This past week, students ended their summer adventures and moved back to their academic homes here in Clinton. Presbyterian College welcomed students, new and old, back with multiple daily events during the first week to get all students involved.

Freshmen had the opportunity to attend dinner at the President’s House on campus to enjoy a dinner and meet the PC President Bob Staton and his Wife Phyllis. Earlier that day, the Statons were seen decked out in their Blue Hose attire, unloading cars of the new students and helping them move into their dorms.

The first night with all students moved back, the college hosted its annual 80s Concert, which featured the band, “SPANK.” The new students had the chance to experience the Blue Hose pride and participation as upperclassman were seen in eccentric outfits, embodying the 80s, showing their new friends how to have a good time.

The college had an event out in the Laurens County community prepared on Monday, August 22, 2016, to show off their motto, “Dum Vivimus Servimus.” Students ventured out in the community, lending helping hands.

I truly enjoyed every aspect of the Week of Welcome,” said freshman accounting and business major Emily Cowart from Woodruff, S.C. “Service Day was a great opportunity for me and other freshmen to represent the PC way. I love how there is always an event going on campus. Everything has been so much fun already and I am looking forward to the rest of the year.”

On Tuesday, August 23, seniors dressed in their cap and gowns for the first time for Opening Convocation.

As a senior, I enjoyed being able to participate in the events for the Week of Welcome,” said Justin Cooper, a senior business administration major with a concentration in management from Fort Lawn, S.C. “Being on the other side of convocation in my cap and gown was a very exciting and bittersweet time, realizing that four years has flown by here at PC. The Week of Welcome has been very successful in kicking the year off on the right foot for all students.” Seniors felt nostalgia as new students felt the excitement as they signed the traditional Honor Code to start their academic careers off at PC.

As classes began on Wednesday, the Week of Welcome events did not stop. The college had more service opportunities available where students had the chance to donate blood and save a life. In an attempt to keep students cool in the heat of August in the South, PC had a Back to School Bash, which included a DJ, shaved ice, and a Slip-n-Slide.

Thursday, August 25, brought about an exciting moment for PC – the ribbon cutting for the new and improved Springs Student Center and Scotsman Corner with the additions of Boars Head Deli, Moe’s, and Starbucks. Student Body President Graham Bailey, and Staton participated in a “Burrito-Off” during the ribbon cutting ceremony, exemplifying the excitement of Moe’s. After the ribbon cutting, students headed downtown for the much-anticipated PC Party on the Square where members of the PC community and Clinton community bond over good music, free food samples, puppies, and Clinton pride.

Although the Foam Party that was scheduled on Friday night was rained out, that did not keep PC from having an incredible first weekend back on campus. Student Life leaders reacted quickly to a thunderstorm that showed up quickly by rescheduling and replacing the Foam Party with a Glow Party.

Saturday night, the campus came together in its annual “Shuckin’ and Shaggin’” event that is always a signifier of the beginning of another wonderful year at Presbyterian College. As a whole, the Week of Welcome has been another success.

“Coming to PC as a freshman who happened to be extremely introverted, I dreaded the Week of Welcome events because it meant leaving my room and having to be social,” said Tyler Duvall, a junior psychology and political science major from Laurens, S.C. “Looking back now as a Junior, I wish that I had taken advantage of that opportunity because I believe that they are not only a great way to ease freshman into the college experience but also allows students of all ages to get to know one another and to build lasting friendships.”

Presbyterian College is located on a striking 240-acre campus in Clinton, between Columbia and Greenville, S.C. Offering challenging academics and a culture of honor, ethics, and service that prepares students to be leaders in communities, PC offers its students the benefit of engaging with an exceptional faculty who take individual interest in their students’ well-being, both personally and in the classroom. The Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy opened in 2010, and is dedicated to the ideals of leadership, honor to the profession, and service to the community. For more information about Presbyterian College, visit www.presby.edu.

Written by Ashley Cowart, senior English major from Woodruff, S.C.