Dr. John L. Carson

Erskine marks start of school year with Formal Opening

Erskine students, faculty and staff assembled in Lesesne Auditorium Tuesday for the formal opening of the 166th year of Erskine College and the 168th year of Erskine Theological Seminary, highlighted by President John L. Carson's address, "The First Time I Saw Romans 8:28."

Carson questioned whether Christians really believe the Apostle Paul's claim that "we know that all things work together for good to them that love God."

He said he read Romans 8:28 shortly after his older brother's fatal automobile accident when a church member sent him a sympathy card with that reference handwritten on it.

Recalling the 1962 death of his only sibling, who had just completed his freshman year at Erskine,  and referring to Paul's statement, Carson asked, "Do we know that? Are there no exceptions? Was the death of my brother one of those 'all things'?"

He said his brother's death was for him "one of the centerpieces of 'all things.'"

"The needle had fallen off my compass," he said, and he decided to take one last opportunity to follow his brother's lead by attending Erskine College.

His time at Erskine was in some ways a low point in his life, Carson said. Before his college experience, he had never lost a student election and had always excelled in academics and sports. "While I was here, God took away all those props that had given me confidence so that I would build my life on Him," he said.

Carson said it is important to examine the phrase "to them that love God" in Paul's statement. "The crux of the issue is, do you love God?" he said. "Learn to love God while you're at Erskine."

Referring to the assertion of Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543) that the earth revolves around the sun, Carson said, "You need a Copernican revolution in your life, where God is at the center of your life and you're revolving around Him."

Erskine Vice President and Dean of the College Dr. Donald Weatherman welcomed new faculty members Dr. Artur Gorka and Serge Lipovetsky and said he is always excited about a new academic year.

Neely Gaston, vice president of Erskine Theological Seminary, brought greetings from the seminary and noted an increased enrollment. With 160 new seminary students, up from a previous average of about 115, and all the returning students on various campuses, the seminary should have about 450 students this academic year.

Announcing the seminary's newest faculty members, Drs. Michael Bush, Mark Ross and Gareth Scott, Gaston said the school now has several extension sites, including one in New York City. Former Erskine Seminary professor Dr. Luonne Rouse accepted a pastorate in New York, and the seminary is using his church as a base for the fledgling site.

"From Due West to Manhattan — if you can imagine that, you have a pretty broad imagination," he said. "We're still trying to get used to it."

Erskine College Student Government Association President David Dangerfield, a senior from Moncks Corner,  told students between their first year of college and their last, they will gain not only knowledge but memories and friendships. "These memories and these friendships will take us through life," he said.

Seminary Student Body President Terry Roof of North Augusta urged college students to expand their circle of friendships to include seminary students. "We are all blessed with the opportunity to fulfill our life's calling," he said. He also suggested that college students consider attending some seminary chapel sessions.

Erskine Admissions Director Bart Walker offered a brief profile of the Class of 2008, noting, "This class just edges last year’s class for the honor of being the second largest class in last ten years, with 179 members." 

Walker said the class ties the previous two freshman classes in grade point average and average SAT score. "Their average SAT score is once again over 1100, far exceeding both state and national averages," he said. 

Reporting that nearly two-thirds of the entering freshmen graduated in the top 25 percent of their high school class, Walker said they have also distinguished themselves outside the classroom, in student government and clubs, in athletics and the arts, and in church and community service. "We look forward to the impact this freshman class will have on our campus community," he said.

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