 |
 |
|
 |
Home >> President >> Departments >> Advancement >> Press Releases | |
|
||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SGC opens Fall semester with over 1,800 students On Monday, Aug. 18, the largest number of students in South Georgia College’s 102-year history arrived on campus to begin the Fall semester.The total fall enrollment stands at 1,865 students, a 6.3 percent increase over last year. That number reflects online classes, the entry programs at Valdosta State University and Georgia Southwestern State University, nursing students at Waycross College and, of course, the main campus in Douglas. On the Douglas campus alone, enrollment is up 9.8 percent to 1,468 students. The boost in numbers is part of a period of growth for the college that began over three years ago. “We are excited to see the number of students steadily rise. South Georgia College is an excellent institution offering many opportunities for prospective students. We are pulling in people from all over the United States, and we have a large number of international students. This is a great time to be at South Georgia College,” said Interim President Virginia Carson. “A number of people have worked very hard to ensure that this college grows and increases the level of services it offers to the people of this region. The entire college shares in this achievement,” said Dr. Randy Braswell, Director of Admissions, Records and Research. However, it wasn’t just new students who came to campus this fall. SGC also welcomed a number of new faculty and staff members for the ‘08-‘09 year, and the college was ready to welcome them with a series of important meetings and activities. On Monday, Aug. 11, SGC hosted a welcome breakfast for new employees, followed by Convocation, a campus-wide meeting for all faculty and staff. At Convocation, staff heard remarks from Interim President Dr. Virginia Carson regarding the goals and focus for the coming year. Following Convocation, staff started preparing for the arrival of students. Many athletes, particularly soccer players, started moving in early so they could begin pre-season conditioning. The Student Activities department welcomed returning athletes with a cookout at the Clower Center on Monday, Aug. 11. Dr. Carson and Dr. Jim Cottingham, Vice President of Student Affairs, spoke briefly to the athletes and enjoyed supper with them in the Clower Center. Though class wouldn’t begin until Aug. 18, most students were on campus by Friday, Aug. 15. That day, staff held an advisement and orientation session in Peterson Hall. That weekend, students were treated to a luau at the Wellness Center, where the pool remained open for everyone to enjoy a swim. Other activities included an outdoor cookout on Aug. 18, Balloons by Lester/Body Art by Susan on Aug. 19 and an exhibition debate on Aug. 20. The debate featured students discussing whether or not presidential candidates should appear before religious gatherings, a debate no doubt sparked by both John McCain’s and Barack Obama’s appearance at the 22,000-member Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. “The cookout was a great time for the students and staff to get together at one time. The food was great, and it was a wonderful time for people to get to know each other. It really kicked off the school year in the right direction. It is important for freshman to have a positive first-year experience, and the Welcome Week is but one way for the college community to let the students know we are behind him all the way,” said Sue Miller, Director of Student Life. Activities continued during the first week of school: a talent show for faculty and students, movie night, library scavenger hunt and an international tasters’ luncheon at the dining hall. “We want our students to feel welcome when they come to campus. They are the reason we are here, and without them, South Georgia College wouldn’t exist,” said Dr. Carson.
CUTLINE: South Georgia College welcomed a number of new employees to campus this fall. # # # # About South Georgia College South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is a two-year institution in the University System of Georgia. Located in Douglas, Ga., the college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty.
|
|
| |||
| |||
|