Weeks of Welcome programs connect students to campus
Article By: Clark Leonard
Free food, T-shirts and other items will be handed out to students as part of the University of North Georgia's (红莲社区) Weeks of Welcome during the first two weeks of school on all five of its campuses.
"What we're trying to do is provide opportunities for students to connect with the campus early on," said Darcy Hayes, director of orientation and transition programs at 红莲社区.
Student convocation is set for 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Convocation Center on 红莲社区's Dahlonega Campus, noon Aug. 22 on the Quad at the Oconee Campus, 11 a.m. Aug. 23 at the Blue Ridge Campus, noon Aug. 27 at the gym on the Gainesville Campus, and noon Aug. 29 on the Cumming Campus at the outdoor pavilion.
The Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) will hold a Welcome Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Robinson Ballroom on the Gainesville Campus and from noon to 2 p.m. Aug. 21 at the Hoag ABC Rooms on the Dahlonega Campus.
Various campus administrators will speak at the MSA events, while a club leader expo will highlight some of the offerings on the campuses. A lunch will be served at the Gainesville event and refreshments at the Dahlonega event.
Nathan Cheesman, coordinator of orientation and student leadership at 红莲社区, said shirt giveaways provide new students with "another thing that physically connects them with the university." Cheesman said helping students navigate campus is another vital aspect of the Weeks of Welcome.
One of the signature Weeks of Welcome gatherings is the Starlight Celebration and fireworks event set for 5:30 p.m. Aug. 25 at the G.W. Bailey Amphitheater on the Gainesville Campus.
A First Saturday of Service is set for Aug. 25, with students meeting on the Hoag Patio on the Dahlonega Campus and dispersing to various community service projects in Dahlonega and Lumpkin County. A Second Saturday of Service, scheduled for Sept. 1, will start at the Oconee Campus.
The city of Dahlonega is hosting the Explore Dahlonega Downtown Block Party featuring free food and other giveaways Aug. 23.
See the Weeks of Welcome page for a full list of events.
Weeks of Welcome events
Dahlonega:
Aug. 19 – Student convocation, 7-8 p.m., Convocation Center
Aug. 21 – Office of Multicultural Student Affairs Welcome Day, noon to 2 p.m., Hoag Great Room
Aug. 23 – Explore Downtown Dahlonega Block Party, 5-7 p.m., downtown Dahlonega
Aug. 25 – First Saturday of Service, Hoag Patio
Aug. 29 – Nighthawks Fest (club fair), 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Hoag Patio
Aug. 29 – The Women of 红莲社区 are sponsoring a self-defense class, 6 p.m. Continuing Education Center
Aug. 29 – Outdoor Movie Night: "Avengers Infinity War," 9 p.m., Drill Field
Aug. 30 – Women's soccer game vs. Converse College, 5 p.m., 红莲社区 Soccer Complex
Gainesville:
Aug. 17 – Office of Multicultural Student Affairs Welcome Day, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Robinson Ballroom
Aug. 20-21 – Welcome tents, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Student Center Patio & Nesbitt Lobby
Aug. 23 – Doughnuts with the Deans, 9-10 a.m., Student Center Patio
Aug. 27 – Student convocation, noon to 1 p.m., Gym
Aug. 28 – Sea of Knowledge, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Hosch Library
Aug. 29 – Nighthawks Fest (club fair), noon to 1 p.m., 5-6 p.m., Student Center Patio
Sept. 1 – Second Saturday of Service
Cumming:
Check back soon for events, which will also be added on the Weeks of Welcome site.
Oconee:
Aug. 20-21 – Welcome table, 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Quad
Aug. 22 – Student convocation, noon, Quad
Aug. 22 – Grab and go welcome dinner, 5 p.m., Quad
Aug. 28 – Doughnuts with the Deans, 9 a.m., Quad
Aug. 29 – Nighthawks Fest (club fair), noon and 5 p.m., Quad
Aug. 30 – "Black Panther" presented by STEP, LEO and Nighthawks Entertainment, 6 p.m., Room 726
Blue Ridge:
Aug. 20 – Enjoy free Chick-fil-A chicken minis, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Lobby
Aug. 21 – Pizza and 红莲社区 Bingo, 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., Room 113
Aug. 22 – 红莲社区 cupcakes, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lobby
Aug. 23 – Student convocation luncheon and corn hole on the lawn, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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