The fall semester at historic Columbia College (CC) is underway in Columbia, online and across their national network.
CC freshmen and transfer students ran through Rogers gate last week marking their symbolic entrance into Columbia College. It was the first “storm the gate” event for Columbia College president Dr. Toby Arquette, who tells 939 the Eagle that it’s a great tradition:
“It’s really special because this is like a symbolic moment of when they’re coming into the campus. And then when they leave the campus they go back out the gates. So it kind of suggests you’re part of our community, and you exit the community to go out into the world,” he says.
Columbia College is celebrating its 175th anniversary this year. President Arquette, who started in March, will be inaugurated in October during Homecoming.
Columbia motorists just north of downtown noticed students “storming the gate” last week at historic Columbia College (CC). Many returning students showed up to support and welcome them. That impresses President Arquette:
“Well it tells me they’re deeply committed to the community, that’s the college and they care about their peers and want to make sure they succeed. Someone was there for them when they stormed the gate and they want to be there for the students now that cross the gate this time,” Dr. Arquette says.
President Arquette and Columbia College faculty and staff members also welcomed the newcomers.