"This was really good!"

South Carolina State University Night in Columbia, South Carolina, Wednesday, April 18, 2012

That was the expression of the evening, as students, parents, alumni, and SCSU departed the Marriott Hotel, Downtown, SC, April 18, 2012, following South Carolina State University Night, the fifth offering of the event hosted by the Greater Columbia Chapter, SCSUNAA.

The event was designed by the Chapter to bring alumni and any persons interested in an academic career at SC State University into an open forum with University Vice Presidents, Deans, faculty, staff, and current students. For the first time, the University President was an invited participant in the SCSU Night Town Hall. Participants had opportunity to collect valuable materials and contact information for follow-up.

University participants included Acting President, Dr. Rita Jackson Teal joined by Vice President G. Dale Wesson and Interim Associate Vice President Barbara L. Adams, along with deans (Dr. Fredrick Evans and Dr. Ronald Speight) and faculty (Honors, Business & Applied Professional Sciences, Science Mathematics & Engineering, and ROTC) of each of the five colleges/schools, Assistant Vice President Antonio Boyle (Admissions & Enrollment) and team, Student Life, and the 1890 Division. Thank you to ALL of our presenters and their organizers in each department! You, too, have exemplified the motto of SCSU - "Knowledge, Duty, Honor"!

Dr. Rita J. Teal, Acting President South Carolina State University	Dr. G. Dale Wesson Vice President of the Division of Research Economic Development and Public Service	Dr. Barbara L. Adams Interim Associate Vice President for Faculty & Programs

• how to choose a major,
• how to plan for a career doing work in which you have a passion,
• how to become an exemplary student,
• how to choose a faculty mentor,
• financial aid and future employment as well as making the grades for University scholarships,
• how to seek out examples of what career paths/options align with your prospective major,
• faculty research, grants and new programs that will be announced soon,
• student research and internships and working with faculty,
• programs of interest and study for undecided students and matriculation requirements,
• learning about extracurricular activities and service organizations, i.e. education beyond the classroom, and
• institutional advancements and teaching moments:
  • There was a healthy discussion of Engineering Technology vs. Engineering Professional studies and how to navigate becoming a certified professional engineer in South Carolina -this was an excellent exchange. This topic arises at virtually every large gathering of alumni. Finally, an engineering faculty member was asked the question. Go figure! Any engineer seeking more on this topic should send email to info@capitalcitybullfogs.com.
  • There was a healthy discussion of what should be required from the SC General Assembly in terms of financial and legislative support of SCSU as a land-grant institution. This was especially good for the community to hear. Thank you, Dr. Wesson! This was absolutely what the community needed to learn.
  • There was a session with a representative concerning alumni giving via estate planning, building on Mr. Holloman's prior work. For some members, this was new information and a new representative.

SCSU Student Presenters at SCSU Night, Wednesday, April 18, 2012

SCSU Student presenters were a team at SCSU Night, Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Two student presenters, a biology major from Arkansas and a political science major from New York, from South Carolina State University were also in attendance. The SCSU students were exactly what the incoming students, parents, and alumni needed to see and hear! They clearly demonstrated "Knowledge, Duty, Honor" - the University motto.
And, with energy and Bulldog pride and without props, they received and responded to questions from the audience, from

• why did they choose SC State University;
• how they choose their majors;
• how they achieved their exemplary student status;
• how to choose a faculty mentor and to choose early;
• how to present oneself as an SCSU student -it's in your walk, talk, dress, manner, thinking;
• presenting that tenacity alumni expect of SC State students -the fire and zeal;
• learning how to become future donating and engaging alumni;
• how to seek financial aid and employment and network;
• how to participate in student research and internships, giving some examples;
• learning more about programs of interest and study and how one student moved from being undecided to decided;
• learning more about extracurricular activities and service organizations; and
• whether they enjoyed student life at SCSU, what was available (restaurants, services, dorms, etc.) and what did they enjoy most.

What a wonderfully engaging Town Hall! Participants were encouraged to continue to reach out to each other.

Students receiving their Chapter Awads to SC State University at SCSU Night, Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Students receiving their Acceptance Letters to SC State University at SCSU Night, Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Three students were accepted onsite and one was recently accepted. These students received their Acceptance Letter from Mr. Boyle along with a Bulldog t-shirt, a travel bag, a Stars of Research calendar from SCSU 1890, and a Stellar Alumni calendar from the Chapter.

The Community at SC State University at SCSU Night, Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Parents, Students, Alumni at SC State University at SCSU Night, Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Other students applied to the University and, in the case of an elementary student, listened to all the discussions. Parents and grandparents were also present and showed favor in what they were learning. Students were interested in business management, business accounting, nursing, computer science, and criminal justice. A parent participated on behalf of her son, who is interested in culinary/business management in Family and Consumer Sciences. She received a lot of great advice, including from a Family and Consumer Sciences alumna. Another provided contact information for a practicing culinarian.

SCSU Night, Wednesday, April 18, 2012

From the president

I am immensely grateful to the members of the Greater Columbia Chapter for their performance in making this happen! I am so proud of the teamwork exhibited by members. Moreover, we are very proud of the community responses to South Carolina State University Night, despite the threatening weather and an unusually abbreviated schedule for planning. This SCSU Night proved to be one of the best SCSU Night's to date. Thanks to our logistics and hospitality team: Mike ('79), Brenda ('79), Donald ('70), LaDoris ('76), and Barbara ('69) and the Marriott! I am extremely proud of our Student Recruitment Chair, VonGretchen Nelson ('97), who lead the Town Hall and provided tokens of our gratitude to each key speaker. Thank you, VonGretchen! VonGretchen also encouraged incoming students to watch for her company's visit this fall to campus for future employment. The t-shirts provided to accepted students were donated by Sharon ('90). Thank you, Sharon!

The Chapter never knows precisely how each student and their parents learn about South Carolina State University and this event. I know that it's never solely due to the work of one person or solely the Chapter but to all who love Alma Mater. Membership dues, The Garnet & Blue Gala™ ticket sales and sponsorships, and donations to the Chapter allow this Chapter to organize this event and others in support of South Carolina State University! There is no doubt in my mind that there are Loyal Sons and Daughters in the Greater Columbia Area, that there are exemplary students, faculty, staff, administrators, and programs of study at South Carolina State University!