When freshman Benjamin Luines first stepped onto the University of South Carolina Upstate campus, it immediately felt like home.
“When I came to Upstate, I knew my daily walk to class would be beautiful because of the greenery,” says Luines. “Now, it’s more beautiful because of the people I get to say hey to.”
Luines, an education major, came to Upstate looking for more than a degree. He wanted an experience that would challenge him academically and help him grow personally.
“I was hoping for an experience that would teach me how to become the best teacher I can,” he says.
Curiosity and compassion have guided Luines since middle school, where he first discovered his love for teaching. A seventh-grade English teacher gave him the chance to lead a class discussion and it sparked a passion for education. “At the time, I actually wanted to go into chemical engineering,” he says. “Once I did teacher cadet in high school and also became a camp counselor, I really knew teaching and education was what I wanted to pursue.”
At USC Upstate, Luines has immersed himself in opportunities to grow beyond the classroom. He is a member of Cru, a campus ministry group in which he serves on the worship team. “I look forward to it every week,” he says.
He’s also part of Connected Scholars, an initiative of Brothers Restoring Urban Hope that pairs students with professional mentors. Through that program, Luines connected with Walter Lee, the chair of the education department at Upstate, who encouraged him to keep trying new things.
That support came at the right time. During his first week at Upstate, Luines felt lost and overwhelmed. “I was like, ‘I don’t think I’m going to make it,’” he admits. “I just feel like I’m in this big, big sea and I’m this one fish that doesn’t know what’s going on.” But after attending a fall retreat with Cru and receiving guidance from Lee, he began to feel more at home.
Outside of school, Luines works part-time at his family’s preschool, Croft Christian Academy in Spartanburg. The experience gives him a chance to apply what he’s learning in real time. “You get to see the kids grow each day and teach them new things,” he says.
His advice to new Spartans comes from his own experience. “The hard times don’t last forever. God and perseverance will help you get through. Good things take time, and they will happen eventually.”