Approximately 300 Horry County elementary and middle school students will visit the Coastal Carolina University campus Thursday, April 3 for "A Day in the Life of a College Student." The students will be shown around campus by their mentors, Coastal students with whom they have developed a one-on-one relationship during the academic year.

The event begins at 9:30 a.m. in Wall Auditorium with a keynote address by Travis Overton, coordinator of Greek Life, and welcome remarks by Terri DeCenzo, wife of President David DeCenzo, and Dalton Floyd, a major donor of the CCU mentoring program. "Chauncey," Coastal's mascot, will also be on hand to greet the students.

During their visit, students will accompany their mentors in a rotation of the following events from 10:05 a.m. to 1 p.m.:

* Improvisational Acting Experience - Black Box Theater

* Physical Fitness Experience - Prince Lawn

* Art Experience - Edwards Courtyard

* ROV Vehicles Experience - Prince Lawn

* Environmental Science Experience - Prince Lawn

* Marine Science Experience - Prince Lawn

* Recreational Experience - Prince Lawn

* Little Business Tycoons Experience - Kearns Hall

* Meet the Athlete/Coach/Chauncey/Cheerleaders Experience - Prince Lawn

* Book Selection, sponsored by First Book of Horry County - Student Deck

Participating schools include Carolina Forest, Waccamaw, Conway, Pee Dee, South Conway, Myrtle Beach Intermediate, Lakewood, Palmetto Bays and Socastee elementary schools. Students from Conway, Whittemore Park, Myrtle Beach, Ocean Bay and Forestbrook Middle schools will also be in attendance.

The program aims to improve South Carolina's low high school graduation rate by connecting college students with children who may benefit from some extra encouragement. Nearly 350 Coastal students are serving as mentors in 24 Horry County elementary and middle schools this school year.

For more information, contact Coastal's Center for Education and Community at 349-2665.