Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University
Motto	Promoting academic excellence in a Christian environment
Established	1964
Type	Private
Religious affiliation	South Carolina Baptist Convention
President	Dr. Jairy Hunter
Students	~ 3,000
Location	North Charleston, South Carolina, United States
Campus	300 acres (121 ha) situated off Exit 205B on I-26.
Former names	Baptist College
Athletics	NCAA Division I
Nickname	Buccaneers
Mascot	Bucky
Affiliations	Big South Conference
Website	csuniv.edu

Charleston Southern University, founded in 1964 as Baptist College, is an independent comprehensive university located in North Charleston, South Carolina. Charleston Southern enrolls a maximum of 3,200 students.^[1] Affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention, the university's mission is promoting academic excellence in a Christian environment. Charleston Southern focuses its educational programs on five life preparation concepts: values and ethics, communication, leadership, service and wellness.

Academics

The university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's and master's degrees. CSU students can choose from more than 30 undergraduate majors and graduate programs in business, criminal justice, and education as well as nursing (BSN and MSN programs are available). Each degree program is combined with a comprehensive liberal arts foundation which is designed to develop problem-solving and communication skills.

The Derry Patterson Wingo School of Nursing (CSU's nursing program) offers a three year BSN program that works closely with area hospitals. Post-grad they offer a MSN with an emphasis on education. In 2010, the program was expanded to offer a 2-1 ADN to BSN program with Trident Technical College. CSU's nursing program is on par with the top programs in the United states.

As a part of enriching students education experience a total of 24 convocation credits must be earned before completion of a four year degree (prorated for transfer students) and now 48 for incoming freshmen as of 2010. Convocations consist of motivational speakers, pep rallies, religious and cultural events and student awards. Professors hours allow most students one-on-one time with instructors when needed.

Campus

Charleston Southern is located right off Exit 205B on I-26 in North Charleston, South Carolina. It is situated on 300 acres (121 ha), formerly the site of a rice and indigo plantation.

Recently, CSU has become a tobacco free campus and has always discouraged alcohol use. Violations of the tobacco, alcohol and drug policies can lead to students being expelled.

Student activities

Beyond the classroom, students can participate in a variety of campus activities including academic clubs, service organizations, intramural athletics and campus ministries. Intramural athletic activities include flag football, basketball, volleyball, ultimate frisbee, and more. Campus ministries include Campus Crusade for Christ, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Prison, Campus Outreach, and Elevate.

Student life

Single students under 21 years of age are encouraged to live on campus. To enter the dorm hallways, one must scan his or her electronic pass for the doors to unlock. There are no curfews, but members of the opposite sex are not allowed in each others dorm rooms. There are at least two dining facilities on campus; one is the cafeteria located in the Strom Thurmond Student Center and the other is a coffee shop called Java City serving an aray of coffee beverages, sandwiches and snacks as well as being a student gathering place. Students can obtain a meal plan and put money on their cards for purchasing meals. Commuter students can take advantage of this option as well, purchasing a dollar amount meal plan or 1 a day meal plans. There are many Greek and student organizations available to campus residents, as well as a number of academic honor societies.

Academic clubs

• Alpha Kappa Delta
• Alpha Nu Omega
• French Club
• Future Teachers Society
• Kappa Kappa Psi
• Music Educators Chapter
• Music Therapy
• Psi Chi
• Spanish Club
• Tri Beta

Service clubs and Greek organizations

• African American Society
• Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
• American Chemical Society
• Baptist Campus Ministries
• Campus Activities Board
• Campus Crusade
• Catalyst
• CSU Students for Life
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
• Kappa Kappa Psi
• Lambda Theta Chi
• Lambda Tau Chi
• Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
• Omega Phi Beta Sorority
• Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
• Psi Delta Phi Sorority
• Psi Kappa Phi Fraternity
• Recreational Services
• Residence Life Council
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority
• Student Government Association

Athletics

See also: Charleston Southern Buccaneers

The university offers intercollegiate athletics for both men and women, competing in the NCAA Division I Big South Conference. Charleston Southern fields teams in the following sports:

Basketball Baseball Softball Division FCS Football (I-AA)

Women's Soccer Cross Country Track and Field

Golf Women's Tennis Volleyball

In 2008, CSU closed its highly successful men's tennis program to reallocate funds to other sports.^[2] CSU formerly fielded a men's soccer team.

Notable alumni

• Hans Olsen - Women’s tennis coach at North Carolina State University; Former Men’s tennis player at CSU 1989-92 and Head Coach 1997-2001; Big South Hall of Fame and CSU Athletics Hall of Fame. While at CSU, Olsen guided the men’s teams to four consecutive Big South Conference Championships, earning Big South Coach of the Year four times.
• Bobby Parnell - Pitcher for the New York Mets
• R. J. Swindle - Pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization.
• Charlie Simpkins - Olympic Silver Medalist
• Joe Campbell - Business Entrepreneur, Leader, Philanthropist, and, Educator - See WEI

References

1. ^ www.csuniv.edu
2. ^ http://www.csusports.com/article.asp?articleID=2558

External links

• Official website

Coordinates: 32°58′51″N 80°4′16″W / 32.98083°N 80.07111°W / 32.98083; -80.07111