Hundreds of Coastal Carolina University students, faculty and staff members gathered on Prince Lawn on the first day of classes to witness the great solar eclipse of 2017. Although it was overcast during the early part of the event leading up to the umbra, preventing visibility of the total eclipse, the clouds cleared out for a great view of the latter half. The remaining crowd cheered on beholding the historic celestial occurrence through the official CCU eclipse shades that were handed out by the hundreds during the afternoon. Free Chauncey eclipse T-shirts were also provided.

Travis Overton, vice president for executive initiatives and chief of staff, wasn't around for the last eclipse in 1979, but he was enjoying this one. "It's exciting to be able to actually see it and experience it," he said. "It's also wonderful to see everyone out - students, faculty and staff - and so engaged with one another."

Gwendolyn Schwinke, associate professor of theater, held her Acting II class outside in front of the Edwards Building. "It's the first day of the semester and a review class," she said. "We're having a general discussion about what it means to be an actor, and I decided we could do that outside. The class meets until 2:50 p.m., which is about the time the eclipse is supposed to be at its height."

"I am a CCU alum," said academic adviser Tasha Newcomb, "and I love that our students are celebrating something that is uniting us at a time when there is so much negative stuff in the news. What an awesome way to kick off the new year!"

"It's not as big as Woodstock," said Mikie Pylilo, an investigator in the Office of Public Safety, looking over the huge crowd on Prince Lawn, "but it's still great."

"I wish we had some moon pies and sun chips," said Mary Ann Adams, a law enforcement officer.

CCU faculty members Louis Keiner and Louis Rubbo led community events during the past week to help the public better understand and appreciate the rare event.