PANTHER WELCOME
Your Official Welcome to Georgia State
Panther Welcome is Georgia State's official welcome celebration to help you engage with the university. At the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, exciting programs and signature events are offered across our campuses, including "Ask Me" booths on each campus to help you navigate the first week of classes. You’ll meet members of your Panther family, unlock valuable resources and celebrate Georgia State’s culture and tradition. All Panther Welcome activities and other exciting opportunities for student engagement can be found on PIN.
#PANTHERWELCOME
Spring 2024
POUNCE REWARDS
All students are invited to join the POUNCE Rewards Program for the spring semester of 2024. For more details about the program, click here.
BE READY FOR THE START OF THE SEMESTER
Click here for a checklist of things to do to start the semester off right!
ASK ME BOOTHS
Over the first five days of classes, Georgia State volunteers will staff Ask Me booths to help students navigate college life. Monday - Thursday booth hours will be 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on the Atlanta campus and 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. on the Perimeter College campuses unless otherwise noted. (Campus maps, panther masks and other resources will be available for pickup at the locations listed below.
The Ask Me booth locations will be as follows:
- Atlanta –
- 25 Park Place first-floor lobby
- Courtland Street and Gilmer Street
- Outside the Library North entrance (weather permitting)
- Student Center West 3rd floor Information Kiosk (near the Courtland St. entrance)
- NOTE: The Student Center Information Center on the first floor of SC East is available to answer questions from 8 a.m. – 11 p.m. every Monday - Thursday, and 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Fridays.
- Alpharetta – AA Building lobby
- Clarkston – CN Building lobby near café seating and information desk
- Decatur – SC Building lobby near café seating
- Dunwoody – NB Building lobby, lower level
- Newton – 1N Building, lobby near open seating
- Look for additional volunteers wearing Ask Me buttons on the Perimeter campuses. These roving volunteers will be ready with answers if you need assistance.
- Not on campus? Panther Answer is your one-stop shop to ask questions and set up appointments with admissions, academic advising, financial aid and the registrar’s office.
- Atlanta –
MOVIES AT CINEFEST IN JANUARY
Admission is free for Georgia State students; $3 for faculty/staff; $5 for guests. Follow the links for showtimes or go to Spotlight Program Board's Cinefest website.
- Mon. - Wed., Jan. 8 - 10 "Talk to Me"
- Tues. - Thurs., Jan. 16 - 18 "Asteroid City"
- Mon. - Wed., Jan. 22 - 24 "The Marsh King's Daughter"
- Mon. - Wed., Jan. 29 - 31 "Friday Nights at Freddy's"
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMEMORATION
Monday, Jan. 15 through Friday, January 19
Monday, January 15, 2024, marks the 41st anniversary of the first observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a U.S. federal holiday. Each year Georgia State University honors The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and work with numerous activities in January. A complete listing of events is on the Belonging website. While the university is closed, there are two service events we encourage you to participate in and make this A Day On, Not A Day Off.
Wednesday, Jan. 10
- Atlanta: The King Center Beloved Community Summit - The Curve in Library South, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 11
- Atlanta: The King Center Beloved Community Summit - The Curve in Library South, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 15 – MLK, Jr. Day
- Atlanta: Dream Big Book Drive and Day of Service - Student Center East State Ballroom - 11 a.m. - 3 pm.
- Perimeter College: Day of Service, - Autrey Mill Nature Preserve - 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Tuesday, Jan. 16
- Dunwoody: MLK, Jr. Game Show - NB2000, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Atlanta: It Was All A Dream Vision Board Party - Student Center East State Ballroom, 4-6 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 17
- Atlanta: MLK on Leadership: Lunch & Learn - Student Center West 460, 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, Jan. 18
- Atlanta: MLK, Jr. Commemoration Brunch - Student Center East State Ballroom, 12 p.m.
Friday, Jan. 19
- Atlanta: Free Tour of the King Center - King Center, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
- Atlanta: Free Tour of the King Center - King Center, 2 - 3:30 p.m.
HEALTHY STATE: NEW YEAR - IMPROVING ME IN 2024
Jan. 8 - 31, BeWellPanthers YouTube Channel
There are many resources available at Georgia State for your health and well-being, to discover all of them, please visit bewell.gsu.edu.
Want a chance to receive a Be Well Panthers winter beanie, socks, or headband? Complete 1 of the following:
- RSVP to this PIN event [RSVP for What's your health goal? #HealthyStatePanthers January: New Year Warm Up] with your SMART health goal.
- Watch the BeWellPanthers YouTube channel for an overview of the purpose of SMART goals & link to share your health goal.
- DM BeWellPanthers on Instagram with the message #MindWisePanthers after you complete an anonymous & free mental health assessment.
PANTHER WELCOME BREAKFASTS/LUNCHES
Join the Panther Activities Council and Spotlight Programs Board for a free breakfast or lunch (while supplies last) on your way to class on one of the dates below as we welcome Panthers back to campus. Must have a current Panther ID.
- Mon., Jan. 8, 9 a.m. Student Center East Lobby @ Atlanta
- Mon., Jan. 8, 9:30 a.m., AA Lobby @ Alpharetta
- Mon., Jan. 8, 9:30 a.m., SC Student Center @ Decatur
- Mon., Jan. 8, 9:30 a.m., 1N Lobby @ Newton
- Mon., Jan. 8, 10 a.m., NB 2000 @ Dunwoody
- Tues., Jan. 9, 9 a.m., Student Center East Lobby @ Atlanta
- Tues., Jan. 9, 9 a.m., AB 105 @ Alpharetta
- Tues., Jan. 9, 9:30 a.m., SF Lobby @ Decatur
- Tues., Jan. 9, 10 a.m., Student Center NB 2000 @ Dunwoody
- Tues., Jan. 9, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., CN Info Desk @ Clarkston
- Tues., Jan. 9, 11:30 a.m., 1N Lobby @ Newton
- Wed., Jan. 10, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., CN Info Desk @ Clarkston
ATLANTA ON-CAMPUS JOB FAIR
Wed., Jan. 10, 11 - 2 p.m., Veteran's Memorial Hall, Dahlberg Hall
Interested in an on-campus job? Join University Career Services at the Spring On-Campus Job Fair. Explore opportunities with Georgia State University departments and local employers.
STUDENT CENTER OPEN HOUSE
Thurs., Jan. 11, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Student Center, Atlanta
Stop in the various offices throughout the Student Center facilities to learn about all the great resources, services and programs offered to students. Complete the passport to earn prizes!- 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Fraternity & Sorority Life Expo, State Ballroom All 28 chapters from the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Panhellenic Council will be tabling to provide information about their chapter as well as recruitment and intake events.
- 1 – 3 p.m. Cultures, Communities & Inclusion, SCE 2nd Floor Join Cultures, Communities & Inclusion (CCI) for CCI FEST: The Kickback, as we welcome new and returning students to campus for Spring 2024! Learn about our programs, services, and resources, while meeting students and staff of diverse cultures and communities!
STUDENT MEDIA OPEN HOUSE
Friday, Jan. 12, 11 a.m. - Noon, Cinéfest, 262 Student Center West
Learn about opportunities to get involved with Album 88 (radio station), The Signal (campus newspaper), Underground (undergraduate literary journal), New South (graduate literary journal) and Neo Network (video production).
LAST DAY TO DROP/ADD CLASSES FOR SPRING 2024
Fri., Jan. 12 by 5 p.m.
PRE-NATIONAL POPCORN DAY MEET & GREET
Thu., Jan. 18 – 12-2 p.m., AA 1150, Alpharetta
Come out and enjoy the annual celebration, that recognizes a treat that satisfies munchies, day or night. This time-honored snack can be sweet or savory, caramelized, buttered or plain, molded into a candied ball, or tossed with nuts and chocolate!
STUDENT INVOLVEMENT FAIRS
Multiple involvement fairs will be held to connect students with the resources offered by various student organizations across all campuses. Watch for listings in PIN with the kinds of organizations that will be featured at each event.
- Atlanta: Tues., Jan. 23, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., State Ballroom, Student Center East
- Alpharetta: Wed., Jan 24, 11:00 – 1 p.m., AB 105
- Clarkston : Wed., Jan. 24, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., CN Café
- Newton: Thurs., Jan. 25, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 1N Lobby
- Decatur: Thurs., Jan. 25, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., SC 1st Floor
- Dunwoody: Thurs., Jan. 25, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., NB 1000 Student Center
ATHLETIC EVENTS AT THE GEORGIA STATE CONVOCATION CENTER
Check out these Athletic events happening in January.
- Women’s Basketball vs. U. of Louisiana - Monroe - Thu., Jan. 4, 6:30 p.m.
- Women’s Basketball vs. Texas State University - Sat., Jan. 6, 2 p.m.
- Women’s Basketball vs. Marshall University - Thu., Jan. 11, 11 a.m.
- Men’s Basketball vs. Old Dominion University - Thu., Jan. 11, 7 p.m.
- Women’s Basketball vs. Appalachian State - Sat., Jan. 13, 2 p.m.
- Men’s Basketball vs. Georgia Southern University - Sat., Jan. 13, 5 p.m.
- Women’s Basketball vs. James Madison - Wed., Jan. 31, 6:30 p.m.