Freshman students will receive their class pins at Convocation

UNC Asheville is gearing up to welcome some 600 freshmen to campus on Friday.

The Class of 2011 will check into residence halls on the morning of Friday, Aug. 17. Returning students will move back onto campus on Saturday, Aug. 18. On both days UNC Asheville faculty and staff will continue the University's 15-year tradition, unique among college campuses, of helping students and their parents with the move.

Two new traditions will be introduced at the formal convocation ceremony for students and their families at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17, on UNC Asheville's Quad. Student Government President Tristyn Card will present an oak tree to the Class of 2011 to plant on campus and each student will receive a bronze class pin.

UNC Asheville Chancellor Anne Ponder will speak on the theme of "It's Your Turn" and Melissa Himelein, the 2007 recipient of the Award for Excellence in Teaching from the University of North Carolina's Board of Governors, will give the keynote address. Himelein joined the UNC Asheville faculty in 1992. She teaches a host of psychology courses -- from large sections of introductory psychology to small, seminar classes for advanced psychology majors. Himelein founded the popular “Getting into Fitness Together” (GIFT), a seven-week program designed to help Western North Carolina families reach fitness goals creatively.

As part of their new student orientation, some 100 freshmen are participating in the UNC Asheville Outdoors' Wilderness Experience. Now in its 10th year, the Wilderness Experience offers outdoor adventures like rock climbing and rafting combined with sessions on UNC Asheville's history and successfully preparing for college life. In addition, some 14 students are participating in UNC Asheville's first Fusion orientation program. Students in the Fusion program explore Western North Carolina through the lens of local art or history, while learning how to launch a successful college career.

UNC Asheville's fall semester classes begin Monday, Aug. 20.

Once classes are under way, students will have a host of opportunities to participate in a number of unusual learning experiences outside the classroom. New students will engage in Act in Asheville Day on September 11 to lend a hand to non-profit organizations throughout the city. One group of students will partner with Appalachian Offsets to replace 5,000 light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs for the Asheville Housing Authority. The new bulbs will save 1,450 tons of carbon dioxide from going into the atmosphere, according to Maggie Leslie of the Green Building Council of WNC.

In an effort to introduce the ease of alternative transportation to and from campus, students are also encouraged to participate in the Second Annual Great Bus and Bike About on August 25. Teams of four will take buses, bike or walk around town, stopping at local business to collect points and prizes. Last year's Great Bus and Bike About was recognized by the Association for Commuter Transportation for creative excellence in programming.

For more information on the start of school, call the University at 828/232-5000 or click on www.unca.edu/news/schedule.html.