Sheila Roberts, left, offers a book with college interview tips to Bob Jones students. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Bob Jones High School’s annual College Fair will feature scores of university representatives, ready to alleviate anxiety for college-bound students.

The fair on Jan. 22 will run from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Central Commons, the newly renovated area encompassing the former courtyard and media center.

The event will allow “students and parents to learn more about a variety of colleges by speaking with representatives. Colleges bring brochures and leaflets with information about their majors and campus life,” Bob Jones College and Career Advisor Sheila Roberts said.

Conversely, the fair lets college representatives “see where the interest lies in Bob Jones students,” Roberts said.

Along with Alabama’s major colleges, representatives will attend from Duke University, University of Notre Dame, Georgia Institute of Technology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and U.S. military academies.

Bob Jones’ website (bjhs.madisoncity.k12.al.us) lists the scheduled college representatives. Students can ask questions specifically about their major, a minor or even a double major. Medical school candidates can identify an advisor to help during undergraduate years.

About 90 percent of Bob Jones students intend to apply to college. “There’s a great interest in meeting with the college representatives,” Roberts said.

Mike Reynolds, Auburn University’s Executive Director for Student Financial Services, will speak from 6 to 6:45 p.m. in the audiovisual room.

Organizers encourage parents to attend. “They’re a part of the application process. “Parents have a financial interest in their child’s education. Exploring college options is important,” Roberts said.

Students should research colleges that interest them and then visit those campuses by their junior year of high school, she said.

Assistant principals Sylvia Lambert and Jason Quick are helping to organize the fair. A parents committee, headed by Sonja Griffith, also has helped and will staff a question-and-answer table and prepare snacks for college representatives. Sponsored by Cindy Husky, the Bob Jones Ambassadors also will assist.

Bob Jones PTSA will meet at 6:45 p.m. Then, from 7 to 8 p.m., a ‘meet-and-greet’ Open House will be held with teachers in their classrooms.