Preparing for the move from high school to college life can be a daunting task.

With that in mind, Lurleen B. Wallace Community College’s Greenville campus once again offered its &uot;College 101&uot; orientation to area high school seniors Friday morning.

A total of 163 students from Georgiana High School, Highland Home School, Greenville High School and Fort Dale Academy gathered at the Greenville campus to meet instructors, counselors and staff members from all facets of the school. The goal: To give area seniors an inside look at what college-level coursework is all about.

&uot;This is the thirteenth year for ‘College 101’ event and they seem to get better every year,&uot; Dr. Jean Thompson, director of LBWCC-Greenville, said.

Music instructor Charlie Kennedy, along with guitar and songwriting instructor Rock Killough and long-time guitar student, Rena Minton, gave a tuneful introduction to the school’s music program.

Kennedy encouraged the seniors to get an early start on their college classes.

&uot;No matter where you end up going to school, you’ve got the opportunity this summer to get a jump start on your college education right here by taking classes at LBW,&uot; Kennedy said.

Priscilla Davis, retired Greenville High art teacher, discussed what a college art appreciation class was all about with prospective students, while LBW science instructor Harold Johnson shared the wonders of chemistry lab with the seniors.

Johnson’s explosive experiments

– all done following safety rules – drew a lot of interest from those attending his talk.

&uot;We’ve had to practically drag the kids out of there to let another group in,&uot; Linda Adams said with a laugh.

&uot;We are really excited at how our campus has grown and is continuing to grow,&uot; Adams, assistant to the Vice President of Student Services, said, as she pointed out an architectural rendering of the local campus’s new technology center.

A groundbreaking for the new structure is scheduled for this March 14.

&uot;We will really see growth in our technical school with our welding programs and our nursing program coming to this campus,&uot; Adams said.

&uot;We really need those technical programs desperately in order to prepare our children in this county for the workforce.&uot;

During a luncheon for LBW faculty, staff, and area school system staff, LBWCC President Dr. Ed Meadows announced sponsorships would be offered for furnishing the classrooms in the new building.

&uot;Any industry or business who wishes to sponsor furnishings for a room will have that room named in their honor,&uot; Meadows said.

And more plans are in the works for LBWCC-Greenville.

The president announced plans for a civic center on campus that will be used jointly by the college and the community.

&uot;We also have in the works a golf tournament here at Cambrian Ridge. The funds raised will go strictly to scholarship funds for this LBW campus.&uot;

Adams is excited at the prospects of more scholarships for Greenville campus students.

&uot;I look around and see all the kids here today, and I want them to have the opportunity to get a college education,&uot; she said.

&uot;Many will want to come here because it is less expensive and it’s convenient. That’s why we are working toward growing a scholarship fund right here in Greenville.&uot;