Friday, August 11, 2006

Writer: Larry B. Dendy, 706/542-8078, ldendy@uga.edu
Contact:  Rodney Bennett, 706/542-3564, bennettr@uga.edu

UGA Convocation Welcome Picnic will be fun and serious

Athens, Ga. – Incoming University of Georgia freshmen will enjoy music, food and Bulldog spirit at the Convocation Welcome Picnic Aug. 14, and they’ll also get a gentle lesson on how they’re expected to behave as UGA students.

The picnic, at 5:30 p.m. on Legion Field, is the university’s official welcome to an expected 5,020 freshmen. About 370 of them attended summer school but most will have been on campus only a few days and will be still settling into residence halls and trying to figure out bus routes.

UGA began holding a picnic last year in place of a formal academic convocation that had been held in previous years.  While the picnic is more casual and fun-oriented, it still has a serious purpose, said Rodney Bennett, vice president for student affairs.

“The picnic continues the vision and message of students who started the Convocation tradition in 1999, and that is to make our new students feel welcome and comfortable, and to help them understand what it means to be a UGA student,” said Bennett.

As in previous Convocations, Bennett said, the highlight of the event will be the Pillars of the Arch ceremony in which new students are asked to adopt a set of value statements that define ethical responsibilities of UGA students and faculty.

Bennett encouraged returning students and faculty members to attend the picnic to meet new students.  Dress is casual and free Chick-Fil-A sandwiches, pizza, cookies and soft drinks will be served.

The picnic will begin with a pep rally led by UGA cheerleaders and the Derby Pep Band.  Student Government President Jamie Peper will be emcee and will introduce UGA President Michael F. Adams, who will make brief welcome remarks. Athens-Clarke County Mayor Heidi Davison will present greetings on behalf of the community.

Bennett and several student leaders will lead the Pillars of the Arch ceremony, which was created by students in 2001.  The Pillars of the Arch creed was inspired by UGA’s famous Arch and is based on principles represented by the Arch’s three columns – “wisdom,” “justice” and “moderation.”

New students will be given a UGA Arch pin attached to a card imprinted with the Pillars of the Arch creed.  Banners symbolizing wisdom, justice and moderation will be displayed, and students will be asked to put on the pin and read aloud the creed in unison.

The program will end with the singing of the UGA Alma Mater, led by members of the Arch Society, and will be followed by a concert by the UGA Steel Drum Band.

UGA’s fall semester classes begin Aug. 16.

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