TIFTON, GA – Incoming freshmen will get their first taste at college life on Aug. 9 with the start of the annual Welcome Week festivities at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. Welcome Week, now in its eighth year, introduces new students to the college through a number of activities and experiences, leading to the start of the fall semester on Aug. 13.
Welcome Week will begin on Aug. 9 with First-Year Move-In from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. The ABAC Pool will be open from 1-6 p.m. for students to cool off after the move. The day’s events will culminate with a No-booze-a-palooza at Lakeside Lobby from 8-10 p.m. The event will include a music provided by a DJ, a mechanical bull, frozen mocktails, airbrushed tattoos, and spin art Frisbee.
On Aug. 10, students will converge in Gressette Gym for the Welcome Rally, the official start of Welcome Week. After the rally students can hear about College Life from a Student Point of View from 2-4 p.m. in Gressette Gym. The Stallion Society will greet new freshmen and share with them the ABAC Stallion and Fillie culture. That night the Georgia 3 Band will perform from 8-10 p.m. on the Lakeside Lawn.
Get to Know Your Campus and Community, an informative session followed by tours of the campus and Tifton, will begin the day on Aug. 11. Students must bring their class schedules to this event. The session will run from 10 a.m.-noon in Howard Auditorium. The ABAC Pool will be open for all students to enjoy from 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
Lake Baldwin will be the setting for the Cardboard Boat Races from 2-3 p.m. Sink or swim with this ABAC tradition to see which team can make the best boat using only duct tape and cardboard boxes to race across Lake Baldwin. Supplies will be provided and prizes will be given out to the most “effective” boat. All boats must be put together during the event, not before. Students will be mesmerized by hypnotist Dr. William Mitchell at 8 p.m. in Howard Auditorium.
On Aug. 12, students can cool off at the ABAC Pool from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. For another way to beat the heat, Inflatables in the Meadows will take place from 3-5 p.m. featuring the Roaring River Waterslide, Water Tag, and more. At 8:30 p.m., come relax and enjoy a Movie on the Lawn on Lakeside Lawn. The featured movie will be “Captain America: Winter Soldier”.
Classes begin on Aug. 13, signaling the close of Welcome Week with the Freshman Convocation on Aug. 14 at 3:30 p.m. in Gressette Gym. Enrollment is expected to be up for the 2014 fall term.
Source: ABAC
