Limestone Welcomes 73 International Students For Fall Semester

Limestone College had a true international flavor among its student body when classes started Aug. 22 for the fall semester.

This year’s 1,100-student enrollment includes 73 students from 31 countries.

Students are enrolled from countries such as Romania, Bosnia, Poland, Italy, Senegal, Switzerland, Germany, Venezuela and Kenya.

Since 1992, Limestone College has increased its athletic programs from eight to 26. Many of the international students will play for Limestone men’s and women’s lacrosse, tennis, soccer and field hockey teams.

There are 22 students from Canada, 13 from Brazil and 12 from England.

“Our coaches have done a wonderful job in being able to bring in student athletes from other countries,” said Chris Phenicie, Limestone College vice president for enrollment services. “Our international students are very good academically and often among our best students. This diversity has helped students become more familiar with other cultures.”

Limestone enrollment has grown nearly 40 percent since a strategic initiative was approved by trustees. The college has added a marching band, dance team and a McMillan Scholars academic program to recruit more female students into areas such as math and science.

This year, Limestone welcomed 24 student-athletes for its new acrobatics and tumbling sport which plans to hold its first meet in spring of 2019.

(By Scott Powell, The Gaffney Ledger, Sept. 3, 2018)