CCU has been a godsend for thousands of students

Re “CCU is becoming a public nuisance; time to shut it down” letter by Mike Knight.

I read the letter to the editor by Mr. Knight. I had to laugh - because I am one of the "hellions" he refers to in his rant.

I came to Coastal Carolina University almost four years ago after making the decision to move 10 hours away from my hometown in Pennsylvania. At the age of 17, I had no idea what I wanted to do or who I wanted to be. CCU has allowed me to discover myself in ways I never thought possible.

I fell in love with college sports. Standing in the student sections cheering on the Chanticleers has become part of my fall routine. Taking a break from studying to check out a baseball game with my friends is one of my favorite springtime activities. Maybe Mr. Knight missed the College World Series in which the Chanticleers were victorious last year, but it seems as though he is uninformed about positive CCU news.

Maybe Mr. Knight did not know each student is strongly encouraged to pursue her hobbies and interests outside the classroom. If there is not a club or organization already on campus that catches a student’s interest, she can start his or her own. With the help of the Office of Civic Engagement, I was able to attend an alternative Spring Break trip to Asheville, North Carolina, to lead a group of students through a week of service for those experiencing homelessness. I am also part of an organization that provides free programming to students so they can take a break from their schoolwork and have some fun in a safe environment with their peers.

My professors have made sure I will be ready to get a job once I graduate this coming May. The professional staff at CCU truly takes the time to let students know they care. I wonder if Mr. Knight knows about the free learning assistance centers that offer tutoring to students who need additional help in math, writing and foreign languages?

I have also conducted my own research and assisted a professor with some of her projects. The two of us had our work recognized at multiple conferences and are even being considered for publication. That experience allowed me to grow as a young scholar and to decide to continue my education after graduation. I imagine Mr. Knight never expected a "hellion" like me could think critically enough to be academically recognized by sources outside of CCU. I could truly go on and on about how amazing CCU is, but this letter would turn into several short novels.

I tried to understand Mr. Knight’s frustration with CCU. It makes no sense to be angry with an institution that helps tens of thousands of students to pursue their dreams and get a college degree.

Because CCU has taught me the importance of respecting others’ opinions, differences and ideas - even if I do not agree with them - I would like to offer Mr. Knight and anyone else who feels negatively about CCU the opportunity for a tour. I will personally show you my beautiful campus and introduce you to the wonderful people who make sure everything operates smoothly. I am more than happy to share my experience at CCU with anyone who will listen.

Coastal Carolina University is my home. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a university where they can grow as a person, have limitless opportunities for success, and have a positive impact on the world around them.

Chants Up!

This story was originally published June 24, 2017 at 9:40 AM with the headline "CCU has been a godsend for thousands of students."