MSU Debut is a collection of co-curricular events and activities at the beginning of each semester with the goal of engaging students and showcasing the best of our campus community. This series of events equips students for a successful transition to Montana State University, empowers them to contribute to the Bobcat community, and fosters inclusion, integrity, and belonging.

Get Involved. Get Connected.
Own Your Experience.

 

Freshman Students in an "M" formation on the football field

 

 

welcome new and returning bobcats!

Fall 2023 SIGNATURE EVENTS

Saturday, August 19th 

  • Strand Union Activity Fair  
  • Strand Union Building
  • 2pm-5pm
  • Free Bowling, Billiards, Movie, yard games, awesome music and MSU Bookstore promotions

Sunday, August 20th 

  • Food Truck Rodeo  
  • Romney Oval
  • 5pm-7pm
  • Students snag free food from local food truck vendors and get to know peers on the lawn!

Tuesday, August 22nd 

  • Freshman 1st meal
  • Bobcat Stadium 
  • 4:30pm-5:30pm
  • A delicious and iconic meal to welcome 1st year Bobcats

 

  • M Photo 
  • Bobcat Stadium 
  • 5:30pm-6pm
  • First year students gather to create the iconic M Photo to kickstart the year 

 

  • Convocation 
  • Brick Breeden Field House
  • 7pm-8:30pm
  • Celebrate your MSU beginning featuring best-selling author Stephanie Land 

Wednesday, August 23rd 

  • 1st Day Welcome Tents  
  • Multiple Locations Around Campus
  • 8am-12pm
  • Meet us around campus to get oriented and be welcomed into the campus community! Happy first day of classes! 

 

Thursday, August 24th 

Friday, August 25th 

  • Catapalooza!  
  • Multiple Locations Around Campus 
  • 9am-3pm
  • This iconic event provides all students with opportunities to engage with student clubs and organizations, and many community partners. This amazing involvement fair will also showcase local music and fun activities throughout campus.

Wednesday, August 30th 

  • Campus Game Night  
  • Strand Union Ballrooms
  • 6pm-8pm
  • Come hang out and learn a new board game or enjoy the classics! If virtual is more your style, join a video game or try VR!

Thursday, August 31st 

  • MSU Debut Treasure Hunt
  • All across campus
  • Start at American Indian Hall or your dorm with RAs
  • 6pm-7:30pm
  • Join the Montana State University Treasure Hunt for an adventure full of treasures, prizes, snacks,and fun! This is a B.Y.O.B. (bring your own bag) adventure, so make sure to have a bag on hand when you begin.  

 

  • Gallatin College Treasure Hunt
  • Start at the Gallatin College "East" Lobby at 705 Osterman Dr, Suite C
  • This event runs all day. 
  • Join the Gallatin College Treasure Hunt adventure for lots of fun, prizes, and snacks! Bring your own bag to carry your prizes and treasures!

Thursday, September 7th

  • Student Resource Fair
  • Malone Mall; Outside of Montana Hall
  • 11am-1pm
  • Come join Student Success & Support Services for our MSU Debut Student Resource Fair and learn more about the resources and support offered across campus!

Friday, September 8th

  • MSU Debut Outdoor Concert  
  • Romney Oval 
  • 6pm-10pm
  • Grab some friends and have a blast at our free outdoor concert as we enjoy the last taste of summer - artist announcement coming soon!  

Saturday, September 16th 

  • Service Saturday  
  • Multiple Locations Around Campus and The Community
  • 9am-3pm
  • Volunteer to give back to your community! Opportunities to get involved span campus and the surrounding areas!

Sunday, September 17th 

  • Rockin the "M"  
  • Bridger Foothills Trail
  • 9am-3pm
  • Help us repaint the iconic College M - A tradition that has spanned over 100 years!

 

Fall 2023 Affiliate Events

Wednesday, August 23rd 

  • Department of Ecology Welcome Back Open House
  • In front of the Lewis Building
  • 8am-10:50am
  • Come grab a treat and meet the faculty and staff!

Wednesday, August 23rd & Thursday, August 24th

  • Department of Agriculture & Agriculture Economics Welcome Back Open House
  • 3rd Floor of Linfield
  • 8:45am-12:15pm
  • Come grab a treat and meet the faculty and staff!

Friday, August 25th 

  • Hort Farm Field Day
  • 2730 West Garfield
  • 5pm-8pm
  • See what we’ve been up to with our educational programs and research efforts that supports horticultural crop production and local food systems. Dinner served at 6:30pm.

Tuesday, August 29th 

  • Campus Recreation Yoga   
  • Bobcat Stadium
  • 6pm-7pm
  • Join campus recreation for a yoga class! This event is open to all levels of yoga enthusiasts , including if you've never gone to a yoga class before; the more the merrier. Some mats will be provided, and we encourage you to bring yours if you have one.

Wednesday, August 30th

  • Bear Safety Clinic
  • MSU Outdoor Recreation Building
  • 6pm-7pm
  • Are you Bear Aware?  Join the Outdoor Recreation Program for this 1-hour Bear Safety clinic: this is a must-do for anyone recreating around Bozeman. Learn the basics of bear behavior, keys to preventing bear encounters, and what you need to do to respect this powerful animal and stay safe in Bear Country.  Cap off the clinic with an opportunity to fire off some inert bear spray (no irritant added) to get real life practice with this essential safety tool.

Thursday, August 31st 

  • NACOE Welcome Back Picnic   
  • Between Cobleigh Hall and the SUB
  • 11:30am-1:30pm

 

  • Department of English Open House
  • Wilson Hall English Lobby
  • 9am-11:30am
  • Come enjoy a hand pie and coffee and meet the faculty and staff!

Saturday, September 2nd - Monday, September 4th

  • Labor Day Backpacking Trip
  • MSU Outdoor Recreation Building and then out to the backcountry
  • Two- night backpacking and hiking trip that is geared to learning new skills, making friends and exploring the natural landscape around Bozeman! pre-trip meeting on Friday, September 1st is required for participation. Head to the ORP website via this link to register

Saturday, September 2nd 

  • Gold Rush Game
  • Bobcat Stadium
  • 6pm
  • Come Cheer on Bobcat Football for the first home game of the year! Grab your event T-shirt from the bookstore and fill the stadium with GOLD as we take on Utah Tech.

Tuesday, September 5th 

  • Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Welcome Back Open House
  • Chemistry Biochemistry Building 103
  • 1pm-3pm
  • Come grab a treat and meet the faculty and staff!

Wednesday, September 6th 

  • College of Agriculture Ice Cream Social
  • Strand Union Building Leigh Lounge
  • 3pm-5pm
  • Join us to meet your people behind the College of Agriculture, and enjoy a sweet ice cream treat.

Wednesday, September 6th 

  • Department of Modern Languages & Literatures Welcome Back Open House
  • Gaines 117
  • 9am-12pm
  • Come grab a treat and meet the faculty and staff!

Thursday, September 7th

  • Bear Safety Clinic
  • MSU Outdoor Recreation Building
  • 6pm-7pm
  • Are you Bear Aware?  Join the Outdoor Recreation Program for this 1-hour Bear Safety clinic: this is a must-do for anyone recreating around Bozeman. Learn the basics of bear behavior, keys to preventing bear encounters, and what you need to do to respect this powerful animal and stay safe in Bear Country.  Cap off the clinic with an opportunity to fire off some inert bear spray (no irritant added) to get real life practice with this essential safety tool. 

Thursday, September 7th

  • Department of History & Philosophy Welcome Back Open House
  • Southwest corner of Wilson Hall
  • 9am-1pm
  • Come grab a treat and meet the faculty and staff!

Tuesday, September 12th

  • Bear Safety Clinic
  • MSU Outdoor Recreation Building
  • 6pm-7pm
  • Are you Bear Aware?  Join the Outdoor Recreation Program for this 1-hour Bear Safety clinic: this is a must-do for anyone recreating around Bozeman. Learn the basics of bear behavior, keys to preventing bear encounters, and what you need to do to respect this powerful animal and stay safe in Bear Country.  Cap off the clinic with an opportunity to fire off some inert bear spray (no irritant added) to get real life practice with this essential safety tool. 

Tuesday, September 19th

  • Jabs 1st Year Expo
  • Jabs Hall Lobby
  • 5pm-7pm
  • An opportunity for new Jabs first-year students to connect with the College, explore engagement opportunities such as internships, study abroad and student clubs, explore support resources, and mostly importantly meet faculty and learn about our four academic disciplines. There will be salty snacks, sweet raffle prizes and Jabs giveaways.

 

 

 

Contact Us

                   

Chris Pruden
Student Engagement and Leadership Advisor
Office of Student Engagement
406.994.5821

      Chris Pruden 

 

Dear new and returning Bobcats,

Welcome back to a new semester at Montana State University! I sincerely hope that your participation in MSU Debut serves as a springboard to deeper community connection, involvement, and belonging as you navigate life in college. Please reach out to me directly with any questions, comments, or suggestions for improvement. Thank you very much.

Go Cats!

 

We strive to ensure MSU Debut events are equal and accessible to all. For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, please contact Disability Services at: 406.994.2824 or visit their WEBSITE for more information.