August 20 – Aiken Technical College opened its doors for the first day of classes on August 19, welcoming nearly 2,500 students this semester.
One of them was Haylee Perry, who said she is ready to take on the challenges of the university’s energetic nursing program.
“From what I’ve heard, their nursing training seems a little tough, but it also produces very successful nurses,” she said.
For Shelby Rogers, it was the first day of her post-secondary career. As a first-year student, the nursing student said she spent most of her day getting familiar with the campus layout.
“I’m expecting a lot of opportunities, a lot of new friendships,” she said between classes. “I’m just ready to continue my education… I’m excited, and I hope everyone is excited.”
Aiken Tech has been on a rebranding initiative since 2022, with a new logo and color palette.
Melinda Rodgers, vice president of student affairs, said the school’s Knight mascot was launched in the spring.
“I think we’ve got a lot of excitement ahead of us for the mascot,” she said. “We’re still getting a fully costumed character, so we’re really excited, and I think that’s going to continue the momentum.”
After a quiet summer, Rodgers said it was nice to see the hallways filled with students.
“We are happy to have all the students back on campus and everyone seems happy to be here,” she said.
Students were busy with the books on the first day, many of them gathering in the library that was renovated and completed early this summer. The space now includes individual study areas and anatomical study models are on display.
According to Rodgers, an opening ceremony for the renovated space is planned for September.
Jade Marcantonio, who is in her final semester of pharmacy technician training, said as she walked to her first class of the day that the atmosphere at Aiken Tech is often easy-going.
“I feel like everyone you meet is really friendly. They’re always like, ‘Hi, how are you?’ There’s always someone who opens the door for you, which is really nice,” she said.
Gavin Lillard, a sophomore software engineering student, said he attended the University of South Carolina for a year, but he prefers the personal connections he made through the smaller class sizes at Aiken Tech.
“I have a very close relationship with most of the teachers who work at the IT building,” he says.
