: Comfy Casual!
Time Location Activity
3:00- 5:00 Residence Halls Check-in at Residence Halls
5:00 Center Welcome Dinner with families at the Center
5:45 Center Garden Dinner
(Students will leave with O-Leaders for icebreaker games)
6:45- 7:30 Appalachian Center Parent Presentation by Director and Coordinator (Parent Q&A,
explanation of finances, etc)
6:45- 7:30 Center Icebreakers led by O-Leaders
Day Two
Dress Code: Comfy Casual!
Time Location Activity
8:30- 10:30 Safety and Security Anyone who doesn’t have their ID, needs to get it during this time
period.
- An O-Leader will be outside the office if assistance is
needed.
10:30 - 11:30 Center Activity #1 w/ O-Leaders
11:45-1:00 Cafeteria Lunch
1:00- 2:00 Center History/Mission/Goals/Common Commitments Powerpoint
-Foundation video
2:00-3:00 O-Leaders lead mini sessions on each of the Common
Commitments and new students rotate between stations.
3:00- 4:30 Off-Campus Walk and Awareness Activity led by Director. Students are paired
up and walk 20 minutes in different directions in the community.
They return to the Center after 20 minutes and reflect on what
they noticed.
4:30- 5:00 Break Rest, relax, and take a breather.
5:00 Off-Campus Go to store to gather dinner supplies for students to break into
groups and cook a meal for the whole group once during
Orientation Week
6:00 Cafeteria Dinner at the Caf
8:30 Center Bonfire w/ other service programs on campus

3. Day Three
Dress Code: Comfy Casual!
We will be outside so dress for the heat!
Time Location Activity
8:30 Cafeteria Breakfast
9:15 Center Escape Room. Students work together to complete puzzles, activities,
and challenges to complete an Escape Room style-challenge
10:45 Center Bonner Basics Powerpoint - Presentation by Coordinator
11:45 Cafeteria Lunch
12:45 Center Depart from the CCE Parking Lot for the Community Tour
1:00 Various Locations Community Tour: Students are shuttled to different locations around
town to meet community leaders, professors, and staff that specialize
in the knowledge of the community. Example: Biology professor
introduces students to local waterways and ecological health of the
community, local entrepreneur introduces students to downtown
revitalization project, long-standing community member talks about the
history of county schools during desegregation, etc.
5:00 Off-Campus Depart for Dinner and a minor league Baseball Game excursion
Day Four
Dress Code: We will be working outside in the woods. Please wear closed-toed shoes and long
pants.
Time Location Activity
8:30 Cafeteria Breakfast
9:30 Center Activities led by O-Leaders
10:00 Center Logistics and Accountability Powerpoint - led by Director
12:00 Cafeteria Lunch
1:00-3:00 Community Partner
Sites
New students split into two groups and serve at different community
partner sites
3:30 Break Breather
5:00 Center Dinner (Group 1 prepares dinner for the whole group)
6:15 - 7:45 East Campus Park Identity/Privilege Exercises
- Silent Step into the Circle & Reflection (Identity Exploration)
- I AM Poems (Self-Exploration and familiar contexts)
- Walk & Talks (Each new student is paired with a current
student for a walking reflection)
7:45-10:00 Off-Campus Depart for Mini Golf with other service programs and Bonner alumni

4. Day Five
Dress Code: Business Casual
Time Location Activity
8:30 Cafeteria Breakfast
9:30 Student Success Professionalism Powerpoint led by Senior Intern
10:30 - 11:30 Center Bon to Bon (Q&A for first years without staff present)
12:00 Cafeteria Lunch
1:00 Campus
Classroom
Site Speed Dating! (Students have a chance to meet and explore
service site options)
3:00 Center Stand and Declare/ Reflection led by Coordinator
5:00 Center Dinner (Group 2 prepares dinner for the whole group)
7:30 Behind Center Passing of the Water Ceremony
Day Six
Dress Code: Whatever you want!
Bring your laptop if you have one!
Time Location Activity
8:30 Cafeteria Breakfast
9:30 Center Activity #1 with O-Leaders
10:00 Center Recovery Practices/Self-Care Presentation led by the Coordinator
11:00 Center Log first hours on BWBRS w/ help and sign-up for Bonner Connect.
Schedule 1on1’s with Bonner Coordinator.
11:30 Center Activity #2 Letter to My Future Self
12:30 Center Conclude Orientation
- O-Leaders stay back to clean up