175 Years: Celebrate with us!
Can you say “dodransbicentennial”? (That’s why we stuck with numbers)
No matter how you say it, 175 years is a long time to do anything consistently. These days, labels like “small-batch,” “microbrewed,” or “artisanal” are used to describe everything from beer and baked goods to whiskey and women’s handbags. Marketers use it to distance their product from mass-produced big-box retail options. Sometimes it’s genuine, sometimes not.
At Erskine, these concepts aren’t just a trendy way to market. They really describe what has been happening in Due West since Erskine started. A small group of dedicated faculty work with a small group of students for a few years. Those students go on to pursue lives of significance in their workplaces, churches, and communities. We’ve done it that way — quietly and unpretentiously — for generations.
This year we have the opportunity to celebrate 175 years of that distinctive Erskine legacy. There are a number of ways you can join in commemorating this significant Erskine moment.
First, mark your calendar and make plans to join us for two important events: Alumni Day on April 26th and the official celebration of Erskine’s 175th Anniversary at Homecoming, October 18th.
In the meantime here are a few other things you can do to get in the Erskine 175th spirit:
Join the interactive online celebration at 175.erskine.edu
Roll Film!
Several interesting video projects converge around this year’s celebrations. Will Frampton ’03 has been working diligently for more than two years on a feature-length documentary film that chronicles some of the key stories in Erskine history. Look for its release around Homecoming 2014. View the trailer for the film here.
Two other young alumni, Corey Emanuel Chapman ’05 and Drew Carlisle ’07 are seeking to capture the essence of the Erskine Experience in a web video series launched last fall. One of the most recent episodes features several alumni who now serve as Erskine faculty and staff members reflecting on Erskine’s distinctive history. An interview with Will Frampton about his project is also part of the episode.
Another of the alumni to make an appearance is Dot Simpson Wise ’39, who shared her Erskine memories at a special Erskine 175th convocation in October. Will, who became acquainted with Dot Wise as part of his project, also facilitated the conversation with her at convocation. You can watch her full interview here.
Let’s go to the museum!
A special exhibit commemorating Erskine’s history will be on display at the Upcountry History Museum in Greenville, S.C., from Sept. 27 to Oct. 26, 2014. Make plans to stop by if you can.
Homecoming 2014
Stay tuned for more information about the 175th celebration happening this year at Homecoming, on October 18th.
Been there, get the T-shirt
You can get your very own Anniversary t-shirt from the campus Book Store. With a nod to the classic “Block E” on the front and a distressed-finish 175 logo on the back, it’s a great way to bring the 175th celebration into your wardrobe. Call 864-379-8846 during business hours to get yours.
