The annual Mr. Georgia Southern University Pageant will present eight gentleman dressed in black to compete for the 2013 title this Thursday.

The University Programming Board will host the pageant at the Russell Union ballroom at 7 p.m. Admission is free for students.

The theme of this year’s pageant is ‘A Black Tie Affair’ and will be more formal than the previous years, Tracy Igwebuike, pageant committee chair, said.

Contestants will compete in the following five categories: question and answer, formal wear, spirit wear, talent and swimsuit modeling.

The panel of judges will include Mark Bragg, who was Mr. GSU 2011, America Minc, director of fitness and facilities, Justin Jeffrey, Assistant director at office of student activities, and Jessica Turuc, director and united greek council advisor.

“For judges we try to look at people that haven’t judged before and have been involved in leadership positions and would be interested,” Igwebuike said.

The contestants will compete in each category in front of a panel of judges as well as an audience of their fellow students. The reigning Mr. GSU Terico Agnew will present the crown to the winner.

“We really want people to come out and see the winner be crowned so that Mr. GSU can be taken more seriously and keep that traditional aspect,” Paige Rahn, vice president of public relations for University Programming Board, said.

Mr. GSU is a male scholarship pageant with a grand prize of $500. The winner participates in spirit events across campus, showcasing his title, as well as completing two community service events each month. This year’s Mr. GSU will mark the pageants 9th anniversary.

Since 1948 Georgia Southern University has been an official local preliminary pageant for the Miss Georgia and Miss America Pageants. The 2013 Miss Georgia Southern University pageant will mark the 65^th anniversary of this established tradition.

Since men are not allowed to compete on the national pageant circuit, Georgia Southern University provides male students the opportunity with Mr. GSU. Some male students are still abrasive to the idea of participating in a pageant, Igwebuike said.

Brianna McIntyre, a sophomore International trade major, said, “One of my friends was going out for the position last year and told me to come see it. It was really fun to see all the different kinds of people who went up for the position and to see all their different talents. I will definitely be going again this year.”