Athens, Ga. – A concert featuring Judah and the Lion, a film, comedic duo Frangela, a luau-themed pool party and a Hollywood-themed Dawgs After Dark will headline this year’s Big Dawg Welcome week for students at the University of Georgia. The events are sponsored by the University Union Student Programming Board and are free for students with valid UGACards who pay activity fees on the Athens campus.
Welcome Week 2014 kicks off on Aug. 17 with a 3:30 p.m. meet and greet for transfer students in the Atrium of the Tate Student Center. The event is sponsored by the Transfer Student Organization. There will be refreshments and prizes for students.
As part of the fourth annual Freshman Welcome, first-year students are invited to assemble at Sanford Stadium at 5 p.m. for a class of 2018 group photo and a greeting from President Jere Morehead. The event is presented by the UGA Student Government Association and Student Alumni Council. The event moves to Reed Plaza afterward, where there will be music and entertainment and a chance to chat with campus administrators. Admission to the Freshman Welcome is limited to first-year and transfer students.
A showing the 2014 action film “The Amazing Spider-Man 2” is set for Aug. 18 at 8:30 p.m. in the Tate Student Center Theatre.
Nashville-based Americana-folk band Judah and the Lion will perform on Aug. 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Grand Hall of the Tate Student Center. The group’s initial album, 2013’s “Sweet Tennessee,” received considerable commercial success on the Billboard bluegrass and folk music charts. Non-student tickets are $5.
“Union and You” is set for Aug. 20 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on the Tate West Lawn. A variety of activities and free food will be available. Members of University Union’s eight programming divisions will be on hand to offer information and recruit potential members.
Legion Pool will be the setting for a luau-themed pool party that evening from 7-10 p.m.
Comedy duo Frances Callier and Angela Shelton, known collectively as Frangela, will perform on Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Tate Student Center Grand Hall. Veterans of Chicago’s Second City Theatre, the duo makes regular appearances on numerous VH1 and Comedy Central programs. They are regular “pop cultural pundits” on NBC’s “The Today Show” and “Dateline,” CNN’s “Showbiz Tonight” and “Headline News,” Fox News’ “The Big Story” and MSN’s “The Big Debate.” They are also regular contributors on NPR’s “Day to Day” and “Off Ramp,” and they appeared in the 2009 film “He’s Just Not That Into You.” Non-student tickets are $5.
Welcome Week concludes with Dawgs After Dark-A Red and Black Carpet Premiere on Aug. 22 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. in the Tate Student Center. Hollywood-themed activities will include inflatables, interactive games, and free food. Non-student admission is $5.
Taylor Cain, senior coordinator for student activities, says Union students are excited about this year’s events.
“The University Union students have worked tirelessly to offer exciting and fun events for their peers at UGA, and I’m looking forward to seeing all of their hard work come to fruition,” she says. “I can’t think of a better introduction to UGA for new students or a better ‘welcome back’ to those returning to campus.”
The concert and comedy shows are ticketed events. Students must present valid UGACards to claim their free tickets at the Tate Student Center Cashier Window, open weekdays from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
The University Union Student Programming Board is a registered student organization within UGA Student Affairs.
For more information, call 706-542-6396 or see http://union.uga.edu.
UGA Student Affairs
The Division of Student Affairs comprises 19 campus departments that enhance the learning environment for students at the University of Georgia by stimulating the learning process, integrating the in-class and out-of-class experiences, promoting an environment conducive to growth and discovery and facilitating intellectual, spiritual, social, occupational, physical, cultural and emotional development. For more information, see http://studentaffairs.uga.edu.
Note to editors: Updated 8-15-14 to reflect venue change.
