Wofford Today Fall 2012

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Volume 45, Number 1 / Spartanburg, South Carolina / Fall 2012

www.wofford.edu


From the Archives Planning at Wofford: The 1987 Masterplan, 25 years later

Larry McGehee (left) and Jerry Richardson ’59 and Roger Milliken (right) participate in strategic planning task force meetings in January 1987.

W Stone presents at Society of American Archivists In August, Dr. Phillip Stone ’94, college archivist, was part of a panel presentation in San Diego, Calif., at the annual meeting of the Society of American Archivists, the national professional association for archivists of all types. The panel was formed by members of the archivists of religious collections section, and was titled “Beyond Borders of Belief: Spirituality and the Archival Enterprise.” The panelists, who represented many different denominations and faith perspectives, all presented short talks. Stone's talk was on “Archivists as Connectors,” and discussed the Methodist “connection” in church structure, and how archivists are good connectors of the past, present and future. Stone also shared his writing and outreach efforts as a way to connect people to their institutional heritage, whether it be college or church.

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hen Wofford first applied for an F. W. Olin Foundation grant in 1985, the application was rejected. The Olin Foundation had found the college “stunted,” but expressed a willingness to receive another grant proposal from Wofford if the college put some additional thought and energy behind its efforts in planning and building its programs. The trustees and administrators, stung a bit by the implication that the college was not living up to its potential, began to work toward making those systematic improvements. In the 20 years before the 1987 Masterplan, Wofford had gone through a number of changes, including desegregation, coeducation, curriculum change, and liberalization of student life. But the college still had a painfully small endowment and a limited base to recruit students. Most people associated with the college recognized its strengths – a strong faculty, supportive alumni – and rightly felt good about the institution, but realized that they needed to be better. The result was a Board of Trustees retreat in May 1986 and the creation of a large strategic planning task force. By the end of May, the task force was organized, and spent the next year working in six committees: Academic Life, Student Life, Physical Facilities,

External Relations, Research and Development, and a steering committee. More than 100 trustees, professors, administrators, students and alumni served on various committees. The late Dr. Larry McGehee, who was at the time vice president for development, was the administrator in charge of the project, and he devoted all of his time during the 1986-87 academic year to guiding the development of the plan. The task force and its committees met almost every month for the remainder of 1986, and each committee had considerable reading and research to undertake between meetings. The result of their work was a report — “To Improve Quality: A Plan for Improving Wofford College” — that was submitted to the Board of Trustees in May 1987. At 81 pages, the report focused on six goals. Between 1987 and 1994, the college would plan to improve quality in six areas: selection and support of students, selection and renewal of faculty, academic programs, student life programs, athletics programs, and physical facilities. Improvements in these areas would help Wofford reach its primary goal of enhancing the quality of learning for students. At the center of the report was the college’s abiding commitment to undergraduate liberal arts education. While it noted that other colleges of Wofford’s age and older

had transformed themselves into research universities, the college had “gained its own recognition by steadfast championing of the classical liberal arts college experience.” The report cited a number of national surveys that affirmed Wofford’s strong liberal arts curriculum, rigorous academic disciplines, extensive faculty-student interaction, strong academic advising, and “whole-person learning in and outside the classroom.” It’s amazing to look back at some of the ambitious projects proposed by the task force and to realize just how successful the college was in accomplishing what the task force recommended. The faculty grew from just over 60 members to 78 by the fall of 1999, with a resulting drop in the student-faculty ratio of 14:1. In the years since, those numbers have become more favorable, and the size of the faculty has virtually doubled since the 1987 Masterplan. The college worked to increase the applicant pool from about 1,000 applications to 1,500 by the mid-1990s. And whereas 70 percent of the student body came from South Carolina in 1987, half now comes from out of state. The plan also called for a new Roger Milliken Science Center and for the construction of what became the Olin Building. Among many enhancements in student life, the plan recommended a greater emphasis on orientation, on stu-

dent retention, and on student programming. The Masterplan noted that changing Wofford’s athletics affiliation would place the college on a more level field with its competitors, arguing that Wofford should immediately declare its intention to join the NCAA. The report also emphasized the need for improvements in women’s athletics. The report was clear in its statement that “the college must promote the ideal of the scholar-athlete and must insure that women’s sports receive equitable attention.” Much of Wofford’s progress from a pretty good regional college to a high-quality national liberal arts college over the past 25 years has come about because the 1987 planning task force took the time to think hard about the college’s future. With the plan in hand, administrators and trustees worked to implement that vision and to provide the resources to make it happen. As we move into a new planning cycle and attempt to envision what the college will be like in the next 15 to 20 years, it is worth remembering the strategic plan that helped get Wofford to where it is today. by Dr. Phillip Stone ’94 college archivist


WOFFORD TODAY... New trustees, recent recognition for Wofford, the search begins for a new president............... 4 NIH funds Pittman’s obesity research, Biology curriculum innovation earns national award............... 5 DEVELOPMENT REPORT... Village houses named for Leonard and Seegars, Teagle grant update............... 6 It’s official. Wofford to build new fraternity row............... 7 Shared Worlds brings talented teen writers to campus for a

STUDENTS... Mungo Center for Professional Excellence initiates new BRICS program... Meet the Class of 2016............... 8 Re:Thinking Education............... 9 ATHLETICS... Quick Hits, Panthers Summer Training Camp............. 10

Professor of Biology Emeritus

two-week creative writing and world-building experience.

ON THE COVER: Dr. Charlie Bass works with students in the new organic chemistry lab. This past spring, Bass was selected as one of the country’s top 300 professors by the Princeton Review.

ON CAMPUS... Williams’ summer on the farm............. 11

Ray Leonard (front row, left) is surrounded by some of the current Wofford biology faculty. They came out to

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE: Students spend summer in internships........ 12-13

celebrate the naming of one of the houses in the Village in his honor. More on page 6.

ALUMNI... including births, weddings, photos, notes and profiles........ 14-23 Wright Spears ’33 to turn 100 in October............. 14 DeBerry and Ayers: A consistent coaching philosophy at Wofford............. 15 2012 Alumni Award Recipients............. 16

Volume 45, Number 1 / Fall 2012 www.wofford.edu/WoffordToday

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offord Today (USPS 691-140) is published four times each year by the Office of Communications and Marketing, Wofford College, 429 N. Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29303-3663, for alumni and friends of the college. Issued quarterly: fall, winter, spring and summer. Periodicals postage is paid at Spartanburg Main Post Office, Spartanburg, S.C., with an additional mailing entry at Greenville, S.C. Doyle Boggs ’70, senior editor boggsdw@wofford.edu, 864-597-4182 Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89, associate editor Laura Hendrix Corbin, Janella Lane, Phillip Stone ’94, Clay Terrell, Michelle Thilges and Lisa Ware, contributors Brent Williamson, sports / Photography by Mark Olencki ’75

The Wofford Bookshelf (new releases)............. 17

Printed by Martin Printing Company Inc., Easley, S.C. Send address changes to:

Kristen Richardson-Frick ’97 takes position with The Duke Endowment............. 18

Alumni Office, Wofford College 429 N. Church St. Spartanburg, SC 29303-3663 alumni@wofford.edu / 864-597-4200 / fax 864-597-4219

A tribute to Wofford football and two of the coaches that made it great. Essay by George

Wofford Admission Fee Waiver............. 19

Tyson ’72 on page 15.

It is the policy of Wofford College to provide equal opportunities and reasonable accommodation to all persons regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Terriers in the News............. 22 Fall 2012 • Wofford Today • 3


Wofford Today

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offord’s Presidential Search Committee has begun its work to find the successor for Dr. Benjamin B. Dunlap, who has announced his retirement effective at the end of June 2013. R. Michael James ’73, former trustee, is the chair of the committee. He is a founding partner of WEDGE Capital Management in Charlotte, N.C. The other search committee members are:

News briefs Village Center earns LEED Silver

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offord’s Michael S. Brown Village Center has received the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver certification for its sustainable features, including the use of recycled and recovered materials and its energy efficient elements. LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) is the leading national green certification program, which reviews building performance in five areas: energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, sustainable site development and water The Michael S. Brown Village Center grand galleria entrance. savings. to rank Wofford among the elite The three-story facility, which Wofford ranks well in of the 251 “National Liberal Arts includes student loft-style apartnational college guides Colleges.” The college has made ment housing on the top two floors ate summer is the time when this highly selective list for the past and classrooms, meeting spaces and most of the commercial col- decade. Some other recognitions the Mungo Center for Professional Excellence on the first floor, is the lege guides release their updated this summer have included “The Fiske Guide to the Colleges,” “The second Wofford facility to achieve editions. On Aug. 10, the Chronicle of (Yale) Insider’s Guide” and Forbes’ LEED certification. The Goodall Environmental Studies Center at Higher Education produced its “America’s Best Colleges and UniGlendale, S.C., received Platinum annual report on “The Academic versities.” Workplace.” Wofford was cited certification in 2010. Lani Foster, director of special as one of the “Great Colleges to Website wins CASE award projects and financial systems says Work For” with special recognition he Wofford website created to that 24 percent of the building in three categories — tenure clarity highlight the “Commander materials content for the Mi- and process, teaching environment in Chief ” Republican Presidential chael S. Brown Village Center and job satisfaction. Candidates Debate held at the colThis year, the college has rewas manufactured using recycled lege in November 2011 received a ceived several materials and Bronze Award from the Council for special spread33 percent of Advancement and Support of EduCHRONICLE THE sheets and rethe building cation (CASE) in its international ports from the materials and/ “Great Col- 2012 Circle of Excellence Awards or products leges” surveys program. There were 87 entries in were extractthat will be the category, and others receiving ed, harvested, useful in hu- Bronze Awards were Boston Unirecovered or man resources versity, College of William & Mary, manufactured a s s e s s m e n t Harvard Kennedy School and r e g i o n a l l y, and planning. Princeton University. American within a 500The campus University received a gold award mile radius of response to in the category, and winners of the Spartanburg. silver award were Columbia ColThe building also uses an en- this survey was excellent—55 of lege Chicago, Columbia University ergy dashboard, located in the 123 faculty; 48 of 111 exempt staff; and Indiana University. elevator lobby outside the dining and 22 of 34 administrators. During the month of NovemPrinceton Review (www.princgalleria at the center of the facility, ber the site recorded more than for students and faculty to see how etonreview.com) publishes what 20,000 page views. the building is functioning and the may be the most satisfactory comreal-time energy use. In addition, mercial college guide. Their staff there is an electric car charging does not attempt quantitative rat- Wofford recognized by station and outdoor bicycle storage ings, but instead relies on extensive local United Way racks located outside the building, student surveys. Wofford is the offord was honored in the and shower and changing facilities only South Carolina campus listed spring by the United Way of on the first floor for those commut- among 75 “Best Values” among the Piedmont with a Community ing to campus by bicycle or other the 377 top colleges. Wofford also Partner Award. The award is precame up #20 on a “Best Run Colalternative transportation. sented to organizations who make The architect for the construc- leges” list and #8 among the list their mark on the community by tion project was Summerour Archi- of 20 institutions with “Lots of partnering with the United Way Greek Life.” tects of Atlanta, Ga. on critical projects and initiatives. The U.S. News “Great Schools at Great Prices” listing continues

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4 • Wofford Today • Fall 2012

The search for a new president begins

• Dr. B. Mike Alexander Jr. ’73, a trustee, is a minister at Belin United Methodist Church in Murrells Inlet, S.C. • Charles J. Bradshaw Sr. ’59 is a retired business executive from Spartanburg; Linville, N.C.; and Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. • Dr. Ellen S. Goldey is the William R. Kenan Professor of Biology and chair of the Department of Biology. • Laura Jackson Hoy of Myrtle Beach, S.C., is a trustee. • Dr. Joab M. Lesesne Jr. is the college’s president emeritus. • Ronald L. Norman ’13 is the current president of the Wofford student body. • Corry W. Oakes III ’89, a trustee, is a partner in OTO Development LLC of Spartanburg. • Stanley E. Porter ’89, a trustee, is a consultant with Deloitte and Touche in Chevy Chase, Md. • Dr. Ronald R. Robinson ’78 is the Perkins Prothro Chaplain and Professor of Religion. • Edward B. Wile ’73, a trustee, is senior vice president for UBS Financial Services in Atlanta. • Dr. Dennis M. Wiseman is the Reeves Family Professor of Foreign Languages and dean of Center for Innovation and Learning. Serving as an ex officio member of the committee is J. Harold Chandler ’71, the current chairman of the Wofford Board of Trustees.

Nine elected to serve on Wofford Board of Trustees

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wo new members have been elected to the Wofford Board of Trustees while seven others have been re-elected to four-year terms. The appointments were made at the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church of South Carolina held in Florence, S.C., in June. The new trustees elected to four-year terms are Justin A. Converse ’96 and Stewart H. Johnson ’67, both of Spartanburg. They fill the seats that were held by R. Michael James ’73, whose term has expired after three consecutive four-year stints, and Frederick D. Gibbs ’87, who resigned from the board several months ago. Re-elected to new terms were: the Rev. B. Mike Alexander ’73, Dr. James E. Bostic, J. Harold Chandler ’71, Jimmy I. Gibbs, Laura J. Hoy, L. Leon Patterson ’63 and J. Edwin Reeves Jr. Officers were elected for the 2012-13 year are Chandler, chair; James M. Johnson ’71, vice chair; C. Michael Smith ’75, vice chair and secretary; and John B. White Jr. ’72, vice chair. Converse is chairman and CEO of Converse & Co. Inc.-Converse Resource Group. He has served on the Wofford President’s Advisory Board and is involved with the Terrier Club. He is married to Anna Habisreutinger Converse ’95 whose father, Roger, served on the Wofford Board from 1978 to 1990. They have two children, Marianna, age 9, and Hugh, age 7. Stewart Johnson is chairman of the board of Morgan Corp. He and his wife, Ann Cobb JohnConverse son, have been a longtime Wofford supporters, sponsoring the Terrier Ball for the past 13 years and providing scholarship and endowed professorship funding; they also recently donated trees for plantings around the Wofford football parking area. Mrs. Johnson is a former member of the Wofford Board of Trustees. The Johnsons have four children, Stewart Heath Johnson Jr., David Greenewald Johnson ’98, Jamie Johnson Boyd ’00 Johnson and Ann Johnson Hopkins ’04.


Pittman to study weight gain, anti-anxiety drug connection with NIH grant

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r. David W. Pittman ’94, associate professor of psychology, and his collaborator, Dr. J.P. Baird at Amherst College, have received a nearly $414,000 Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. They will onduct research to identify the connection between overeating and the use of some popular anti-anxiety drugs – the first research of its kind. They will re s e a rc h t h e mechanisms and brain areas involved in the overeating side effect of antianxiety drugs such as Xanax and Valium. As the principal investigator, Pittman has received $342,422 of the grant while Baird received $71,578 in support of collaborative

research at Amherst. The research also will allow student involvement and an innovative exchange program for student research fellows. Pittman says the research will add to scientific knowledge on a growing public health challenge in the United States. “Each year, medical professionals diagnose more than 6 million people in the United States with generali ze d a n x i e t y disorder,” he says. “For more than half of them, doctors prescribe benzodiazepines, such as Xanax and Valium, as part of their treatment plan.” Pittman hopes his research using a rat animal model will help medical professionals better understand the mechanisms that underlie the weight gain often associated with benzodiazepines. “Rats over-consume taste solu-

tions under the influence of these drugs in the same way humans overeat,” Pittman says. “A better understanding of how these drugs affect specific areas of the rat’s brain involved with taste and appetite could aid in the prevention of the prevalence of weight gain in people prescribed benzodiazepines.” The grant also provides a critical opportunity for undergraduate students at Wofford and Amherst to participate in cutting-edge scientific research. Students at each institution will conduct laboratory research year-round, and during each of the next three summers for the duration of the grant, one student from each college will work with students at the other in an innovative exchange program for student research fellows. “Dr. Pittman continues providing tremendous opportunities for students to do publication-quality research – six publications in the past six years that included 20 student co-authors,” Dr. David S. Wood, dean of Wofford, says. “His leading-edge research in the area of obesity, his creation of the Healthy Eating Decisions program for elementary school children in the fight against childhood obesity, and

Pittman

his teaching and research that has involved so many Wofford students are just some of the reasons he was received the 2011 Roger Milliken Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Science.”

For more information on the research plan for the NIH grant, the students involved and the latest findings, go to their website at www.benzotaste.com. by Laura Hendrix Corbin

Department of Biology receives exemplary program award for improvements to first-year curriculum W

offord’s Department of Biology has received national recognition for revisions in its first-year curriculum designed to improve students’ knowledge and skills in the discipline. The department, chaired by Dr. Ellen S. Goldey, the William R. Kenan Jr. Professor, recently received the Exemplary Program Award from the Association for General and Liberal Studies (AGLS). The winning proposal was selected by a panel of nationally recognized general education leaders, accreditors and AGLS Executive Council members. Wofford transformed its firstyear curriculum in biology with a new first-semester course, Biological Inquiry. Motivation for the change included the national call for transformation of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and the need to align introductory science courses with the college’s “general education” objectives. “The project reflects the close collaboration among a team of professors and students,” Goldey says, “and our targeted outcomes

fall into three categories – deepening content knowledge, developing research skills and improving dispositions toward biology. “Traditionally, introductory coursework in biology emphasized memorizing lots of content, but research has shown that to build the competencies that students need, they must engage in the practices of the profession,” she continues. “So, our students read the primary literature, conduct open-ended experiments, use statistics to analyze their data, and work in teams to interpret their results and communicate their findings through professional research posters. We’re also using best teaching practices, thus de-emphasizing lectures in favor of engaging students in guided inquiry.” Underscoring the importance of this work, approximately half of all incoming students (270 this year) enroll in Biological Inquiry their first semester, and the major represents nearly a quarter of all graduates. “We’ve rigorously assessed the outcomes of this work, and compared to the course it replaced, Bio-

logical Inquiry leads to significant gains in all targeted areas,” Goldey notes. According to AGLS, “The judges gave high praise to Wofford biology faculty for their thorough and creative work in assessing scientific learning, especially considering how many students pursue degrees in biology and how important learning in biology is to so many additional majors. While the application is written with modesty, the effort and results are outstanding. “One judge noted that Wofford approached the assessment of biology as if it were a scientific problem. All the judges praised the department’s use of multiple means of

assessment that validate student learning, and they appreciated the quality and value of the poster project, the deep analysis of the results, and the honest reporting of the mixed feelings of the students.” Dr. David S. Wood, dean of Wofford, congratulated the entire biology department faculty on the award. “The work done with firstyear biology over the past several years has been exemplary, and it is wonderful to receive such high praise and recognition. The student experience has been greatly enhanced by the faculty’s efforts to improve the outcomes, and the biology department has inspired and encouraged other depart-

“Traditionally, introductory coursework in biology emphasized memorizing lots of content, but research has shown that to build the competencies that students need, they must engage in the practices of the profession.” Dr. Ellen Goldey

ments to continue to do serious self-assessment to make changes to improve student learning outcomes in their areas.” Wood specifically recognized all of the faculty and staff in the Department of Biology for their achievement: Dr. Stefanie H. Baker, Dr. G.R. Davis, Dr. Ellen S. Goldey, Dr. Stacey R. Hettes, Dr. Tracie M. Ivy, Dr. David I. Kusher, Dr. John F. Moeller, Dr. Robert E. Moss, Dr. Douglas A. Rayner, Dr. George W. Shiflet, Dr. Charles F. Smith, Dr. Natalie W. Spivey and Lisa P. Thomas. Goldey and Moeller accepted the award and presented on the program during a special session at the annual conference of AGLS, held on Sept. 20 in Portland, Ore. The goal of the AGLS Awards program is to serve two national general education needs: to recognize creative program accomplishments produced by faculty and administrators committed to ongoing improvement and to disseminate effective program improvement ideas and models. by Laura Hendrix Corbin Fall 2012 • Wofford Today • 5


Development Report

Village houses named to honor Leonard and Seegars On Sept. 7, two of the houses in Wofford’s Village were dedicated in honor of emeritus professors Dr. W. Ray Leonard (front row, beside his wife, Ann) and Dr. James E. Seegars (speaking). Leonard taught biology at the college for 45 years before retiring in 1994. Seegars joined the faculty in 1962, teaching psychology and serving as chair of the department for 37 years.

Board approves changes in scholarship levels

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College adds new gift club levels; President's Club level increases to $1,250 minimum

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ne of Wofford’s highest t the May meeting, the Wofford Board of Trustees approved changes priorities is attracting the in gift recognition levels, the first changes made since the gift club best and brightest students and levels were established in 1968. The following changes will take effect securing their access to a Wofford in the 2013 gift year: education. Nearly every Wofford Benjamin Wofford Society................ $100,000 or more student receives some type of fi1854 Society.................................... $50,000 - $99,999 nancial assistance. With the rising Old Main Society............................ $25,000 - $49,999 costs of education, students use the Chairman’s Society..............................$10,000 - $24,999 amount of financial aid available to them as a determining factor Trustee Society........................................$5,000 - $9,999 in choosing a college. Scholarship Leadership Society...................................$2,500 - $4,999 support ensures that Wofford rePresident's Club.................................. $1,250 - $2,499 mains competitive. Patron Club............................................ $750 - $1,249 The college now offers two Loyalty Club............................................. $250 - $749 plans for establishing endowed Centurion Club.............................................$100 - $249 scholarships: Contributors.......................................................$1 - $99 1. A minimum of $50,000, These gift levels are based on gifts received during a calendar year payable over up to five years, (Jan. 1 through Dec. 31) and are calculated based on gifts to all funds establishes a named, permaat the college, including the Annual Fund, the Terrier Club, endowment nently endowed scholarship. support or capital gifts. In the case of married Wofford alumni, both 2. A commitment of $25,000, spouses receive gift club credit for their cumulative gift. Matching gifts payable over five years, cou- are also included. pled with a documented estate/insurance plan for an additional $100,000 establishes a named, permanently endowed scholarshship. This new option offers the donor the opportunity to establish the scholarship with a lower initial gift when paired with a generous planned gift. The sky is the limit on the upper end: the greater the fund size, the greater the benefit to deserving students.

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Wofford embraces pluralism with help of Teagle Foundation grant

Christmas in Action,” based in Midlands, Texas, was founded in 1972. Today, it provides hope and action for the low-income elderly and disabled, working in 9,000 homes in communities all across the country. Wofford students have embraced this concept, and in 20112012, a Muslim student named Arsalaan Salehani ’12 headed their project in response to the 10th anniversary of 9-11. Salehani was the one of the Honor Graduates in the Class of 2012 (4.0 G.P.A.) and a member of the Senior Order of Gnomes. He is currently a first-year medical student at Emory University. The Christmas in Action story illustrates that Wofford is moving forward as a pluralistic community in sometimes astonishing ways, in keeping with its own traditions and its heritage as a college related to the United Methodist Church. The college is now in the midst of a two-year study to engage provocative religious issues and ensure that it is welcoming not only to students and faculty who have traditional American religious backgrounds, but to people of different faiths, people of no faith and people who are not sure. Partners in that effort are the Teagle Foundation (www. teaglefoundation.org), which provided grant-based funding (“Using Assessment Evidence to Improve Programs and Promote Shared Responsibility for Mission-Based Outcomes”), Elon University and the Interfaith Youth Core (www.ifyc.org), an important resource for colleges that plan to educate the leaders who will write the next chapter in world history. The founder of the IFYC, Eboo Patel, is the author of several influential books, including the recent “Sacred Ground: Pluralism, Prejudice, and the Promise of America.” “We have been surveying students about religion at registration for years, but a lot of what we knew was not particularly useful in measuring attitudes and how they might shift over the course of four years,” says Dr. Katherine Janiec Jones, associate professor of religion. “We know, for example, that United Methodists are the largest single denominational group (among 32 represented) on campus, but it may be more helpful to understand that three quite typical spiritual outlooks among students today are (1) those who are non-denominational, evangelical Christians; (2) those who keep to themselves for whatever reason; and (3) those who have consciously adopted an inner religious pluralism.” One interesting outcome of the survey was that one-third of the students who described themselves as “not religious” felt that their acceptance at Wofford was less than desirable. Meanwhile, many of the evangelicals viewed themselves as tolerant and welcoming. Some of the recommendations coming out of last year’s discussions included (1) leveraging existing student leadership, which was found to be exceptionally promising at Wofford; (2) broadening a commitment to academic freedom and diversifing the community, encouraging dialogue and cooperation; (3) empowering and equiping faculty and staff with additional training opportunities, such as those offered in cooperation with the Interfaith Youth Core; and (4) consciously strengthening on-campus service-learning organizations. “The effectiveness of last year’s task force can best be measured by the interest we have found all around the country in what we have learned, how we have been successful at engaging some very big questions through strategic planning, and how we are building on our traditions and our strengths,” says Dr. Ron Robinson ’78, Perkins-Prothro Chaplain and Professor of Religion. He points out that two articles in the important professional journal “Inside Higher Education” have used Wofford as a case study, and several students, including Salehani, have been invited to make presentations at major conferences, at UCLA, Yale and for the Department of Education. “We are excited about how far we have come in laying a foundation for a better community,” Robinson says. “We’re looking forward to moving further ahead with our strategic plan in 2012-2013.” by Doyle Boggs ’70 First-year students, supervised by Dr. Ron Robinson ’78, measured and packed 20,244 meals bound for Honduras during their orientation activities. Getting students involved early in pluralism and service initiatives is one goal of the activities sponsored by the Teagle Foundation's grant.


College plans construction of new fraternity houses confidence

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struction will begin. The project should take six to nine months on a schedule that will mean minimal interruption in fraternity activities. Each house will have a footprint of about 4,500 square feet with a covered deck and outside patio. In good weather, each house should accommodate approximately 300 brothers and guests at a function, and an IFC event involving all the chapters could be a college-wide social event. “The fraternity and sorority experience is more valuable than the strictly social nature for which it is known,” says Brian Joyce, director of student activities and Greek life at Wofford. “Our students become better communicators, leaders and individuals because they lead a group of their peers; plan an event or philanthropy project; manage a budget; make difficult decisions; organize an intramural team; have challenging conversations; or think critically and creatively to solve a problem.”

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he tradition, strength and popularity of the Greek system at Wofford is an indelible feature of the college, attested to every year in the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges and other national guidebooks. Wofford has early chapters of several important national Greekletter organizations, which began developing networks just after the Civil War. However, the modern era of fraternities began in 1956 when the “Row” was constructed at what was then a college for men. Seven chapter lodges were erected around a semicircular courtyard near Memorial Drive. Six of these houses now are occupied by member chapters of the Interfraternity Council — Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Nu. For years, the need to plan for the future of the Greek system in general and the Row in particular has been obvious and pressing. The aging buildings are obsolete in design, and there have been concerns about security and safety. Last spring, the Wofford Board of Trustees heard a report from a task force consisting of faculty, alumni and students that addressed the issue. Important members of that task force were trustees whose business expertise includes construction, M. Stewart Mungo ’74 and C. Michael Smith ’75. “Together, we looked carefully at various options and had some animated debates,” recalls Danner Benfield ’13, president of the Interfraternity Council. “In the end, however, two priorities emerged. One was to keep the Row together in the present location with parity in the size and decor of the houses. The second was to have attractive food and beverage serving areas and band stages with up-to-date acoustical setups. The plan accommodates those two priorities.” The trustees went on to approve the task force’s recommendations. A $3.25 million campaign to build new quarters for the fraternities is underway now. Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Development Calhoun Kennedy ’89 heads the endeavor. Once funding is secured, the present houses will be demolished and new landscaping and con-

Frequently Asked Questions: Q. What proportion of Wofford students belong to fraternities and sororities? A. In the fall of 2011, 41 percent of the men and 55 percent of the women were members. The actual number of Greeks has grown along with the A. All Wofford students should feel student body, which now numbers at home at the Row, and it will be about 1,600 students. helpful if there is a space available to rent for parties and other activities for Q. Will the individual fraternities own all the chartered organizations. Also, their houses on the Row? the Row will need to last a long time, A. No. Wofford will continue to own and Wofford’s enrollment has been the land and the structures on it. increasing in a planned, orderly way. Chapters will sign lease agreements A certain amount of flexibility makes with the college. Contributions sense. directed to this project from alumni and friends, therefore, will be made Q. Does the plan for the Row affect to the college and are accountable in Wofford’s sororities? that way. However, this policy also A. No. The college anticipates means that construction grants and improvements in the facilities for loans are unlikely to be available from these organizations, but the Wofford national fraternity headquarters. model for the Row does not seem applicable. The national Panhellenic Q. There are only six member organizations for women emphasize organizations in the Interfraternity residential houses such as those Council. Why will there be seven found at many large universities. houses? Also, Wofford has three chartered

historically African-American organizations that are affiliated with the NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council), and it is important to ensure that their future needs are met. Q. Will fraternities be able to have alcoholic beverages at their functions? A. The college’s published alcohol policy, state laws and various national fraternity guidelines will apply on the Row as they do now. Basically, alumni, students and their guests who are 21 will be able to possess and consume alcoholic beverages on the premises. The design of the new houses should assist fraternities with the challenges of risk management.

Q. Will fraternities be able to raise money to make improvements inside their houses and on the deck and patio? A. Yes. The policies and procedures for such remodeling will be included in the lease agreements. Q. How do I make a contribution to the Row project? A. All contributions, no matter the size, are welcome. For additional information, call Calhoun Kennedy at 864-597-4211 or email kennedycl@ wofford.edu. Naming opportunities for various features of the Row are available. Please remember that support of the Wofford Annual Fund should remain your top giving priority!

Fall 2012 • Wofford Today • 7


Students New BRICS Initiative gives students a global experience E

xplosions in telecommunications technologies and transportation infrastructure in the past quarter-century have changed the way business is conducted across the globe, leading to an unprecedented ease of access to labor, manufacturing and natural resources. Many companies increasingly outsource the production of goods and services to developing nations, leading to rapid growth and industrialization in those countries. Five countries with significant emerging economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, collectively known as the BRICS — are exerting more and more influence on regional and world affairs. Together, the BRICS represent nearly half the world’s population and one-fifth of the global economic output. To be successful, students entering the 21stcentury marketplace must have an understanding of how these and other developing economies shape the world economically, politically and culturally. To provide that understanding, Wofford is launching the BRICS Initiative, a nine-month program

providing students the opportunity to examine BRICS through the liberal arts lens by offering perspectives in the language, religion, government, finance, economics and history of each nation. “The best way to prepare students for life after Wofford is by bridging the theoretical and the practical,” says Scott Cochran ’88, dean of the Mungo Center for Professional Excellence, which developed the program. “And the best way to learn about globalization is to look at the cultural dynamics at play as well as the business side of the equation, including the global supply chain, financial markets and manufacturing. This is liberal arts personified, and it’s the best way to approach practical learning.” Students accepted into the program will spend Interim learning about all of the BRICS countries from an interdisciplinary team of faculty and staff. The learning will continue during the spring semester with a series of additional presentations. During the summer, students will spend two weeks in one of the BRICS countries. In 2013, students will visit Brazil.

Months of study will culminate in a one-day September conference during which students will present their knowledge to local and regional organizations interested in learning more about BRICS. The program enhances Wofford’s strong commitment to providing international travel opportunities by giving students a resumeready experience employers and graduate schools can immediately appreciate, says Jennifer Dillenger ’07, director of career services and BRICS Initiative lead. With companies outsourcing business, administrative, clerical and IT support functions, as well as writing and financial services positions at an increasing rate, the competition for jobs is no longer local, she points out. “Hands-down, students completing this program will be more attractive to top companies and graduate programs. In today’s competition to gain employment or acceptance, this advantage is game changing.” To learn more about the BRICS Initiative, visit the Mungo Center’s website at wofford.edu/center. by Lisa M. Ware

BRIC countries

Mahaffey rides for PUSH America Brenton Mahaffey ’13 spent most of the summer riding with the Pi Kappa Phi Journey of Hope team. The nine-week Journey of Hope began in San Francisco, Calif., in June and concluded in Washington, D.C., in mid-August. Annually the cyclists and crew members raise about $350,000 in support of the projects and programs of PUSH America, which benefit programs for people with disabilities. While on the way to D.C., the cyclists stopped at Wofford and the Charles Lea Center while riding through Spartanburg.

The Class of 2016 by the numbers Wofford welcomed 439 first-year students and 27 transfer students when classes began this week, combining to create the largest incoming class in the college’s 158-year history. Students began classes on Monday, Sept. 3. 52% from out of state (college record) / 17% students of color 12 student body presidents / 16 valedictorians or salutatorians 80 Palmetto Fellows / 3 National Merit Scholars / 96 Wofford legacies 19 Gold Awards or Eagle Scouts / 23 High School Newspaper or Yearbook Editors / 150 captains of high school sports teams

The Class of 2016 includes: South A Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar / A juggler and unicyclist Development Indicators Brazil Russia India China Africa U.S. The youngest person to donate hair to Locks of Love at age 3 A puppeteer / The president of the South Carolina Beta Club Population (2011, millions) 194 143 1.2 1.35 50 314 A classical pianist / Miss Teen South Carolina / A bronze medalist in Tae Kwon Do at the Junior Olympics / State champions in robotics and tennis Multiple skydivers / A double gold rated figure skater / A Sonic Drive-In Percent of World Population 2.76 2.03 17.2 19.15 0.72 4.47 car hop / One set of twins / The South Carolina Young Entrepreneur of the Year GDP (US$, 2011, billions) 2,493 1,850 1,676 7,298 408 15,094 Individuals in the Class of 2016 have: Percent of World GDP

3.56

2.66

2.41

10.48

0.59

22

Source: International Monetary Fund

8 • Wofford Today • Fall 2012

Founded a non-profit — “Well Worth It” — that builds wells in Africa Performed in Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift music videos Started a scholarship fund for children with diabetes / Been featured in an international Abercrombie and Fitch advertising campaign Done research on global warming in Alaska / Starred in a TV commercial Met Willie Mays / Led the nation in scoring in lacrosse / Made a halfcourt shot at a Phoenix Suns game


Editor’s Note: Re:Thinking Education is a yearlong exploration of today’s liberal arts college involving all members of the Wofford community: faculty, students, alumni and friends. Each issue of Wofford Today during the 2012-2013 academic year will include an essay by representatives of one of these groups. This article presents a faculty perspective, the work of a collaborative effort chaired by Dr. Anne Rodrick (history) and Dr. Dan Mathewson (religion).

Events of the Year Re:Thinking Education will move from a consideration of the broad, national conversation about higher education and the liberal arts, to a more narrow focus on Wofford and its identity as a 21st century college of the liberal arts. Four major events will provide the structure to our yearlong conversation, with a host of minor, more narrowly focused events and activities filling in the spaces between these. All of the year’s events are described in detail on the Re:Thinking Education website (www.wofford.edu/ rethinkingeducation).

Structuring Events:

Structuring events include four shared reading experiences, which will be the basis for a broad book club (on campus and around the country). These will be supplemented with author visits to campus and discussion groups. The four book club readings are: • Tobias Wolff, “Old School.” • Andrew Delbanco, “College: What It Was, Is, and Should Be.” • Martha Nussbaum, “Not For Profit: Why Democracy Needs the Humanities.” • Re:Thinking Education essays

Supporting Events and Activities:

There will be a host of smaller, more specifically targeted events and activities interspersed between the major structuring events throughout the year.

Pre-Existing Events

Re:Thinking Education will tie in pre-existing events such as the Santee Cooper Lecture Series on Sustainability and Energy Issues, the Sandlor Tezler Award for Moral Courage and Service to Humanity and TEDx Spartanburg

Other Events

These will focus on the role of the liberal arts in career success, business, fine arts, athletics, pluralism, etc.

Re:Thinking Education: Why Now?

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e:Thinking Education is a yearlong conversation that renews our commitment to the liberal arts today. Our conversation revolves around key questions we will explore together as a community: How do we educate students to become active citizens in a complex, and often polarized, global society? Can our model of productive, thoughtful dialogue, debate and problem-solving address real challenges in a rapidly changing world? How does Wofford deliver a transformative educational experience for students, and how does this differentiate us from our peers in higher education? Most importantly, perhaps, what does this education mean for our students and for us, as professionals, citizens, and members of a community? There is an urgency to these questions given the consensus of a mounting crisis within American higher education. While it has been relatively easy for critics to identify the most obvious symptoms of the crisis – escalating costs, declining job prospects for college graduates – the causes of the breakdown are both subtler and more problematic. Two general models of criticism have emerged to shape the public examination of higher education. In the first, critics apply a cost-benefit analysis to argue that the costs of a college education, including the debt-burden students incur, far exceed the expected benefits of employment possibilities and earning potential. Popular pundits increasingly have reached the conclusion that American higher education is failing its students: it is not providing them the practical tools that will enable them to succeed in the job market, particularly if they major in “impractical” disciplines like philosophy, art history and anthropology. Politicians and public policy makers, influenced by this popular cost-benefit evaluation of higher education, have responded by funneling public funds to disciplines considered “practical” (such as science, mathematics, technology and engineering); by proposing legislation to help address the rising costs of higher education; and by targeting budget cuts at departments and programs thought to be under-enrolled or simply “impractical” – frequently programs associated with the humanities and fine arts. In the second general model of criticism, scholars of the education system argue that American colleges and universities have abandoned their obligations to teach students higher-order cognitive skills, and as a result students graduate with only minimal increases in their abilities to think and write both broadly and critically within a variety of disciplines. Higher education is, in the words of one widely-read analysis, “academically adrift,” and students are paying the price, measured not necessarily in post-graduation salaries but instead in failure to gain new competencies necessary to thrive in a globally-interconnected and complex future. In both models of criticism, the shortcomings identified are located within the powerhouses of American higher education: the large research university, where both resources and enrollments have invited public scrutiny. Mostly escaping this negative criticism, however, is the liberal arts college, which offers a type of education distinctive from that of the large university: institutions that prioritize broad-based undergraduate education for an increasingly complex, globally connected world;

curricula that emphasize the acquisition of the skills of critical thinking, complex reasoning, and written communication; and instruction that engages in high-impact teaching practices. The liberal arts college always has occupied a place in American culture defined by ideals of citizenship and responsibility. Its curriculum rests on depth and breadth, frequently interdisciplinarity. Students are encouraged to discern connections across a wide array of topics in the humanities, fine arts, sciences and social sciences – all within intimate classroom settings that foster participatory engagement. Broad inquiry, thoughtful discussion and lively debate draw practitioners of the liberal arts – learners as well as teachers – together in a community that changes everyone who becomes a part of it. As studies demonstrate, those who receive a liberal arts education are not only best equipped for the job market, they are also most likely to become the civically engaged and socially active citizens necessary for a robust democracy to flourish. Re:Thinking Education will encourage all of us to rethink, re-imagine and re-envision higher education in the 21st century. Over the course of this year, we expect to challenge and inspire, to transform and be transformed, and by so doing, to lead in conversations about education in America and the place of the liberal arts in a world that can benefit tremendously from the way we teach and learn. Visit http://www.wofford.edu/rethinkingeducation/events/ for a complete list of lectures, roundtable conversations, poetry readings, theater presentations, and more. President Benjamin B. Dunlap (in crimson) opened the 20122013 academic year with his talk “Why Are We Here? The Liberal Arts and the Meaning of Life.” Before the speech, made to a standing-room only crowd in Leonard Auditorium, the faculty gathered for their traditional opening photo.

Fall 2012 • Wofford Today • 9


Athletics SoCon academic honors

Hall named new women’s tennis coach Wofford named Krissy Hall as women’s tennis coach this past May. Hall, a native of Spartanburg and a Dorman High School graduate, has seven years of experience as a head coach at the Division I level, most recently at University of Alabama, Birmingham. Hall’s teams, in addition to their play on the court, have attained a high level of success academically, highlighted by the 2011 season in which her squad earned the Conference USA Sport Academic Award as the women’s tennis program with the highest GPA in the league. Hall also has led or assisted women's tennis programs at University of Wyoming, Virginia Tech and Washington State. Before beginning her coaching career, Hall was a standout as a four-year letter winner on the women’s tennis team at Virginia Tech from 1999-2003. She was a three-year captain and a nationally ranked singles player during her senior campaign. For her career, she posted a school-record 81 doubles victories while posting 160 total wins to rank second all-time in school history. Hall earned a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in 2003 and completed her master’s degree at the university in 2004. Formerly Kristen Stubbs, she was married to Matt Hall in July of 2005. The couple’s son Caleb was born Sept. 11, 2011. Hall’s brother, Andrew Stubbs ’08, played tennis for four years at Wofford and is currently the head men’s tennis coach at Winthrop. Stubbs earned All-Southern Conference honors all four seasons with the Terriers at number one singles and doubles.

Wilson drafted by Braves Pitcher Alex Wilson ’14 was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 15th round of the MLB Draft on June 15. Wilson was the 479th overall selection. It marks the second straight season the Braves have picked a Wofford pitcher in the 15th round. Wilson was second on the team with a 3.61 ERA on the season. He was fourth on the team with 51 strikeouts in 42.1 innings pitched. Wilson allowed only 17 earned runs as he posted a 2-3 record with one save. His 31 appearances (all in relief) were the most on the team and the fifth-most in the Southern Conference. For his career, Wilson has played in 54 games with two starts and has posted a 2-4 record. In 76.0 innings pitched he has 72 strikeouts and a 6.99 ERA. He has been named to the Southern Conference Academic Honor Roll all three seasons. Wilson is the fourth player to be drafted in the past six seasons, joining Brandon Waring ’08 (7th round, Reds) in 2007, Michael Gilmartin ’10 (27th round, Oakland) in 2009, and John Cornely ’11 (15th round, Braves) in 2011.

McGirt plays in first major William McGirt ’01 has had an outstanding season on the PGA Tour in 2012, playing in 26 tournaments and making the cut in 15 (as of Aug. 28). He finished second in the 2012 RBC Canadian Open with a -16 10 • Wofford Today • Fall 2012

for the tournament, which marked his best career finish. A highlight of his season was playing in the 2012 PGA Championship at Kiawah. While he did not make the cut, it was his first experience taking part in one of the four major tournaments. In the first tournament of the FedEx Cup, McGirt finished 10th at the Barclays held at Bethpage Black in New York. It was his third top 10 finish of the season. With several more tournaments to go, he has already earned $1.2 million on the year and has secured his Tour card for 2013.

Lenzly competes in 2012 London Olympic Games Former Terrier Mike Lenzly ’03 was named a member of the Great Britain basketball team on July 5. He played in several test matches prior to the games, including a contest against Team USA, where he guarded Kobe Bryant. Lenzly, however, injured his calf in the game and his participation in the London Games was in doubt. He kept his spot on the final roster, which was announced the day of the opening ceremonies. After missing the first game, he played six minutes against Brazil, hitting a three pointer before leaving the floor because of his injury. He did not see action in the final three games of pool play. “Outside of the obvious disappointment with my calf injury, the Olympic experience was truly amazing,” says Lenzly. “It was a great honor to be surrounded daily by so many great athletes from all around the world. Being an Olympian was a huge accomplishment for me and it’s something I’ll never forget.” Lenzly is still tied for the Wofford record with five blocked shots in a single game. Lenzly finished his Terrier career with 1,333 points in 116 games. He is still sixth in the record books with 169 3-point field goals made and seventh in 3-point field goals attempted with 467 giving him a 36.2 career 3-point field goal percentage. He led the team in points in 2001-02 with 418 and in 2002-03 with 455, and he was the team’s leading rebounder in 200203 with 146 rebounds. Lenzly is a member of the Wofford Athletic Hall of Fame and has been playing professional basketball in Europe since graduation. Lenzly became the second Terrier to represent their country in the Olympics as former women’s soccer player Ileana Moschos ’98 was on the Greek national team in the 2004 Olympics.

Wofford had 204 student-athletes recognized by the Southern Conference on the 2011-12 Academic Honor Roll, the highest number in college history. Wofford had seven student-athletes with a 4.0 grade point average – Mitch Allen ’11 (football), Paul Inclan ’14 (football), Katie Kessler ’14 (women’s cross country and track), Ethan Miller ’12 (men’s soccer), Justin Whitaker ’15 (men’s cross country and track), Alissa Willams (women’s cross country and track), and Rachel Woodlee ’13 (volleyball). The academic honor roll consists of student-athletes who participated in varsity sports at member institutions and posted a 3.0 grade point average or higher while passing at least 24 hours in two semesters of classes or its equivalent for other academic calendars.

Men’s basketball class of 2012 Three members of the men’s basketball class of 2012 have signed contracts to play professionally in Europe this fall. Brad Loesing signed with the PVSK-Panthers in Pecs, Hungary. A first team Academic AllAmerican, Loesing was the 2012 Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year. For his career, he scored 1,068 points to rank 33rd in college history. Loesing started a college record 130 games, all at point guard and finished third in college history with 483 career assists. Kevin Giltner will play for Keflavik in Reykjanesbaer, Iceland. Giltner earned All-Southern Conference honors during his senior season with the Terriers. For his career, he scored 954 points and is second in college history in games played with 131. He finished sixth in college history with 187 career three pointers. Drew Crowell signed to play with Team FOG Naestved in Denmark. Crowell started 32 games last season as the Terriers advanced to the postseason for the third-straight season. His field goal percentage of 60.8 was second in the SoCon and 30th in the nation. The other two members of the senior class, Matt Steelman and Joseph Tecklenburg also have plans for the fall. Steelman will serve as assistant men’s basketball coach at Anderson University in Indiana. Tecklenburg is a graduate student at the University of South Carolina working toward a master’s degree in public administration.

Eric Breitenstein named SoCon Preseason Player of the Year Running back Eric Breitenstein ’13 was named the Southern Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in voting conducted by the league’s head coaches. Breitenstein was named Offensive Player of the Year following the 2011 season and also garnered the same preseason honor one year ago. Breitenstein, from Valle Crucis, N.C., led the SoCon and ranked 10th nationally with 122.8 rushing yards per game. Breitenstein also earned a spot on the preseason Southern Conference All-Conference first team, along with offensive lineman Jake Miles ’12 and linebacker Alvin Scioneaux ’13. Offensive linemen Jared Singleton ’13 and Calvin Cantrell ’12 were named to the second team. by Brent Williamson

Panthers Quarterback Cam Newton took off his cleats, signed them and gave them to a special fan during Panthers summer training camp at Wofford. Sports Illustrated's Peter King ranked the Panthers camp as the fifth-best in the NFL: “I've always loved the feel of this place, in part because of the way the Panthers treat the fans who attend. Ten or 12 players sign until the last autograph, and you can walk around the Wofford College campus and see players if you pick the right time. Oppressively hot most of the time, but a postcard of a place.”

Panthers summer camp more popular than ever before

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ore than 44,000 people attended the 2012 Carolina Panthers training camp held July 27 through Aug. 15 at Wofford, according to the Spartanburg Convention and Visitors Bureau. That compared to 34,000 visitors in 2011. “That’s up almost 30 percent from last year’s record,” says Amy Phillips, marketing and communications manager for the CVB. About 35 percent of visitors were from beyond 50 miles away and spent almost $2 million during their visit to Spartanburg. The CVB said the 2012 camp garnered even greater nationwide appeal due to the team’s predicted improvement over the past year and rising star status of second-year starting quarterback Cam Newton. “This year, we had calls from as far away as California wanting to know the closest airport to fly into to see the training camp,” Phillips says. Panthers owner Jerry Richardson ’59 brought the training camp to Wofford during the team’s inaugural season in 1995, and it has been held on the campus every year since. Danny Morrison ’75 serves as president of the organization.


Williams puts animal care theory into practice during summer farm sanctuary experience

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Dr. Catherine Schmitz (associate professor of foreign languages) and Dr. Timothy Schmitz (associate professor and chair of the Department of History) and their daughter, Juliette, visited Trier, Germany, the town where Catherine lived as a child. While there they met former student Claudia Winkler ’08, who was teaching there in the summer. Winkler currently is pursing a doctoral degree in German at Georgetown University. The photo was taken in the Trier Market Square.

The Wofford Board of Trustees approved the following faculty promotions during the May board meeting: Promoted to associate professor Kara Lise Bopp (2005), assistant professor of psychology — Ph.D., Syracuse University Cynthia Twyford Fowler (2005), assistant professor of sociology — Ph.D., University of Hawaii at Manoa Daniel Bruce Mathewson (2005), assistant professor of religion — Ph.D., Emory University Bryan Garrick Splawn ’95 (2005), assistant professor of chemistry — Ph.D., Purdue University Amy Hope Dudley Sweitzer (2005), assistant professor of English — Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Nancy Michele Williams (2006), assistant professor of philosophy — Ph.D., University of Georgia Promoted to Professor Natalie Susette Grinnell (1997), associate professor of English — Ph.D., State University of New York at Buffalo Kirsten Andrea Krick-Aigner (1997), associate professor of French and German — Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara John Edward Lane ’77 (1988), director of Goodall Environmental Studies Center and associate professor of environmental studies — M.F.A., Bennington College Philip Graham Swicegood (2005), R. Michael James Family Professor of Finance — Ph.D., Florida State University

volunteered this past summer at a 300-acre farm in Orland, Calif., about 100 miles north of Sacramento. This farm is home to more than 300 pigs, sheep, cattle, chickens and other rescued farm animals. Given my teaching and research interests in care theory and animal ethics, I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to put theory into practice. The farm is one of three that Farm Sanctuary operates. Farm Sanctuary is the nation’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to providing farm animals protection from factory farming abuses. Since 1986 this organization has worked to expose the cruel practices of the “food animal” industry through research, undercover investigations, legal and legislative actions, public awareness projects, education, and direct rescue and refuge efforts. Their shelters in Los Angeles and Orland as well as Watkins Glen, N.Y., provide hundreds of rescued animals lifelong care. Their mission involves changing the way society views and treats farm animals while promoting compassionate vegan living. On Feb. 23, 2012, Farm Sanctuary received an emergency call about a bankrupted factory farm in northern California, where 50,000 hens used for egg production had been abandoned and left to starve for two weeks. By the time the rescue workers arrived thousands already had died in their cramped wire battery cages, but more than 350 hens were brought to the Orland farm for immediate on-site treatment. When I read this report I was moved and appalled by the degree of neglect and thoughtlessness. I wanted to get involved. I wanted to help. So I contacted the educational director and made arrangements about volunteering at the farm. After driving my RV across the country in late May, I set up “residence” at a nearby campground in Orland. Surrounded by seemingly endless farmland, gorgeous black buttes and crystal-clear lakes, tasty fig and cherry trees, and the biggest jack rabbits I’ve ever seen, I was in my element. On the farm I was fortunate enough to be given the special responsibility to care for those rescued hens. By the time I arrived,

And while I enjoyed learning about all the animals, their personalities, preferences, and quirks, I was particularly fond of the Holstein cows. Rescued from the dairy industry years ago, these gentle giants required intensive care and special feed because their legs had great difficulty supporting their large bodies. Though they moved slowly, they still had a spark in their eyes and an apparent will to live well. I liked being near them — their massive size coupled with palpable gentleness. I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with the good folks at Farm Sanctuary. I admire these caregivers for fighting the good but seemingly endless fight against animal cruelty and objectification. They bestow compassion and great affection to those who have no voice in our human-centered world, and they have my deepest respect. As I drove back across the country, passing by endless feedlots and countless cattle transport trucks, I thought of “Sassy Sue” and the other animals at Farm Sanctuary. I experienced a world within a world, an oasis of love for animals in a “desert” where they are too often seen as mere “commodities.” It was a good summer! To learn more about Farm Sanctuary visit the website at: farmsanctuary.org.

Williams with Kristy the cow. Photo by Renee Eady.

most of them were recovering nicely and growing stronger each day thanks to their competent and dedicated caregivers. Each morning gentle pecks greeted my pants leg when I opened the barn door to bring them their breakfast. I couldn’t help but notice their severed and mutilated beaks, a common practice in the poultry industry. It filled my heart with joy and purpose to see how happy they were to venture outside with me in their backyard. In the industry, these hens never see the outdoors, bask in the sunlight, take dust baths (which they love!), or scratch the earth. Here, at the farm, I saw how quickly they took to these natural behaviors with stupendous enthusiasm. One day, however, I was reminded about the fragility of life and the harshness of factory farming. While cleaning the barn, I noticed that one of the hens had died. As I cradled “Sassy Sue” in my arms, my sadness eased somewhat when I considered how she came to know, even if only for a short time, a kinder world where people really cared about her. Looking after the hens was only one of my duties while at the farm. Afternoons were filled with me and the other caregivers (staff and college interns from around the country) cleaning the pig, cattle, sheep, goat, and turkey barns. Raking and laying straw was new for me and certainly a change from what professors normally do. I had to learn how not to sweep up curious squirrels embedded in the thick layer of straw.

by Nancy Williams

Dr. Nancy Williams earned her doctorate in philosophy at the University of Georgia. She joined the department of philosophy at Wofford in 2006 and is now an associate professor. Her academic interests include ethics (especially animal and food ethics), feminist philosophy, and social and political philosophy.

Fall 2012 • Wofford Today • 11


e r u t u f e h t r Preparing fo

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omputer science and biology major Alissa Williams ’15 (left taking a swan boat ride in Boston with her cousin) completed an internship at Harvard Medical School/Children’s Hospital Boston this summer. The experience combined traditional laboratory work (wet benchwork) and computational work. “In addition to helping maintain cell cultures, dissect mice, and run PCRs, gels, and Western blots, I both used and wrote code to process all of the data produced by our experiments,” says Williams. “I particularly enjoyed the challenge of writing code to manipulate my data files. In addition, I got to experience Boston and other parts of the Northeast.” The top screen shot shows how much coding she completed and the output of portions of her code.

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t the Apen Institute: (left to right) Mackenzie Sawicki ’13 , Grace Wallace ’13 and Seth Knight ’13 were chosen for the highly selective, competitive and prestigious internships where students work with some of the most influential speakers and thinkers in the country.

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onathan Hanson ’13 (above left) poses with two Brazilian friends he met during his internships. Hanson spent the summer as a junior researcher in the computer modeling department at the Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora in Juiz de Fora, Brazil. His project involved exploring the development and use of tools to support the generation of meshes of the heart and visualization of cardiac simulations.

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hristopher Novak '14 and Erin Morgan '13 spent the summer working as interns for The Manipal Group, a conglomerate of financial and industrial companies headquartered in Manipal, India. Morgan and Novak are the fourth set of students to hold the internships, which are offered every year via a partnership between Wofford College and The Manipal Group. They worked in the strategy, accounting and finance divisions of the company. The internships were unpaid; however, the students' travel and living expenses were covered jointly by Wofford's Mungo Center for Professional Excellence and by the John M. Rampey Scholarship Fund. 12 • Wofford Today • Fall 2012

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om Wood ’13 interned with a group of stock traders this summer at BGC (Barclay's Global Corp.) in Canary Wharf, L o n d o n . Wo o d w a s assigned to the Middle East, Latin American and Africa Desk. “My main job was to write tickets that go to different banks when a trade is made.... It was a very long day working from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m., but very rewarding if lots of trades were made."

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aura Arthur ’13 completed a summer internship in the biomedical engineering department of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She worked in a lab that specializes in RNA interference as a cancer therapy. “The goal of my project was to optimize a drug carrier system that the lab had developed. I learned a lot of skills that will be helpful in graduate school and experienced the culture of research and life as a scientist,” says Arthur.

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ohn Jackson ’14 says that his internship at Milliken & Co. taught him the importance of communication and teamwork in a business environment. “In the Regulatory Department, I updated information in various databases and contacted raw material suppliers to ensure that products were compliant with current global regulations. Milliken is an innovative company, as seen through its diverse products, and this innovation is crucial to securing its success in the future,” says Jackson.


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homas Tafel ’12 (above) was part of an international team of students and scholars from Leiden University in Holland, the

University of Bern in Switzerland, the University of Helsinki in Finland

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tanding in front of a thermal vacuum chamber used to test spacecraft, Missy Gaddy ’14 (above) spent the summer restoring and analyzing data from the Lunar Ejecta and Meteorites (LEAM) Experiment on Apollo 17.

and Wofford that uncovered a unique combination of synagogue features from the Byzantine period during excavations on Horvat Kur in the Lower Galilee region of Israel. Tafel was among six Wofford students who worked the dig led by Dr. Byron McCane, the Albert C. Outler Professor of Religion and chair of the department at Wofford. To find out more, go to http://www.kinneret-excavations.org/.

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hroughout August, Philip Coffey ’14 (above left) participated in a project in Costa Rica studying how mantled howler monkeys respond to temperature variation throughout their habitats. The project has implications for how human thermoregulatory adaptations evolved. Coffey’s work in the project involved catching monkeys, participating in minor surgeries to implant temperature recording devices under their skin, and observing monkey behaviors. The research project is a collaboration of researchers from Ohio University, Duke University, High Point University and Northeast Ohio Medical University, where Dr. Chris Vinyard ’92 (above right) is an assistant professor. Coffey and Vinyard experimented with a new “W” symbol for their photo.

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his summer Brittany Walker ’13 worked in an organic chemistry lab under the direction of Dr. Jay Hanna at Winthrop University as a McNair Scholar. She helped synthesize novel compounds as potential anti-cancer drugs. “Quite naively, I started this summer research experience with the notion that every chemical reaction that I pulled from journal articles as well as the reactions I wrote out myself would proceed exactly as planned. I soon learned that ‘expect the unexpected’ was an apt phrase to apply to synthetic chemistry,” says Walker, who presented her preliminary findings at an end of year symposium. Fall 2012 • Wofford Today • 13


Alumni 1936

Wright Spears ’33: 100 and still working, ministering and praying for peace

Special thanks go out to Ellen DuPre Sassard Dayton, who wrote us a nice update concerning her father, Jack DuPre Sassard. He lives with her in San Luis Obispo, Calif. “He wants everyone to know he is still alive and kicking, and making a regular s he approaches his 100th contribution to Wofford,” she says. Sassard birthday on Oct. 22, 2012, was a colonel in World War II, working with the Rev. Wright Spears ’33 the Allied intelligence. Until he retired in takes no credit for his longevity. 1980, he was a vice president with McCor“That’s always been in God’s mick & Co. on the west coast. In October, hands,” says Spears, “but since he will celebrate his 96th birthday.

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1953 Retired physician Dr. Robert Holman was honored on July 26, 2012, when he was named Citizen of the Year by the Charity Lodge #62 AFM in Elloree, S.C. Holman practiced for more than 50 years and still volunteers at a free clinic in Orangeburg. He also has been awarded the Order of the Silver Crescent, and in 2006 he was honored by Wofford with the Alumni Distinguished Service Award. Holman and his wife, Pat, have been married for 56 years.

1954 Main Street South Carolina recently presented its Downtown Service Award to Bill Kinney. Kinney serves as vicechairman of the South Carolina Archives and History Commission and chair of the State Board of Review for the National Register of Historic Places. Main Street South Carolina is a service of the South Carolina Municipal Association. Kinney, owner/ editor of the Marlboro Herald-Advocate, lives in Bennettsville, S.C.

1957 Reunion, Homecoming 2012 Bill Crotzer was named an honorary

alumnus by Limestone College in May 2012. A retired bank executive, he and his wife, Ann, live in Gaffney, S.C.

1959 Class Chair, William N. Bradford Jr. Dr. Olin Sansbury spoke at the Lanier

Library in May 2012 as part of its Brown Bag Lunch series. The topic of his talk was American elections. Sansbury and his wife, Mary Ann, live in Tryon, N.C.

1960 Class Chair, Richard C. Robinson Joe Pugh presented several of his “Lively

History” presentations in the spring of 2012, and also a series on presidents for Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Ga. He and his wife, Alice, live in Decatur, Ga.

1962 Reunion, Homecoming 2012 Class Chair, Boyce M. Berry

Wake Forest University awarded its highest honor, the Medallion of Merit, to board of trustees lifetime member L. Glenn Orr Jr. on May 8, 2012. The honor is presented annually for outstanding achievement and distinguished contribution to the university. Orr serves as the chairman of Orr Holdings LLC and also serves on a number of company boards across different industries as well as non-profit organizations. 14 • Wofford Today • Fall 2012

I’ve been here I’ve tried to do what God wanted me to do… and it’s wonderful to have a couple of brain cells still left to do it with.” As usual, Spears is being modest. From his “electric chair” as he calls it, surrounded by telephones and notepads and books and letters, Spears maintains a vital telephone ministry that includes helping organize and plan the Lake Junaluska Peace Conference, an international conference that he helped found five years ago… yes, at the age of 95. “My greatest thought and prayer is that there comes a change in the world called peace. That’s the change I’m waiting for,” says Spears. “God means for all human beings to live together rather than to fight each other over prestige and power.” This year the conference will be held from Nov. 8-11, 2012, and brings a Nobel Peace Prize winner to Lake Junaluska among other prominent speakers and spiritual leaders to discuss ways to resolve conflict, achieve justice and build peace. Spears particularly appreci-

ates that the conference is attractive to and well attended by college students. Spears holds a special affinity for college students and Methodist higher education. A product of Wofford College and Duke Divinity School, Spears spent the first 16 years after he was ordained serving churches in South Carolina. He was serving the Ruby Charge, a five-church circuit in Chesterfield County when he was called to move to Orangeburg to direct youth work in the area. He filled in with the Bamberg Parrish and in Manning as well before being asked to take over as president of Columbia College. “I remember my daughter asking me when I became president of Columbia College, ‘Daddy, does this mean you’re going to stop preaching?’ I laughed and told her no, I’m just changing the membership of my church. Now I’ll be preaching to a whole bunch of people who love Christian higher education,” says Spears. For 26 years (from 1951 – 1977) Spears led Columbia College — through recovery after fire destroyed the heart of the campus in 1964, racial integration, and a period of increasing enrollment and national respect. “They stood it all they could,”

When Spears (above left) was a student at Wofford, Dr. Henry Nelson Snyder served as president and Dr. A. Mason DuPre was the dean. There were about 350 students on campus. Spears worked for DuPre among other jobs, including serving as editor of the Bohemian, selling shoes, soliciting dry cleaning, working as a janitor, managing a small boarding home near campus and writing a column of Wofford news for the Spartanburg HeraldJournal. He and his future wife, Mary Blue Smith, wrote a letter a day to each other when they were separated during college.

says Spears. “Basically I borrowed money and fixed the pipes… [On a more serious note] I’m proud of Columbia College in many ways but particularly for their ability to recover after the giant fire. There was nothing left. I saw qualities emerge in people — faculty, staff, Spears in his Lake Junaluska home office signing a copy of his students, alumnae — that only book, “One in the Spirit: Ministry for Change in South Carolina,” show up when tested. The characas a retirement gift for Wofford President Benjamin B. Dunlap. ter of the people in that place and at that time inspired me and gave me complete confidence in the future of Columbia College.” Columbia College folks love Spears as much as he loves them. To commemorate his 100th birthday, the Columbia College choir came to Lake Junaluska in March to perform a Jubilee Concert. “He is the heart of the college,” said Columbia College Chaplain Roy Mitchell during the event. The backdrop of Spears’ living room and office at his home in Lake Junaluska is a rich chestnut baby grand piano. Spears keeps it near as a way to feel close to his beloved, late wife, Mary Blue Smith Spears. “My sweet wife and I were together for 57 years,” says Spears. “We started first grade together in

Marlboro County (S.C.). Mary Blue was headed for Juilliard after finishing college. To the dismay of her professors, some whippersnapper of a Methodist minister took her away… but it gave the Methodist church an excellent minister’s wife and musician.” Marriage to Wright Spears also gave Columbia College a famous hostess, role model for young women, and patron of the arts. The college’s Spears Music and Art Center honors the years of service that Mary Blue and Wright Spears gave to the college. “I would be absolutely lost in higher education administration today because of the automation and sophistication of the technology,” says Spears. “So much has changed, but basically Christian higher education has adjusted well and Methodist Colleges in South Carolina — Claflin, Wofford, Spartanburg Methodist and Columbia College — have embraced and grown using new technologies — they have remained true to their original missions. I’m proud of them all.” by Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89


1964

1978

Class Chair, Charles W. Saunders Charlie Saunders has retired from

Class Chair, Richard W. Krapfel Gail Bragg Ball and her husband,

Wachovia Wealth Management, where he Randy, live in Woodruff, S.C. Gail retired was an attorney and vice president. He and as a tax accountant in July 2012 and now his wife, Vicky, live in Greensboro, N.C. enjoys being a full-time home maker. She also will be babysitting her 4-year 1965 old granddaughter this fall. Todd Heldreth and his wife, Carolyn, Bob McFarland is a broadcaster for are retired and live in Lexington, S.C., near Chesapeake-Portsmouth Broadcasting. the youngest of their 12 grandchildren. They He has done play-by-play for Goochremain active in community and church- land High School football since 2006. related activities. They also enjoy time spent McFarland also works at a Target store at Wofford, particularly tailgating during as a team member on the sales floor. He football season. lives in Richmond, Va. Adams Wofford and his wife, Sibyl, Steve Williams, an attorney at live in Durham, N.C. He is a clinical social Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, has been worker for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse chosen for inclusion in the 2013 ediTreatment Center. tion of “The Best Lawyers in America.” Williams’ practice area focuses on health 1969 care law. He and his wife, Diane, live in Class Chair, Richard L. Myers Greenville, S.C. The Rev. Jim Correll retired from the South Carolina United Methodist Confer- 1979 ence in June 2012. He had been pastor of Class Chair, Wade E. Ballard Trinity United Methodist Church in York, The Stuart and Margaret L. Forbes S.C. Correll and his wife, Evelyn, live in Foundation announced the addition of Lake Junaluska, N.C. F. K. McFarland III to its board of directors on July 25, 2012. McFarland is president and owner of McFarland Class Chair, Arthur W. “Buzz” Rich Funeral Chapel in Tryon, N.C. The Ralph Ortenzi and his wife, Margaret, foundation, established in 1998 by the live in West Palm Beach, Fla. Ortenzi is late Margaret Forbes, has distributed owner of the shipping company R.A.O. more than $400,000 in scholarships to Shipping. high school students and grants to local organizations. 1973

1970

Thomas “Tom” Coker, an attorney at Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, has been selected for inclusion in 2013 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” Coker’s practice focuses on litigation. He and his wife, Jill, live in Greenville, S.C.

1980 Class Chair, Paul D. Kountz Jr. Ashley Carder was awarded the

Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award on May 3, 2012, by the South Carolina Arts Commission. Carder taught himself fiddling in the old time and bluegrass 1974 traditions, sought out all the old living Class Chair, Jerry L. Calvert Buck Thackeray and his wife, the Rev. masters of the art he could find to learn Jan Thackeray, live in Defuniak Springs, from them, and has been passing that Fla. They are proud grandparents of four accumulated knowledge along to young folks. The award was created by the grandsons. legislature in 1987 to recognize lifetime 1975 achievement in the folk arts. Class Chair, John O. Moore Mike Taylor lives with his family Living in York, S.C., the Rev. (Ret.) Bill in Rutherfordton, N.C. He works as an Greeley is a therapist in the community insurance adjuster for Assurant Specialty counseling center at York Place, the Epis- Property. copal home for children. The Rev. John W. Hipp, a member of 1981 the Wofford Board of Trustees, has become Class Chair, G. Patrick Watson The Rev. William (Mike) Holder the United Methodist Church Florence District Superintendent. He and his wife, has been appointed senior pastor of First United Methodist Church-Brevard Carol, live in Florence, S.C. (N.C.) after serving 10 years as senior 1976 pastor at First United Methodist ChurchClass Chair, John W. Gandy Asheboro. Holder lives with his family Williamsburg Regional Hospital an- in Brevard, N.C. nounced in July 2012 the selection of Dr. Congratulations to Dr. Carol Troy B. Gamble Jr. as its chief medical of- Brasington Wilson ’81, professor of ficer. Gamble has served in private practice, English and coordinator of academic as associate professor at the University of advising at Wofford, and Dr. Beate South Carolina School of Medicine and as Brunow, assistant professor of foreign a director at Carolinas Hospital System of languages at Wofford. Their presentaFlorence. He lives in Florence, S.C. tion proposal was accepted for the 13th Annual Lilly Conference on College and 1977 University Teaching and Learning, held Reunion, Homecoming 2012 in September in New York. They spoke Class Chair, C. Stan Sewell Jr. on “Trust-full Learning.” Ken Reeder received the inaugural Harley Award presented by Wells Fargo 1983 Bank during a luncheon on March 7, Class Chair, W. Scott Gantt 2012. The recipient of the Harley Award Perry Holloway is deputy chief of is one nominated by his peers and elected mission in the Embassy of the United by senior management. A strong work ethic States in Bogotá, Colombia. His most is a criterion of the award. Reeder and his recent assignment was that of deputy wife, Sharon, live in Rock Hill, S.C. The chief of mission in the U.S. Embassy couple has three children. in Asuncion, Paraguay. Holloway, a career senior foreign service officer, is the recipient of six State Department Superior Honor Awards, two Meritori-

Coach DeBerry and Coach Ayers:

A consistent coaching philosophy at Wofford

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t Wofford Homecoming last October, just weeks before his induction into the National Collegiate Hall of Fame, Fisher DeBerry ’60 attended the annual reunion of the 1970 Wofford football team that played for the national championship. After dinner Friday evening DeBerry sat and talked quietly to his first collegiate team. He talked about the influence of Wofford on his life and career; he noted especially the influence of his mentor, Jim Brakefield. Outlining his philosophy of coaching, DeBerry spoke of his role as a teacher of young men and expressed his pride in the success his players have achieved. He spoke finally at great length about the need to teach young men to love each other. These words resonated powerfully over the ensuing days; but there were many distractions as I struggled to understand the full meaning of what DeBerry had said. With increasing frequency last fall, news from the world of sports spilled over from the sports page to the front page, from ESPN to the evening news. Football and intercollegiate athletics in general came under intense scrutiny and were portrayed negatively in much of the media. Athletes and athletics departments were viewed as counterproductive to the educational experience and a dangerous influence on campus life. Wofford has been very successful since joining the NCAA but has avoided much of this discord and controversy. Could this be related to DeBerry’s philosophy? Certainly several unique characteristics of the college play a role. First, with 1,600 students and about 350 faculty, staff and administrators, Wofford is small enough to be a true community; literally each person on campus is known to everyone else. Second, the Athletics Department is not an empire unto itself. Governance is strictly defined with the college president closely involved. The Wofford faculty is largely supportive of intercollegiate athletics. Third, Wofford student-athletes are fully integrated into the student body; there is no yawning gulf of privilege isolating the athletes. Finally, the priorities of the entire institution are properly focused on the academic mission of the college. As stated by head football coach Mike Ayers (U.S. News & World Report, November, 2009) “…graduation first; championships second.” Subsequent events demonstrated more positive aspects of intercollegiate athletics and made clear the essential meaning of

Tyson

DeBerry’s remarks. On Nov. 15, Mike Krzyzewski became the winningest coach in Division I men’s basketball. When the final buzzer sounded, Coach K walked across the court and hugged Bob Knight, who was courtside as an ESPN analyst. When later asked what he said to his mentor, Coach K said simply, “I told him I loved him.” Then, in early December, as reported in the Herald-Journal, Mike Ayers spoke to a group of atrisk kids. Describing his own life and the difficulties he faced, Ayers’ message was essentially, “If I could do it [succeed], then so can you.” Video highlights of his lockerroom speeches were shown. Ayers pointed out that, despite appear-

ances, he actually was not yelling at his players; “I was telling them how much I loved them.” Then, he told these kids he loved them, too. Clearly, then, this emphasis on love has been shared by extremely successful coaches in different sports at disparate institutions and in different eras. At Wofford this consistent theme in coaching philosophy has affected generations of football players, undoubtedly contributing to Wofford’s success on the gridiron and the success of the athletes in post-graduate life. Thus, Ayers brought me full circle back to DeBerry’s remarks made to a group of men some 40 years after he helped coach us to an undefeated season. I finally understood what both men were saying: that of all the positive aspects of intercollegiate football, this opportunity to teach young men that they are loved and to love each other is most important. From this comes respect for self, teammates, family and the larger community, as well as an increased likelihood of success in life. What I am compelled to add is that this effort requires coaches and mentors of the highest character. In this regard, from Fisher DeBerry to Mike Ayers, Wofford indeed has been very fortunate. by George Tyson ’70

“Wofford College holds a unique position among collegiate athletics today. It is still a place where you are a football player for several hours in the afternoon and for the remainder of the day, you are a Wofford student. Heartfelt thanks to Coach Brakefield, Coach DeBerry, and especially Wofford College, for loving me.” Sterling Allen ’71, co-captain 1970 Terriers

“In this essay of reflection and ultimate appreciation, Dr. Tyson captures a special time in the lives of a group of student-athletes at Wofford College. He reminds us of the value of dedicated teachers, in this case, coaches. And, somewhat uniquely, the lessons that were taught emphasized love and selflessness, arguably rare in an athletic forum, then and now. But, these have proven to be special people at a special place with a message that is more relevant than ever.” Harold Chandler ’71, co-captain 1970 Terriers.

“We won because we loved each other and we didn’t care who got the credit. What a great lesson for our country today.... Mike Ayers is one of the greatest and most respected coaches in college football at any level! He is respected because he wins and wins with class, the right way! He is concerned about the men his players become, their character and integrity, more than he is about how many touchdowns or tackles they made. His leadership makes every coach wish his son could play for Mike Ayers.” Fisher DeBerry ’59, assistant coach 1970 Terriers

“Mike Ayers demands more of his players. Sometimes, more than they believe they are capable of. However, because they know he cares and that he believes in them, they always deliver. Mike’s teams always overachieve.” Richard Johnson, Wofford College director of athletics

“These coaches and others taught us that our responsibilities to friend, family and self are great and the journey is our reward. Many people made sacrifices to fund our educations and it is our choice on how we capitalize on and return those gifts.” Ed Wile ’73

Fall 2012 • Wofford Today • 15


ous Honor Awards, and one Group Superior 1990 Honor Award. He and his wife Rosaura, Class Chair, Scott W. Cashion have two children. Dr. Douglas E. Wood is program officer at The Ford Foundation. He works on 1984 higher education issues, with an emphasis Class Chair, Kenneth Kirkpatrick on the needs of students from poor and Brad Church has been named regional marginalized communities in the U.S. sales manager for mortgages of PNC Fi- Wood lives in New York, N.Y. nancial Services Group. A veteran of more than 26 years in the mortgage industry, he 1991 previously headed the residential mortgage Class Chair, Leslee Houck Page division at RBC. Church and his wife, Chris Doar and his wife, Lauren, live Elisabeth, live in Raleigh, N.C. in Greenville, S.C. Chris is an antique and Living in Winston-Salem, N.C., Kevin estate sales adviser and also a paid political Mundy is sales and marketing manager blogger. The couple has two children. for the Sawtooth School for Visual Art. Ellis O’Tuel is a financial adviser for Mundy has a broad range of experience, the Main Street Group. He and his wife, having worked previously for Sara Lee/ Jan, live in Pawleys Island, S.C. Hanesbrands, the United Way, and most 1992 recently, Express Graphics. Now serving as president of the Breath Reunion, Homecoming 2012 of Life Foundation, Tim Walter is honor- Class Chair, Nicholle P. Chunn Davie Burgdorf was promoted to lieuing the memory of his late wife, Darlene Westmoreland Walter, by becoming an tenant colonel in the United States Army advocate in the cause of cancer research. Reserve on May 12, 2012. A few days earlier Together with his sons, Price and Cooper, he he began an active duty tour at Fort Lee as organized a fashion show in Mount Pleasant, a force development officer. Burgdorf also S.C., that produced more than $22,000 for is vice president of business development the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical for Verus Government Solutions. He lives University of South Carolina. Mrs. Walter in Williamsburg, Va. Amy Edmonds Mathisen has joined died in October 2010 at the age of 51 after a battle with lung cancer. “Breath of Life the law firm of Luzuriaga Mims LLP as is our way of turning this tragedy into an special counsel. Mathisen practices in the opportunity,” says Tim. “We wanted to do area of workers’ compensation defense something that would make a difference law. She lives with her family in Mount one day and try to justify Darlene’s cancer. Pleasant, S.C. Dr. Aqil Surka lives with his family in If our efforts can help even one person, Spartanburg. He is a physician at Pediatric Darlene’s wishes will be fulfilled.” Tim is Associates. a vice president for the Beach Company in Charleston. For more information on Breath of Life, he invites Wofford friends to visit the website at supportbreathoflife.com. Cal Watson, an attorney at Seven Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte, has been included in the 2013 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” Watson’s practice area centers on litigation and professional malpractice. He lives with his wife, Cathy, in Columbia, S.C. The couple’s daughter, Catherine Watson, is a member of the class of 2016.

1985 Class Chair, Timothy E. Madden Michael D. Carrouth has been

Class Chair, Sarah C. Sawicki Nexsun Pruet attorney Molly Hughes Cherry has been named one of the Top 250

Women in Litigation by legal publishers Benchmark Litigation. Cherry is a partner in the firm’s Charleston office. She serves on the South Carolina Employment and Labor Law Specialization Advisory Board and also is an active member of the International Association of Defense Counsel. Amber Wilkie Furnas and her husband, Chase, live in Spartanburg. Amber is office manager for the property management firm of Chase E. Furnas & Co. The couple has two children. Dr. David D. Grier, assistant professor in the department of pathology at Wake Forest School of Medicine, has been named associate dean for admissions and student financial services. He and his wife, Ana, live in Winston Salem, N.C. Class Chair, Alicia N. Truesdail Maj. Jimmy W. Boan recently was

promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel Class Chair, Brand R. Stille Duane Haimbach is first vice president in the Georgia Army National Guard at and financial adviser for Merrill Lynch. He Clay National Guard Center in Marietta, Ga. He serves as the JFHQ-G6 information lives in Moore, S.C. branch chief. Boan lives with his family in 1987 Woodstock, Ga.

Reunion, Homecoming 2012 Bryan Adams has been included in the 1995 2012 Chambers USA “America’s Leading Class Chair, Brandie Y. Lorenz Derek Brown has moved to Hanover, Lawyers for Business.” He is a partner in the

law firm of Van Hoy, Reutlinger, Adams & N.H., where he is the director of developDunn PLLC. Adams and his wife, Meg, live ment at the Audrey and Theodor Geisel in Charlotte, N.C. The couple has two sons. School of Medicine at Dartmouth College.

1988

1996

Class Chair, Curt L. Nichols Jr. Class Chair, C. Lane Glaze Attorney Ryan L. Beasley was named Sara Boone teaches English for the

Horry County School District. She lives by Super Lawyers as one of the Top Young Attorneys in S.C. Rising Stars for 2012. in Murrells Inlet, S.C. He also received an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest possible rating from his peers in both legal 16 • Wofford Today • Fall 2012

Dr. Melvin D. Medlock ’54 (left) and Dr. Mac Poole ’55 (right) with their medical practice partner Dr. Eric Cole ’99 at a retirement reception held at Wofford in their honor. The Southern Conference also honored Medlock and Poole by presenting them with the Southern Conference Distinguished Service Award. Since 1963, the two partners in family practice have served the medical needs of Wofford students, Wofford student-athletes and the greater Spartanburg community. Throughout the years Poole and Medlock also have been honored by the Wofford Lettermen’s Club, the Wofford National Alumni Association and the Wofford student’s Captain’s Council. In 2010, Dr. and Mrs. Mac Poole III established the M.C. Poole Endowed Scholarship Fund in memory of Mac’s father, Mac Collier Poole Jr. ’26 and their son, Mark Collier Poole ’82. Preference goes to a student-athlete on the football team. In addition to their work at Wofford and their successful family practice, Poole and Medlock have raised families, volunteered at St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic and participated in medical mission trips together. They’ve been friends to Wofford College, their patients and each other for more than 50 years.

1993

included in the 2012 Chambers USA “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.” He is a partner with the law firm of Fisher & Phillips LLP. Carrouth and his wife, Eileen, live in Columbia, S.C. R. Howard Coker has been elected chair of the Coker College Board of Trustees. Coker is vice president of Global Rigid Paper and Closures at Sonoco. He and his wife, 1994 Rhonda, live in Hartsville, S.C.

1986

Poole and Medlock retire; receive SoCon Distinguished Service Award

Following the president's state of the college address on Saturday, Oct. 27, in Leonard Auditorium, the Wofford College National Alumni Association will present the 2012 Alumni Service Awards. Honored this year are: Sam Clowney ’01, Young Alumnus of the Year Clowney, the director of community engagement for Teach for America in Charlotte, N.C., is originally from Spartanburg and was a Bonner Scholar while he was a Wofford student. In his position he has mentored a series of Wofford alumni involved in this outstanding program. He is a 2004 graduate of the Candler School of Theology of Emory University, where he was a Woodruff Fellow. Clowney also has taught in the Atlanta Public Schools system and worked effectively as the director of multicultural affairs and leadership programs at Wofford. Clowney Bill Drake, Distinguished Citizen Award Since the mid-1970s, Spartanburg citizens have been “awake with Drake” on morning radio. In a way that is distinctive among modern news media professionals, he has worked for community improvement. For many years, for example, he has organized and hosted a “Battle of the Brains” program for area schools. For decades, he served as the “voice of the Terriers” on the public address system at Gibbs Stadium and the Benjamin Johnson Arena. Drake James Meadors ’81, Distinguished Service Award Meadors is the principal and founder of Meadors Inc., a design- build firm based in Charleston, S.C., that focuses on new construction and historic preservation using sustainable building practices. He is the chairman of the Charleston Green Committee and is the recipient of the 2010 Leadership in Green Building / Public Sector Award, given by the S.C. Chapter of the USGBC. His company also won the 2012 Palmetto Trust for Historic Preservation Honor Award for 93 & 97 Broad Street. An outstanding Terrier football player during his undergraduate days, Meadors has two children who are Wofford Meadors alumni, and he is a former member of the Parents Advisory Council.


by Doyle Boggs ’70 Book notes:

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offord’s favorite border collie, “ Ch a s e r, ” i s h a v i n g h e r biography published! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has acquired the rights to Professor Emeritus John Pilley’s manuscript “The World’s Smartest Dog” for publication in the fall of 2013. The book describes how Chaser learned more than 1,000 words, becoming the subject of dozens of stories on television and in worldwide printed media last spring.

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ally Ryder Brady featured “The Ragged Way People Fall Out of Love” by Elizabeth Cox as one of her “five best novels about broken hearts” in the Sept. 3 issue of the Wall Street Journal. Published in 1991, the book was Cox’s second novel. Cox holds the John C. Cobb Endowed Chair in the Humanities at Wofford.

The Amazing Mayor Grace” by Doyle Boggs ’70 is scheduled to be published in time for Christmas by Evening Post Books in its Charleston Reader Series. John Burbage ’70 and Holly Holladay ’11 are the editors.

Dr. Bennie H. Reynolds III ’99, “Between Symbolism and Realism: The Use of Symbolic and NonSymbolic Language in Ancient Jewish Apocalypses, 333-63 B.C.E.” (Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 2011.)

During the era of Judaism’s second temple, a genre of apocalyptic literature evolved, depicting visions of the violent end of the world with the final destruction of evil and the coming of God’s kingdom. Written in Hebrew, Aramaic or Greek in different times and places, many of these important texts were lost during the years of Roman occupation. Dr. Byron McCane, Wofford’s Albert C. Outler Professor of Religion, explains that in this expanded version of his doctoral dissertation, Reynolds examines the role of realism and contrasting symbolism in these writings. Drawing upon the Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as postmodern literary theory, Reynolds argues that the vivid symbolism of many apocalyptic documents communicated very clearly and effectively with ancient readers. Similar images of animals and beasts appear over and over. Such recurrent symbols were, Reynolds argues, readily recognizable to ancient readers. “My studies at Wofford with Dr. John Bullard and in graduate school helped me understand that scriptures should not be viewed in black and white, but in color,” Reynolds says. “There are some amazing nuances in these writings, and there’s much

more meaning to them than a literal translation of the text would suggest.” Reynolds, who earned his doctorate at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and has had an opportunity to teach there, is now a member of the faculty at Millsaps College, Wofford’s sister United Methodist campus in Jackson, Miss. He says he enjoys teaching undergraduates, particularly in the humanities seminar that is a distinctive feature of the Millsaps experience. He also offers an upper level course in which he asks students to compare modern apocalyptic literature such as “The Book of Left Behind” with classical counterparts. Meanwhile, Reynolds continues his important research. One current project explores interpretations of the Book of Genesis during the second temple period. He is also editing a book of commentary on ancient Jewish prophecy and exploring demonology in the Dead Sea Scrolls. Reynolds’ wife, Katrina Kuhns Reynolds ’97, is the chief revenue officer at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. It is the only medical research university in the state with 9,000 employees and an annual budget of $1.3 million. They have two children, ages 8 and 3. “We’re very happy in Mississippi,” Reynolds says. “There are fine people here working hard to make their home state better.”

the Third Reich and spent the war years in Shanghai. There were actually 17,000 of these Germanspeaking refugees living on the China coast, and the documentation of their experiences in this book is fascinating and very emotional. “Unredeemed Past” has found a wide international audience and has opened the doors for Krick-Aigner to become even more widely respected as a leading scholar of modern German-language literature. Krick-Aigner and Martin Aigner, PC and media specialist at Wofford, are happy to announce that they will be united with their second daughter Fei Xue ("Fay Shuey") in China later this year.She is 8 months old, and her birthday is Dec. 20, 2011.

John Lane ’77, “Begin with Rock, End with Water: Essays.” (Mercer University Press, 2012.)

John Lane has won two major literary awards in recent months. He claimed a poetry prize from the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA) for “Abandoned Quarry.” (Mercer University Press, 2010). He also won the $1,500 Glenna Luschei Prairie Schooner Award for his essay, "Sardis," published in the spring issue of the important literary journal at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Lane’s newest book is his third collection of essays on environmental Dr. Kirsten A. Krick-Aigner, concerns. The 16 exceptional first-

“Unredeemed Past: Themes of War and Womanhood in the Works of Post War II Austrian Women.” (Ariadne Press, 2011.)

D r. K i r s t e n K r i c k - A i g n e r, professor of German at Wofford, successfully combines history and literature, Holocaust studies and women’s studies in this fascinating survey. It cites fiction, creative non-fiction and memoirs from a range of perspectives, with superb translations from German into English by the author. A chapter of particular interest is “The Lost World,” a study of Jewish Austrian women who fled

person narratives address several themes, but focus on rivers such as the Chattooga, Reedy and Tallahatchie. The essays reflect Lane’s experiences as director of the Goodall Environmental Studies Center. The award-winning “Sardis” is the first selection in the volume.

an intruder in his home. From there, the story has many twists and turns, weighing what seems to be a necessary evil against a greater evil. Lancaster is a former newspaper reporter and a retired Presbyterian minister who now lives with his wife, Marty, in Greenville, S.C.

Brian Baxter ’94, “The Sports Mindset GamePlan: An Athlete’s Guide to Building and Maintaining Confidence.” (SPINw, 2012.)

Barron Wheeler ’60, “Wheeler Family Stories & Tall Tales of South Carolina.” (2012, Available on Amazon.com.)

Brian Baxter, director of the Sport Psychology Institute Northwest, has written a guide to helping athletes reach their peak performance and confidence on a more consistent basis. The GamePlan provides the mental foundation for a program of technical, tactical and physical training through focus questions and action steps. The techniques suggested are applicable to individual skills as well as team sports such as soccer. Baxter and his wife, Debbie, live in Portland, Ore., with their sons Hawk and Zavier. s

“I hope that those of you who read this will be reminded of the importance of families,” writes Barron Wheeler as he begins his book. He is successful in that effort, particularly in the account of Charles Oliver Wheeler’s experience as a Confederate soldier from the time he left home in 1861 through Appomattox. Wheeler lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with Linda, his wife of 50-plus years.

The Rev. Dr. William Lancaster ’67, “The Beast and the Cross” (2012, available on Amazon.com.) In a novella as relevant as today’s headlines, “The Beast and the Cross” tells the story of a minister living on the Charleston peninsula in 1975. To protect his family, this firearms owner and expert shoots and kills $15.00

Proceeds support the Talmage and Beverly Keadle Skinner Endowed Scholarship Fund at Wofford College. Printed in the U.S.A. by Southeastern Printing, Inc., Spartanburg, S.C.

TB Skinner Book Cover.indd 1

8/6/11 4:24:50 PM

T

he Rev. Dr. Talmage Skinner, chaplain emeritus of Wofford, will be signing copies of his book of 27 essays (devotionals in a sense) during the Homecoming luncheon, Oct. 27, 2012, behind Main Building. The book signing also will feature other faculty, staff and alumni authors. Proceeds from Skinner's book support the Talmage and Beverly Keadle Skinner Endowed Scholarship Fund at Wofford.

Fall 2012 • Wofford Today • 17


Richardson-Frick finds fulfillment in rural church work

K

risten Richardson-Frick ’97 keeps pinching herself. It may seem cliché, but the reality of her dream job still hasn’t completely registered, and she goes to work every day thinking, “Wow, this is really what I do.” A program officer in the Rural Church program area for The Duke Endowment, Richardson-Frick works with the more than 1,100 rural churches in North Carolina as well as the 16 districts, two conferences and Duke Divinity School. “I travel a lot, so I get to talk with pastors as they are in the planning and early implementation stages of ministry programs that are going to make a real difference in their communities,” says Richardson-Frick. “I become a conversation partner and help them with their vision. Thanks to James B. Duke and the trustees of The Duke Endowment, I also can be a part of helping with funding in many cases.” The Duke Endowment, with total assets of $2.7 billion, distributed $11.4 million — $7.9 million in new grant initiatives — through the Rural Church program area during 2011. Other areas of focus include health care, childcare and higher education. Covered under the Rural Church umbrella are retired clergy and their families, building programs, and operations and maintenance. James B. Duke’s Indenture of Trust states that the purpose of this program area is “to strengthen rural United Methodist churches in North Carolina.” “Mr. Duke once said that if he ever amounted to anything, it was thanks to his daddy and the Methodist church,” says Richardson-Frick. “At The Duke Endowment, we’re proud to be able to say that we have distributed more in grants over the years, since 1924, than we have in asset value today.” Richardson-Frick’s route to her dream job, however, didn’t come without blocked paths or winding roads. “I had been accepted into the early assurance program at MUSC (the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston),” says Richardson-Frick, who majored in biology and French at Wofford. “I was headed to medical school, but toward the end of my senior year, I began to feel uneasy.” Richardson-Frick deferred acceptance for a year, worked parttime to meet expenses and spent a lot of time volunteering at Lexington United Methodist Church, her home church. She enrolled at Duke Divinity School in the fall of 1998. “It wasn’t a decision that surprised a lot of people, but it surprised me,” she says. After three years at Duke, Richardson-Frick began serving churches in South Carolina: Grace United Methodist in North Augusta; Wagener United Methodist in a rural community 35 minutes from where she grew up; Swansea United Methodist in the rural Lexington County; and St. Paul’s United Methodist in Orangeburg, a rural-county seat church. “I loved serving as a pastor, and I felt fulfilled, but I also felt that maybe there was something else I was called to do in ministry,” says Richardson-Frick. “I felt like my gifts matched my pastoral work, but as the mother of two small children, I discovered it was hard to sustain the level of energy and commitment I needed.” Richardson-Frick did what any good Methodist preacher would do. She prayed. At the same time, The Duke Endowment was looking for someone to fill a position in the Rural Church program area. Richardson-Frick proved to be an ideal candidate.

1997 Reunion, Homecoming 2012 Class Chair, Beth M. Guerrero Bryson Worley is assistant prin-

cipal, assistant athletic director and head men’s golf coach at Gainesville High School (Ga.) Under Worley’s leadership, the golf team recently captured the Georgia AAA State Championship, and Worley was named the State Coach of the Year.

1998 Class Chair, Casey B. Moore Alex Cone has joined Salke-

The Fricks’ Easter picture (left to right) John, John Edward, Kristen and Tyoma. At the time Kristen Richardson-Frick was serving as pastor of St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Orangeburg. She is now a program officer with The Duke Endowment.

“One of my highlights is driving through the countryside, feeling like I’m in the middle of nowhere, then all of the sudden I go around a curve and see this beautiful brick or stone church, whose ability to build that structure came in part from The Duke Endowment’s grants, at the center of a small community,” says RichardsonFrick, who started working with The Duke Endowment on June 18. “Then I go inside and meet pastors and church leaders who show me their community gardens that have become gathering spots and places of joy and hope in the middle of their small town, or I tour a food pantry, pre-school or summer program and discover how they’re helping people living in difficult situations, in part thanks to the endowment’s program grants.” Richardson-Frick channels the hope and joy that she’s surrounded by everyday in her work into her family life as well. She and her husband, John, stay busy enjoying their two sons, John Edward (7) and Tyoma (almost 5). The Fricks adopted Tyoma from Russia on his third birthday. They live in Fort Mill, S.C., a short drive from The Duke Endowment’s Charlotte, N.C., headquarters. “Again, I can’t believe that this is my job,” says Richardson-Frick. “I get to be a small part of helping the people in rural churches change lives in communities that people sometimes forget in the busyness of their urban or suburban lives. It’s nice to know Mr. Duke remembered.” by Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89

18 • Wofford Today • Fall 2012

ability and ethical standards. Beasley also was named one of Greenville’s Legal Elite for Criminal Practice by “Greenville Business Magazine.” Beasley is principal of Ryan Beasley Law Firm in Greenville, S.C. Thom Henson and his wife, Perry Vandiver Henson, live in Spartanburg, S.C. Thom is assistant director of annual fund leadership gifts at Wofford. Perry is a counselor in Wofford’s Hugh S. Black Wellness Center. The couple has two children. Matt Solomon and his wife, Donyelle, live in Eagle, Colo. Solomon is the founder/manager of Alpine Arms.

hatchie Arts as marketing and operations manager. He will work to coordinate marketing strategies and also will assist with production duties of the annual Salkehatchie Stew community plays. Cone lives in Allendale, S.C. Living in Asheville, N.C., Sarah Richards Fowler is an accountant and benefits plan administrator for the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville. The Rev. Will Malambri and his wife, Sally Gray Malambri ’97, moved to Florence, S.C., this summer. Will is senior pastor at Central United Methodist Church in Florence, S.C. The couple has two children. Wells Shepard has taken a position with Jenzabar, a higher education consulting, strategy and software firm. He had served Wofford in the admission office for the past five years as associate director and director of admission. Shepard and his wife, Bobbie Jean, live in Spartanburg.

1999 Class Chair, Zach Atkinson Living in Charlotte, N.C., Matt Drinkhahn is a sales manager for

Time Warner Cable Business Class. Rebecca Raulerson Parrish is community mobilizing coordinator for Partners for Active Living in Spartanburg. She and her husband, Remsen Parrish ’00, have relocated to Spartanburg. Kortney Shearin lives in Raleigh, N.C. She is a K-5 ESL (English as a second language) teacher at Timber Drive Elementary School. South Carolina Bank and Trust announced the promotion of Larry Windham Jr. to vice president in July 2012. He joined the staff of SCBT in 2003 working in credit administration and as a commercial relationship manager. Windham and his wife, Sarah Lyles Windham, live in Saint George, S.C. The couple has two children.

2000 Class Chair, Andy Hoefer Rion Cobb has been elected to

the board of directors of Palmetto Project, a non-profit organization whose mission is to put new ideas to work solving problems in South Carolina. He also is a member of the board of directors of the Rotary Club. Cobb is a vice president of Terminix Services Inc. and lives in Columbia, S.C., with his wife, Charlotte. Coastal Carolina Hospital named Brad Talbert as its new chief executive officer effective Aug. 6, 2012. He had been chief operating officer of Hilton Head Hospital. Talbert is a fellow of the American College of Healtcare Executives. He and his wife, Jennifer, live in Hilton Head Island, S.C. The couple has two children. Jonathan Williams was elected to the board of directors of the South Carolina Tobacco Collaborative, a statewide assembly of the leading health organizations, community coalitions, and businesses committed to reducing the toll of tobacco use in S.C. He also is a member of the board of directors of Palmetto Project. Williams is an assistant attorney general and lives in Columbia, S.C., with his wife, Stephanie.

2001 Class Chair, Jenna S. Bridgers Ashley Toole DuRant and

her husband, Christopher, live in Manning, S.C. DuRant is the new events administrator for Weldon Auditorium and will be responsible for drawing national and local talent to the Weldon stage. Dr. Framp Henderson lives in Charleston, S.C., where he is a physician at Northwoods Family Practice. Joshua Hudson is an attorney at Talley Law Firm P.A. He and his wife, Erin Veazey Hudson, live in Lexington, Ky. The couple has two children. Singer/songwriter Mac Leaphart has been busy working on a new record at Mantis Studios in North Charleston. He also performed a number of shows during the summer, including ones in Hilton Head, Beaufort, Charleston and Greenville, S.C., Atlanta, Ga., and Raleigh, N.C. Leaphart has plans to move to Nasheville, Tenn. He currently lives in Greenville, S.C. Sharreka Williams is a psychologist with the Coastal Evaluation Center, a South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice facility in Ridgeville, S.C.

2002 Reunion, Homecoming 2012 Class Chair, Yorke Gerrald Lori King Cromartie and

her husband, Brad, live in Pawleys Island, S.C. Cromartie became director of operations for Carolina Holdings Group LP on June 11, 2012. Will Johnson, an attorney at Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd, has been selected for inclusion in the 2013 edition of “The Best Lawyers in America.” Johnson’s area of practice focuses on tax law. This is the first


time that he has been included in this publication. Johnson lives in Columbia, S.C. Joel Key and his wife, Joanna Ramsey Key, are owners of Fort Mill Pharmacy in Fort Mill, S.C., where Joel is a pharmacist. Joanna is director of donor relations at Winthrop University. Their son, Joel Benjamin Key, was born Feb. 27, 2012. Michael Malone has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander in the United States Navy and is serving at the United States Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Va. Malone also earned his master’s degree in business administration from the Naval Postgraduate School. He and his wife, Abbe, live in Seaside, Calif., with their son, Gabriel. Leonard Millsaps is owner of Minuteman Press of Snellville (Ga.) He and his wife, Ashley, live in Grayson, Ga.

2003 Class Chair, Tracy Howard Congratulations to Jenni Lister, who has been promoted to direc-

tor of admission at Wofford. Jenni has worked in admission at Wofford as a student, an admission counselor, assistant director and, most recently, as associate director of admission. Jenni earned her master’s degree in organizational leadership at Vanderbilt University. Edward Moseley and his wife, Alison, have moved from Miami, Fla., to Melbourne, Australia. The couple has accepted assignments with a higher education subsidiary of the Washington Post Company based in Melbourne. Donald Santos lives in Charlotte, N.C. He earned a master’s degree in real estate and corporate finance from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and is a development/ finance manager for CharlotteMecklenburg Housing Partnership. Dr. Craig Selander and his wife, Dr. Sara Shields Selander ’05, live in Florence, S.C. Craig is a surgeon at Pee Dee Surgical Group, and Sara is a physical therapist.

2004 Class Chair, Fred A. Byers II Stephen Davis teaches lin-

Living in Sarasota, Fla., Meg Corbett Richardson is an archi-

tectural historian at Archaeological Consultants Inc. Meghan Turner Swink is the continuing medical education coordinator for McLeod Health. She lives with her family in Florence, S.C. Jeff Zolman lives in Philadelphia, Pa., where he is enrolled in graduate school at the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania.

2006 Class Chair, Hadley E. Green Dr. Sheldon A. Bates has

completed his residency in orthodontics at Virginia Commonwealth University, receiving a master’s of science degree in dentistry. Bates lives in Richmond, Va., where he is owner of Bates Orthodontics. Sarah Evans lives in Charleston, S.C. She is director of the loyalty fund and donor relations for Ashley Hall. Living in Columbus, Ohio, Erin Higgenbotham is a clinical fellow at Ohio State University’s counseling and consultation service. Derek Newberry and his wife, Erin Bailey Newberry ’07, live in Charleston, S.C. Derek is an attorney at Wilkes Law firm and Erin is a senior associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Gabrielle Linder Poole is a physician assistant at Redi Care. She and her husband, Anthony, live in Greenville, S.C. Julius Richardson works as an intern at Kevin Harris Architect LLC. He lives in Baton Rouge, La. Dr. Ryan Richardson Smith

is a pediatric dentist at Coastal Pediatric Dentistry. Smith earned a certificate in pediatric dentistry after completing training at the post-graduate program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Children’s Hospital of Alabama. She and her husband, Terry, live in Bluffton, S.C.

2007 Reunion, Homecoming 2012 Class Chair, Hunter L. Miller Katherine Aul earned a master’s

degree in landscape design from Columbia University in May 2012. She lives in New York, N.Y. Congratulations to Meredith Smith and Cally Patterson ’10, members of the Medical University of South Carolina’s Occupational Therapy class of 2012. Smith and Patterson tied for having the highest GPA in the class and were awarded the Dean’s Award. Smith works at Duke University Medical Center.

guistics, business and economics for several universities in Beijing, China, including Beijing City University and Beijing Language and Culture University. Ashley Elizabeth Doyle lives in Greer, S.C., and is associated with Greenville Hospital System. Curtis Nash has been named the head boys basketball coach at Woodruff High School. He lives 2008 in Spartanburg.

2005 Class Chair, Ryan M. Waller Kristen Keroson Clements,

a first-grade teacher at Berryhill Elementary School in Charlotte, N.C., was chosen as Teacher of the Year for the 2011-12 school year. She lives in Charlotte with her husband, John Clements ’04, who is an attorney.

Class Chair, Nathan Madigan Mary Parks Anderson and

Ecuador, with the Dental Community Fellowship in March 2012. He is enrolled in graduate school at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Caitlin Clifford is an OB/ GYN resident at Franklin Square Medical Center. She received her degree in osteopathic medicine in 2012 from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Clifford lives in Baltimore, Md. Tyler Cook is an emergency department physician assistant at Cape Fear Valley Hospital. He lives in Fayetteville, N.C. Sarah Shelley Ford is vice president, business development relationship manager for First Citizens Bank. She and her husband, Brian Ford, live in Columbia, S.C. Sarah Hite Kennedy and her husband, Whitner Kennedy ’09, live in Greenville, S.C. Sarah is an early interventionist/special education teacher at Woodruff Primary School. Living in Lexington, S.C., Yumi Kobayashi teaches mathematics in Richland County School District One. Dr. Jamie McClain is a resident in internal medicine at Greenville Hospital System. He received his medical degree in May 2012 from the Medical University of South Carolina. McClain lives in Greenville, S.C. Elizabeth Heinz Swails and her husband, John Swails ’06, live in Wilmington, N.C. Elizabeth is an instructor in English at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, and John is an associate attorney with Brock & Scott PLLC. Living in Roanoke, Va., Dr. Tiffany Tonismae is a resident at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital. Living in Chapel Hill, N.C., Dr. Mary Wheeler is a pharmacy practice resident at University of North Carolina Hospitals. Wheeler earned a master’s degree in pharmacy and public health from the University of Kentucky.

at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Bonfim earned a master’s degree in accounting from North Carolina State University in May 2012. Caroline Cotter is an administrative fellow at Palmetto Health. She earned his master’s degree in health administration from the Medical University of South Carolina in May 2012. Cotter lives in Columbia, S.C. Living in Spartanburg, Jessica Holcombe is a property associate for the Spartanburg Housing Authority. Jamie Lillard earned her master’s degree in accountancy from Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management in May 2012. She is an assurance associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Lillard lives in Nashville, Tenn. Living in Columbia, S.C., Lily Lucas is an administrator for Juwi Solar Inc., a development and construction contractor of solar power plants in North America. Natalie Lynch is enrolled at East Carolina University School of Nursing. She lives in Huntersville, N.C. Sarah Hannah Newman lives in Spartanburg and is a graduate assistant at Converse College. She also serves as a guide for the Spartanburg County Historical Association.

Living in Charlotte, N.C., Candice Springs is an administrative

their master’s degrees in management from Wake Forest University in May 2012. The three were in the top 20 percent of their graduating class and were inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor fraternity. Cameron Rundles has returned to Wofford as an assistant basketball coach. Rundles helped Wofford win back-to-Back Southern Conference championships as a player in 2010 and 2011. During his senior year he was named thirdteam All-Southern Conference and also made the all-tournament team.

assistant at Carolinas Healthcare System Physician Services Group. Springs earned a master’s degree in health administration from the Medical University of South Carolina in May 2012. Tia Anders Thompson and her husband, Edward, live in Greenville, S.C. Tia earned her nursing degree from the University of South Carolina Upstate and is a staff nurse at AnMed Health Medical Center in Anderson, S.C. Mary-Kate Weimar is a business analyst for Deloitte Consulting 2012 LLP. She lives in Atlanta, Ga. Billy Zweier lives in Charlotte, Reunion, Homecoming 2012 N.C., where he is an audit associate Class Chair, Hallie Willm Lizzie Lambert lives in Macon, for Grant Thornton LLP. Ga., and is enrolled in law school at the Walter F. George School of 2011 Law at Mercer University. Lambert Class Chair, Nam Pham Coleman Hornaday lives received a full tuition scholarship in Mobile, Ala. He is attending and a separate living stipend from the University of South Alabama Mercer. Living in Washington, D.C., and is a candidate for a master’s degree in public administration in Kevin O’Quinn is an account December 2012. executive for Clear Channel Media Krista Jones is assistant director and Entertainment. of annual giving for Wofford. She Kathryn Teal is a graduate lives in Spartanburg, S.C. student at the Medical University Victoria Osborne, Kensey of South Carolina, where she is Wheeler and Blakely Wise earned pursuing a dental degree.

2009 Class Chair, T. Peyton Hray The Rev. Joshua L. Blackwelder is associate pastor at Cen-

tral United Methodist Church in Florence, S.C. Blackwelder earned a master of divinity degree in May 2012 from Duke University. He lives in Kingstree, S.C. Living in Summerville, S.C., Alan Guffy has joined Jenny Horne Law Firm LLC. Guffy earned his law degree from Wake Forest University School of Law in 2012. Susan Rivers Mims lives in New York, N.Y., and is a department assistant for Christian Dior. Prashant P. Patel lives in Madison, Wis., and works in technical services for Epic Systems. The company develops software for medical groups, hospitals and integrated health care organizations.

her husband, Jennings, live in Greenwood, S.C. Anderson earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of South Carolina in 2011 and works as a registered nurse on the heart monitoring unit of Self 2010 Regional Healthcare. Class Chair, Kari Harris Matt Carlisle participated in Living in Raleigh, N.C., Paulo a dental mission trip to Quito, Bonfim is an assurance associate

Wofford Application Fee Waiver ________________________________ thinks you'd be a great addition to Wofford College, and we hope you’ll apply. Follow these steps to waive the $35 application fee: 1. Submit your application to Wofford via the Common Application (commonapp.org). 2. When prompted for an application fee waiver, choose “other.” 3. Email Lathrop Mosley in the Admission Office (mosleylh@ wofford.edu) with your full name and the name of the person who gave you this waiver. Fall 2012 • Wofford Today • 19


Wofford Weddings

Wofford Births

Chris Doar ’91 sent in a photo of the newest addition to the family, Caroline, born Jan. 20, 2012. He and his wife also have a son, Chapman Beth Holler Jacobs ’07, a fifth-generation Wofford graduate, married her best friend Dr. David Jacobs (3 years old). Doar is an antique and estate sales adviser and a paid ’08 in May at the Holler family farm in Rock Hill, S.C. Beth won the Wofford flag in the photograph at political blogger. an alumni gathering at Brattonsville that she attended with her late grandfather, Dr. J. C. Holler Jr. She kept it hanging in her Wofford dorm room and brings it to Wofford tailgates. Naturally, they pulled it

1991

out on their wedding day. The Jacobs and their flag are surrounded by Wofford family and friends who

Chris Doar and his wife, Lauren, of Greenville, S.C., Tresca Hollis McSwain and her husband, announce the birth of Caroline Doar, Jan. 20, 2012. Robert, of Charlotte, N.C., announce the birth of James Hollis McSwain, Feb. 7, 2012.

attended the wedding.

1991 Henry Plowden Bozard Jr. married Amy Dawn Goodson, June 9, 2012. They live in Manning, S.C. He is an insurance agent with DuRant Insurance, and she is a teacher with Clarendon County School District Two.

1994

Elizabeth-Kelly Trammell married Dustin Lee Pope, Aug. 18, 2012.They live in Greenville, S.C. Elizabeth works for Builders FirstSource and Dustin works for A&E Engineering. James Copeland Rhea IV married Lauren Elizabeth Schall, July 21, 2012. They live in Washington, D.C. James is an industrial real estate broker and developer with Johnson Development Associates Inc. Frances Cloud Webster married Todd Peter, Aug. 4, 2012. They live in Palm Beach, Fla., where they both work for Sotheby’s International Realty.

Dr. Ryan Marcello married Samantha Reini, June 30, 2012. The couple lives in Greenville, S.C. Marcello is the owner of Royal Crest Dentistry. Michael Eugene Utsman married Mary Bethany 2006 Johnson, June 30, 2012.They live in Charlotte, N.C. He is director Kimberly Ann Collins married Justin Randall of enrollment at Pfeiffer University. She is a graduate student in the marriage and family therapy program at Pfeiffer University. Coggins, April 21, 2012. They live in Kenner, La. Both completed master’s degrees in marriage and family counseling from the 2000 New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She serves as the Flora Coker Gamble married Alexander Bert preschool and children’s director at Norco First Baptist Church. Powell, Oct. 22, 2011. They live in Roswell, Ga. She is the He is employed at St. Charles Parish Hospital as a case worker national director of Heart Walk for the American Heart As- in the Behavioral Health Unit. sociation. He is a commercial real estate broker with Couriam Katherine Jane Langley married Garrett and also is a partner in startup business Gameday Marketing. Harrison Cash ’09, June 23, 2012.They live in Columbia, S.C. She is a student at the University of South Carolina School 2002 of Medicine. He is a financial analyst with Talley Metals in John Holland Belue married Lauren Elizabeth Hartsville, S.C. Pope, June 9, 2012. They live in Inman, S.C. He is assistant Leslie Catherine de Perczel married Philip county administrator for Cherokee County, and she works for Patrick O’Brate, June 2, 2012. They live in Winston-Salem, Spartanburg County District One Schools. N.C. She is a registered nurse at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, Dr. Kristine Elizabeth Banks married Steven and he is employed by Forsyth Medical Center. Glen Dahl, Aug. 5, 2012. They live in Port Arthur, Texas. Kristine earned a degree in orthopedic sports medicine from the 2007 American Sports Medicine Institute in 2012 and works for the Ashley Victoria Clary married Lucas William Medical Center of Southeast Texas as an orthopaedic surgeon. Durham, June 23, 2012. They live in Easley, S.C. Ashley Theophilus Darius Williams IV married Emily earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Medical Nanette Swalm, April 21, 2012. They live in Charleston, S.C. University of South Carolina and is currently working toward He is an assistant solicitor in the Ninth Judicial Circuit. She is a master’s degree in nursing at Clemson University. Lucas is the owner of the custom landscape construction company the career law clerk for Judge Sol Blatt Jr. Landscape Perceptions. 2003 Margaret Elizabeth Holler married Dr. Mary Holland Brumbach married Garner Brad- David Calhoun Jacobs ’08, May 26, 2012. They live ley Regenovich, June 23, 2012. They live in Columbia, S.C. She in Greenville, S.C. Beth is a wealth management receptionist is a pediatric occupational therapist at the Moore Orthopedic for Family Legacy Inc. David graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in May 2012. Clinic. He is director of sales for Harsco Rail. Megan Deason Quarles married James Brandon 2004 Sluder, May 12, 2012. They live in Troy, Ala. Megan graduated Kesler Elizabeth Belmont married Daniel Fort from the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy and Bridgforth, Aug. 4, 2012. They live in Atlanta, Ga. was a pharmacist at Palmetto Health Children’s Hosptial. James John P. Moore married Lindsay Champion, April 21, is an assistant professor of kinesiology at Troy University. 2012. They live in Inman, S.C. James Stuart Rawls IV married Ashley Nicole Wilson, May 4, 2012. They live in Raleigh, N.C. He is senior 2005 property manager of PRG Real Estate Management. She is emKathleen Lyne Davis married Justin Brody ployed by Wake County Public Schools as a first-grade teacher. Bukowsky, May 19, 2012. They live in Charleston, S.C. She is a physician assistant at the Southeastern Spine Institute. 2007 He is a firefighter with the James Island Fire Department in Emily Anderson Rudkin married John James Island, S.C. Michael Day ’08, Aug. 25, 2012. They live in Raleigh, Mary Elizabeth Jordan married Charles Stanton N.C. She is an intern architect with Vines Architecture. He is a Byrd, April 28, 2012. They live in Conway, S.C. Mary Beth is senior analyst at Square 1 Bank. finishing her nurse practitioner degree at the Medical University of South Carolina and works as a registered nurse. Charles is a real estate broker and owns a property management company.

20 • Wofford Today • Fall 2012

2008 Marcus Dawson Antley III married Natalia Nunez ’10, May 26, 2012. They live in Chapel Hill, N.C. He is pursuing a law degree and an MBA at Campbell University and North Carolina State University respectively. She is pursuing a degree in dental surgery at the University of North Carolina. Sean Joseph Hinton married Brandon Michelle Batson, Aug. 25, 2012. They live in Greenville, S.C. He is an associate in the law firm, R. Scott Dover. She is employed by the 13th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. Valerie Elaine Tyndall married Zebediah Goldston, March 3, 2012. They live in Columbia, S.C. She is a mental health professional at Mental Illness Recovery Center Inc. (MIRCI.) Sarah Melissa Hite married Joseph Whitner Kennedy III ’09, June 23, 2012. They live in Greenville, S.C. She is employed with Spartanburg School District 4. He is associated with TEKsystems Inc.

2001

1993

Dr. Chris Houk and his wife, Kathleen, of Edgefield, S.C., announce the birth of Tessa Houk, June 11, 2012.

1994 Dr. Geoff Steinkruger and his wife, Jill, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., announce the birth of William (Will) Jacob Steinkruger, Feb. 21, 2012.

1998 Amy Greenwood Smith and her husband, Izaak, of Hillsboro, Ore., announce the birth of Addyson McKinley Smith, June 23, 2011.

1999

Dr. Aaron Bliley and his wife, Melissa Langehans Bliley ’00, of Beaufort, S.C., announce the birth of Capers Eleanor Bliley, Feb. 16, 2012. Eleanor McDonough Malinoski and her husband, Jon, of Evansville, Ind., announce the birth of Owen Michael Malinoski, Nov. 28, 2011. 2009 Josh Roberts and his wife, Katherine, of Myrtle Emily Duval Acker married James Andrew Yoho, May 19, 2012. They live in Columbia, S.C. She is a graduate Beach, S.C., announce the birth of Berkeley Ann Roberts, student at Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy. He is a June 5, 2012. staff attorney for the South Carolina Supreme Court. 2000 Adrienne Jeana Sandifer Hamm married Brantli Grubbs McMillan and her husband, Matthew Fink, May 27, 2012. They live in Cayce, S.C. Wilbur, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., announce the birth of Dalton Littlefield McMillan, Aug. 3, 2011. 2010 Alyse Jordan Line married Mitchell Lee Worley ’11, June 9, 2012. They live in Greenville, S.C. Alyse is an administrative/marketing assistant for Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. Tonnie Wickline married Landon Bennett ’11, Dec. 3, 2011. They live in Atlanta, Ga.

2011

2002 Christine Latham Betchman and her husband, Bo, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., announce the birth of Hugh Bernell Betchman IV, April 17, 2012. Joel Key and his wife, Joanna Ramsey Key, of Clover, S.C., announce the birth of Joel Benjamin Key, Feb. 27, 2012. Laura Key Triplett and her husband, Todd, of Spring, Texas, announce the birth of Lila Frances Triplett, Feb. 14, 2012. Lt. Cmdr. Michael Malone and his wife, Abbe, of Seaside, Calif., announce the birth of Gabriel Huntley Malone, Oct. 9, 2011.

2003 Dr. Alison Caviness Gibson and her husband, Richard, of Wheaton, Ill., announce the birth of Charlotte Ruth Gibson, June 17, 2012.

2004 Kelly Turner Harvey and her husband, Jay Harvey III ’07, of Spartanburg, announce the birth of Kennedy Ellen Harvey, May 1, 2012.

2005 Timmons Hipp Hendricks and her husband, Blair Hendricks ’06, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., announce the birth of Ellison Scott Hendricks, May 23, 2012. Matthew Ryan Switzer and his wife, Lindsey, of Roebuck, S.C., announce the birth of Marly Raegan Switzer, May 3, 2012.

Upcoming Alumni Events

Brett Houston Henderson married Haley Nicole Sims ’12, June 16, 2012. They live in Charleston, S.C. Both Brett and Haley are students at the Medical University of South Carolina. She is pursuing a master’s degree in health administration, and he is enrolled in dental school. Kelli Michelle Rush married Justin Nicholas Galloway, June 2, 2012. They live in Oxford, Ohio. She is pursuing a doctorate in chemistry education research at Miami University of Ohio. He is employed by Jacobs Engineering in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Oct. 5-7................................................................Family Weekend Oct. 9.......................................................Greenville Alumni Event Oct. 26-28 ....................................................... Homecoming 2012 Nov. 3...............................Wofford vs. Samford Pre-Game Event Nov. 17....................................Wofford vs. USC Pre-Game Event Nov. 27.................................................. Charleston Alumni Event

2012

Visit www.wofford.edu/alumni for details, registration information and event photos.

Joseph Robert Bailey married Kaitlin Hunter Watkins, July 22, 2012. They live in Charlottesville, Va. Kaitlin is pursuing her doctorate in chemistry at the University of Virginia. Joseph is employed by Wells Fargo. Jesse David Dixon married Hannah Bailey, July 28, 2012. They live in Charleston, S.C. He is a software engineer for Blackbaud Inc. Lindsey Carter Zehr married Jake Russell Adams, June 16, 2012. They live in Clemson, S.C. Lindsey is a teacher at Seneca High School. Jake is studying mechanical engineering at Clemson University.

Travel Ops (2013) March 7-26.............................. From the Outback to the Glaciers April 27-May 4.............................Havana & Scenic Pinar del Rio Check www.wofford.edu/alumni/travelOpportunities for details about upcoming opportunities to travel with Terrier friends.


Harry (left) and Benjamin Stephens in the MacMurray C o l l e g e l i b r a r y, where a portrait of their grandfather, B. G. Stephens ’57, hangs. According to B. G., who served as president of MacMurry from 1 9 8 0 -1 9 8 6 , “ T h e portrait was a lot of fun. In my right hand is a book representing the implementation of a core educational program that was an uphill battle, but we (Ed Mitchell, academic dean and father of Ayrynne Mitchell ’91 and Heather Mitchell, who worked in IT at Wofford for a few years and now at Vanderbilt) kept at it until we succeeded. In my left hand is a football representing the introduction of NCAA Division III football in 1984.”

Kelan Brown ’00 and his daughter at the Spartanburg area alumni oyster roast.

(Above, left to right) Jeff Gurganus ’09 (M.A. candidate in Chinese), Amy Lancaster ’01 (M.A. in Spanish), Terry Crouch ’98 (M.A. in French, now university relations coordinator for Middlebury’s C.V. Starr Schools abroad and summer language schools), Dr. Ana María Wiseman (doctor of modern languages and professor of Spanish at Middlebury’s Spanish School), Alex Dunlap ’15 (majoring in Chinese and biology) and Maude Porter ’15 (majoring in Chinese).

(Above) Wofford parents up and down the eastern seaboard hosted Send-off Parties for Wofford students and their families. The Albergottis hosted the event in Anderson, S.C. (Left to right) Roxana Opris Sullivan ’05, Leah Harris ’05 and Kelly Moxley ’05 caught up during the Chicago Cubs pregame event.

(Above) Tracey McAbee Moore ’91 and Shane Settle McAbee ’93 sent in this photo that the family took while visiting Surfside Beach this summer. All of their children dressed in their Wofford T-shirts to show their Terrier pride. Pictured are: Savannah McAbee (first row); John, Jake and David Moore (second row); and Jack McAbee, Mary Alice Moore and Ellie McAbee (third row).

Fall 2012 • Wofford Today • 21


TERRIERS

in the News

Scruggs (below) to serve as president of National Ivy Farr McIntyre ’08, a doctoral candidate Association of IOLTA Programs McIntyre wins prestigious research paper competition

Anderson (above) retires after distinguished career "Let it be said I served the Lord, my family and my country." Maj. Gen. Rodney O. Anderson ’79 retired from the U.S. Army in June. Anderson had been the deputy commanding general of Fort Bragg and the 18th Airborne Corps since July 2010. During the retirement ceremony, Anderson was presented with the Distinguished Service Medal. Anderson served with distinction for 33 years. Photo by Spc. Paul A. Holston/XVIII Abn. Corps PAO, Fort Bragg.

Odom (below) honored by Wingate for excellence in teaching Dr. C. Brian Odom ’83 was awarded the Charles and Hazel Corts Award for Excellence in Teaching at Wingate University's 2012 commencement exercises. The award is presented to a faculty member who is selected by students, faculty, administration and alumni as deserving of special recognition for meritorious teaching. Odom is an associate professor of biology. As the 2004 recipient of the university's Debra M. O'Neal Award for Excellence in Teaching, he is the first faculty member in the university's history to receive both of the institution's teaching awards.

in history and teaching assistant at St. Louis University in Missouri, won the 2012 W. Curtis Worthington Jr. Research Paper Competition sponsored by The Waring Historical Library at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her paper, "I Thought Mamma Would Like to Hear: Elite Women's Preservation of Medical Knowledge in the Antebellum South," won first prize in the graduate category. She won a cash prize of $1,500 and her paper will be printed in an upcoming issue of The Journal of the South Carolina Medical Association. McIntyre just started researching her dissertation, which investigages South Carolina families and how they handled numerous personal crises in the early national and antebellum periods.

Williams recognized by NCPTA Dennis W. Williams ’68, the executive director of the Alamance County Transportation Authority for Burlington, N.C., area, received an award from the North Carolina Public Transportation Association (NCPTA). The organization presented Williams with its President's Award during its annual conference in May. The award is the NCPTA's highest award of excellence. Thanks to Katie Williams Free ’94 for sharing the news with Wofford Today.

Troxell moves to Twin Cities for public administration fellowship Brent Troxell ’09 received a fellowship with the International City/County Management Association and is now working for Dakota County, Minn., a county of about 400,000 just south of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul). He graduated in the spring from the University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill, with a master's degree in public administration. He lives in St. Paul.

Shannon Willis Scruggs ’97, executive director of the South Carolina Bar Foundation, has been elected president of the National Association of IOLTA Programs (NAIP). NAIP works to enhance legal services for the poor and the administration of justice through the growth and development of Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) programs. In addition to serving as president of the NAIP board, Scruggs is an active member of the National Conference of Bar Foundation.

Hill (above right) promoted with Sony Music Entertainment Whitney Howard Hill ’98 has been promoted to senior vice president of strategic partnerships, global digital

business for Sony Music Entertainment. Hill will be responsible for implementing Sony’s digital strategy worldwide. She will work with Vevo and YouTube (as she has in the past), but also will be in charge of Sony’s partnerships with other digital outlets, such as Spotify. Her promotion made Billboard magazine online, AllAccess.com and Variety.com. Photo by Elizabeth Lippman.

Blanton unseats incumbant for Cherokee County Council District 3 seat Steven Blanton ’04, the former chairman of the Cherokee County Republican Party, ousted a veteran councilman during the June primary. Blanton resigned as chairman of the county party to run. The controller of Brown Packing Co., Blanton said he would hit the ground running by focusing on job creation and economy development and would comb the budget looking for ways to save money. There is no challenger from the Democratic Party for the election in November. “It’s time Cherokee County invests in economic development here. We need to do more than what we’re doing,” he says. “People are hurting. They need jobs.... With the people we have on council, our goals are very much doable, and I’ll work to make things happen.”

Wofford National Alumni Association partners with Liberty Mutual to offer exclusive savings on auto and home insurance

T

he Wofford College Alumni Association’s new partnership with Liberty Mutual Insurance offers Wofford alumni exclusive group savings* that could add up to significant money saved on auto and home insurance. Liberty Mutual, one of the nation’s leading property/casualty insurers, also offers a wide range of additional savings, including an attractive added multipolicy discount for customers with both auto and home policies. “Who doesn’t love to save money? And, forward-thinking groups like the Wofford Alumni Association are enriching their member benefits with an array of 22 • Wofford Today • Fall 2012

affinity programs,” says Liberty Mutual Insurance senior national account manager Rebecca Mikell. “Most significant, Wofford is providing a benefit that is relevant to virtually 100 percent of its alumni – almost everyone needs insurance for their car and home.” According to Mikell, the Liberty Mutual benefit offers more to Wofford alumni beyond savings on auto, home and renters insurance: • Convenient payment by automatic checking account deduction or direct billing to your home • Additional multipolicy discount for customers with

both Liberty Mutual Insurance auto and home policies • 24-hour toll-free claims service • 24-hour emergency roadside assistance** • The freedom to purchase insurance the way you want: directly from a local sales

representative at more than 400 Liberty Mutual Insurance countrywide, through licensed counselors at a tollfree telesales center, or online. To get more information or an immediate, no-obligation quote, call (800) 524-9400 or visit www. libertymutual.com/wofford.

* Discounts and savings are available where state laws and regulations allow and may vary by state. Applicants are individually underwritten; not all applicants may qualify. ** Available with the purchase of optional Towing and Labor coverage.


State Technical Education System. He was a recipient of the South Carolina Order of the Palmetto.

DEATHS 1939 James Thomas Burch, Aug. 12, 2012,

Bamberg, S.C. Mr. Burch served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II and then taught biology and history at the Carlisle Military Academy. In 1954, he went into business for himself as the owner of the Bamberg Western Auto Store, an institution in the county for 49 years. He was also known for his work on the Bamberg City Council, the Lions Club and the men’s garden club. For almost 50 years, he taught the Men’s Bible Class at Trinity United Methodist Church.

1943

The Rev. Dr. George Wightman Whitaker Jr., June 6, 2012, Lexington,

S.C. Dr. Whitaker served as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He earned a master’s degree in English and served on the Wofford faculty until he entered the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. As a member of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, Dr. Whitaker accepted a series of important assignments, including serving as pastor of several of the state’s most influential churches. After retirement at Lake Junaluska, he was a leader in the community there, winning the Chief Junaluska Award in 1994. He received an honorary doctoral degree from Wofford in 1964 and served as a trustee of the college from 1978 through 1986. Memorials honoring Dr. Whitaker are suggested to Lake Junaluska, Wofford or to Hospice.

1945 James John Raman, Aug. 15, 2012, Spartanburg, S.C. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Mr. Raman was the senior member and past president of the Spartanburg County Bar Association. He won a pro bono award for his service to indigent clients and was an original member of the National Association of Consumer Advocates. He was a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church.

1947 William Herbert “Rock” Holder, Boiling Springs, S.C. Mr. Holder attended Wofford before entering the Army during World War II. A letter career for the U.S. Postal Service for 37 years, he was a charter member of New Beginnings United Methodist Church.

1948 John B. Rogers, July 19, 2012, Spar-

tanburg, S.C. After serving in the U.S. Army Air Force in World War II, Mr. Rogers founded the Rogers Tax Service and operated the business for more than 40 years.

1949 Lewis Matthew Brown Sr., Aug. 11, 2012, Inman, S.C. Mr. Brown served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II in the China, Burma, India Theater. For more than 32 years until he retired, he worked as a claims attorney for Nationwide Insurance Co. He served as a trustee at Inman United Methodist Church. Robert Luther Chapman, Aug. 12, 2012, Spartanburg, S.C. Mr. Chapman was a native of Spartanburg County and a lifelong member of Cannons Campground United Methodist Church. After service in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Mr. Chapman enrolled at Wofford, where he

1954 was an outstanding football player. In 1968, he founded Chapman Grading & Concrete Co. and built it into one of the region’s outstanding businesses. He was active in numerous educational and civic endeavors, serving 16 years on the Spartanburg County School District 3 board of trustees. He also was a member, club president and regional governor of the Ruritan Club. In 1995, Mr. Chapman received the Distinguished Service Award from the Wofford Alumni Executive Council. In addition to his leadership in the Terrier Club, he provided many landscaping services to the college over the years, including the grading for Gibbs Stadium and the revitalization of the historic district. The family suggested memorials to the Chapman Campus Beautification Fund at Wofford or the Cannons Campground United Methodist Church’s Benevolence Fund. Richard Ballenger Harris, Aug. 16, 2012, Spartanburg, S.C. During World War II, Mr. Harris fought in Normandy with the 29th Infantry Division, earning the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Croix de Guerre and the Purple Heart. After the war, he enrolled at Wofford where he was an outstanding intercollegiate golfer. He was a commercial Realtor, a deacon at the First Presbyterian Church and a leader at Post 28 of the American Legion.

1950 Alvin Luther Gravely, June 23, 2012,

Greer, SC. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Mr. Gravely was an industrial supervisor until he retired in 1989. He was a member of Taylors First Baptist Church. Lt. Col. Lyman Vassey, July 2, 2012, Decatur, Ga. Mr. Vassey was a master aviator, serving in the U.S. Army for 25 years beginning in 1950. In Vietnam, he served as deputy commander of the 101st Aviation Group. His awards and decorations included the Bronze Star with V device, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Purple Heart. After his military service, he enjoyed a successful business career and was a deacon and treasurer of the Parkwood Hills Baptist Church and a volunteer with the Gideons.

1951 Max Padgett, June 21, 2012, Hickory, N.C. Mr. Padgett served with the 15th Army Air Force in Italy during World War II. After the war, he was a major in the North Carolina Army National Guard. After completing his master’s degree, he began a 34-year career in the North Carolina Public Schools. He also served on the development staff of Gardner Webb University. He always was a leader in civic affairs and Baptist churches.

1952 Claude Carroll Robbins, July 10, 2012, Georgetown, S.C. For 50 years, Mr. Robbins lived in Aiken, S.C., where he worked as a chemical engineer at the Savannah River Plant. After he retired, he moved to Georgetown, where he was an active member of the First Baptist Church. Mr. Robbins was a naval aviator in the Pacific theater during World War II.

1953 Wallace Fennel Starnes, Aug. 22, 2012, Columbia, S.C. Mr. Starnes served in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. After graduating from Wofford, he had a successful career in business, retiring as a regional industrial coordinator for the

James Elliott Todd, July 23, 2012, Charlotte, N.C. Before he retired, Mr. Todd owned and operated a chain of laundry and dry-cleaning plants. He had joined the Caldwell Presbyterian Church as a child and was a member and volunteer there throughout his life. He was an avid member of the Buick Club for more than 40 years. Bennie Alice Horton Bishop, July 20, 2012, Spartanburg, S.C. Mrs. Bishop was a retired principal in Spartanburg County School District 2 with 35 years of service. She was a past member of the AAUW and Alpha Delta Kappa and volunteered with Spartanburg Regional Health Care. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Spartanburg.

1960 Wilson E. Cudd Sr., June 23, 2012, Spartanburg, S.C. Mr. Cudd was an engineer who worked with the Woodbridge Group until he retired. Ned Wilson Potter, July 16, 2012, Cowpens, S.C. Mr. Potter retired as the owner-operator of a store and insurance agency in Cowpens. He was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, the Cowpens Lions Club and the Cowpens Masonic Lodge.

1961 Ben William Goodman, Aug. 12,

2012, Tryon, N.C. A professional flautist, Mr. Goodman served with the U.S. Army Band in Japan and later performed with the Spartanburg and Anderson Symphonies. He was a member of the Tryon First Baptist Church where he sang in the choir for many years.

1962 Charles Michael Olliff, July 25, 2011, Gastonia, N.C. A retired businessman, Mr. Orliff worked with autistic students and volunteered with the Gaston Dance Theatre. He was a member of Temple Emanuel, Gastonia.

1963

studies at Florida State University. He retired as the lead archaeologist for the National Park Service in the Northwest. His experience was in the study of early pioneers and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Special thanks go to Jim’s uncle, Herschel Brown ’65, for sharing this information with Wofford Today.

1966 Samuel Daniel Black, Aug. 8, 2012, Clover, S.C. Mr. Black was a retired sales representative for Hilton-Davis Chemical Corp. He was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Salisbury, N.C. and retired as a captain in the Army National Guard. William Riley Milhous, Aug. 7, 2012, Columbia, S.C. Mr. Milhous retired after 38 years of service to the South Carolina State Department of Education. He was a member of Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, where he sang in the choir and played handbells.

1982

1968

2013

Phillip Barry Lindsay, Aug. 17, 2012,

Laurens, S.C. Mr. Lindsay retired from the Torrington Co. after 36 years of service.

1969 Wesley Michael Hall, May 29, 2012, Spartanburg, S.C. Mr. Hall was an Army veteran and a retired employee of the U.S. Postal Service.

1970 The Rev. Jerry Mitchell James, June 23, 2012, Simpsonville, S.C. Mr. James, a minister of the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, died after a four-year battle with cancer. He was a graduate of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University and served 10 charges in Louisiana and South Carolina. In addition, he was a certified reading specialist and rendered important service to the conference in a series of special appointments. He also was an Army officer during the Vietnam era and was a Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow.

1971 William Taylor Martin, May 26, 2012, Mountain City, Ga. Mr. Martin died following an automobile accident. He was a third-generation owner and operator of the Martin Oil Company and a member of River Hills Baptist Church.

Vance Wells Brabham III, June 30, 2012, Greensboro, N.C. After serving two years in the Navy, Mr. Brabham began his professional career with First National Bank in Charleston. He then joined the Ralph J. Golden Insurance Agency, working there for 25 years. He was active in the First Presbyterian Church and in Greensboro civic life.

Henry Tindal Everett Jr., June 20, 2012, Summerton, S.C. Mr. Everett was a businessman and a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

1964

1977

Clarence Brent Golightly, May 30,

2012, Clemson, S.C. Mr. Golightly retired as a regional sales manager for the Landoll Corp. He was a member of Inman United Methodist Church and was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Timothy Paxton Jones, June 14, 2012, Johnson City, Tenn. A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Jones represented the third generation of his family to work in the publishing business, serving as vice president and general manager of the Johnson City Press. He also had been CEO of the Williamson Herald. He volunteered with the Johnson City library campaign, the United Way, Rotary and the Chamber of Commerce. James William Thompson Jr., July 24, 2012, Seattle, Wash. Mr. Thompson served as a field artillery officer in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for valor. After the war, Mr. Thompson completed graduate

the Humanitarian Award from the World’s Children Center in Atlanta, and the Governor’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine award. In the recently published history of the school, she was quoted as saying, “I was raised to work, and as long as I am vertical, I am serving the Lord. That is what life is all about— doing what you can to make a difference. In the end, there is peace.”

1974

James H. Coble Jr., July 10, 2012, Spartanburg, S.C. Mr. Coble was a victim of cancer. He worked for most of his career in international trade for Yukiwa-Seiko USA. He also was a member of Covenant Baptist Church in Charlotte where he served as a sound technician and a deacon.

1979 Dr. Phyllis Horne Crain, July 18, 2012, Crossnore, N.C. Dr. Crain, who received Wofford’s Mary Mildred Sullivan Award at the 2008 Commencement, died after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer. She had a distinguished career as an educator, but she will be most remembered as a inspiring, gifted, visionary leader of the Crossnore School from 1999 until her death. Dr. Crain won numerous awards during her career, including the Nancy Susan Reynolds Award, which has been called North Carolina’s “Nobel Prize, ”

Timothy Ray Crunk, June 18, 2012, Ackworth, Ga. Mr. Crunk, a former “Teacher of the Year” as well as an outstanding administrator and coach in the Cobb County School District, died suddenly after suffering a heart attack while running. His career included assignments at South Cobb High School, Kennesaw Mountain High School, and most recently at the new Sprayberry High School. Mr. Crunk was also very involved with Cedarcrest Church, where he volunteered with the Haiti Education Project. Matthew Brian Hill ’13, Aug. 13, 2012. Flat Rock, N.C. Mr. Hill died unexpectedly while visiting family in Hendersonville, N.C. He was a bright and interesting student who had expected to graduate with a major in government in December.

Friends Frances Snyder Brown Dounian, July 6, 2012, Columbia, S.C. Along with her stepdaughter, Mrs. Dounian died in an automobile accident in Jasper County, S.C. She was the great-granddaughter of the late Wofford President Henry Nelson Snyder, and she and other family members were steadfast friends of the college. She was a well-known community volunteer in the Columbia area and a member of Washington Street United Methodist Church. Annie Laurie George, June 17, 2012, Lexington, S.C. Mrs. George, who was 99 years old at the time of her death, served the Lexington United Methodist Church and was a civic leader in the community. She and her late husband, Samuel A. George Sr., established a Wofford scholarship in honor of their son in 1972. Frances Lattimore, Aug. 12, 2012, Spartanburg, S.C. Mrs. Lattimore retired from Wofford after 30 years of service. She was a member of Bunton Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, where she was a stewardess, missionary and choir member for 40 years. Virginia Taylor Miller, July 10, 2012, Spartanburg, S.C. Mrs. Miller was the wife of Professor of English Emeritus Vincent Miller. A graduate of Vassar College who earned master’s degrees in both English and education, she began teaching third grade at the Spartanburg Day School in 1958, retiring with 40 years of service on the faculty. She was active with the Junior League of Spartanburg and the Episcopal Church of the Advent. The family has requested memorials to the Virginia Miller Scholarship Fund at the Spartanburg Day School. John William “Bill” Wakefield Jr.,

July 31, 2012, Spartanburg, S.C. For 55 years, he served as the proprietor of his family's Wakefield Buick GMC dealership near the heart of the city. He served as president of the Downtown Merchants Association and a member of the Spartanburg Development Council. He will be remembered as an accomplished businessman, an advocate for downtown growth, a man of deep faith, and a friend of the community.

Fall 2012 • Wofford Today • 23


Wofford Today

Choose the method of giving that’s quickest and easiest for you.

Postmaster: Send PS 3579 to Wofford College 429 N. Church Street Spartanburg, SC 29303-3663

A new academic year... record enrollment... the search for a new president... football games... rush and recruitment... volleyball and soccer matches... the year of the liberal arts... construction projects... faculty grants and teaching awards...

Life's moving fast at Wofford... Sound familiar?

Visit www.wofford.edu/give. Mail a check in the enclosed envelope. Call 864-597-4191.

Even with the hectic pace of fall, take a moment to send in your 2012 gift to the Annual Fund before our gift year ends on Dec. 31. Now more than ever, Wofford needs your support.


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