AMERICUS  — Every year Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) welcomes incoming freshman and transfer students and their parents to campus for S.T.O.R.M. Day. The first S.T.O.R.M. Day of the year lands on Thursday, May 26.
GSW’s S.T.O.R.M Day, or “Seizing the Opportunity to Register and More,” is a day for students and their families to learn more about GSW and become more acquainted with their new home away from home.
With a large incoming freshman class, GSW has added a fourth S.T.O.R.M. Day this year to accommodate a record crowd.
“We are experiencing tremendous growth and very excited to welcome all of our new students to campus,” said Interim President, Charles Patterson, Ph.D.  “It is an exciting time to be a student at Georgia Southwestern State University.”
“Storm Days are Southwestern’s first opportunity to welcome incoming students to the Hurricane family and their home for the next four years,” said Gaye Hayes, Ph.D., vice president for enrollment management. “Our staff always looks forward to S.T.O.R.M. activities each year, as this is not only an exciting time in the lives of these students, but a very exciting time for our university, also.”
Starting at 8 a.m., students and parents will be led on campus tours, take photos with Surge, have their student IDs made, attend academic advising and interact with faculty and staff on campus. When the day is over, students will have their fall schedule and a greater understanding of their major and the university.
GSW’s director of campus life, Josh Curtin, is enthusiastic about this new class.
“Our evaluations have always shown that students and parents who come to our S.T.O.R.M. Days thoroughly enjoy the day and feel prepared for their freshmen experience,” Curtin said.
This year’s S.T.O.R.M. Day theme is “circus” and is titled “GSW: The Greatest Place on Earth.” The day will end with free t-shirts, cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones.
S.T.O.R.M. Days will be held on May 26, June 3, July 8 and July 29. For more information, visit gsw.edu/campus-life/campusservices/orientation.