The Laurens County Chamber of Commerce held ribbon-cutting ceremonies yesterday afternoon for the new USC-Union at Laurens campus. Representatives from County and City government were on hand for the event, along with others including several officials from USC.
Among those on hand for the ribbon cutting was the Chancellor of the Palmetto College, which coordinates bachelor degrees in regional campus locations like Laurens and Union through long-distance connections with four-year USC locations across the state. Chancellor Susan Elkins spoke of expanding options for students in Laurens and Union. “You all are familiar with the Associate Degrees that we’ve been doing at Union for a long time, and in Laurens, but now, it’s the Bachelor’s Degree that makes the difference. We have the new Palmetto College offerings, 7 Bachelor’s Degrees online so people can be right here in Laurens and earn a Bachelor’s Degree from USC.”
Chancellor Susan Elkins praised the work of Dr. Alice Taylor-Colbert, who’s been Dean of USC-U for almost a year now. “She’s done great things….Enrollment growth last fall….enrollment growth in the spring. And we’re looking forward to huge growth here.”
Dr. Taylor-Colbert responded with a promise for continued growth for the Laurens facilities. “We are going to have a record enrollment in 2013 and we’re going to have a party.”
Laurens Mayor Sharon Brownlee made reference to the many years USC Union operated its Laurens campus in town, prior to its move to the Higher Education Center, and welcomed the campus back into town. “We’re glad to have you back inside the City Limits, and we’ll do everything we possibly can to make your stay wonderful here. It’s a great location.”
County Council Chairman Jim Coleman joked about being nervous by wearing his Clemson-orange tie to the occasion, then turned to a serious comment. “…it is a good day and USC Union at Laurens has been here a long time… …it means a lot to the community and we hope to have a lot of success here at this location.”
Lewis Jeter of Union and Patti Craine of Laurens were on hand at USC-Union at Laurens yesterday representing the Union-Laurens Commission of USC.
Former USC Athletic Director King Dixon and former USC Board Chairman Herbert Adams were also on hand.