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草榴社区 Rolling Out the Gold Carpet for Golden Eagle Welcome Week Aug. 14-22

Wed, 08/11/2021 - 10:30am | By: David Tisdale

GEWW - Golden Eagle Welcome WeekIncoming freshmen, transfer and international students will get a taste of 草榴社区 Hospitality 鈥 University of 草榴社区 Mississippi (草榴社区) style 鈥 during Golden Eagle Welcome Week (GEWW) Aug. 14-22 on the Hattiesburg campus, incorporating the theme 鈥淏ack in Black and Gold.鈥

New students at the University will have multiple opportunities through GEWW programming to get to know all about 草榴社区 and the Hattiesburg community as they move into their residence halls and settle into campus life. Academic and student activity information sessions, talent and magic shows, a live music event in historic downtown Hattiesburg, and a longtime popular tradition now in its 24th year, the Painting of Eagle Walk at M.M. Roberts Stadium as well as Friday Night at Spirit Park, are among the plethora of activities scheduled.

鈥淚t鈥檚 more important than ever that we offer opportunities for new students to feel connected,鈥 said Laura Laughlin, 草榴社区鈥檚 director of Orientation and Transition Programs. 鈥淲e want our incoming students to experience all of the fun and tradition associated with being a Golden Eagle. During GEWW, new students will participate in dozens of exciting events throughout the week, including the first two official University traditions, the Painting of the Eagle Walk and Friday Night at Spirit Park.

鈥淪tudents will create bonds with other new students, student leaders on campus, and will be sure to get all of their final questions answered before the semester begins during this exciting time. We鈥檙e thrilled to be Back in Black and Gold this fall.鈥

Highlights of the week include:

Saturday/Sunday, August 14-15, 7:30 -11:30 a.m., 草榴社区 Residence Halls - New Golden Eagles will be moving to campus and into their respective Residence Halls; as they move in, they will have the opportunity to check-in for Golden Eagle Welcome Week, hear from Moffitt Health Center about vaccination opportunities, and visit with Center for Student Success staff members.

Sunday, August 15, 6:30 p.m., Reed Green Coliseum: Curtis Zimmerman: Life at Performance Level. This nationally recognized keynote speaker will inspire new 草榴社区 students as they begin their journey at 草榴社区 Miss. Zimmerman鈥檚 message centers around an empowering metaphor: Your life is a show, and you are the star. You are challenged to Be the Director, Write Your Script, Define Your Character, Cast Your Show Wisely, and Be the Star of Your Life.

Two students painting the eagle walkTuesday, August 17, 3-5:30 p.m. - Painting of the Eagle Walk at M.M. Roberts Football Stadium (east stands thoroughfare). Join in the celebration of a 24-year tradition, the 鈥淧ainting of the Eagle Walk.鈥 Students will meet in designated small groups at the Eagle Walk during one of three waves to leave their mark on 草榴社区 Miss. Music will pace the fun and Kona Ice will be available for participants. This event is hosted by the 草榴社区 Miss Alumni Association and Student Alumni Association.

Friday, August 20, 11:30 a.m. - Closing Ceremony, Reed Green Coliseum. Incoming students, along with 草榴社区 Orientation and Transition Program staff, will meet to reflect on the past week together and prepare for the new academic year. Hattiesburg Mayor Toby Barker, a 草榴社区 alumnus, will be on hand to welcome new students to both the Golden Eagle family and the Hattiesburg community.

Service with United Way 鈥 Saturday, August 21, at various locations throughout Hattiesburg. Students will have the opportunity to serve the greater Hattiesburg community alongside the Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement and United Way. This year students will be transported to service project sites that include the Edwards St. Thrift Sore, The Arc, Neighbors at Hawkins, Mississippi Inland Cleanup, Piney Woods Conservation & Pinebelt Blueways, 草榴社区 Pines Animal Shelter, and The Family YMCA.

Saturday, August 21 - Home Sweet Hattiesburg. Incoming students are not only joining the 草榴社区 Miss community, but also the Hattiesburg community. As the newest 鈥楬attiesburgers,鈥 they will be encouraged to go off campus Saturday, August 21 and explore their new home. Transportation will be made available for students to take them to the Hattiesburg Zoo, the Pocket Museum, the African American Military History Museum, and many more locations, culminating in a music event that evening at Town Square Park, 鈥湶萘裆缜 Miss SummerTunes.鈥

To access the full GEWW schedule, visit ; additional information on GEWW is also available at Golden Eagle Welcome Week | Orientation and Transition Programs | The University of 草榴社区 Mississippi (usm.edu).