Despite Hurricane Helene imposing her will on Spartanburg and the areas surrounding the Upstate, community engagement events post-storm have been successful and have given a sense of perseverance and resolve. Making landfall September 26th and bringing the region to a halt with countless downed powerlines, incapacitated roads, hundreds of thousands without power for a week, and even injuries and loss of life, Helene postponed the popular Morgan Madness basketball showcase event that was originally scheduled for Oct. 3rd.
The first wave of efforts centered around immediate relief by quickly gathering and distributing non-perishable foods, hygiene products, and essential items to students as well as setting up a central point on campus with electricity to charge phones was crucial to keeping chaos down. This immediate response demonstrated an understanding of their needs during crises. The assistance didn’t stop there though. Organizations like The Purpose Place delivered hot meals to students here and at 2 other colleges in the area.
As the campus began to re-stabilize, USC Upstate was chosen by Governor Henry McMaster, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, and Senator Lindsey Graham to serve as the host site and be a hub of resources for our residents. On Oct. 10th, an initiative called Team South Carolina County Days was held at our Health Education Complex that hosted numerous state departments, nonprofits, and federal agencies, including FEMA, the US Small Business Administration, and the S.C. Department of Social Services, amongst others. The event was designed to ensure that residents could access vital information on relief programs and how to apply for them.
In the days and weeks after, quite a few USC Upstate events began to give students a sense of normalcy.
The Student Government Association, Counseling Services, and the Library presented a Mental Health Town Hall on Oct. 21st, providing students with valuable resources and commentary from professionals in the field of mental illness.
The Morgan Square Madness event finally kicked off on Oct. 22nd thanks to preparation and support from volunteers, including our basketball teams. It was a major success with close to 2,000 people in attendance. It was the third and final installment of the showcase as construction plans for Morgan Square are slated to begin soon.
Other events included Family & Alumni Weekend with Rocktoberfest, Family Fest, the Inaugural Ring Ceremony, and other Alumni activities.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.”
-Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa
On Oct. 27th, Black Student Leaders conducted its annual Breast Cancer Awareness Walk where students got to show our respect and support for those impacted by such a life-changing disease.
Halloween festivities included the Annual Trunk or Treat Event sponsored by the Office of Student Involvement and CAB put on a two-night Haunted House event this year.
In light of our recent election, we’d like to give a special shoutout to Dr. Zack and Dr. King for leading the charge to register voters and recruit 20 new college student poll workers this year. The Voter Registration & Elections Director, John Baucom said, “The other Poll Managers who worked at a location with a student were overwhelmingly complimentary of the attitude and abilities of these students.”
Nov. 7th, Upstate hosted its annual First-Year Reading Program event, where students were introduced to the program’s powerful, transformative theme through “The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature” by renowned ornithologist and author J. Drew Lanham (Milkweed Press, September 2016).
On Nov. 8th, Dr. Dave Marlow brought us a showcase of the Service Learning, Service Engaged, and Community Engaged courses and projects completed over the past year. It highlighted experiential learning and combined brief presentations by instructors and students as well as community partners.
The 2024 Upstate Talent Forum, held at the Spartanburg Marriott, united industry leaders, educators, and business executives to discuss the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on workforce development took the stage on Nov. 13th for the second year.
As this eventful semester wraps up, we look forward to Spring being just as impactful with various community happenings to attend. We will continue to keep you posted on their success. We encourage you to enjoy the holiday season and stay involved!
