As California State University, Fresno students arrive for the start of fall 2010 semester instruction on Monday, Aug.23, the campus will welcome all 21,000-plus of them with three weeks of activities that will include information, fun, barbecued Fresno State corn.

Beginning Monday, student volunteers from the Welcome and Guidance Committee (WAG Pack), will staff booths to help new-to-campus students find classes and to provide information to navigate first-week issues. Free maps, planners and other goodies will be given away at the WAG Pack booths, which are open 7:30-10:30 a.m. Monday-Thursday, Aug. 26.

In a special message to students that will be published in the student newspaper, The Collegian, on Monday, university President John D. Welty notes Fresno State’s Centennial celebration, which continues through the 100th Commencement next May.

The year, says Welty, is “an opportunity to look back over a century of excellence and to look ahead as we begin our second 100 years. It’s also a reminder of how successfully we’ve worked together to overcome challenges and help thousands of individuals thrive to the benefit of others.”

“Our students have applied what they’ve learned at Fresno State as leaders and do-ers in communities throughout California, around the world and clear into space,” adds Welty.

Fresno State Welcome activities continue 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, when students are encouraged to consider joining a campus club at Student Involvement Day on the University Student Union balcony. A USU Open House will feature free refreshments, games and prizes.

At 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25, USU Productions Big Screen Committee plans a free outdoor showing of “Iron Man 2” in the field by the Wathen Tennis Center on campus (Scott and Cedar avenues).

On Traditions Day from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, leaders of Associated Students Inc., including recently elected President Pedro Ramirez, will barbecue student-produced Centennial sweet corn on the Free Speech Platform. The Bulldog Marching Band will perform on the stage above the USU Pit.

Local nonprofit organizations will be on campus Sept. 1 to recruit student volunteers during the Community Service Fair at the Memorial Court, south of the Kennel Bookstore, hosted by the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service-Learning.

Fresno State Welcome extends to Sept.15’s fifth annual SAFARI (short for Student Affairs Fair and Resource Information), where representatives of various campus programs set up booths to provide information to students about support services.

Messages on the university’s electronic marquees at the Save Mart Center and near Bulldog Stadium also welcome students to the Centennial year.

(University Communications News Intern Christy Patron contributed to this copy)

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