Campus comes to life for fall term
The Erskine College Class of 2016 arrived on campus Saturday, Aug. 25, welcomed by more than 100 volunteers eager to help them move into their residence halls.
“We had an amazing amount of move-in support from the residence life staff, orientation staff, and Erskine volunteers,” Coordinator for Residential Learning and Development Melissa Livingston said.
“The volunteers helped new students move in their belongings, student staffers greeted families and coordinated the registration process, and the Due West ARP Church provided goody bags to all Erskine students,” she added.
Associate Dean for Campus Life and New Student Programs Jon Driggers said separate sessions for parents and students were planned for Saturday afternoon. “We decided to move parent orientation to the move-in day to allow parents to do it all in one day.”
Following several days of orientation, the freshmen, along with transfer students and returning upperclassmen, begin classes Wednesday, Aug. 29, the first day of the fall semester.
After lunch, a welcome session for students and their families preceded separate meetings for parents and students. Students were divided into groups, and later each group displayed its own banner and gave a “group cheer” on the circle near the women’s residence halls. Parents departed after joining their sons and daughters for a reception in the Bowie Arts Center.
The Erskine Soiree, sponsored by the Student Christian Association on Saturday evening, included a luau-style cookout near the Bowie Arts Center, complete with hula and fire dancers.
“Freshman Frenzy,” with games at Robinson Field, concluded the evening.
The Due West ARP Church welcomed students for Sunday morning worship. After lunch in Moffatt Dining Hall, students left for Lake Day 2012 at Calhoun Falls State Park, where they participated in a raft-building contest.
Students returned to campus for dinner at Moffatt and a dessert social sponsored by the Due West ARP Church.
Driggers said he was delighted to see so many volunteers turn out for move-in day. He expressed thanks to students, professors and staff members, noting that the women’s volleyball team, led by Coach Heather Vahjen, joined the volunteers this year as they did last year.
Director of Admissions Tobe Frierson said this year’s new students, including entering freshmen and transfer students, represent 15 states and three foreign countries.
New and returning students enjoyed a free concert at the president’s home Monday evening.
Upcoming events on campus include “Signing of the Book” for freshman women, set for Wednesday, Aug. 29 in the Bowie Arts Center; men’s and women’s soccer matches with dinner served at Huggins Field Thursday, Sept. 30; and the Formal Opening of the College and Seminary Thursday, Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. in the Due West ARP Church.
To view more photos, see the links below:
Move-in Day and Soiree http://flic.kr/s/aHsjBLdEN7 Concert at President's Home http://flic.kr/s/aHsjBLehEG
