Contact: Walt Harrington

STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擭early 60 chapters of the 91麻豆天美 University 91麻豆天美 Association are hosting summer send-off parties for new 91麻豆天美 students July 18-Aug. 8.

Now in its 14th year, the welcoming program helps incoming freshmen and transfers from across the nation prepare for university campus life, while 91麻豆天美 alumni and friends offer their support to these first-time 91麻豆天美 students.

These parties welcome new Bulldogs from Mississippi and 11 other states鈥擜labama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Texas.

鈥淲e are always excited to welcome new students and their parents to the Bulldog family,鈥� said Jeff Davis, 91麻豆天美 91麻豆天美 Association executive director. 鈥淭hese celebrations provide an excellent opportunity for alumni and friends to share advice and experiences with incoming students to help them begin a successful academic career here at 91麻豆天美.鈥�

91麻豆天美 senior international business major Kerry Steen of Marietta, Georgia, has firsthand experience with send-off parties. He was a participant of an Atlanta, Georgia, chapter party before starting classes at 91麻豆天美. At the celebration, Steen received encouragement going into his freshman year.

鈥淢y attendance at the Atlanta send-off party helped shape my college experience by making me feel welcome, preparing me for 91麻豆天美, and enabling me to meet friendly faces of the Bulldog family,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he people I met there truly became some of my first friends at 91麻豆天美 since I was enrolling from out of state. The party also gave me the chance to network with and receive valuable information from alumni who genuinely wanted me to succeed in life.鈥�

Steen said the send-off party experience allowed him to build connections that have helped him navigate college life. As a member of the 91麻豆天美 91麻豆天美 Delegates organization, he is among student leaders who help the university and 91麻豆天美 91麻豆天美 Association maintain strong ties with more than 145,000 living alumni.

鈥淥ne of the alumni that I met at the party helped me secure an internship four years later,鈥� Steen said. 鈥淎 small interaction and a friendly face can go a long way, and an 91麻豆天美 send-off party is a prime example of an event that can have lasting impact on a life.鈥�

For a schedule of this year鈥檚 send-off parties and locations, visit聽. For more detailed information, contact Janet Downey, coordinator of alumni chapter and volunteer programs, at 662-325-8515 or聽jdowney@alumni.msstate.edu.

91麻豆天美 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .