Things started to feel normal again on Oct. 1 at Coastal Carolina University as students returned to campus for classes after Hurricane Florence and the flooding that followed forced the cancellation of classes for nearly three weeks.

"Today has been a lot of fun," said Dennis Stemmle, teaching associate in the Wall College of Business. "Everybody has been more than anxious to get back to work."

Administration hosted a "festive" welcome back event from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Prince Lawn that offered students free food, the chance to tie-dye a T-shirt, and the opportunity to ask questions of various campus departments about what the resumption of classes and schedules looks like for them.

"The Coastal Carolina family has pulled together magnificently throughout this ordeal," said CCU President David A. DeCenzo. "From the expert guidance provided by our Emergency Management Team to the creative academic solutions offered by our faculty and staff, to the countless acts of support and compassion to those in need, CCU's response has been nothing short of heroic, and I've never been prouder to be a Chanticleer."

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Video: Residence halls reopen, students return to campus routines