VSU plans centennial celebration, August 18

Valdosta State University is gearing up for the celebration of the century, literally, as plans begin to solidify for VSU's 100th birthday, on August 18, 2006. The summer date includes a grand celebratory evening event on the front lawn of West Hall.

VSU partners and friends from the community, region and across the state can expect the third weekend of August to be packed with cultural and festive events, beginning with the grand opening of the VSU Museum, on August 16-18, which will be a permanent fixture on the fourth floor of the Odum Library. The front lawn gala on August 18 will include a variety of live bands, food, and fun, followed by a spectacular fireworks presentation. The culmination of weekend activities will be a centennial fun run/walk on Saturday, August 19, that spans the perimeter of the university campus.

Centennial activities with the "Building for Our Next Century" theme have already begun at the university, and all activities�both regularly scheduled and future planned�will have a centennial twist suitable for the festive atmosphere on campus. VSU's staff, faculty and students have joined planning efforts to "centennialize" all activities, even favorite Homecoming traditions. This year, students and alumni can expect a Centennial Homecoming, October 6-7, that includes the Blazers football game with Southern Arkansas, pre-game festivities, a centennial halftime show, and a celebration of the 25th anniversary of football at VSU.

VSU is celebrating the centennial anniversary of its founding in 1906, when legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly created the college. On January 2, 1913, the South Georgia State Normal College opened for classes. In recognition of its rich history, VSU is commemorating these centennial years from 2006 to 2013 with a wide variety of academic, social, athletic, artistic and community events and programs. These activities honor VSU's proud past, present and future, and will set the tone as VSU enters its second century as a major regional university.

Among the upcoming events will be the dedication and official opening in April of the new Pedestrian Mall and ceremonies for the official naming of the Hugh C. Bailey Science Center and the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education.

For more information on centennial activities at VSU, call Mary Gooding, Manager of Centennial Operations, at 333-5797 or visit http://www.valdosta.edu/news/centennial.php .