The University of Georgia welcomed alumnus Artis Stevens, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, back to campus last month to deliver the annual Holmes-Hunter Lecture. On that same day, UGA also welcomed a group of participants in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta program.
The students — 27 high school juniors and seniors who were on their winter break — traveled to Athens to experience a day in the life of a college student and learn more about the university.
“I’ve never been to UGA, and it’s a lot bigger than I expected,” said Malicii Youngblood, a junior at Benjamin E. Mays High School. “They have a great football team, and it’s a great school. UGA is nice all around.”
The students posed at the Arch on their campus tour. (Submitted photo)
The group started its visit by having lunch with current UGA students in the Bolton Dining Commons. After lunch, the high school students and Big Brothers Big Sisters staff members participated in a campus walking tour. Two Arch Society students welcomed the group at the plaza overlooking Sanford Stadium and showcased areas of campus that are central to student life. The tour finished at the UGA Chapel, where the visitors attended the Holmes-Hunter Lecture delivered by Stevens.
Jennifer Williams, the executive assistant to the president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, said the students were excited to learn more about the types of experiences that UGA can offer.
“We wanted them to see the possibility of attending here and the opportunities that going to college can provide,” Williams said.
The students attended the Holmes-Hunter Lecture featuring Artis Stevens, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. (Submitted photo)
The Office of the President sponsored the group’s visit to campus, arranging for Arch Society tour guides to guide the group through North Campus and coordinating with the Office of Service-Learning to host the students for lunch.
“It was important to us to show the students the University of Georgia and everything that the institution offers,” said Rod Guajardo, assistant to the president. “We also thought it was important for them to hear Artis speak and learn how the university shaped him and all that he accomplished.”
Many of the Big Brothers Big Sisters staff who chaperoned the trip had a personal connection to the university. Williams’ nephew is a current UGA student, and her ninth grade son is interested in attending UGA. Jordan Delaney, a three-time UGA alumna and match support specialist with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta, also helped to lead the visit.
“I love my school, and I wanted to share it with other students because of the impact that UGA made on my life,” Delaney said. “These students are thinking about college opportunities, and I said: ‘Why not UGA?’ You can flourish here.”