Friends and alumni of the College of Arts and Sciences gathered together at the Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine & Coastal Sciences from Friday, June 3rd, to Sunday, June 5th, 2011, to celebrate the College's annual Alumni and Friends Weekend at the Coast.

Located on the Hobcaw Barony near Georgetown, SC, the Baruch Institute was established through the joint efforts of the Belle W. Baruch Foundation and the University of South Carolina, and has become an internationally-recognized scientific research center.

Participants enjoyed fascinating discussions from some of the University's leading faculty, great food, beautiful scenery, and a chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. Sessions focused on photographing the lowcountry, beach and creek ecology, taking a historical tour of Hobcaw Barony, and the chemistry of making the worlds best chocolate chip cookie!