Labor Day at Erskine College means registration for returning upperclassmen and classes for everyone Sept. 1. The formal opening of the college and seminary will be held Sept. 9 during convocation at Lesesne Auditorium with the Rev. James Coad Jr., moderator of the General Synod of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, slated to address students and faculty.

Last week freshmen arrived and were treated to several days of orientation which included games, fun, and serious instruction, as well as registration held Aug. 29. Now, joined by their more experienced fellow students, the class of 2001 will begin to experience what college is really like.

The freshman class consists of approximately 80 women and 50 men, with the women housed in Carnegie Hall and the men in Grier. A number of upperclassmen were on hand to help freshmen move in Aug. 26, when a reception was held for parents in the Bowie Arts Center, followed later by the annual freshman Soiree.

Erskine's class of 2001 shows academic and athletic promise. Ten of the incoming freshmen valedictorians or salutatorians of their high school classes, and the average SAT score for the class is nearly 1100. Thirty-two freshmen are scholarship athletes, representing 24 percent of the class. They represent eight states: California, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.

The freshman women moved into Carnegie Hall and the freshman men moved into Grier Hall, on opposite ends of the campus, with the help of parents, Erskine upperclassmen and staff members.

Robyn Roper, dean of women at Erskine, was stationed at Carnegie Hall and said, "There is a lot of excitement, a lot of energy, a lot of music and a lot of refreshments on campus. There are also a lot of people out here helping the freshmen move in. Upperclassmen in the SCA (Student Christian Association), SGA (Student Government Association) and SLAs (Student Life Assistants) are out here, and Erskine staff members are helping, even (Erskine President) Dr. (Jim) Strobel is carrying boxes."

Roper remembers the tradition of upperclassmen helping freshmen move in from her own first days at Erskine. "I think I may have carried only one box, there were so many people helping out."

Erskine upperclassmen have helped freshmen move in at Erskine for years. "We get so many comments from parents that have moved children to other colleges about how much help is offered here," Roper explains. "I think that's one of the things that really sets Erskine apart."

Erskine President Dr. James Strobel offers an explanation for why so many upperclassmen are willing to lend a hand.

"The basic reason is they want to start building or continue building relationships," Strobel says. "That is what Erskine is all about. Our upperclassmen have been thinking and planning this day all summer, and many of them shared their dorm room with these freshmen when they were here last year for visitation days."

Strobel believes that this freshman moving day, with its interaction between freshmen and upperclassmen, represents something important about Erskine College. "Students are involved in the recruiting process and establishing bonds of friendship is very important. Our upperclassmen also can't wait to get back to their college home. They just love to be in good old Due West."

Monty Wooley, Vice President and Dean of Students at Erskine, is pleased with how events have unfolded so far. "Everything has gone very smoothly," he says. "Our students have done a tremendous job. It has been a typical Erskine moving day. Our students have jumped in and helped people carry things and get organized in the typical Erskine way. I think our upperclassmen remember what it was like when they were moving in and just want to return the favor."

President Strobel predicts "This is going to be a super-involved class. I have noticed they are already coming together as a group ... I sense a lot of excitement, and I think the freshman class is excited about being in their dorms together. It helps build that class togetherness."

And what about Erskine staff members involved with the admissions and orientation process? Jeff Craft, Erskine College Admissions Director, is all smiles.

"It's always a fun time of year for us," says Craft, "because we get to see the results of working with them all year and seeing that culminate in them enrolling and beginning their life here at Erskine."