From the President
2018 is the year to come back for a visit!
If you haven’t seen Coastal Carolina University lately, I’d like to use this column as a personal invitation to encourage you to make plans for a visit. You have read in recent CCU magazines and other University communications about the magnificent growth of the institution, but you can’t really appreciate the progress that has taken place unless you experience it for yourself.
In addition to the many exciting new buildings—a state-of-the-art academic building, a major new residence hall complex, expanded athletics facilities—I think that you will also be favorably impressed by how the University Master Plan is coming to life so effectively.
It’s evident everywhere you look that the University has lived up to the plan’s promise of maintaining the campus’ signature beauty, with a strong emphasis on creating a pedestrian-friendly environment while growing the facilities necessary to serve the needs of our students and new academic programs.
To accomplish this, new buildings have been constructed on parking lots, and new parking areas have been designed along the periphery of the campus in order to dedicate the central area of the grounds to core purposes of the institution—academics, student life and athletics.
Whatever the time of year, the campus is always stunningly picturesque, with lush landscaping features and green space. Students and visitors can walk the main campus from end to end in 10 minutes or less while taking in the scenery—crossing footbridges over natural swamp areas, feeding the Wall Pond turtles, enjoying the shade of pine trees, or taking a breather at Blanton Park or Prince Lawn.
As CCU has expanded with facilities across Highways 501 and 544, the University has developed an efficient and comprehensive transportation system, which features uniquely branded trolleys and buses. Students can conveniently monitor shuttle pickups on their computers and mobile apps through CCU’s Live Shuttle Tracker. As you turn the pages of this magazine, you’ll learn how hundreds of our students pedal across campus on bicycles, thanks to a highly successful and innovative bike program.
A good way to see the growing campus is by taking one of the tours offered daily by the Office of Admissions through the CCU Welcome Center at Baxley Hall. While you are on campus, be sure to pay a visit to the newly renovated Clark and Marcia Parker Atheneum Hall Alumni Center. Check out the Alumni and Community sections of our website at coastal.edu to learn about a wide array of cultural and sports events. And be sure to mark your fall calendar for alumni Tealgate events and Chanticleer football!
Time and time again, potential students and their families tell me they fell in love with CCU when they toured the campus and experienced the genuine “Feel the Teal” spirit for the first time.
Come home to CCU. See our progress and beauty, experience the vibrant energy, and fall in love with Coastal all over again.
David A. DeCenzo, President