Fellow Graduate Students,
I would like to welcome you all to what I am sure will be another wonderful year at the College of Charleston.
For those of you who are new to the College of Charleston family, you are now a part of an excellent academic tradition and a stimulating graduate community. It is my greatest pleasure to be able to serve you as the President of the Graduate Student Association (GSA) for the 2009-2010 academic year. The GSA serves as the preeminent student government for the Graduate School at the College of Charleston, and has for the past three years helped to define and solidify the graduate students’ place on campus.
Even though the GSA is still rather young in comparison to the College’s long history, we have been able to accomplish many exciting things. Just a few of our involvements include participating in Dance Marathon raising money for the MUSC’s Children Hospital, raising money for the Lowcountry Food Bank through a jointly sponsored oyster roast with the Charleston School of Law, hosting a leadership luncheon open to all graduate students and holding monthly senate meetings to discuss the issues and concerns of all graduate students.
Our organization is more than merely a social outlet for students, but we strive to provide academic and philanthropic opportunities as well to facilitate a well-rounded experience here at the College.
The GSA was founded with three core values in mind: scholarship, service, and community. Through our many events and engagements we strive to uphold these values and therefore ensure the continuation and integrity of our organization. I strongly encourage each of you to attend a GSA meeting or a GSA sponsored event and get involved! This organization was built on the idea of bringing graduate students together and to enhance the already unique experience that is being a student at the College of Charleston. I look forward to meeting all of you! And Go Cougars!
Sincerely,
Rachel Collins
President
Graduate Student Association