USCA welcomes Class of 2028 at Freshman Convocation
Freshman students get a chance to meet and greet their peers during convocation event.
“Your main job is to get better while in college,” said Dr. Adam Pazda, associate professor of Psychology.
The University of South Carolina Aiken's Convocation Center was abuzz as the Class of 2028 made their inaugural march, warmly greeted by faculty and staff during the annual Freshman Convocation event held on Monday, August 19. This significant moment symbolizes the welcoming embrace of our university community just before classes begin.
“We’re looking for more student involvement this year,” said Judson Pickett, former president of the Student Government Association. “My advice for all the freshman this year is to not be shy. When you put yourself in uncomfortable positions that’s when you grow the most. If there’s something out there for you go for it.”
USCA is proudly opening its doors to 693 freshmen this year, marking the largest first-year class in history, a substantial increase from last year's 611 full-timers. Already, some students have many aspirations and goals ahead of them as the semester gets underway.
Marilyn Waldee, fresh to USCA, is majoring in business administration. She says she was captivated by the close community and the potential advantages of her major. “I’m really anxious just to learn where my classes are,” Waldee said. “My dad is a disabled veteran, which means that my education is free coming here.”
Leslie Diaz, a freshman majoring in process engineering, says her mother was her inspiration for choosing her major. “My mother’s career throughout her life is what really inspired me to choose my major. I choose USCA because of its small campus vibe.”
“I want to be a doctor,” said Sophia Afamefuna, a freshman majoring in biology. “USCA is very close to my home which is fifteen minutes away. I’m looking forward to making memories that count.”
Currently, USCA is home to 3,718 students this semester; however, this figure is just preliminary. The Department of Institutional Effectiveness and Research will release official enrollment numbers in October.
USCA’s first day of class begins on Tuesday, August 20.
For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.