UNCA Classes Begin August 14;
Community Service Day Set for August 12

Dr. Richard S. Chess to Give Keynote Address at Convocation

UNC Asheville is gearing up for fall semester, with freshman orientation beginning Saturday, Aug. 10, transfer student orientation beginning Tuesday, Aug. 13, and classes beginning Wednesday, Aug. 14. UNCA is expecting about 440 new freshmen and 350 transfer students.

A highlight of orientation will be a formal convocation ceremony for students and their families at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, on the main Quadrangle. Richard S. Chess, the 2002 recipient of the Award for Excellence in Teaching from the University of North Carolina's Board of Governors, will give the keynote address. He is an associate professor of Literature and Language and director of UNCA’s Center for Jewish Studies. A gifted and prolific writer, Chess has two published collections of poetry, "Chair in the Desert" and "Tekiah."

Freshmen will be introduced to UNCA’s culture of community service through a massive community work day Monday, Aug. 12. This sixth annual "Bulldog Day: A Time of Service" will send some 535 UNCA students, faculty and staff to 26 service projects in the Asheville community.

Freshmen will be able to check into residence halls on Saturday, Aug. 10, and returning students will be able to move back in Monday, Aug. 12. UNCA Alumni Association members, faculty and staff will be on hand both days to help students and their parents with the move.

Evening events, designed to introduce new students to campus life, include a talk by motivational speaker Paul Wesselman on Saturday, Aug. 10; a game night on Sunday,

Aug. 11; movies on the Quad Monday, Aug. 12; and a performance by comedian David J on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

For more information, call the University at 828/251-6600.

Media Contacts:

• Merianne Epstein, UNCA Public Information Director, 828/251-6676
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526