Gamecock iHub, UofSC’s Apple Authorized Campus Store, opens
Posted on: August 12, 2021; Updated on: August 12, 2021
By Allen Wallace, wallacj7@mailbox.sc.edu
The University of South Carolina’s Apple Authorized Campus Store, Gamecock iHub, is officially open for business. The store made its debut with a grand opening ceremony on Aug. 13 and is only the second in the nation to incorporate experiential learning into its business model.
Gamecock iHub will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday on the first floor of the Byrnes Building, 901 Sumter St. The store, named by the campus community, will serve UofSC students, alumni and employees.
“The opening of Gamecock iHub across the street from our historic Horseshoe is a moment of celebration for the university,” said Harris Pastides, interim president of the University of South Carolina. “Not only are we proud to offer a full lineup of technology solutions including Apple products to our campus community, but we are providing opportunities for students to apply what they learn in the classroom and better prepare for their careers after graduation.”
Operated by UofSC’s retailing department, Gamecock iHub is the first Apple Authorized Campus Store in the region. The store will incorporate a classroom component into its business model by selecting a new cohort of interns each semester as part of the retail program’s internship curriculum. Students will get hands-on experience in retail operations under the guidance of store manager Saundra Koesters, store director and faculty liaison Mike Watson and retailing department chair Jeffrey Campbell.
“We are excited to have the Gamecock iHub serve as a learning lab for our department of retailing and UofSC students,” Campbell said. “By using data analytics from the store for our classes and by providing student internship opportunities, Gamecock iHub will give our program a great point of differentiation as retailing continues to evolve.”
In addition to displaying and selling a variety of Apple notebooks, iPad devices and accessories at an education discount, Gamecock iHub also offers product repair and services of personal Apple computers. Product repairs and services will initially be shipped out, but in-house product service will be provided by Apple-authorized service technicians from the university's Division of Information Technology beginning later this fall.
UofSC’s Office of Innovation, Partnerships and Economic Engagement led the efforts to bring an Apple Authorized Campus Store to campus. Executive director Bill Kirkland said the office is working on several other initiatives to enhance access to innovative products, services and education in South Carolina.
“Having an Apple Authorized Campus Store is a tremendous asset for our students, researchers and alumni,” Kirkland says. “Along with other initiatives like the Apple Learning Labs across our Palmetto College campuses, the Gamecock iHub will provide a valuable service to both our students and the local community. We look forward to both expanding our involvement with Apple as well as welcoming new partners to campus that help develop the workforce through experiential learning opportunities for our students.”
Gamecock iHub will continue its opening celebration with special activities during the university’s Welcome Week when students return to campus.
For more information, visit the Gamecock iHub website.
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