During the last week of the semester, the campus of Pensacola Christian College buzzes with excitement and busyness. Once most of the student body, the graduates, and their families leave for the summer, those left on campus can slow down, take a break from classes, focus on earning money for the next semester, and plan their summer adventures.
Summers on Campus
Because PCC aims to ensure students can work through college to earn a degree, student workers form a large part of the regular operation—even in the summer. Students who stay work 40 hours a week, earning $14 an hour while enjoying free room and board. This has encouraged many students, like Katie Dryden (Sr., FL), to stay for the summer.
Katie, a mathematics student working for the Distribution Center, is working hard to save up money for a car. But saving money isn’t the only reason students choose to stay on campus. Some stay because their friends are staying, and others stay for the opportunities PCC offers its summer workers.
Student Activities provides summer workers with events that encourage unity within the smaller summer student body. These events include game nights, watching Blue Wahoos baseball games, sports opportunities, and more! “I am so thankful to all the people involved in providing summer workers with activities and entertainment,” said elementary education student Chelsea Simpson (Sr., TN), a summer residence assistant. “It truly is a blessing to have staff that care for us during the semester and the long summers.”
“It’s actually really fun getting to do things on a not-so-crowded campus.”
“Working here during the summer is a whole lot more relaxed since you’re not doing school full-time,” shared liberal arts student Katelyn Palmani (So., FL), another summer residence assistant. “That makes it easier to get to know the student body and make more friends since there are fewer people. It’s actually really fun getting to do things on a not-so-crowded campus.”
Summer Events
Summer workers interested in any events can find them listed on Eagle’s Nest. These events include Edify (a summer prayer group), Taste of Home, Summer Theatre, Tournament Night, Trivia Night, student outings, Residence Hall Activities Night, Commons games, summer sports, and Summer Chorale (a weekly choir).
Taste of Home, always a popular event for summer workers, allows students to use the home economics labs to prepare their favorite meals. Interdisciplinary studies student Dillon Murrell (So., TN), working for the Print Shop, enjoyed being able to use the lab’s equipment to make a home-cooked meal. “I love food, and I love cooking,” he remarked. “Being able to make food with my friends was a highlight of the summer.”
“My friends and I go for the good food and great fellowship.”
Another popular activity among the summer student body is visiting West Campus. With its paddleboards, catamarans, and picnic areas, students can enjoy quality time with friends. “I always love going out to West Campus,” shared graphic design student Alex Broach (Sr., VA) who works in Advertising Services. “My friends and I go for the good food and great fellowship.”
After working at Abeka and Camp o’ the Pines, history student Jaina Allred (Jr., NC), encourages PCC students to consider staying on campus during the summer. “I know how amazing staying the summer has been for me,” she shared. “Each summer I grow so much in Christ, form close, godly friendships, make enough money to pay for school, and have so much fun.”