Photo Gallery: Bearcats take Advantage during first weekend on campus

Northwest students moved onto campus on Aug. 20, 2026 (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest students moved onto campus on Aug. 20, 2026 (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest students moved onto campus on Aug. 20, 2026 (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest students moved onto campus on Aug. 20, 2026 (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest students moved onto campus on Aug. 20, 2026 (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest students moved onto campus on Aug. 20, 2026 (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Under the setting sun behind Bearcat Stadium, Northwest students participated in Playfair on the first day of Advantage activities on Aug. 20, 2026. (Photo by Todd Weddle | Northwest Missouri State University)

First-year students got to meet and learn about their peers during Northwest's Playfair as part of Advantage activities at Bearcat Stadium on Aug. 20, 2026. (Photo by Todd Weddle | Northwest Missouri State University)

First-year students got to meet and learn about their peers during Northwest's Playfair as part of Advantage activities at Bearcat Stadium on Aug. 20, 2026. (Photo by Todd Weddle | Northwest Missouri State University)

First-year students got to meet and learn about their peers during Northwest's Playfair as part of Advantage activities at Bearcat Stadium on Aug. 20, 2026. (Photo by Todd Weddle | Northwest Missouri State University)

First-year students got to meet and learn about their peers during Northwest's Playfair as part of Advantage activities at Bearcat Stadium on Aug. 20, 2026. (Photo by Todd Weddle | Northwest Missouri State University)

First-year students got to meet and learn about their peers during Northwest's Playfair as part of Advantage activities at Bearcat Stadium on Aug. 20, 2026. (Photo by Todd Weddle | Northwest Missouri State University)

First-year students share a laugh together during Northwest's Playfair as part of Advantage activities at Bearcat Stadium on Aug. 20, 2026. (Photo by Todd Weddle | Northwest Missouri State University)

Students participated in a series of games to earn prizes during the annual convocation at Bearcat Arena, which was emceed by alumnus and radio personality Steve Serrano, on Aug. 21. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Students participated in a series of games to earn prizes during the annual convocation at Bearcat Arena on Aug. 21. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Bobby Bearcat and first-year students contemplate a question about President Tatum's interests during a game at the new student convocation in Bearcat Arena. Students played games for prizes in addition to hearing from academic leaders and the Bearcat Marching Band before participating in the annual March to the Tower. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Students participated in a series of games to earn prizes during the annual convocation at Bearcat Arena on Aug. 21. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Bobby Bearcat congratulates a student as she received a prize awarded during the annual convocation at Bearcat Arena on Aug. 21. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest first lady Jill Tatum and President Dr. Lance Tatum, along with their dogs, greet students as they pass by the Gaunt House during annual March to the Tower on Aug. 21. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest students got wet during a game of Slip 'n Slide kickball on Aug. 22. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest students got wet during a game of Slip 'n Slide kickball on Aug. 22. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest students got wet during a game of Slip 'n Slide kickball on Aug. 22. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest students got wet during a game of Slip 'n Slide kickball on Aug. 22. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest students got wet during a game of Slip 'n Slide kickball on Aug. 22. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Northwest students participated in a scavenger hunt on the campus, sponsored by Residential Life. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Students packed the Student Recreation Center on Aug 22 for late-night Bingo, sponsored by the Student Activities Council. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Students packed the Student Recreation Center on Aug 22 for late-night Bingo, sponsored by the Student Activities Council. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Students packed the Student Recreation Center on Aug 22 for late-night Bingo, sponsored by the Student Activities Council. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Students packed the Student Recreation Center on Aug 22 for late-night Bingo, sponsored by the Student Activities Council. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Students packed the Student Recreation Center on Aug 22 for late-night Bingo, sponsored by the Student Activities Council. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Students packed the Student Recreation Center on Aug 22 for late-night Bingo, sponsored by the Student Activities Council. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

New students get to know Northwest's fraternity and sorority chapters on Aug. 23, 2026. (Gracelynn Brown | Northwest Missouri State University)

New students get to know Northwest's fraternity and sorority chapters on Aug. 23, 2026. (Gracelynn Brown | Northwest Missouri State University)

New students get to know Northwest's fraternity and sorority chapters on Aug. 23, 2026. (Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

New students get to know Northwest's fraternity and sorority chapters on Aug. 23, 2026. (Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

The Northwest community watched the fireworks to mark the start if the fall semester, a long-standing tradition at Northwest, on Aug. 22, 2026. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

Students walked the Northwest campus on their way to classes on the morning of Aug. 24, 2026. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)

A student stood with Bobby Bearcat for a photo as Northwest celebrated the start of classes on the morning of Aug. 24, 2026. (Photo by Lilly Cook | Northwest Missouri State University)