Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I Award CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Hunter, along with Melanie Miller, director of research, grants and planning at the ( Division of Student and Alumni Services, and graduate student Jimmie Gahagan, put together USC’s application. “They looked at a number of things. Generally they were looking for an institution that had a broad base and a signifi cant focus on first year,” Hunter said. “They were looking at a comprehensive approach to the first year, an institution that ■had been doing the program for first-year students for a signifi cant number of years, an insti tute that assessed what it was doing and had used that assess ment for program improve ment.”. The application process, which USC begem in the spring of 2002, was sponsored by the Brevard College Policy Center, in Brevard, N.C. Miller said the program was founded by a grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies and the Pew Charitable Trusts to identi fy institutes of excellence for the first-year of college across the na tion. The Policy Center examined six categories of colleges, rang ing from two-year community colleges to those with 20,000 stu dents or more, and the Policy Center will publish a “best-prac tices” book with the finalists. Miller said the focus in their investigation of the First-Year Experience centered around three programs: the freshman English program, University 101 and housing. Miller said, however, that the group compiling USC’s applica tion was surprised at how many programs and services the uni versity actually offers first-year students. “It really is a lot. We were just taken aback at some of the things in really, really positive ways,” Miller said. “I mean, it was phe nomenal.” Hunter was also pleased by the work being done. “It gives all of us more reason to have pride in what we do,” Hunter said. She said USC’s recognition by U.S. World and News Report and the Brevard group validates their efforts. “I mean, these are people who know what they’re talking about in the field,” she said. “Carolina students should feel good about what we have here.” First-year media-arts student Stephanie Ernyey said she’s loved^he first-year experience so far. “They have a lot of programs to help freshmen get acclimated to college life,” said Ernyey. “I definitely feel like I fit in.” Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudesk@hotmail.com Barbecue CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 everyone from the stage. " “It’s great to live in the land of., the palmetto,” Sanford said. “We live in an incredible state, and we’re a state that I think has a world of possibility.” Sanford said he looks forward to the next four years. First-year biology student Brandi Drake attended the event with some friends. “I’m very excited to be here, and I think Mark has great ideas for South Carolina,” Drake said. First-year psychology student Sallie Evatt said she agreed with Drake. “The barbecue’s great and the music is fun. I’m having a great time hanging out with friends and meeting new people,” she said. “I hope to see Mark tonight, and I think he’ll do a great job.” Earlier Wednesday, hundreds lined up outside the Governor’s Mansion for a chance to meet Mark Sanford. Former Gov. David Beasley said Sanford and his wife Jenny “are the perfect first family for South Carolina.” “They are a breath of fresh air,” he said. “They’ll bring a great class of style to this place, and the children, they’ll liven it up.” Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudesk@hotmail. com Oo'*^0 " ^ 'ic& V.A* Get a grip. kaUtud k «ikiA kd&ud k< 4.fej£f*J&fcii4k.sAiiM£feM^jferJi 1 p----- -sC, Free Week Coupon I Try out our facilities for 7 straight days at no cost or obligation. | Onty one f(ee west , oilowed per yeai for iocol issider*. Cliirbirg is nof inducted. !S> J Put a little Sunshine in your Inbox. O HIGH: 84 |H LOW: 62 MORE »>>> Wm.. ^ Receive Local Weather Updates via Email. Not to mention Headline News, College Sports, Campus Calendar, Daily Horoscope, and more... Register Today at www.dailygamecock.com It's the best way to stay informed... and it's free. Warming up for Dance Marathon BY KATHERINE HALLORAN THE (JAMKCOCK Organizers are gearing up for this year’s Dance Marathon, which will raise money for children at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital with cancer and blood dis eases. The event will take place Feb. 21 and 22 in the Russell House ball room. David Schroder, fourth-year fi nance student and Dance Marathon president, encourages participation from anyone interested in helping the children. All proceeds are tax deductible and go to the hospital. Last year, the event raised $75,532, Schroder said. Information meetings about Dance Marathon will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as on Feb. 11 and 12. The meetings will be held in the Golden Spur, on the second floor of the Russell House. Anyone interested dancing is re quired to pay a $20 registration fee and is urged to raise at least $130. Schroder said he believes there are many quick ways to raise mon ey. He said: “An easy way to get money is by calling or writing a note to family members. A lot of the time, they are willing to donate money that’s for a good cause.” Mason Reuter, Dance Marathon’s faculty adviser, said motivational speakers as well as families who have benefited from Dance Marathon will talk to the dancers during the 28-hour marathon to inspire them. “It’s inspiring for dancers to see what they’re dancing for, and it makes it a lot easier to believe in something if you can see it,” Reuter said. Reuter is optimistic that several student organizations around cam pus will be largely involved with the event this year. He said the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) has already shown great in terest in being a p|rt of the event. FCA member and first-year sports-and-entertainment-manage ment student Ce Buddin, said, “This will be my first year participating in Dance Marathon, but I’m look ing forward to it because I know it’s ■ fora good cause.” Schroder said students do not have to belong to a Greek organi zation to participate, although he said he thinks sororities’ and fra ternities’ involvement has been outstanding. “There’s a perception of Dance Marathon that it’s strictly Greek, but that’s a falsity; we want to encourage everyone who is will ing to raise the money,” he said. Second-year civil-engineering student Margaret Harritt will par ticipate in Dance Marathon as one of the 38 moral captains. “Dance Marathon is going to be the best that it has ever been this year,” she said. “The cabinet and moral captains have worked hard to really get the campus involved to raise the most money ever.” Schroder and Reuter said they agree that their prior involvement with Dance Marathon has been a great experience. “The experience of staying the whole 28 hours to help the kids is well worth the pain,” Schroder said. Comments on this story?E-mail gamecockudesk@hotmail.com CASH FOR YOUR NOTES Visit LeConte 117 for more info, or call 777-6142 Office of Student Disability Services - a university sponsored service -