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The positive energy of a bustling campus was evident as �������� (GGC) welcomed back its students, faculty and staff in a big way during the college’s Fall Kickoff on Thursday. The event drew more than 4,000 participants, who learned about the college’s resources, registered student organizations and academic clubs with music, games and a barbecue lunch on the campus lawn.

Abigail Ruiz, 19, of Lilburn was stationed at the table that provided information about the college’s . Ruiz, who majors in business management, said she joined GGC’s Honors Program last year as a freshman because she was looking for a “challenge” and a “community of people to hang out with and get to know.”

She found what she was looking for. “This is family for me,” she said.

As she handed out program brochures and giveaways, Ruiz talked to her peers about application procedures, expectations, and workload.

“A lot of people have this idea that it’s so challenging and academically overbearing,” she said. “While there is academic rigor involved, it’s a great way to get to know people, to get to know GGC and be involved.”

Exercise science major Brad Hardeman was among the students who took selfies with GGC President Jann L. Joseph.

On the other side of the lawn, GGC President Jann L. Joseph’s smile never dimmed as she braved the heat and intense humidity to take selfies with students. One of those students was Brad Hardeman, 20 of Loganville, who was all too happy to memorialize his day with Joseph. The sophomore exercise science major, who is in the process of starting a skateboard club at GGC, praised Joseph’s enthusiasm and support of the students.

“I love our president,” he said. “She has such a warm smile and she’s been very excited for our skateboarding club, very enthusiastic for the student body and I can tell that she really cares about the students because she’s always coming and interacting with us and introducing herself. She’s in the trenches with us and that’s something I love to see personally.”

Other popular events at the kickoff included the International Hot Dog festival, which paired the American staple food with unique toppings from around the world. The festival celebrates the unique diversity of GGC’s community of learners, with 112 nations represented among the student body.

As with previous years, new GGC students were officially welcomed to the college, with their participation in the college’s time-honored event. As freshman took their celebratory walk through the arch, they were greeted by faculty, staff and their student peers, who lined up to greet them.

The day concluded with a celebration of faculty and staff during the college’s Service and Retirement Recognition Awards. The ceremony, held annually, honors GGC employees’ years of service with the college, as well as those who moved on to retirement in the past academic year. More than 200 employees were recognized during the event.

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