Week of Welcome is an immersive experience that showcases the unique and multifaceted culture of Georgia College & State University. It is always a time to get acquainted with the GCSU campus community, to make new connections, to get involved, and to explore the different parts of campus. This year, Week of Welcome 2025 will be held on August 13 - 22, with additional events and activities offered throughout the rest of the month. Every session and program is open to all members of the GCSU community.
*Mandatory events are indicated by an asterisk
2025 Week of Welcome Schedule
Wednesday August 13th, 2025
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *College Unscripted | 4:00 pm | Russell Auditorium | This event is for Main Campus students only. Join us for a series of fun, fast-paced skits that bring real college experiences to life—like making friends, navigating roommate drama, and handling tough choices. You’ll laugh, relate, and walk away with practical tips and campus resources to help you thrive. | Empower/Innovate |
| Wingo Bingo | 6:30 pm | MSU Den | Join the Campus Activities Board in the Den to unwind while playing Bingo and enjoying wings that are provided. CAB will also provide prizes for all Bingo winners. You don’t want to miss out on the fun! | Innovate |
Thursday August 14th, 2025
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wellness and Recreation Open | 8:00 am - 7:00 pm | WRC | Experience state-of-the-art facilities, from fitness equipment to open courts, and embark on your journey to a healthier, balanced lifestyle! | Empower |
| *College Unscripted | 4:00 pm | Russell Auditorium | This event is for West Campus students only. Join us for a series of fun, fast-paced skits that bring real college experiences to life—like making friends, navigating roommate drama, and handling tough choices. You’ll laugh, relate, and walk away with practical tips and campus resources to help you thrive. | Innovate |
| *Building Resilience to Win in Every Area of Your Life | 6:00 pm | Russell Auditorium | Dr. Joshua Fredenburg is a globally acclaimed speaker, author, certified emotional intelligence coach, television guest expert, and leadership consultant. With over 18 years of experience, he has inspired audiences in 49 states and internationally with transformative messages on leadership, diversity and inclusion, self-care, resilience, career success, and personal empowerment. As the Keynote Speaker for our first-year students he will be sharing Building The Resilience To Win In Every Area Of Your Life! Four Strategies To Thrive, Succeed, and Overcome Any Challenge! In this inspiring and motivational session, Dr. Jay equips participants with the principles of resilience and grit that empower leaders to navigate uncertainty, overcome challenges, and achieve their goals. | Empower |
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Friday August 15th, 2025
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Floor Meetings with Your CA | 10am – 11am | Locations Vary – Check with your CA | Come together with your CA and your fellow floor mates to be introduced to your new community. Your CA will share important information you need to know about living in University Housing. Your CA will review the Week of Welcome schedule and help you meet your new neighbors. Other topics will include sharing housing rules and policies and getting involved on campus. | Engage |
| *GC Reads | 1pm-4pm | Students will receive an email prior to this session with their assigned classroom. | To ensure a good start to your academic experience, you get to participate in one of our GC Reads Micro seminars! These seminars offer an informal introduction to college-level discussions and an opportunity to explore a subject of mutual interest with a subject matter that you selected from the summer reading essays. Get a preview of a classroom setting at Georgia College and have a discussion about compelling themes with those that share a similar interest. | Innovate/Empower |
| *The Talk: College Edition | 1pm - 4pm | Russell Auditorium - Students will receive an email with their assigned session time | This engaging program uses humor, real-life tips, and honest conversations to engage students in essential conversations about consent, bystander intervention, healthy relationships, and Title IX. | Empower |
| Sex in the Dark | 8:30pm | A&S Auditorium | This is an anonymous, lights-off Q&A experience where students submit their most pressing sexual health and relationship questions via phone while expert presenters offer candid, inclusive, and entertaining answers. | Innovate/Empower |
Saturday August 16th, 2025
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *GCSU Gives Day | 8:00am-12:00pm | Students will receive an email prior with their assigned session time. | Being a student at Georgia College & State University is more than excelling in the classroom – it’s about becoming a servant leader too. Join fellow members of the Class of 2029, faculty, staff, and community members as we come together to serve your new community. Food, water, and transportation to different service sites in the surrounding community will be provided. Be sure to wear your class shirt and closed-toe footwear as most locations will be outdoors. | Engage |
| Shopping Shuttle Extravaganza | 2pm-8pm | Follow Passio Go for location | Need to make a stop at Wal-Mart to purchase some last minute items for your room? Hop on the GCSU shuttle to get your shopping complete. Make sure you download the App Passio Go to follow the shuttle schedule | Innovate |
| Silent Disco | 7:00pm-9:30pm | Magnolia Ballroom | The Resident Student Association (RSA) invites you to their annual Silent Disco! Silent Disco is a unique way of experiencing music. Guests wear wireless headphones, and a silent atmosphere instantly transforms in to a high- energy musical performance. Enjoy the work of a professional DJ or make requests for your favorite tracks, the choice is yours. Tune in to up to three channels and different types of music and create the party you would prefer. | Innovate |
Sunday August 17th, 2025
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| *Unboxing Your Community | 12:30pm-7:30pm check your schedule as times will vary | Centennial Center | In this interactive session, you’ll have an opportunity to learn more about your fellow Bobcats - beyond what you might see on the surface. | Advance |
See schedule below for your session time
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| Ice Cream Social for the Honor’s College | 6pm – 7:30pm | Bell Hall | Join the faculty and staff from the John E. Sallstrom Honor’s College for an afternoon treat. Meet other students in the Honor’s College and wind down from the weekend. All incoming and current students in the Honors College are invited to attend. | Innovate |
Monday August 18th, 2025
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Build Your Own Bobcat | 11am-2:30pm | Front Campus | Come out to Front Campus to enjoy your First Day of Class. During the event, the first 400 students will receive their own stuffed bobcat wearing a GCSU shirt. There will also be different resources that you can visit to know how to be successful during your time at GCSU. There will also be a photobooth, refreshments, and much more. | Engage |
Tuesday August 19th, 2025
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen on the Green: Marvel’s Thunderbolts | 8pm | Front Campus | Join us for an epic evening under the stars as we screen Marvels’ Thunderbolts on the front campus! Bring your friends, a blanket or lawn chair, and get ready for high-powered action, anti-heroes, and unforgettable moments on the big screen. | Innovate |
Wednesday August 20th, 2025
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec Fest and Think Fast Trivia | 6pm | WRC | There will be games for all skill levels. Come try some of the fitness equipment or the climbing wall. Join in on a game on one of the courts or come watch the action. Do you know a lot about nothing? Movies? Sports? Science? Pop Culture? History? Join the Office of Health Promotion for a fun night of trivia. There is a $200 Amazon gift card prize! Bring your friends! Free food! | Empower |
Thursday August 21st, 2025
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobcat Den Rally | 6pm | Residence Halls | Get ready to unleash your Bobcat pride at the Bobcat Den Rally, the official kickoff to this year’s Thunder Cup. As part of Georgia College’s Week of Welcome, this event brings students together for an evening of creativity, connection, and friendly competition. Free Food. | Engage |
| Introvert Party | 7pm | Student Activities Center | Feeling overwhelmed by the college social scene? Do you crave connection but find large, noisy gatherings to be draining? The Introvert Party is for you! Come by yourself or bring a friend to a relaxed atmosphere where you can focus on shared interests and low-key fun while connecting with like-minded students. If you're feeling awkward, we all are! The Introvert Party is a no-pressure event. You choose your activities and the level of socializing you're ready to engage in. Find your people and discover a social scene that suits you. | Innovate |
Friday August 22nd, 2025
| Event | Time | Location | Event Details | Pillar of Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meeting with your Major | 2:15pm | Locations will vary | Meeting with your college major is like having a seasoned mentor in your corner. They're there to decode the complexities of your degree, offering personalized advice on classes, internships, and career paths. It's a chance to explore your passions and get practical insights that shape your academic and professional future. | Engage/Innovate |
| Convocation | 4pm | Centennial Center | Convocation is your official induction into the Georgia College & State University family, and, in many ways, marks the beginning of your collegiate journey. Convocation will feature a welcome from our President, SGA President, and keynote speaker, Dr. Harold Mock, Director of Leadership Programs. By attending convocation, you are not only joining a list of Georgia College community members that stretches back over 130 years, you are also demonstrating your bond to your classmates and commitment to our shared principles of “Reason, Respect, and Responsibility.” | Distinguish |
| Convocation Picnic | 5pm | Front Campus | Join faculty, staff, and your fellow Bobcats for an old-fashioned picnic on the front lawn. | Engage |
| Block Party and Bobcat Marketplace | 7pm | Greene St. | To celebrate the first week of classes come out to Greene St. to enjoy live music, interact with student groups, departments, and offices, and fun attractions. Live music will be performed by Harvey St. Band and The Band Ocho. Student groups will be present to provide information on how to get involved on campus and join the group. | Innovate |
Week of Welcome Signature Programs
Unboxing Your Community
In this interactive session, you'll have an opportunity to learn more about your fellow Bobcats.
GC Reads
To ensure a good start to your academic experience, you get to participate in one of our GC Reads Micro seminars! These seminars offer an informal introduction to college-level discussions and an opportunity to explore a subject of mutual interest with a subject matter that you selected from the summer reading essays.
GCSU Gives Day
Join fellow members of the Class of 2029, faculty, staff, and community members as we come together to serve your new community. Food, water, and transportation to different service sites in the surrounding community will be provided.
Be sure to wear your class shirt and closed-toe footwear, as most locations will be outdoors.
Convocation
Convocation is your official induction into the Georgia College family, and, in many ways, marks the beginning of your collegiate journey.
Rec Fest
Come try some of the fitness equipment or the climbing wall. Join in on a game on one of the courts, or come watch the action. There will be plenty of fun.
Silent Disco
The Resident Student Association (RSA) invites you to their annual Silent Disco! Silent Disco is a unique way of experiencing music. Guests wear wireless headphones, and a silent atmosphere instantly transforms into a high-energy musical performance.
Block Party and Bobcat Marketplace
Come out and enjoy live music from the band The Stews. There will also be fun attractions, Kona Ice, and much more.