Traditions, success, and community in the making

Take the next step in your transition to Cyclone life.

New opportunities

Discover all that Iowa State has to offer at Destination Iowa State. Take the next step in your transition to Cyclone life.

This action-packed event takes place prior to the start of classes and provides you with an opportunity to:

  • Make connections
    • Team up with fellow new students and learn together. Journey through Iowa State with your Team Leader, an experienced upper-class student.
  • Explore campus
    • Travel throughout campus and discover your new favorite café, study nook, or hammock spot.
  • Prep for classes
    • Find your classrooms, learn about technology, and set your mind toward academic success.
  • Experience traditions
    • Create Hilton Magic, find Lancelot and Elaine, and meet Cy.
  • Be well. Be safe. Be resourceful.
    • Discover resources and plan for ways to keep you and your fellow Cyclones safe and well.
  • Join Cyclone Nation
    • Become a part of the Iowa State community and take advantage of the Cyclone Nation network.

Thursday, August 17, 2023: Traditions in the Making

5:00–6:30 p.m.

Destination Iowa State Check-in
Get your exclusive Iowa State gear. Remember to bring your ISUCard!

 Scheman Building, Iowa State Center

5:00–7:00 p.m.

Center of ExCYtement
Meet your DIS Team Leader and the other members of your team. Enjoy a picnic meal and explore ways you can get involved on campus as you prepare for Destination Iowa State 2023!

 Lot C-2, South of Hilton Coliseum

7:15 p.m.  

Destination Iowa State Kickoff
Rally together to celebrate the beginning of the new school year with Iowa State traditions and a few special guests. Experience Hilton Magic the moment you become a Cyclone.

 Hilton Coliseum

Friday, August 18, 2023: Success in the Making

8:30–11:00 a.m.

Breakfast on Central Campus
Join your team at your assigned time to kick-start your day with a delicious pancake breakfast. Meet up with your team and plan for the fun day ahead!

 Central Campus by Curtiss Hall

Assigned times

Cyclone Skills
Gather with other members of your team to share advice, get tips for academic success in and out of the classroom, build connections, explore Iowa State tech, and make plans for the semester ahead.

 Various campus locations

10:00 a.m.–noon

TRANSFERmation
Network with other transfer students. Learn how to thrive during your first semester at Iowa State and hear about campus resources from a transfer student perspective.

 Memorial Union
2:00–4:00 p.m.

Clone Quest
Get moving and explore campus during this interactive, app-based scavenger hunt. Take photos, answer trivia questions, and search for the Secret Cy’s to win fabulous prizes. Download Scavify to start the quest.

 Iowa State campus
4:00–6:00 p.m.

Welcome to Your Cyclone Home
Students living in Iowa State housing are invited to get to know their neighbors and new community. Check with your resident assistant for a location.

 Various locations
6:00–8:00 p.m.

Cyclone Welcome Weekend Cookout
Grab a bite to eat and meet new and returning Cyclones while enjoying Lied Recreation. Keep your eye out for special guests and activities.

 Lied Recreation
8:00–11:00 p.m.

Late Night at the Memorial Union

Take over the Memorial Union with your group for three full hours of activities, music, food, and fun all showcasing the activities that make up your Memorial Union!

  • 8:00 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. – The Great Dubois is a 2-person, high energy, and fun circus variety act seen on The Greatest Showman, Pippin on Broadway, and various late-night television shows. Both shows will be in the Great Hall.
  • Silent Disco – You and your friends can dance the night away with the ability to switch between live DJs played through wireless headphones.
 Memorial Union

Saturday, August 19, 2023: Community in the Making

10:00 a.m.–Noon

Cyclone Welcome Weekend G.O.A.T. Breakfast
Kick-off this day of community-making with the Greatest Of All Time Breakfasts. Come meet up with more of the Iowa State community, fuel your body for the day ahead, and possibly meet your new best friend. Serving of breakfast will end at 11:00 a.m.

 Central Campus
9:00 a.m.–Noon

Making Your Community
Just like the make-up of Cyclone Nation, everyone's community is unique. Teams will have the opportunity to explore and develop their community.

Here are some of the possible options teams can do:

  • Participate in a group fitness class or sports at State Gym or Lied Athletic Recreation Center
  • Play a board game on central campus
  • Take CyRide to the Ames Farmer's Market
  • Shop at Target or Walmart for back-to-school essentials
  • Check out local shops and boutiques in downtown Ames
  • Explore study spots at Parks Library
  • Visit Reiman Gardens
  • Find the different art installations on campus

Whatever you decide to do is up to you and your group. Start making your Iowa State community today!

 Various locations

Assigned times

One Cyclone
One Cyclone. One Campus. One Conversation. During this thought-provoking, interactive program, you will examine you own identity and understand that others think, act, look, feel, and live differently from you. One Cyclone encourages you to openly discuss your own feelings as you begin to understand how each one of us belongs to Cyclone Nation.

 Memorial Union
Assigned times Green Dot
Green Dot at DIS is an interactive presentation that introduces Green Dot – a power-based violence prevention program. You’ll learn knowledge and skills to increase your proactive and reactive bystander behaviors and be prepared to use what you have learned to reduce power-based personal violence. Be part of creating a campus community that does not tolerate violence.		 Various campus locations
7:00–10:00 p.m.

The Cyclone Magic Experience
Celebrate the best teams in the country at the greatest college arena on earth! Join Cy and his favorite fans for a celebration of all things Iowa State. This one night, students-only event will feature all the lights and sounds of Hilton Magic. Don't miss the chance to shoot hoops on the basketball court, hang out in the exclusive Johnny's restaurant, and get a fan-favorite Juicy Wiggle shirt! Come for the hype, stay for the free snacks, games and a chance to win awesome prizes and passes. 

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a Cyclone Magic pep rally at 7:00 p.m.!

 Hilton Coliseum

8:00–10:00 p.m.

Hypnotist and comedian Chris Jones
SEE the show or BE the show with star of America’s Got Talent, Chris Jones.

Doors open at 8:00 p.m. Show starts at 8:30 p.m.

 Stephens Auditorium

Contact New Student Programs