(left to right)
Don Johnson and Cheryl Carrington
Erskine College Parent Association Council Makes Plans For Family Day
The Erskine College Parent Association Council (PAC), under the leadership of co-presidents Ben and Mary Horne of Greenville, had its second meeting of the 2003-04 academic year Oct. 11, with 24 families represented.
"Our meeting emphasis was on working toward a successful Family Day," said Associate Dean of Students Penny Thomas, who works closely with the PAC. Jack and Judy McKinney of Greer serve as co-chairmen of the Family Day Committee.
"We are excited about Family Day," Thomas said. She said plans for the day include a performance by "The Fabulous Shades," a shag band, on the Mall; a concert by Erskine's Sweet Fleet and Fleetones; an equestrian team demonstration; a tour of Erskine's renovated dormitories; and a men's and women's basketball game.
A highlight of Family Day, scheduled for Nov. 1, is the annual Silent Auction.
"There will be a display outside the campus bookstore showing some of the items for the Silent Auction," Thomas said. Silent Auction co-chairmen this year are Don and Gloria Johnson of Charlotte, N.C., and Ron and Claire Kinney of West Columbia.
Funds raised in the Silent Auction go toward the betterment of student life on campus. "We have supported the building of Erskine's climbing wall, for example," said Thomas, noting that Erskine senior Laura Lee Stuart took PAC members to the Galloway Center, where students demonstrated the use of the recently installed wall.
"The Parent Association Council has also supported student organizations," Thomas said. "For example, we have helped with expenses so members can attend conferences."
Thomas said the PAC has a Wish List Committee, chaired by co-president Mary Horne, to consider student organization requests. Following the Silent Auction, once the proceeds are tallied, decisions are made about disbursement of funds.
"We invite presidents of each campus organization to provide us with a written and verbal request, including what they need, how much it would cost, and how it would make a positive impact on the campus," she said. The PAC also asks what efforts the organizations have made to raise funds.
Erskine Admissions Director Bart Walker spoke to the group about the "Parents Calling Parents" program, which matches PAC members with parents of prospective students, enabling PAC members to serve as a resource for parents whose sons or daughters are considering Erskine. Walker also gave the PAC an update on this year's enrollment at Erskine, and thanked the members for their help.
The Parent Association Council motto and vision statement, “Parents working together, using the talents God gave them for the betterment of life on campus for Erskine students,” is carried out in activities that include assistance with Freshman Parent Orientation at Erskine and preparation of care packages for students, as well as Family Day and the Silent Auction.
