The Southern Ambassadors are recruiting new members this week with applications due on March 5.

Southern Ambassadors recruit prospective students to come to Georgia Southern University by giving tours, hosting events and reaching out beyond the campus.

Kay Beth Lockwood, the faculty advisor from the Office of Admissions, said that the training for those who are accepted is a crash course at the beginning of the fall 2014 semester, and then updates on new information throughout the year.

In addition to giving tours of campus, the Southern Ambassadors host three open houses a year, scholarship events and trips to Jacksonville and Atlanta to recruit prospective students.

“We basically bring GSU to Atlanta or Jacksonville, so they can get a feel for what the school is like,” Lockwood said.

Elijah Anderson, Southern Ambassadors Executive Board member a senior political science major, attended last year’s Jacksonville trip.

“We get to show how we’re not just a state institution, but people from other states have interest in us as well,” Anderson said. “It’s a really great way to recruit the next class of Eagles, so it’s very rewarding in that sense.”

Applicants must have completed at least 12 hours and have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

“We’re looking for leaders on campus, people who are involved in different things that will bring some different groups and diversity to our groups so that we can show the entire student body, not just one type,” Lockwood said.

“You get to show off your university and things that you love and things you’ve been able to do here, as well as learn public speaking and communication which you can transfer to the workplace down the road,” Lockwood said.

Applicants must be available to give 2 tours per month and be available either 10:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. or 2:30 p.m.- 4:15 p.m. twice a week.

There will be bi-weekly meetings, the dates of which are yet to be determined.

Allie Yancey, a junior fashion design major and member of the Southern Ambassador’s Executive Board, said spring is the busiest time for the organization, giving tours to prospective high school students who are close to graduation.

Yancey said, “I love being able to meet freshman and hear what they want to do on campus and how they want to get involved. I also think it’s a great way to learn public speaking and meet a lot of people. It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of fun. It’s definitely worth it.”