Presbyterian College’s recent Feb. 17 Open House saw a record-breaking turnout, with over 81 prospective students. The students, both juniors and seniors in high school, toured the campus and, in a break from tradition, attended mock classes.

This has been the fifth event hosted by PC for potential new students.

Student volunteers braved the elements to ensure early morning Registration for the arriving students went quickly. Students were invited to enjoy complimentary food and drink outside Bailey Auditorium, before heading inside for a presentation.

Instead of the presentation being followed by the usual Academic Fair hosted in the second floor of Springs, the students sat in mock classes with the Biology, English, Business and Religion departments, where they could interact with faculty and ask questions.

These classes covered a wide range of topics, such as Dr. Michael Rischbieter’s, which featured fossils.

Dr. Rischbieter said of the students, “The were very engaged, seemed to be excited to learn some neat stuff about fossils, and did not seem to be the least bit embarrassed about showing their excitement for learning.”

“We wanted to try something new this year to give the visiting students a more in depth look at the academic atmosphere at PC,” said Meredith Biber, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management.

In addition to tours and mock classes, these high schoolers were given a chance to ask currently enrolled PC students questions during the Student Panel, which was unique to this Open House. Meanwhile, their parents participated in a similar panel discussion.

“We hope to see many of them as PC Students in the near future!” Biber said.