Erskine’s incoming students model ‘optimism, respect, and work ethic’

This fall, Erskine welcomed 315 new undergraduates to campus, including 248 first-time freshmen and 67 transfer students. Hailing from 13 countries and 24 states, this year’s incoming students are eager and energetic.

“In just these first weeks, we have been impressed by our new students’ openness and willingness to engage in classroom discussions,” says Faculty Chair and Assistant Professor of History Dr. Christiane-Marie Abu Sarah. “The rising generation is eager to channel their passions into learning and innovation.”

Dean of the College Shane Bradley says that the new students have “integrated well with Erskine’s culture, enhancing it with their optimism, respect, and work ethic.”

Preliminary data for the class of 2028 indicate the new students arrived at Erskine with a solid academic background. Among the 172 freshmen who reported GPAs using South Carolina’s weighted scale, in which completing AP and other advanced courses allows students to earn a GPA higher than 4.0, the average GPA was 3.9. Students using a 4.0 scale reported an average GPA of 3.35.

Of the incoming freshmen who reported their high school class rank, nearly 27 percent were in the top 20 percent of their graduating classes, and 72 percent were in the top 50 percent.

Local business leaders are enthusiastic about the students Erskine brings to the Upstate and eventually sends into the workforce. Shannon Sears, director of commercial operations at West Carolina Tel—headquartered in nearby Abbeville—is impressed by the Erskine graduates his organization has hired.

“Erskine runs deep within our organization and has contributed to our success,” he says.

“While knowledge and experience are important, character, work ethic, and integrity are core characteristics we look for in our people. We’ve hired many Erskine graduates who not only embody these traits, but also bring fresh skills and ideas to our organization.”

Erskine’s newest students come from a variety of locations, ethnicities, and cultures. While many are from South Carolina and surrounding states, some members of the group are from such distant states as Montana, Connecticut, and Hawaii, and from several countries, including Spain, Sweden, India, and Australia. Of the 315 new students, 142 are from minority ethnicities—45 percent of the incoming students.

A strong contingent of freshmen and transfer students—nearly 15 percent—are the first in their families to attend college.

Top majors for the new students include Business Administration, Sport Management, Biology, and Health Science. Erskine’s Honors Institute, currently in its second year, welcomed 10 of the incoming students into its freshman cohort.

Vice President for Student Development Dr. Wendi Santee is thankful for the enthusiasm the newest class of Erskine students brings to campus. “The incoming class this fall is very engaged in campus activities and there is a sense of heightened energy and excitement with this group,” she says. “I’m looking forward to seeing great things from this class!”