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08.10.06 From left, Tobe Frierson and Robert Wooley hand out information to incoming freshmen. Erskine hosts incoming students and their families First-year Erskine College students and their parents visited the campus Saturday to get a preview of what to expect in the coming months. New students received information packets and parents received "Erskine Parent" t-shirts at the all-day session, which began with registration under the Towers. Associate Dean of Students Penny Thomas said about 154 families attended the event. "Sixty volunteers, including Parent Council members, current students, faculty and staff, made the day a tremendous success," Thomas said. "The maintenance staff did a great job preparing all the buildings and Aramark provided a wonderful luncheon and refreshments." The Rev. Paul Patrick, chaplain for the college and seminary, opened the morning program in Lesesne Auditorium with the invocation, and Executive Vice President and Dean of the College Dr. Donald Weatherman welcomed the students and their parents. Weatherman told parents that the college’s role is not so much about sharing knowledge as developing the young man or woman as a whole. "College is more about who they become than what they'll do because we don't know," he said, noting that the average Erskine student will change majors five times and the average Erskine graduate will change careers about six times. Emphasizing the college motto, "Christian Commitment and Excellence in Learning," Weatherman said, "Our hope is that they come here with your faith and leave with their own." Student Government Association President Jeremy Sakovich spoke to parents and students and welcomed them to the campus, while sophomores Megan Ferguson and Craig Goodwin shared their own experiences from a year ago to assist parents and students in adjusting to the college setting. Goodwin reminded students that the speed limit is 25 mph in Due West and offered other light-hearted tips, while Ferguson encouraged students to make adjustments in dealing with living in a dormitory with roommates. Ferguson also prodded students to get involved – "See what kind of fun you can have." She told parents that the best thing they could do for their new college students is to pray for them. Senior Amy Dawson and junior Virginia Suarez gave incoming students a glimpse into their first week at Erskine – Freshman Orientation. Students met with their Erskine Seminar professors while the co-presidents of the Parent Association Council (PAC), Meadors and Marie Tanner and Mickey and Lydia Baker, spoke to parents. They shared their own experiences in adjusting to life with a student in college. They also provided parents with the opportunity to get involved with the Parent Association Council. The Rev. Jim McLurken, pastor of Crowders Creek ARP Church, addressed parents on the issue of "Letting Go." He encouraged parents to leave their students' rooms intact and reminded them that though their students are "college-age" and considered adults by society's standards, they still have a lot of maturity to gain before they are fully functioning adults. "We have to let go," McLurken said. "Untie those apron strings for their benefit – and yours." Parents attended breakout sessions in the areas of academics, athletics, financial aid and student life, and after lunch, PAC members led discussion groups for parents, who then joined their students in the residence halls. Parents were given an evaluation form to complete before their departure and Thomas said parents were asked the most valuable aspect of Parent Orientation. "A frequent statement written on the form was 'hearing the consistent reinforcement of the sincere interest all seem to have here in our child's transition and growth in this phase of his life, and common philosophy of life we share,'" Thomas said. Freshmen move into their dormitories for the Fall Semester on Aug. 26.
Parent Council members played an important role in Saturday's success. |
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