Good evening my valued readers! Thursday is here and that means it is time for me to throw five different topics your way. Before I lose your attention, how about we start right now?

Reuniting: The first Coastal Carolina student I ever met was in March when I visited campus for my on-site interview. This student was named Briana Dinkins and she served as my guide for the campus tour that was arranged for me to go on. Despite a rainy and dark day, she was all smiles the whole time with a positive attitude to match. Driving around on the golf cart with her provided some great relief for me in between interview sessions. She was a big part in making my campus visit memorable.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to see Briana for the first time since that early spring day. I interviewed her for the #CCUfamily campaign and let me tell you, she was the same energetic and positive person from March. It was so cool to come full-circle and have the chance to tell her how much I enjoyed the tour she gave me and what a great representation she is of the university.

Briana is such a positive person. Coastal is so lucky to have her!

Beautiful 9/11 Vigil: I could have spent tonight writing about 9/11. However, I think I said what I had to say three years ago. Instead, I decided to mark the 13th anniversary in a much more meaningful way. Just minutes ago I attended a candlelight vigil put on by the #CCU NAACP. On a gorgeous evening I got to hear beautiful singing, heartfelt speeches, and the respectful silence of a community marking the date together. I think I feel better on this date than I ever have before.

The choir at the vigil was amazing.

Chick-fil-A on Campus: Last week I wrote about our campus receiving a mobile Starbucks truck. Well this week another major company set up shop at Coastal Carolina. We now have our own Chick-fil-A store! Yesterday I had the privilege of taking part in the “soft opening” of the restaurant and enjoyed a free spicy chicken sandwich and waffle fries. Today I covered the official grand opening. It was fun watching our students line up and then witnessing the ribbon cutting/first bite ceremony. Our campus gets better each day.

I took a photo with the Chick-fil-A cow at today’s grand opening.

Off to Columbia, South Carolina: Tomorrow I head off to the state capital of South Carolina for a social media conference. I will be departing Myrtle Beach a little before 5 a.m. and will be returning at around 8 p.m. In between that time (minus the driving) I hope to learn techniques and practices that will allow me to improve #CCUSocialMedia. And to be completely honest, I am kind of excited to enter into Gamecocks Country and see if I can get a feel for the pride that the community has for the University of South Carolina.

Niece Update: My niece will celebrate her one week birthday tomorrow. I can report some good news: Mikayla is doing wonderful! Besides that basic report, here are some newer photos of her:

Here are some photos I threw together of my niece, Mikayla. My sister, Miranda, is in the photo on the bottom left.

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Have a great night everyone. Please take a few minutes to remember those who lost their lives in such an unfair manner 13 years ago. God Bless America. Don’t Blink.