Freshmen gathered on the Horseshoe Monday to participate in First Night Carolina, where they started new traditions and were introduced to the university.
First Night Carolina was previously held at Colonial Life Arena or Williams Brice Stadium. Instead, this year's ceremony began on the historic Horseshoe, where President Harris Pastides and First Lady Patricia Moore-Pastides welcomed the freshmen to the USC community.
The students were introduced to the Gamecock fight song and traditional student cheers. The gathering ended with the Horseshoe going dark while the the freshmen lit the area with their phones and participated in their first Gamecock chant with Cocky.
Lauren Olson, Associate Director of Campus Recreation, said Student Life wanted “to try and come up with a new image for First Night Carolina.” They drew inspiration from other colleges and universities and noticed that many freshmen ceremonies occur at the school's most recognizable areas, which is why they chose the Horseshoe. Student Life hopes all incoming freshmen will partake in an inaugural Gamecock cheer on campus and return to the Horseshoe on the last day of their senior classes to cheer one last time.
Following the Horseshoe chants, the freshmen made their way onto Greene Street in front of Russell House for more activities. Greene Street was lined with food trucks featuring brands like Pawleys Front Porch and Krispy Kreme, an arcade-style video game truck, fireworks, club sign-up stations and other activities.
Olson said she believes it’s important for incoming freshmen to feel welcomed at USC, especially if they have never moved out on their own, and the new venue gives them a better opportunity to meet new friends.
“I think First Night Carolina now, because it’s more of a block party or a street fair experience, gives them the opportunity to meet more people since there’s less of a programmed event,” Olson said.
First-year dance education student Sarah Parks said it was important for all freshmen to be together when welcomed to USC.
“Having that experience and being able to bond with new people, especially before classes start, just getting that close-knit community, since the school is so big ... I feel like is really cool and really important,” Parks said.
Tessa Elling, a first-year visual communications student, liked the atmosphere that came with the new venue.
"This is neat because you can be at the Horseshoe, you can walk over here, you can get this kind of music, it’s much larger," she said. "I had the feeling that I'm at the state fair.”
Elling, an out-of-state student from Delaware, believes a welcoming party like this helps students that are new to the area make connections with fellow incoming students.
“Being welcomed in this way is incredible ... I’m seeing all these people that could be some of my best friends,” Elling said.
Nicholas Barker, a first-year biology student, said his favorite aspect of First Night Carolina was the enthusiasm in the student’s voices and the ritual of becoming a “true Gamecock.”
“It’s crucial to join into the community,” Barker said.
The transition from Colonial Life Arena to the Horseshoe was seen as successful by students and Student Life alike. The new traditions begun on Monday will carry on for future classes at USC.
“I think overall it’s a great setting," Olson said. "It’s a great experience."