TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Students at The University of Alabama will have an opportunity early in the academic year to get acquainted with new friends and get connected to the Tuscaloosa community through the “Hooking Up With the Tide” program.

“Hooking Up With the Tide,” a volunteer event that will be held Saturday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., offers students a way to socialize and network with others while learning about and working together on important problems and concerns facing the Tuscaloosa area. Check-in for the event will be at the UA Recreation Center Fields Complex at 9:30 a.m.

The event, which is coordinated jointly by the UA Office of Volunteer Services, Residential Life and the Russell Student Health Center, emphasizes not only growth in the community, but growth in the individual through service, as well.

The program gives students a structure for “investing” themselves in the life of the Tuscaloosa/Northport community as caring, connected citizens, as well as setting a pattern through which those students learn how to stay connected to a community even when they’re leading busy professional lives in the future.

Returning students will receive hands-on education that complements classroom and laboratory learning. Students who are new to the Capstone will have a positive first experience in their new campus community.

Last year’s participating organizations that coordinated with the event included the Tuscaloosa Family Resource Center, University Arboretum, Salvation Army and Focus on Senior Citizens.

For more information about the event or to participate, contact Jeremy Henderson at 205/348-6866, jhenderson@sa.ua.edu.