New Scots Orientation – Fall 26

What to Expect

New Scots Orientation is designed with you in mind, but we understand that you may have questions about the experience. 

• The Schedule – The Schedule At-a-Glance will give you a sense of the sessions, workshops, and activities you will take part in during NSO.

• Peer Groups – Upperclassmen Orientation Guides will guide you and your Peer Group throughout the NSO process. They will make sure you know where to go and how to take advantage of the program and facilitate fun and meaningful group activities.

• Dress For Success – Most New Scots Orientation events are casual. Dress for warm weather, walking between programs, and showing off your Maryville College spirit. However, some events are a bit different:

• • Make sure that you’re wearing closed-toe shoes for Day 2’s Team-building with Mountain Challenge

• • Wear the provided Orientation shirt for the Covenant Stone Ceremony (received during NSO)

• • Dress business-casual for Opening Convocation

• Making Connections – Whether you are coming to Maryville College without knowing any other Scots or planning to share a room with your lifelong best friend, New Scots Orientation will ensure that you get to know your classmates and find connections that will foster a fun, active social life. Be ready to share information about yourself and learn about others and get excited to start or grow your social network.

• College 101 – A variety of session types will provide you with all that you need to know to thrive at Maryville College. From plenary presentations to the entire incoming class to self-led scavenger hunts, NSO will make sure that you know the resources, processes, and opportunities relevant to new students. Be ready to learn from current students, staff members, and faculty who know what it takes to maximize your college experience.

• Hang Out, Kick Back, Have Fun – On each night of New Scots Orientation, students will attend optional social events. These events will produce some of your favorite Maryville College memories and help you connect with others who share your interests. Don’t have someone to attend the event with? No problem – all events are designed to help you meet and engage with others. Not a fan of crowds? Don’t fret – all events will include features that meet a wide range of social interests and preferences.

• Earn Class Credit – All students will participate in Teambuilding with Mountain Challenge on Day 2. Earn 1 Maryville College credit hour by participating in other Mountain Challenge NSO experiences, including several Immersive Experiences, Tower Sessions, and the Orientation Olympics. This credit hour can be applied to any semester during your time at the College with advisor approval.

Immersive Experiences & Tower Sessions

College students thrive when they make connections with their peers, find ways to explore their interests, and take on unique opportunities. New Scots Orientation Immersive Experiences provide you with these opportunities and much more. Whether you choose to meet others who share your interests or try something totally new, you will make lifelong memories and get to know students as well as College staff and faculty members leading these sessions. Students will register for specific Immersive Experiences beginning in June 2026.

First-year commuter students have the same New Scots Orientation experience and requirements as residential students. While residential students will participate in Move-In on Tuesday, August 11, commuters will check in at the social events on Tuesday evening or before the formal program begins on Wednesday morning. Family members and/or supporters are invited to attend the Cookout and Welcome.

Local students with off-campus jobs are encouraged to work with their employers early to schedule time off for New Scots Orientation. Please consult the Schedule At-a-Glance to find the dates and times of all required sessions, and don’t forget to include time for your Immersive Experiences (Friday, August 15 and Sunday, August 17) in your time off requests.

Download Campus Map

Pearsons Dining Hall and Isaac’s Cafe will be open during New Scots Orientation and Meal Plans will be active. For hours, menus, and more, visit the Dining Services website.

Welcome to the Blount County Area — Your Guide to Enjoying Your Visit

As you prepare to bring your student  to Maryville College, you’ll find the Blount County area offers plenty of ways to relax, explore, and enjoy quality time before and after move-in. Whether you want a quick bite, a comfortable place to unwind, or a fun outing to share, we’ve gathered some local favorites and must-see spots just minutes from campus!

Where to Eat

Perfect spots to grab a meal or snack during a busy move-in day.

• RT Lodge: Tucked in the Maryville College Woods, the Restaurant at RT Lodge is world-renowned and locally treasured. Make a reservation for full service dinner or visit the Morningside Room for delicious bar snacks, craft cocktails, and local beers.
• Bella: A local Italian eatery in the heart of downtown Maryville, known for its craft cocktails and a flaming cheese pasta dish prepared tableside.
• Blue Tick Tavern: A modern tavern with pool tables serving pizza and American cuisine located in the heart of downtown Maryville. 
• Foothills Milling Company: A local fine-dining restaurant with a casual atmosphere known for its seasonal offerings and use of local ingredients. 
• Walnut Kitchen: A fine-dining restaurant focused on sustainable and locally sourced meats only 2 minutes from campus. 
• The Capitol Theatre: An ice cream parlor with kitschy decorations located inside of a historic movie theater in Downtown Maryville. 
• Lambert’s Southern Pies & Bake Shop Cafe: A local classic! Lambert’s Pie Shop is the place to get homemade desserts and sandwiches in Maryville. 
• Southland Books & Cafe: The largest used bookstore in Blount County which houses not only books but a cafe, bar, restaurant and gaming store. Southland has a little bit of everything! Plus, a fabulous menu for those who have food allergies or are vegan! 
• Chapulines StreeTacos: Locally owned casual restaurant serving Mexican street food!
• Lemongrass Thai Cuisine & Sushi Bar: Lemongrass is a local restaurant serving Thai food and sushi. A Scot’s favorite!
• Aroma Cafe: A local cafe that serves Cuban cuisine. 
• Hot Rods 50s Diner: A traditional diner serving up burgers and other classic diner food. It’s a great choice for people with food allergies! Hot Rods has an entire menu for people who are gluten free and those that are vegan.  
• Amici: A restaurant cooking up “Alpine Appalachian” cuisine and pizza. Amici is located only five minutes from campus. 

Coffee & Quick Drinks

Fuel up or relax with a warm or cold drink nearby.

• Harper’s Arts Cafe: Arts cafe in Maryville about five minutes from campus that services homemade macrons.
• Vienna Coffee: Local coffee shop and roaster that serves snacks and fair trade coffee. Vienna is within walking distance to campus and a Scot’s staple!  
• Plant People: A Botanical Boutique and Cafe: Known for their unique concept, Plant People is both a coffee shop cafe and a plant store! 
• Beard Brothers: A chic coffee shop known for its chocolate chip cookies. Located five minutes from campus. 
• Bear Grounds: A charming locally owned drive-through coffee shop.
• Southern Grace: A coffee shop located in a historic house in Maryville, TN, known for its organic coffee and fresh baked goods. 
• Quick Fix: A veteran-owned drive-through coffee shop known for its unique coffee concoctions.
• Twisted Sister Juice Bar: A locally owned smoothie and juice bar. 

Local Breweries & Pubs

For those planning to unwind with local craft brews.

• Tri Hop Brewery: A pet-friendly craft brewery in downtown Maryville within walking distance to the College and located below the MC Downtown Center.
• Swä’rā Brewing Company: Maryville’s newest craft brewery, located near Southland just past the Five Points area of town.  
• Peaceful Side Brewery: A craft brewery that offers lunch and dinner selections as well. 
• Blackhorse Pub & Brewery: A pub and brewery with a comfortable atmosphere and fabulous patio seating. Another Scots favorite! 
• The Casual Pint: A craft beer market and lounge for like-minded brew enthusiasts.
• Smoky Mountain Brewery: A craft brewery with an extensive selection of food.

Learn & Explore

Engage with local history and natural beauty during your visit.

• Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center: A museum that offers a variety of galleries about the peoples who call or called the Appalachians home. The center is where the cabin of Isaac Anderson, Maryville College’s founder, calls home! 
• Blount County Historical Museum: A museum that seeks to preserve the history of Blount County and the peoples who called Blount County Home. 
• Cades Cove Museum: A museum located in Maryville, TN, that seeks to preserve the history of Cades Cove and the families that lived there. 
• Little River Railroad/Lumber Museum: A museum dedicated to preserving the history of the Little River Lumber Company and the Little River Railroad. 
• Sam Houston Historic Schoolhouse: A preserved schoolhouse from the 1800s, where, through interactions with historical interpreters, visitors can gain an understanding of what it was like to attend school in the early 1800s.

Additional Recommendations

• Browse Neighborly Books for gifts or leisure reading.

• Take a stroll or hike in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park—just a short drive away.

• Visit the Blount County Public Library for community programs or a quiet break.

• Enjoy a walk on the Campus Woods Trails or the Maryville-Alcoa Greenway to take in the fresh mountain air.

• Try some of the local specialties and flavors that make this area unique!

We are excited to welcome not only our newest Scots to campus this fall, but also their families and supporters. Whether you are eager to help with move-in or want to explore campus, we have programs and activities to help you navigate your students’ transition to Maryville College.  

 In addition to the Scots Supporter programs and events described below, learn more about additional resources and sign up for the Scot Knot Portal on the Families page.  

Move-In and the Family Oasis – August 11, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Scots Supporters are very welcome to join their student for Move-In. Help your student review the Move-In procedures and information and confirm the student’s specific move-in appointment (via email from Residence Life to the student’s Maryville College email address). During move-in, the College will host the Family Oasis – a chance to cool down, relax, ask questions, and meet College staff members.   

Welcome Cookout and Send-Off – August 11 – 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. – Pearsons Lawn

Join your student for a cookout on the lawn, connect with other Scots Families, and meet College officials before departing.

*We recommend bookmarking the links below on any personal devices you may use for school. 

MC Email Access: my.maryvillecollege.edu

• MC Email is the primary communication tool between students and faculty/staff, so be sure to check it every day. Your email address will be: firstname.lastname@my.maryvillecollege.edu.
• Your password is located in your MVP Portal.

Connecting to the Wi-Fi:

• Wireless Networks:
  • MC-Scots: For all student & employee personal devices (details at https://wireless.maryvillecollege.edu)
  • MC-Guest: For campus visitors
  • MC-Managed: & MC-IoT: – Networks for college-owned computers and equipment.
• More information can be found at support.maryvillecollege.edu/support/solutions.

Highlander Hub: hub.maryvillecollege.edu

• The Highlander Hub is our student portal. It’s where you can:
  • Register for classes
  • Access advising and academic resources
  • View billing and financial aid information
  • Check grades
  • Monitor degree plans
  • Sign up for housing

The Tartan: maryville.blackboard.com

• Blackboard is the online platform where you’ll manage your classes, stay connected with your professors, and access course materials. Think of it as your digital classroom.
• You should be automatically enrolled in the classes you’re taking. If you make schedule changes, your professor will need to update the class roster.
• Username & Password: Use single sign-on (SSO) with your MC email and password.

Today@MC:

• A daily email update for students with college news, events, and announcements.
• Make it a habit to check these emails every morning to stay informed. Emails will begin automatically on the first day of classes.
• If you’re not receiving these emails, visit support.maryvillecollege.edu to report an issue or email support@maryvillecollege.edu.

Handshake: maryvillecollege.joinhandshake.com

• Handshake is the career center’s platform for on-campus jobs, events, and more.
• Log in with single sign-on (SSO) using your MC email and password.