Ben Jeffords opens his class for the fall semester
in one of the new classrooms on the third floor of Belk Hall

Erskine College Fall Semester Classes Begin Today

Erskine College fall semester classes began today, launching the school's 163rd year, to be celebrated officially at the formal opening of the College and Seminary Sept. 11. Erskine Theological Seminary Classes begin on campus Sept. 5.

Freshmen have been on campus since Tuesday, along with some upperclassmen, including SGA and SCA leaders and soccer players, with other returning students arriving Sunday.

"Orientation for the freshmen was not officially over until Sunday night," said Erskine Vice President for Student Services and Athletics Monty Wooley. "This year we had a freshman slide show prepared by returning students Nick Brookshire, Brandon Martin and Robert Wooley. We invited the returning students to come and view the show."

Freshman orientation included learning experiences as well as opportunities for socializing, coordinated by the Office of Student Services. Reflecting on this year's large freshman class, Wooley said, "It's amazing to me that we had nearly 60 more students than last year – we wondered whether we would be able to manage that number. But I think this was as smooth a move-in and orientation as we've ever had."

Important dates for Fall Semester 2001 include:

- Annual Signing of the Book, Thursday, Sept. 6

- Drop/Add Day, Friday, Sept. 7

- Back-to-School Bash, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 7-8

- Fall Break, beginning after classes Friday, Oct. 19 (classes resume Oct. 24)

- Thanksgiving Holiday, beginning after classes Tuesday, Nov. 20 (classes resume Monday, Nov. 26)

- Final Examinations, beginning Monday, Dec. 10 (ending Friday, Dec. 14)

- Christmas Holidays, beginning after exams (Winter Term begins Thursday, Jan. 3)