CCU Mentors Show Students College Life

By Jessica Foster, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Mar. 29–Horry County elementary and middle school students experienced a day of college Wednesday.

About 200 students visited Coastal Carolina University to spend time with mentors they have through the Dalton and Linda Floyd Family Mentoring Program and to participate in science, art and theater activities.

The students took campus tours with their mentors, who are CCU students who have formed one-on-one relationships with them throughout the school year.

University President Ron Ingle, President-elect David DeCenzo, head football coach David Bennett and Chauncy, the school mascot, made appearances.

About 225 students from 20 schools in Horry County were paired with mentors this year through the program, which began in the spring of 2004 with 72 students, said Emma Savage-Davis, co-director of CCU’s Center for Education and Community .

The program’s goal is to improve graduation rates by teaming mentors with students who might need support.

“It’s about having that extra incentive and motivation that may make a difference in a child’s life,” Savage-Davis said.

Contact JESSICA FOSTER at 626-0351 or jfoster@thesunnews.com [mailto:jfoster@thesunnews.com].

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Copyright (c) 2007, The Sun News, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Business News.

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