A Walk Down Memory Lane

The SUSI group on Civic Engagement had a busy day today filled with activities since we had the pleasure of going on a Historic Horseshoe Walking Tour with University of South Carolina Archivist, Elizabeth Cassidy West. Our Institute relies heavily on understanding how the history of the United States shapes the current state of things such as civic engagement and leadership, so for those who like history just as much as I do, today was a memorable day.

We had the honor of visiting the original part of the campus of what is now known as the University of South Carolina. Our guide explained us the importance of the implementing of public universities during the Thomas Jefferson administration as a way to try to give the south the same liberal education of the former colonies of the north. In fact, we were told that when the civil war broke, the students were called to defend the confederation, which allowed the buildings to turn into hospitals protected by troops which helped to maintain the original buildings until present day. During the visit, two things stood out the most to me. I was quite impressed to hear that during the First World War the number of women attending the University due to the men's deployment to war increased significantly. Due to that reason we went to Rutledge College, which previously was the building where African American women had their classes as a part of a strategy to increase the number of teachers in the U.S. In fact, the first women to ever be admitted to the University in 1895, during a time where women were not expected be as educated as men, made me reflect on the many challenges that the women before me had to face in order to receive a proper education. I was also fascinated to learn more about the history of the African American community. We got to see what used to be the houses of the people who, at that time, were considered property of the faculty members as well as learning that in May of 1970, while the campus was expanding, civil rights and racial problems made students take over the building where the President of the University stood and held him hostage as a sign that times were and needed to change.

During the afternoon, we had the honor of listening to Ms. Terry Goodfellow who gave us a lecture on Civic Engagement. The Professor shared the amazing work she has been doing for more than twenty years in Europe and in South Carolina when it comes to engage in civic activities. I personally share the Professor´s views when she was explaining to us how she is able to work with people from different nationalities and cultures and still be able to make them feel connected and have a sense of belonging here in the USA. I was particularly impressed with the different ways she found to promote cultural exchange within the University and also the amount of activities that bring everyone together such as food and sports. Lastly, we were divided into groups with the sole purpose of reflecting on what civic engagement means to us and what ideas and values we feel that are necessary in order for us to actively participate in our community. Even though we had a long day, it still felt like we are taking the best of what South Carolina and the University have to teach us. I am looking forward to see what lies ahead.