T here was excitement in the air as students and parents gathered on Front Campus for Georgia College & State University’s first Orientation of 2023. Guests were welcomed to campus by Senior Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Joel Robinson before heading off to various sessions grouped by students and parents.

Students learned more about student success and how to get involved on campus during their breakout sessions. Additionally, students got the opportunity to meet the orientation leaders and learn about bobcat spirit before rejoining their parents.

Parents, meanwhile, got an overview of all the various services Georgia College provides to ensure student success such as Academic Advising, Counseling, Disability Services and more. Once the breakout sessions concluded, parents rejoined their students for college and department-level meetings where they learned more about the various majors offered at the university.

After lunch, both students and parents were able to check off those final “to-do” items before coming to campus in August such as getting a Bobcat Card, ordering textbooks for the fall semester or checking out the residence halls. Additionally, student organizations and other campus departments were onsite at the Bobcat Marketplace to greet our newest bobcats with information about student life coupled with a warm smile.

Sam Wilson, an incoming student from Johns Creek, Georgia, looks on all the activity on Front Campus with excitement and anticipation. She is looking forward to getting involved with students and professors especially within the Biology program.

“There are a lot of unknowns. And there's like butterflies that come along with leaving my environment at home,” said Wilson. “So I’m looking forward to just getting acquainted with the students and professors.”

Sam’s father, JR, is equally excited.

“We think Sam will be here for all four years and hope that she has four great years. And we're looking forward to coming down to visit her,” said JR. “We think it's a great little town. Georgia College and the campus is just absolutely beautiful. We are really impressed.”

Orientation is a rite of passage as students are officially one step closer to attending college in the fall. Georgia College is looking forward to seeing our newest bobcats throughout the summer leading up to Move-in Day in August.