In the clutch: SC State Office of Global Engagement facilitates passports for 200 students, staff and more

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – See a need. Fulfill a need.

That’s what South Carolina State University’s Office of Global Engagement did on Thursday, Nov. 14, by offering students and employees the opportunity to apply for or renew their passports. The passport fair resulted in over 200 passport applications with the assistance of the Charleston Passport Center. In an initiative from President Alexander Conyers, the university paid the application fees for 150 students.

“The purpose of this opportunity is that the Office of Global Engagement ensures that students can go abroad before graduation,” Dr. Learie B. Luke, SC State’s director of global engagement. “We are trying to broaden the horizons of students. The fact that the president paid for passports for so many students is testimony that he is thinking of the mission of the institution to prepare students to live and work productively in a global society.”

The university’s Public Service & Agriculture division facilitated passports for 10 of its scholars. The others who participated were members of the community, including a few SC State alumni.

“So, it really did my heart good to see over 200 students and members of the public come to apply or renew their passports,” Luke said.

The Office of Global Engagement offers international experiences for students, including cultural exchange visits, study abroad experiences and academic partnerships that enrich students’ understanding of global economic, political and social dynamics.

So, passports are a must, and the university came through in the clutch.

“Being that the university is allowing the students to get a passport for free shows that the university cares about students traveling and exploring the world,” SC State student Kylah Shealy said. “My first trip with my passport will be to Cancun, which I plan to go to next year.”

Giovanni Simon, a senior psychology major from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, wants to visit Germany, France, Norway, Italy and Canada. He wanted to get a passport "to experience new cultures and to broaden my knowledge of different countries."

Courtney Johnson, a junior biology major who is minoring in chemistry, wants "to travel and learn about different countries." The Savannah, Georgia, native has friends in South Africa. She believes that "everyone should go abroad at least once to see how big the world is."

Peyton Nance, a senior physical education major from McCormick, South Carolina, wants a passport so that he can travel the world post-graduation. He would like to travel to Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Germany, and Kenya "to see cultures and the differences between the United States and other countries." He also noted that having a passport is valuable because, "You never know when you will need it. You never know what opportunities will come up at any time including a free trip.”

Luke said was this year’s fair resulted in the largest number applicants processed at the annual event so far. He encourages students to go on cultural immersion trips to various countries and study abroad before they graduate.

The Office of Global Engagement has a passport fair every November during the International Awareness Month. For more information, contact Luke at  lluke@scsu.edu.