Excitement is mounting as the new school 2014-2015 year kicks off at Albany State University. Faculty and staff will welcome the Class of 2018 during New Student Orientation and Academic Success Training Week. The ASU Housing and Residence Life team, joined by faculty and staff volunteers will welcome the newest Rams and their parents to campus Aug. 12 and 14.

Highlights of the fall 2014 orientation include a general session at 10 a.m. Wed, Aug. 13 in the ACAD Auditorium.  During the program University administrators, student services officials, the Student Government Association president and student volunteers will help new students successfully transition from high school to ASU.

Move in activities continue on Aug. 14 as transfer students register for classes at 8:30 a.m. in the ACAD Auditorium.

Academic Success Training begins at 9:15 a.m. Friday Aug. 15 with an open house and tours of ASU colleges and departments.

At 8 p.m. Friday, in the HPER Gymnasium, the University will hold its Freshman Class Induction Ceremony.  The event’s keynote speaker is retired Albany educator Geraldine West Hudley.

Hudley retired as the principal at Radium Springs Middle Magnet School of the Arts in 2010.  She also served 27 years as a teacher at Dougherty Comprehensive High School and worked as an adjunct professor at Albany State University.

On Sat. Aug 16, orientation events continue with a self- defense session at 3:30 p.m. in HPER Gymnasium followed by a talent show at 7 p.m. in the ACAD Auditorium.

Sunday’s activities include the Women’s Empowerment Summit featuring Attorney Nicole Williams, Colette Jenkins, CEO of Chosen to Conquer, retired veteran, Helen Tunewald and blogger, writer, speaker and co-founder of Go Ministries, Bridgett Mack.  The summit begins at 3 p.m. in the ACAD Auditorium and is free and open to the public.

Classes begin August 18.

For more information contact the ASU Office of University Communications at 229-430-4671.