Tiger Takeoff

Building on strengths, fostering skills and habits to develop exceptional, well-rounded leaders.

Tiger Takeoff

Welcome Tiger! We can’t wait to see you experience becoming a Doane Tiger. Plan to join us for fun and games — and some serious skill-building sessions — to set you up for success here at Doane.

Tiger Takeoff is a week-long head start to your college experience. You’ll explore campus, find your best friends and settle into your new home sweet Doane. And all before the first day of classes.

What to expect every day:

morning or early afternoon academic session
lunch and learn on one of the 7 Dimensions of Wellness (intellectual, social, emotional, physical, occupational, financial and spiritual)
physical activity (e.g., frisbee golf, yoga, kayaking)
evening social event (e.g., smores, trivia, yard games)
All first-year athletes that arrive on campus for practice before classes start will attend Tiger Takeoff as part of their daily schedule.

Register for Tiger Takeoff

Register early so we know you plan to attend. Tiger Takeoff is a required event for most students, so click the register button, tell us a bit of information and we’ll get your exciting Doane experience created.

Move In Early

Settle in to your dorm and acquaint yourself with campus with other first-year students, all without the pressure of classes or the rest of the student body

Make Friends and Meet Faculty

Bond with peers, faculty and staff who’ll be your support system and cheer squad for the next four years — and beyond

Master the Transition to College

Gain the academic, social and organization skills critical to become a successful Tiger before school starts

Schedule of Events

Tiger Takeoff is August 5-9, 2024.

All Tiger Takeoff participants will be divided into one of two groups:

AM Groups will begin the day with their academic sessions and have their physical wellness activities in the afternoon.
PM Groups will focus on physical wellness in the morning and attend their academic sessions in the afternoon.
All participants will have lunch together and listen to a focused message from a guest speaker.
Each evening will conclude with group social activity.

Please bring your laptop or digital device to all academic sessions.

Academic Sessions (Students will complete two 50-minute blocks, either at 10am or 1pm)		1-on-1 Financial Counseling 11am -12pm or 1pm - 2pm	Physical Wellness Activity (either at 10am or 1:15pm)	Evening Session (Heckman @7pm) w/ Social Event to follow
CliftonStrengths	Dimensions of Wellness	11am: Groups D, E 1pm: Group A	10am: 1:15pm:	Conflict Resolution followed by Sand VB & Spikeball @ Frees Hall Field

Academic Sessions (Students will complete two 50-minute blocks, either at 10am or 1pm)		1-on-1 Financial Counseling 11am -12pm or 1pm - 2pm	Physical Wellness Activity (either at 10am or 1:15pm)	Evening Session (Heckman @7pm) w/ Social Event to follow
College Etiquette	DEI: Identities	11am: Groups F, G 1pm: Group B	10am: 1:15pm:	“Purpose, Hopes, & Dreams” Aztrid Lima followed Game Night in Perry! Come to Perry Lower Level to play video games with the GUILD and Board Games with Professor Rob McKercher

Academic Sessions (Students will complete two 50-minute blocks, either at 10am or 1pm)		1-on-1 Financial Counseling 11am -12pm or 1pm - 2pm	Physical Wellness Activity (either at 10am or 1:15pm)	Evening Session (Heckman @7pm) w/ Social Event to follow
Understanding your Strengths	Time Management	11am: Groups H, I 1pm: Group C	10am: 1:15pm:	“What is your Why?” Jessie Myles followed by Swag Bingo @ New Hall

Academic Sessions (Students will complete two 50-minute blocks, either at 10am or 1pm)		1-on-1 Financial Counseling 11am -12pm or 1pm - 2pm	Physical Wellness Activity (either at 10am or 1:15pm)	Evening Session (Heckman @7pm) w/ Social Event to follow
Note-taking	Financial Game? Or Research	11am: make-up 1pm: make-up	10am: 1:15pm:	“Becoming a Leader”: President Roger Hughes followed by Smores @ Sheldon Hall

Academic Sessions (Students will complete two 50-minute blocks, either at 10am or 1pm)		1-on-1 Financial Counseling 11am -12pm or 1pm - 2pm	Physical Wellness Activity (either at 10am or 1:15pm)	Evening Session (Heckman @7pm) w/ Social Event to follow
Writing Strategies	Technology How-to's		10am: 1:15pm:	“Lessons Learned”: Student Panel followed by TBD @ New Hall

All Tiger Takeoff participants will be divided into one of two groups:

AM Groups will begin the day with their academic sessions and have their physical wellness activities in the afternoon.
PM Groups will focus on physical wellness in the morning and attend their academic sessions in the afternoon.
All participants will have lunch together and listen to a focused message from a guest speaker.
Each evening will conclude with group social activity.

Please bring your laptop or digital device to all academic sessions.

Academic Sessions (Students will complete two 50-minute blocks, either at 10am or 1pm)		1-on-1 Financial Counseling 11am -12pm or 1pm - 2pm	Physical Wellness Activity (either at 10am or 1:15pm)	Evening Session (Heckman @7pm) w/ Social Event to follow
CliftonStrengths	Dimensions of Wellness	11am: Groups D, E 1pm: Group A	10am: 1:15pm:	Conflict Resolution followed by Sand VB & Spikeball @ Frees Hall Field

Academic Sessions (Students will complete two 50-minute blocks, either at 10am or 1pm)		1-on-1 Financial Counseling 11am -12pm or 1pm - 2pm	Physical Wellness Activity (either at 10am or 1:15pm)	Evening Session (Heckman @7pm) w/ Social Event to follow
College Etiquette	DEI: Identities	11am: Groups F, G 1pm: Group B	10am: 1:15pm:	“Purpose, Hopes, & Dreams” Aztrid Lima followed Game Night in Perry! Come to Perry Lower Level to play video games with the GUILD and Board Games with Professor Rob McKercher

Academic Sessions (Students will complete two 50-minute blocks, either at 10am or 1pm)		1-on-1 Financial Counseling 11am -12pm or 1pm - 2pm	Physical Wellness Activity (either at 10am or 1:15pm)	Evening Session (Heckman @7pm) w/ Social Event to follow
Understanding your Strengths	Time Management	11am: Groups H, I 1pm: Group C	10am: 1:15pm:	“What is your Why?” Jessie Myles followed by Swag Bingo @ New Hall

Academic Sessions (Students will complete two 50-minute blocks, either at 10am or 1pm)		1-on-1 Financial Counseling 11am -12pm or 1pm - 2pm	Physical Wellness Activity (either at 10am or 1:15pm)	Evening Session (Heckman @7pm) w/ Social Event to follow
Note-taking	Financial Game? Or Research	11am: make-up 1pm: make-up	10am: 1:15pm:	“Becoming a Leader”: President Roger Hughes followed by Smores @ Sheldon Hall

Academic Sessions (Students will complete two 50-minute blocks, either at 10am or 1pm)		1-on-1 Financial Counseling 11am -12pm or 1pm - 2pm	Physical Wellness Activity (either at 10am or 1:15pm)	Evening Session (Heckman @7pm) w/ Social Event to follow
Writing Strategies	Technology How-to's		10am: 1:15pm:	“Lessons Learned”: Student Panel followed by TBD @ New Hall

Move-in Weekend

Students can move in during assigned times. You will receive your assigned move in date/ time prior to August. Move in dates and times vary to allow Doane residence life staff to support you and your family as you move in.

Friday, August 2: 10 am – 12pm for Football, Volleyball, Soccer athletes
Sunday, August 4: 1 – 2 pm for all remaining Tiger Takeoff participants

Learn More

Kieyn Omon

Class of '27

Tiger Takeoff was crucial to my first semester's success. Coming to campus early gave me a good school routine and insight into the upcoming semester. Through the activities provided, I learned not only about the ins and outs of campus but also many ways to succeed.

Savannah Allgeyer

Class of '27

It prepared me for my first semester! Being a part of Tiger Takeoff, I made friends before I had to manage classes and sports. I also knew a lot more and was much more comfortable navigating the campus and getting to know staff and upperclassmen by the time classes started. Overall, I’m glad I chose to go through Tiger Takeoff because it helped me adjust to college a lot quicker than I’d thought it would!

Sam Feng

Class of '27

Tiger Takeoff helped me transition from high school to getting used to life at college without the extra worry of classes and assignments. As an out-of-state student, Tiger Takeoff also helped me make friends and meet people in a low-stress setting. Tiger Takeoff especially helped me make connections with upperclassmen and overall helped me put the right foot forward to start my time at Doane.

Keely Lightle

Class of '27

Tiger Takeoff was an excellent program that helped me form connections early on campus and made the transition to college smoother. It was an excellent opportunity to adjust to campus, meet the fantastic faculty, and make friendships early on campus.