8.10.05

Associate Director of Admissions Cory Young, left, greets incoming freshman Michael Burdette.

Parent Association Council hosts class of 2009 and families

More than 160 families of this fall's 178 incoming freshmen came to the Erskine College campus for Parent Orientation Saturday. Erskine Parent Association Council (PAC) members, along with Associate Dean of Students Penny Thomas, planned and organized the all-day event, and Erskine students, faculty and staff members assisted with the day's activities.

Beginning with registration at 9 a.m., participants were led through sessions designed to prepare parents and students for the transition from high school to college life. "It was fun and highly successful," Thomas said.

 Erskine Executive Vice President and Dean of the College Dr. Donald Weatherman and Student Government Association President Mackay Smith welcomed students and their families, and two sophomores, Sarah Hope and James Fraley, spoke on the topic, "My Freshman Year."

"James Fraley and Sarah Hope represented last year's freshman class well," Thomas said. "They were super."

Mickey and Lydia Baker, PAC co-presidents, as well as past co-presidents David and Tracey Smith spoke to the parents while students met with their Erskine Seminar professors. Also addressing the parents was the Rev. Jim McLurken, pastor of Crowders Creek ARP Church, who spoke about "Letting Go."

"I do an evaluation form for this event, and the most frequent comment we had from the parents was that they left Erskine with a sense of peace and trust," Thomas said. "That's exactly what we want."

Breakout sessions for parents covered academics, athletics, financial aid and student life. Parents of roommates were seated together at lunch in Moffatt Dining Hall.

Students gathered for lunch in Watkins Student Center, which houses Snapper's, the college canteen, and Java City, a coffee bar.

Some of the visiting freshmen took language placement exams after lunch, and a number of parents and students took the opportunity to look at assigned dorm rooms following the afternoon activities.

"This event was made possible by very strong leadership from the PAC volunteers," Thomas said. She also praised the work of faculty and staff members, maintenance personnel, ARAMARK Food Services, and Erskine student volunteers.

"It was a campus-wide effort and paid off extremely well," she said.

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