Erskine Hosts Student and Parent Pre-Orientation
Erskine College hosted 157 families on campus Saturday, as the incoming freshman class got its first taste of college life during the Student and Parent Pre-Orientation program.
It was also Erskine’s first chance to showcase two more fully renovated dormitories, Pressly Hall for men and Carnegie Hall for freshman women. Erskine spent more than $3.5 million on dorm renovations this summer.
"The students and their parents were pleased with their rooms and the way the dorms were set up," said Erskine Associate Director of Admissions Cory Young. "They said the rooms were nicer than any rooms they had even seen in a college dorm."
Erskine Admissions Counselor Chris Spires said many of the freshman women had visited Carnegie while they were being recruited a year ago and could not believe the transformation.
"The new windows and the beautiful hardwood floors got a lot of comments," he said.
Admissions Counselor Erin English added, "They also loved the new furniture that is going into the dorms."
The families arrived on campus at 9 a.m. Saturday, and were met by 38 members of the Erskine Parents Advisory Council, which organized the event, as well as members of the Erskine Admissions Office.
The morning program consisted of a welcome from Parents Association Council member Charles Rice, Erskine President John Carson, Due West Mayor Butch Sain, and Erskine SGA President Nick Brookshire.
Also, Erskine Vice President and Dean of the College Don Weatherman discussed academics at Erskine, sophomore Beau Noblitt of Anderson discussed his frehman year at Erskine, and Young also spoke.
"This was a great day in the sense that the students were able to see their roommates for the first time, and they were able to calm their concerns about the transition from high school to college," Young said. "I think the students left here feeling more comfortable about what lies ahead.
"I think the parents came away feeling that the ‘Erskine Experience’ is more than just an education in the classroom, that it is taking care of their sons and daughters in all aspects of life."
Students then had the opportunity to meet with their faculty advisors, take placement exams, get their student IDs made, and measure their dorm rooms.
"It was a very exciting day," said Penny Thomas, Erskine Associate Dean of Students. "Many new parents commented that they found Erskine people very personable and they left feeling comfortable about sending their children to Erskine."
Freshmen report to campus to move in and for a weeklong orientation program on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The first day of classes is Monday, Sept. 2. The Formal Opening of the college is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 10.
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