JANUARY 10, 2005

Mesa State Welcomes Students Back for Spring Semester 2005

Grand Junction, CO - Mesa State College's Winter Welcome Week will kick off the 2005 spring semester on Friday, Jan. 14 with a variety of interactive activities, workshops and entertainment events.

"The purpose of Welcome Week is to provide our thousands of new and returning students with opportunities to establish connections within the Mesa State and local communities," said Elizabeth Larsen, Program Coordinator for the W. W. Campbell College Center. "With events that range from free movies to entertaining performances to educational sessions, there are plenty of options for students and the public alike to enjoy."

Welcome Week activities will begin on Friday, Jan. 15 with residence hall check-in and continue through Sunday, Jan. 23. Highlights of the week will include:

Survival sessions for new and returning students - Scheduled to begin on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 11 a.m. and continue through out the week, the sessions will cover topics such as living with roommates, registration, making the grade and time management.

Singer/songwriter Jason LeVasseur - LeVasseur, who has performed with Dave Matthews, John Mayer, The Roots and Maroon 5, will be in concert on Sunday, Jan. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the W.W. Campbell College Center's Bookcliff Café. The concert is free and open to the public.

Comedian Chris Fonseca - Fonseca, who focuses his comedy on living with cerebral palsy, has been featured on "The Late Show with David Letterman," the "Today Show" and "Baywatch." His free performance will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Moss Performing Art Center's Robinson Theatre.

Movie night - Community members and students alike are invited to enjoy movies on the big screen. "Shrek 2" will show on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the W.W. Campbell College Center's Liff Auditorium.

Additional events are planned for the week and many are open to the public. For a schedule of Welcome Week events, contact Elizabeth Larsen at 970.248.1148 or elarsen@mesastate.edu.

###