Contact:
Leah Seupersad, 404-413-1354
University Relations
ATLANTA—Panther Welcome will continue this week at Georgia State University with 30 more opportunities for students to get involved on campus and meet new friends.
Panther Welcome will run until Saturday, Sept. 3, with a theme this year of "I am Georgia State: True to Blue."
"We want students to feel like they are a part of Georgia State for whatever reason they choose to come here or love being a student here. It could be anything from how they identify as individuals to their overwhelming school spirit," said Amanda Antara, coordinator of new student orientation.
Since Panther Welcome kicked off on Aug. 21, students have had the opportunity to attend a variety of events, including a Block Party, comedy show and a pool party.
Other Panther Welcome events will keep the excitement buzzing on campus, including the 6th Annual Georgia State Idol at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 in the Rialto Center for the Arts; Cinefest Under the Stars at 7 p.m. Sept. 1 in the Urban Life Plaza; and a Casino Night at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 in the Student Recreation Center.
Marvin Evangelista, Cinefest manager and a Spotlight Programs board member, said Cinema Under the Stars is being presented to the students so they can experience movies in a different atmosphere.
“Cinefest shows movies for free all year long but we hope this event will encourage students to become regular movie goers,” Evangelista said.
GSU students will be able to show their school spirit at a number of sporting events, including GSU's first football game of the season against Clark Atlanta University at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2 at the Georgia Dome.
"It's a Friday night, it's free, it's free food and it's friendship," said Charlie Taylor, assistant athletic director for communications. "It's the best school spirit event of the year. Last year, we had 30,000 people last year rockin' the dome and we want to do it again."
Panther Welcome Week also offers information on GSU resources and opportunities for involvement through open houses, educational sessions and a Student Organization Street Fair. There are several events planned to help students with academic success, such as seminars on "A Crash Course in College Survival," "Successful Navigation of Freshman Year,” and “Time Flies When You’re on Facebook.”
Antara says GSU's slate of Panther Welcome events is sure to have something for everyone.
"The start of the school year can be really overwhelming, but many of the events are designed to help students adjust to campus life whether it is just hanging out at a social event or giving back to the Atlanta community through service projects. There really is an event for all interests," she said.
For more information about Panther Welcome events, view the full schedule at http://www.gsu.edu/pantherwelcome/events.html.