2017 WINTER MAGAZINE
The South Carolina School of the Arts expands to downtown AU ranked the seventh “Most Innovative School” among Southern regional universities
Anderson University 2017 Winter Magazine The Largest Student Body in the History of AU.......................................................................4 The South Carolina School of the Arts Expands to Downtown......................................................6 Renovation of Thrift Library Includes Creative Environments for Active Learning.....................8 Early African-American Alumni Reflect on Anderson College with School Pride.......................... 10 AU Opens THRIVE Wellness Center; Local Nurse Practitioner Joins Team.......................................... 12 Celebrating Great Achievements in The South Carolina School of the Arts............................ 14 The AU Family.................................................................... 18 AU Student Discovers Sixth Century B.C. Artifacts During Archaeological Expedition..................................20 AU Diary............................................................................. 22 Twin Alumnae Credit AU Values for Successful Careers in Interior Design .............................24 AU Business Students Win in Innovation Contest, Eye Future Business............................................................26 Alumni News......................................................................28 Brashier Family Contributes $1 Million for Local Students Pursuing Ministry ..............................................30 Jason’s Column.................................................................. 32 Athletic News.....................................................................34
Anderson University Magazine is a publication of the Marketing and Communication Department of Anderson University for alumni and friends. President: Dr. Evans P. Whitaker Editor in Chief: Jonathan Todd Contributing Writers: Evelyn Beck, Liz Carey, Jason Rutland, Leigh Savage, Elizabeth Skladany Creative Direction & Design: 229design.com Contributing Photographers: Cindy Hosea, Jason Jones Photography, reel video and stills,
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Campus News
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season’s greetings, everyone!
There’s nothing like that excitement on campus as we prepare for finals and final projects with the anticipation that the warmth of holiday gatherings awaits once the semester ends. And as we get nostalgic— perhaps some of you attended Homecoming and Family Weekend this fall—we reflect upon our journey this semester and our celebratory moments. U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 Best Colleges: Seventh Most Innovative School
According to U.S. News & World Report, high-ranking officials at our peer schools were asked which universities had the “most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities.” We’re honored that representatives from our peer institutions voted for AU. We feel blessed that the respected U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 Best Colleges rankings named AU the seventh “Most Innovative School” among Regional Universities in the South this year. U.S. News & World Report has listed AU in its top tier of universities since 2007. In fact, after rising to #16 on its Regional Colleges-South list, we were bumped up to the publication’s more competitive Regional UniversitiesSouth list last year. But this year, the news is that in addition to ranking us among its 2018 overall Best Colleges Regional Universities-South list, it also has recognized AU as the seventh “Most Innovative School” among Southern regional universities. According to U.S. News & World Report, high-ranking officials at our peer schools were asked which universities had the “most innovative improvements in terms of curriculum, faculty, students, campus life, technology or facilities.” We’re honored that reps from our peer institutions recognized AU.
As a member of this Most Innovative list, we’re sharing company with five of the highest-listed overall southern regional universities from U.S. News & World Report’s 2018 ranking. In this issue of Anderson University Magazine, you’ll read about some of the innovations at AU, including our participation in an archaeological excavation in Italy and holding graphic design and theatre classes in our new, state-of-the-art Chiquola Studios in downtown Anderson. Brashier family contributes $1 million to AU In addition to innovation, you’ll read about the generosity of Dr. T. Walter and Christine Brashier, who recently contributed $1 million to AU to provide scholarships for students from the Upstate studying ministry. The Brashiers had previously contributed a tract of land to AU, the largest such gift in the school’s history, which appraised for $1.5 million; and the family also contributed to the building of the new G. Ross Anderson, Jr. Student Center. The generosity of the Brashiers inspires us and affirms our values at AU to not only give, as God richly gives to us, but to give for a greater purpose—to educate students to discover and pursue their calling. In this issue we also included information on the many ways you can partner with us to support this purpose—from online contributions to establishing an endowed scholarship, like the one the Brashiers started this year. We hope you enjoy this holiday season as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and thank God for our loved ones and this university. Merry Christmas, and God bless you.
- Anderson University Magazine
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record number of students joined AU in August By Liz Carey
For hundreds of students joining AU this fall, move-in day was a busy, yet quick transition from living with their own family to living with their new Anderson University family. In August, more than 620 freshmen moved into their new homes in the residence halls on Anderson’s campus. They will ultimately be part of a record 3,500 student body, the largest the school has ever seen. And like years past, their transition from high school senior to college student at AU was a welcoming one. All day Saturday, August 19, throngs of volunteers were on hand to ensure that move-in went smoothly. At each residence hall, cars filled with student belongings were met by a handful of volunteers, waiting to help unload. About 20 students met each car and grabbed everything from computer equipment and microwaves to suitcases and mirrors to help families unload cars within minutes, and carry everything to the new student’s room. While parents park the car, volunteers deposit the student’s belongings in their new room, leaving the student free to check in with their resident advisor and start organizing their residence hall room. Julie Murphy of Columbia, who moved her daughter Amelia into Denmark Hall, said she was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly move-in went. “It has been an amazing kind of morning,” she said as Amelia organized her room. “I had a bit of anxiety about moving in, but then we got here and the car was unloaded in about 2.3 seconds and I started to relax.” Move-in day marked the beginning of “Welcome Week,” a series of events designed to help students get acquainted with the school. From meeting their roommates, to attending a hootenanny, to having dessert with other students, the first few days of school are designed to ease a student into campus life, while easing the emotions of parents as well. “Saturday and Sunday are really a gradual transition for our incoming freshmen,” said Hannah Eberhardt, 20, one of the hundreds of volunteers helping out on move-in day. The Class of 2019 business student from Jacksonville, Florida, said the week was filled with traditions.
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“Each student’s Alpha group will get together and work through things like how to buy books and get their iPad and how to be a freshman. And there are other traditions too. My favorite is the Trojan Tradition where we meet on Alumni lawn, and all the upperclassmen have candles. They will turn and light candles held by the freshmen. It’s really a moving experience.”
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It’s been overwhelming, but it has been so comforting as well. It’s impressive that the president of the school went to every dorm room yesterday, and now he’s here shaking hands with each of the students as they walk through the arch.
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It really feels like I am leaving her with family. — Jane Payne, AU parent
On Sunday, families lined the sidewalk in front of Alumni Lawn, while students lined up to walk through the arch on campus. To cheers and applause from the onlookers, freshmen walked through the arches to shake hands with Anderson University President Dr. Evans Whitaker. The students will walk through the archway one more time during their college career, when they graduate and leave the university. Jane Payne from Greenville stood on the walkway on Sunday to watch her daughter Emily walk through the arch. For her, the archway walk symbolized the perfect end to a long weekend. “It’s been overwhelming, but it has been so comforting as well,” she said. “It’s impressive that the president of the school went to every residence hall room yesterday, and now he’s here shaking hands with each of the students as they walk through the arch. It really feels like I am leaving her with family.”
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The South Carolina School of the Arts
expands downtown with Chiquola Studios By Leigh Savage
In the 1990s, it was Chiquola Club, a swank restaurant and bar. Now, after extensive renovations, it’s Chiquola Studios, where theatre and graphic design students can hone their skills using state-ofthe-art equipment in the heart of downtown Anderson.
and a digital lighting system give theatre students a chance to work with top-of-the-line equipment. “It’s great for teaching acting, and we hope to do performances, student work, musical theatre,” Dr. Larson said.
“The students love it,” said Dr. David Larson, dean of The South Carolina School of the Arts. “It’s beautiful and bright, and it emulates a professional studio.”
Beyond the theatre area are two graphic design studios that seat 16 students each. Across the hall is a large digital media studio with a “green cyc” (short for cyclorama), the large green screen often used in television studios.
As the university continues to make its mark downtown, the move has been beneficial for both the city and the students, according to Tim Speaker, associate professor of art. “I feel like this is the beginning for us, being downtown more,” Speaker said. “The area has so much to offer our students. And our first day, I ran into several people in the community who said they were so happy to have us.” An impressive entrance sits at the heart of the downtown historic district at the corner of Main and Whitner streets. A hallway leads to five well-equipped studios, including some with stages. A new piano 6 | CAMPUS NEWS
“We hope to use that for some of our acting for camera, and it’s also used by the communications department,” Dr. Larson said. Seventy-inch video screens in the graphic design studios allow students and professors to work together without projectors. Nathan Spainhour, an instructor who teaches web design, said the new classrooms allow him to show students how to code on the screen, with clear text they can follow on their laptops. The modular furniture has already allowed him to rearrange the classroom twice.
Michaela Staton, a senior graphic design major, said after two weeks in the new space, she is already finding it a great place to brainstorm and collaborate. “The downtown location has been very beneficial to class camaraderie,” she said. “It’s been so nice to have a facility in the center of the activity of downtown.”
After extensive renovations, it’s Chiquola Studios, where theatre and graphic design students can hone their skills using state-of-the-art equipment in the heart of downtown Anderson.
Graphic design is the largest concentration in The South Carolina School for the Arts, with approximately 160 students and more than 100 declared majors, Dr. Larson said. “It’s our flagship in art and design,” he said. “Graduates get jobs, and we’ve been succeeding at that for 20 years.”
“No other art classes are taught here, so it’s clean and fresh and quiet,” Speaker said. “And the color on the screens is much truer than any projector you can get, and the students can interact with it. It’s light years better.” Because Chiquola Studios is located 2.5 miles from campus, the campus shuttle has coordinated its schedule to take students to and from classes. “It’s been super smooth,” Speaker said. Students have enjoyed being downtown, sometimes taking mid-class breaks to get a cup of coffee or walk down Main Street (professor-approved, of course.) But the best part is readying them for what comes after college. “These students are preparing to go into the design community,” Speaker said. “For them to be in a more focused space, off campus and out of their comfort zone - I think it can only help prepare them for being out in the larger community as professionals. We want to get them into the mindset of being a professional, and this space is a nice bridge for that.”
Previously, graphic design students shared classroom space with other art classes, which led to some messy encounters. CAMPUS NEWS
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renovation of Thrift Library
creates spaces for creating and collaborating By Liz Carey
A renovation of Thrift Library provides students with more resources for success located in one location, AU officials say. The renovation takes what was a great space and adds functionality that makes it more open and inviting to all students and faculty. “This project has made the library a learning space from top to bottom,” said Dr. Ben Deaton, assistant provost for academic innovation and digital learning. “We’ve created a learning commons that is a hub for students both formally and informally to come together and work collaboratively.” The renovation covers every floor of the library. On the basement floor, a computer lab and the Food for Thought café have been removed and replaced with two active-learning classrooms, the offices of the Center for Innovation and Digital Learning, and the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence. The campus post office has also been relocated to the lower level, near Books and Beans, the campus coffee shop that serves Starbucks. The active-learning classrooms are designed to provide learning experiences that foster discussion and active learning. The classrooms are highlighted by flexible furniture, technology, and lots of writing surfaces. These classrooms can be easily arranged to suit many types of learning.
“It’s really a sea of tables and chairs and open spaces for students to get together and collaborate on classwork,” Dr. Deaton said. “The space is designed to be comfortable and inviting and can be adapted and used in multiple ways to support the needs of large groups down to an individual student working on a project or studying. The main floor also has six conference/collaborative learning spaces available for student and faculty use.” And on the top floor, the library now houses the primary academic support units. The Center for Student Success team is located on this floor. It shares a common learning space with the Writing Center that hosts tutoring and writing center consultations. A computer lab has also been moved to the top floor.
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Bringing together the tutoring center and the writing lab allows a synerg y between the various departments to assist students in all phases of their project creation. We’ve managed to put most of the players you would need in one place to help with project creation. It’s a one-stop shop, if you will. — Kent Millwood Director of Library Services
Additionally, the former kitchen of Food for Thought has been converted into a maker space and video production studio. The maker space enables students and faculty to learn and explore in a creative environment using 3-D printers, robots, and a laser cutter. The space also includes a media development suite that supports the production of video and audio.
“You still have all the spaces for students to find a quiet place to read and study,” Dr. Deaton said. But this redesign adds new functionality to the building and helps centralize student and faculty spaces, he said, adding that he hopes the renovation makes the building come alive.
On the main floor, many of the physical resources of a traditional library, such as periodicals, have been replaced by a learning commons for students to come together to learn outside the classroom.
Kent Millwood, director of library services, said the creation of the learning commons allows the library to provide resources to students in the ways they consume them.
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For instance, in the age of digital information, use of nearly every physical resource besides books has dropped off drastically, he said. The library has eliminated microfiche and microfilm machines and its entire VHS collection. Instead, information is stored on DVDs, streamed or offered online. Additionally, the renovation brings together all of the resources students need to successfully create school projects, whether those projects are papers, slideshows or PowerPoint presentations. “Bringing together the tutoring center and the writing lab allows a synergy between the various departments to assist students in all phases of their project creation,” Millwood said. “We’ve managed
to put most of the players you would need in one place to help with project creation. It’s a one-stop shop, if you will.” The library will retain Books and Beans in the basement of the library as a coffee shop and gathering place, as well as Vandiver Gallery and Chapman Multimedia Center. “This is really the merging of physical spaces and digital devices to create a learning hub for our students and faculty,” Dr. Deaton said. “It’s really designed to get them to communicate and collaborate with each other and to help them find a wide range of learning and study environments that will help them succeed.”
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Growing up in Anderson in the 1950s and 1960s, Cora Johnson Williams regularly passed by what was then Anderson College. But she never considered enrolling when she graduated from Westside High School in 1965. Instead, she spent a year at the historically black Morris Brown College in Atlanta, but money was tight, so she returned home after hearing that AC was integrating.
Today, Williams feels good about her accomplishments after graduating from then-twoyear school Anderson College; she earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Clemson and USC and became a social worker. Williams says she has encouraged many young people at her church to attend Anderson University.
“I’m just a product of the history of the school moving to where they are now... Moving toward diversity had to start somewhere. It happened to start with us.” — Cora Johnson Williams Class of 1968 “I went over there and checked it out,” she said. “I walked in and said I wanted to apply. I didn’t make a big thing out of it.” Williams was one of six Westside High graduates who enrolled at AC in the fall of 1966. She knew the others, who had been a year behind her in high school. Though Williams’ parents worried about her safety, during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, she says there was no reason for that concern. “People were not hostile in the way some of us thought they might be from watching TV in that era,” she said. “Instead, it was mostly silence.”
“I’m just a product of the history of the school moving to where they are now,” Williams said. “Moving toward diversity had to start somewhere. It happened to start with us.”
When Williams came to Anderson College in 1966, the late Dr. Robert E. Burks was in his second year as a professor of religion. He had been recruited by the college’s president, Dr. John Rouse, on a promise. “I was concerned,” Dr. Burks said before he passed away this year. “I came up in the Civil Rights Era and grew up in Atlanta at the same time as Martin Luther King, Jr. I told Dr. Rouse that if the college was to continue to be segregated, I would not come. He said it was going to change.”
In fact, he became active in the Baptist Student Union and the Pep Band, was involved in initiating the first black history observation, was named to Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges, and received the prestigious Annie Dove Denmark Award, given at graduation on the basis of leadership, scholarship, and character.
Williams says she has encouraged many young people at her church to attend Anderson University. Dr. Burks taught two of the young men among the first group of African-American students: cousins Horace Clinkscales and Mack Nance. As a member of the basketball team, Nance had some unpleasant encounters, including a white student who moved to another table in the cafeteria when Nance sat down and taunts at an away game, Dr. Burks said. But that kind of attitude never found its way into Dr. Burks’ classroom. “I’m sure it was because my leadership of the class indicated my convictions that integration was the right thing for everybody,” he said. By the time Harry Johnson enrolled at Anderson College in 1973, African-American students were no longer a rarity. Johnson remembers that, overall, his professors did right by him. “I never felt any discrimination,” he said.
The next year, after a recommendation from the college’s president, Dr. J. Cordell Maddox, Johnson served as an intern for Congressman Butler Derrick. Johnson went on to complete a philosophy degree at Carson-Newman College, worked as a retail store manager, served 12 years in the U.S. Air Force, and ultimately settled into a career in the security industry in the Upstate. Before enrolling at Anderson College, Johnson had wasted a year at a school in Atlanta, where too much partying meant he wasn’t living up to his potential. “Anderson College was just what Harry Johnson needed at age 20, 21,” he said. “It was a second chance.” — By Evelyn Beck
Collins Wayland
new Wellness Center’s nurse practitioner has Anderson roots By Evelyn Beck
Students now have access to expanded healthcare service with the THRIVE Wellness Center, which opened at the start of the fall 2017 semester.
off campus to be worked into the schedule of a busy medical office, sometimes waiting up to five hours for treatment.
THRIVE offers treatment for most minor ailments, including colds and flu, ear infections, as well as mental health, women’s health, injuries, vaccines and travel health. There is also the potential to order lab tests, and AU has contracted with a local provider for needs such as x-rays or CAT scans.
“Now we don’t have to do that,” said Collins Wayland, a nurse practitioner who joined THRIVE in August. Other staff includes two full-time nurses, a part-time nurse, an office manager, and a physician who is present two days a week. There are also one full-time and three part-time licensed professional counselors.
Previously, AU offered a wellness clinic staffed by two registered nurses. However, if students needed to see a doctor or get an antibiotic, they would be sent
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“This is an opportunity to provide a medical resource, which will assist students in reducing
absenteeism, decreasing overall stress and hopefully increasing school satisfaction,” said Ed Duvall, executive director of university wellness.
Wayland learned a lot but is thrilled to return home. The main attraction of working at AU is its Christcentered environment. She also enjoys working with college students.
“With the addition of a medical doctor and a nurse practitioner, the already outstanding job our school nurses do will be accentuated by diagnostic possibilities and having healthcare providers with prescriptive authority.”
Wayland was born and raised in Anderson. She knew she wanted to be a nurse even as a child and has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from University of South Carolina Upstate and her nurse practitioner degree from Walden University. She became a nurse practitioner to have more say in her patients’ care. “I would get frustrated with things that were not done the best they could be done,” she said. Much of her varied nursing experience is in trauma and emergency medicine. She has also worked at AnMed in Anderson, at a medical center in Columbia, at an obstetrics/gynecology practice, and at a walk-in clinic. Wayland spent two years as a travel nurse, first at Methodist Dallas Medical Center in Texas and then at Stanford University’s hospital in Palo Alto, California, experiences that transformed her personally and professionally. “You grow tremendously as a nurse and as a person getting to see the country and learning from brilliant doctors and nurses in different areas,” she said. Both facilities were Level I trauma centers and teaching hospitals, and the time at Stanford involved interactions with pediatric oncology patients and transplant patients.
“I love the age group,” she said. “I can incorporate not just medical knowledge but can also spiritually help these kids when needed.” Wayland lives in Anderson with her husband Buddy, and their daughters Ella, 8, and Emery, 3. THRIVE is located in the lower level of The Village, a campus residence hall near the new G. Ross Anderson, Jr. Student Center. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (but closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m.) Walk-ins are welcome although appointments can also be made. In the future, THRIVE will host wellness programs on topics such as weight management and smoking cessation and will offer free preventative health vaccines and flu shots. There are plans to expand services to faculty and staff. Medical treatment, for example, eventually will include treatments such as IVs and stitches.
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Haley Ard won the People’s Choice 3D Award ($12,500 prize) at the ArtFields Art Competition for Artists in the Southeast, Lake City, SC.
Art & Design Accolades
Student Research Initiative student Laurel Diciuccio-Ross had her research project on Mayan ceramics accepted for presentation at the Tradition and Innovation in Historical Perspectives: Undergraduate Conference at Central European University in Budapest, Hungary.
Graphic Design students garnered 38 ADDY ÂŽ Awards at the Greenville American Advertising Federation - Greenville Gala, including 2 Special Judges Awards, 11 Gold ADDYs, 25 Silver ADDYs, and 7 won at district. CAMPUS NEWS
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Music Department Accolades
The Anderson University Concert Choir, under the direction of Dr. Richard Williamson, was chosen as a semi-finalist in the college/university chorus division of The American Prize national non-profit competitions in performing arts.
Cory Simmons was a finalist at the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Student Auditions. Cory was selected to sing in the final round of the auditions and won first place in his category, Lower College Musical Theater, Men.
Andrew Poston was a finalist at the National Association of Teachers of Singing National Student Auditions. Andrew was selected to sing in the final round and won third place in his category, Upper College Musical Theater, Men.
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Bethany Mansfield, Musical Theatre, won first place in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, Region IV Musical Theatre Competition and represented Anderson University at the national festival at the Kennedy Center.
Theatre Department Accolades
Senior Theatre major, Kennedy Roberts, won the undergraduate design competition at USITT-Southeast for her costume design of The Skin of Our Teeth. She will compete with her design at the USITT national conference in March 2018.
Musical theatre student Laura Parazynski won first place in the national competition of National Association of the Teachers of Singing, musical theatre competition.
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our faculty
and students...
The AU Family
AU student discovers Etruscan cup from the sixth century B.C. during archaeological expedition By Liz Carey
While some professors and students spend their summers taking time off, two Anderson University students and one AU professor used their summer to uncover history. Dr. Candace Livingston, assistant professor of art history, took students Michael McCollum and Haley Webb to Italy for the summer to assist in an archaeological dig. The three worked on the San Giuliana Archaeological Research Project in Italy, about an hour north of Rome. In partnership with Baylor University, where Dr. Livingston received her bachelor’s degree, the three worked on an archaeologically significant site that unveiled particularly stunning results. “We were excavating a medieval fortress, and two Etruscan tombs,” Dr. Livingston said. 2 0 | T H E AU FA M I LY
“The students got to see first-hand how the science of archaeology is done. You can’t have that experience anywhere else.” For McCollum, the experience was particularly interesting. Within hours of beginning his work, he had found an ancient artifact. “They told us we would be finding human remains and that we would probably find pottery shards,” McCollum said. “We had been there for a week, setting up outside of a tomb. And we got about a foot or a foot and a half down, and it comes my turn to go troweling. Five minutes in, I hit something.” What started as just the side of a cup, turned out to be a whole Etruscan cup, fully intact and buried in the dirt outside of the tomb. The cup dates back to the sixth century B. C., Dr. Livingston said.
“It’s rare in that most of the ceramic pieces are broken,” she said. “This piece isn’t rare for what it is, but for the fact that it is intact. The material that we’re finding there is really significant for archaeological study.”
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It’s rare in that most of the ceramic pieces are broken. This piece isn’t rare for what it is, but for the fact that it is intact. The material that we’re finding there is really significant for archaeological study.
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— Dr. Candace Livingston Assistant Professor of Art History
For McCollum, an art education major graduating in 2019, the experience was as much about cultural discovery, as archaeological study. “I wanted to have this cultural experience, but I also wanted to have this experience of seeing these pieces in person,” McCollum said. “It really goes go back to the previous year in Dr. Livingston’s art survey class and seeing her passion and excitement over the Etruscan period.”
McCollum said he felt he would be able to use his experience in Italy in his classroom as well. “As an artist and art teacher, it’s important to be able to draw from personal experience,” he said. “I’ll never be able to really express what it was like to my students, but I’ll have more passion about it and more experience to give them.” Dr. Livingston said she expects AU’s archaeology program to grow in the coming years due to its unique experience and popularity. This year, for example, Haley Webb, a student from another school whose father works at AU, enrolled in Dr. Livingston’s summer course just to be able to be a part of the archaeological dig. Dr. Livingston said the group’s findings were as important to the archaeological community as they were to the students. “This is exciting for the archaeological community,” Dr. Livingston said. “The students are not only just consuming knowledge, but producing knowledge that will have an impact for years to come.”
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I am pursuing my passion for children’s theatre at AU Eight years old. That’s how old I was when I knew I
I take lightly. Scholarships and financial aid from AU,
wanted to perform professionally in musical theatre.
as well as other private institutions, provided me with
Fast-forward to 2017: I’m now a junior in the musical
the funds to study my craft and set up the best four
theatre program at The South Carolina School of the
years of my life.
Arts at Anderson University. Blessed with caring family, friends and faculty, I feel constantly encouraged in my
With the incredible environment, people and valuable
calling to children’s theater.
training, AU has proved a wonderful, essential stepping stone for my future. As an aspiring children’s theatre
Being at Anderson University, I have grown in my faith and my education.
actor, my training at The South Carolina School of the Arts has brought along opportunities and opened doors, such as singing a solo at the Kennedy Center and touring across the USA with the Missoula Children’s Theater.
AU’s compelling, Christ-centered environment drew me
Being at Anderson University, I have grown in my faith
to campus. The faculty are so personable and welcoming,
and my education. I feel equipped to work professionally
constantly reminding us that yes, we must be proud of
in my desired field: performing and teaching musical
our work, but more importantly, our pride must reside
theatre to children. And maybe I’ll meet another
in the Lord. Entering into my third year at AU feels
eight-year-old girl who will be inspired to do the same.
surreal: from a financial standpoint, I should not be attending this university. Coming from a one-income family of four kids, counting pennies is not a phrase
For more AU Diaries go to: AndersonUniversity.edu/myjourney
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— Bethany Mansfield Junior, The South Carolina School of the Arts
Mansfield grew up in a musical family in Gastonia, North Carolina. Her dad is a sergeant in the Army, and her mom homeschooled all four children. After high school, Anderson University was the clear choice for Mansfield’s next step.
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a tale of two sisters:
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twin alumnae reflect
AU’s values in their interior design careers By Elizabeth Skladany
Seven years into their careers, identical twins Lisa Gorman and Laura (Gorman) Burns have hit significant milestones. For Gorman, it was accepting four prestigious design awards on behalf of teams at the eminent architecture and design firm to which she’s devoted her talents since February 2015. For Burns, it was welcoming a baby with her husband while making the move from an upscale residential design group to become the first interior designer at a growing architecture firm. A tightknit pair, Gorman and Burns have done many things together. Growing up in Jonesborough, Tennessee, they were both homeschooled, played tennis, and created art. When it came time for college, they were both drawn to AU’s technically savvy interior design program, Christian principles, and Division II tennis team. Once at AU, they even lived together—their residence hall was so coordinated and stylish, it was featured on campus tours. After graduation, though, their paths diverged. Gorman earned her master’s degree in interior design from The Florence Institute of Design International in Italy, where she felt confident studying alongside students from five countries. “I saw how AU had prepared me technically and design-wise,” she says of her world-class undergrad education. Once back in the states, she began her career in commercial design, first at Overcash Demmitt Architects in Charlotte, North Carolina, and then at the Charlotte office of global architecture and design firm Perkins+Will, named a Top 10 Giant by Interior Design magazine. In April, Gorman accepted four DesignWorks Awards from the Carolinas Chapter of IIDA (International Interior Design Association) on behalf of teams at Perkins+Will. The firm was lauded for exceptional sustainable design in the manufacturing sphere and an astute lighting concept in the healthcare realm. Meanwhile, Burns moved to Columbia, South Carolina, where she designed upscale residential interiors at the highly regarded female-owned Pulliam Morris Interiors for six years. Then last year, while she and her husband were expecting their first child, she had the opportunity to work for Columbia architect John Powell’s new firm Seed Architecture. As Burns made the transition from an interior design group to a commercial and residential architecture firm, she especially valued the technical aspect of
AU’s interior design program; the classes equipped her to teach herself a new computer drafting program and interact with contractors and engineers to manage projects with different building codes, budgets, and timelines. “AU does a really good job of exposing students to both the residential and commercial fields,” Burns says. When the sisters reflect on their experience at AU, they recall the interior design program’s strong leadership and emphasis on preparing graduates for success in the real world. “Networking events and gatherings were really great platforms for meeting people I still encounter,” says Gorman. They also deeply appreciate Professor and Dean of the School of Interior Design Anne Martin’s commitment to her students, which includes taking them on site visits and keeping in touch with them after graduation.
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AU does a really good job of exposing students to both the residential and commercial fields.
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— Laura (Gorman) Burns Class of 2010
“Her success is your success,” Burns says. And as much as the two women look back fondly on their time at AU, Martin also recalls the impact they had on the program, especially their involvement with the university’s chapter of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers). “Lisa and Laura were both grounded—they both had servants’ hearts. Other students were drawn to them.” As Gorman and Burns move forward in their careers, they’re quick to acknowledge the inspiration they get from each other. But they recognize and laud the skills they acquired at AU and the university’s emphasis on work ethic, teamwork, and spiritual values as the driving forces behind their achievements. Burns sums it up: “It all starts with your foundation and your education.” T H E AU FA M I LY
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business students win third place in invention competition and seek to start a business By Liz Carey
Three AU business students are hoping their invention will go further than winning a prize at a regional competition. In fact, they’re hoping to make a business out of it. Brad Du Plooy, of South Africa; Remi Lesterlou, from France and John Landis of Anderson, were all part of Dr. Joe Spencer’s principles of marketing class last year when they invented a new system for schools to make school pick-up lines more efficient. In Dr. Spencer’s class, groups of students had to take a product from concept to market, including coming up with business and marketing plans. Once the product idea was developed, the student groups had to break up into teams and then work together to present their product and marketing plan to the rest of the class. “(The project) takes the principles they learn in class and makes them concrete,”Dr. Spencer said. “It not only lets the student apply those principles to a larger product, but also allows them to use those principles in a real-life scenario.” The three men, all soccer teammates, saw first-hand how hectic picking up students can be at the end of the school day. “We saw that pick-up takes an hour and a half at Calhoun Academy of the Arts,” Du Plooy said. “We saw the problem and got together to make it better and more efficient.” The system revolves around computer chips installed in parents’ dashboards that would communicate with the school to let them know when parents arrive to pick up their children, as well as let parents know where to go park. The students said they felt their invention would save time, speed up the process, as well as save staff time at the end of the day. Dr. Spencer told the group he thought the idea was good enough to compete in the student competition at the Innovate Carolina Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. The conference, sponsored by companies such as Duke and Wells Fargo, brings business innovators, entrepreneurs and product developers from across the Carolinas together. Part of the conference is a collegiate competition.
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“I’ve had other groups that I’ve suggested they apply for this competition, but this is the first group to follow through with it,” Dr. Spencer said.
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We’re actually realizing building a company takes so much more work than you think,” Landis said. “A lot of entrepreneurs at the conference were very supportive, but they said we were at the very beginning of the process and that we had a long way to go. — John Landis
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Class of 2018
Several school groups apply to participate in the competition, but only five finalists are allowed to present at the competition. The group presented their idea along with groups from other schools, including Wake Forest and North Carolina State. They won third place in the competition. The conference also offered them the opportunity to meet with business leaders and angel investors, Dr. Spencer said. Since then, the group has secured a provisional patent on their idea and is working on getting a patent for the rest of the idea. Both Lesterlou, who is majoring in supply chain management and international business, and Du Plooy, who is majoring in financial economics, graduate in December 2017, while Landis, a financial economics major, graduates in December of 2018. All three students hope to find a way to bring their product to market. “Right now we’re thinking about the possibilities and all the issues we have and how to solve all the problems facing us,” Lesterlou said. But, the group realizes they have a long way to go. “We’re actually realizing building a company takes so much more work than you think,” Landis said. “A lot of entrepreneurs at the conference were very supportive, but they said we were at the very beginning of the process and that we had a long way to go.”
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united with a passion...
Alumni News
the Brashier family contributes $1 million to start scholarship for local students pursuing ministry By Evelyn Beck
“An amazing couple wanting to make a difference.” That’s the simple but apt way that Wayne Landrith, Anderson University’s Senior Vice President for Development and Presidential Affairs, characterizes the immensely generous gift of more than $1 million dollars given by Walter and Christine Brashier. The money will be used to establish the Dr. T. Walter and Christine M. Brashier Family Endowed Scholarship Fund, which will help support students beginning in fall 2018.
not only for a career academically, but to explore and find their purpose in life, their calling.”
The Brashiers’ gift was acknowledged during this fall’s convocation service on September 13.
The Brashiers are great champions of Christian higher education and have contributed previously to Anderson University as well as to other universities. They also have a personal connection to AU since Christine Brashier attended what was then Anderson College, and their granddaughter is currently enrolled.
Preference for the scholarships, awarded in amounts of at least $1,000 per academic year, will be given to residents of Anderson and the Upstate area of South Carolina who are in a course of study leading to a degree in a church-related vocation. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate financial need are eligible. “This is an investment in the lives of students,” said Landrith. “Higher education is a sound investment for families. Every dollar makes a difference, making it possible for students to afford college. And Christian higher education is very unique. It prepares students 3 0 | A LU M N I N E W S
In his 2016 commencement address at Anderson University, Dr. Brashier echoed these sentiments, urging students to leave their past behind as instructed by the apostle Paul and to press forward to their futures. “Don’t let your past shackle you or bridle you,” he said. “Forget those things that are behind and press on to the calling of God.”
Dr. Brashier grew up on a farm in Greenville County and had a strong work ethic early on, picking cotton at age six and getting a job at age 16 at a mortuary that he later co-owned. He graduated from Furman University and attended Southeastern Theological Seminary and Erskine Theological Seminary. He also has honorary doctorates from Anderson University, Charleston Southern University, and North Greenville University; and in
2008 he received South Carolina’s highest award, the Order of the Palmetto, for his lifetime achievement and significant contributions to the state. As a minister, Dr. Brashier preached at as many as 42 revival crusades across the country each year and hosted a national radio and TV show called You are on Target with Walter Brashier. Dr. Brashier’s son Tommy and grandson Wes followed him into the ministry, and Dr. Brashier delivered the ordination sermon for both of them.
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This is an investment in the lives of students. Higher education is a sound investment for families. Every dollar makes a difference, making it possible for students to afford college. And Christian higher education is very unique. It prepares students not only for a career academically, but to explore and
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find their purpose in life, their calling. — Wayne Landrith
Senior Vice President for Development and Presidential Affairs
Dr. Brashier has also been very successful in the real estate business. As the co-owner of RealtiCorp, a real estate investment company, he bought and sold commercial properties. He built and owned several thousand apartments, and his sale of 2,300 units in 1987 to the Krupp Group was at the time the largest residential sale in South Carolina history. He also built and owned several million square feet of warehousing and manufacturing facilities, office complexes and shopping centers. He also owned Intex Aviation Services, one of the largest airline servicing companies in the U.S. The company performed underwing services such as baggage handling, lavatory and water services, and de-icing. Dr. Walter and Christine Brashier have been married for more than 60 years and have four children, 13 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. They live in Greenville. Mrs. Brashier, a Greenville native, was not able to complete her degree at Anderson College due to family responsibilities, but in 2016 the university awarded her an honorary undergraduate degree.
How to Establish an Endowed Scholarship Fund Colleges and universities with strong endowments have greater opportunities to improve programs, provide student financial aid, and plan for continuing service to enrich the educational experience of future generations of students. A growing endowment ensures the future financial viability of Anderson University and directly affects its Christian higher education mission. If you are considering such a gift, here is how the process works: An endowment is a financial gift that is held in trust by the university and invested under established policies. The principal is never withdrawn. The interest is used according to the contributor’s wishes. The endowment policy sets annual spending limits for scholarships. An outside auditing firm audits the endowment annually.
Starting an AU Scholarship 1) C ontribute $10,000 or more Your minimum gift of $10,000 will establish a named endowed scholarship fund. This can be created with a one-time gift or by periodic gifts. Once established, additional contributions can be made to the scholarship fund throughout your life and in death through a provision in your will or estate plan. Scholarship funds can also be established by will bequests or estate plans. The larger the endowed fund, the more aid it provides. 2) Name the scholarship fund Endowed scholarship funds can be named in your honor or can memorialize others. 3) D ecide criteria for receiving scholarship Students who receive the scholarship funds are selected by the financial aid office at AU using the guidelines and qualifications that you have specified. It is best not to make the qualifications too specific to help ensure the identification of recipients each year. Qualifications can include students’ majors, hometowns, grade point average, and financial need, for example. 4) A lter scholarship guidelines by mutual consent with AU After you establish the scholarship guidelines, they can be altered only by mutual consent between the contributor and the university. 5) R eceive notification about scholarship recipient You will be notified each year about your scholarship recipients, allowing you the chance to see the difference that your support has made. For more information about establishing an endowed scholarship fund at Anderson University, contact Dr. Bert Epting Jr, Associate Vice President for Development and Planned Giving, at 864.231.2147 or bepting@andersonuniversity.edu.
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Jason’s COLUMN
By jason rutland, Associate Vice President for Alumni & Parent Engagement
What I learned from Dr. Robert Burks We all remember that professor. They taught a class you were excited to take, one you were passionate about. They inspired you. This was not the case for the prof who taught my Religion 105 class.
make a bad grade. I am eternally grateful to Dr. Burks for the only D I received in college. It led to a 3.5 GPA in undergraduate work and a 4.0 in graduate school.
I walked into Dr. Robert Burks’ Old Testament class at Anderson. I was a freshman with a baseball scholarship. I grew up in the church with godly role models as parents. I was in Royal Ambassadors (Boy Scout-like organization run by the Southern Baptist Convention) and did Bible drills growing up. I thought this class would be easy. I did not come to college with a great work ethic in the classroom. My motivation was focused on athletics. From Day One, Dr. Burks, who passed away in May, challenged me. I thought he should focus on others, as I grew up in the church. I knew everything that he was going to teach me. I learned, however, that while I thought I knew everything he was going to teach, I didn’t know everything he was going to ask on exams. When I received my first exam back, I thought, “this could not be correct.” There is no way I did this badly. I hadn’t studied, but I had been studying this subject for years. As time passed, I remember having to work harder in this class than I had in any before. I remember the passion that he brought to each class, and it had a huge impact that he brought a well thought-out class that spanned the entire 50-minute time slot. My planning and preparing improved under Dr. Burks. While not always happy that I had to work so hard in his class, I was happy that it came in the first semester of my freshman year. It was a wake-up call that I was not in high school. It let me know that my best was expected. It also let me know that I could
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Dr. Robert Burks
I am thankful that a scholarship has been started in Dr. Burks’ memory, and I respectfully ask you to consider supporting this small way of honoring him.
You can give online, by mail, or bring contributions to AU’s Office of Development at 316 Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621. If mailing, please write “Dr. Robert Burks Endowed Scholarship” on the check. To give online, visit www.andersonuniversity.edu/giving/online and choose “Other” from the Designation field. Indicate Dr. Robert Burks Endowed Scholarship in the comments.
Because our students are worth the investment.
Gifts to the Anderson Fund help the university provide life-changing scholarships to worthy, financially deserving students. The Anderson Fund helps pay for computer and laboratory equipment, course development, art exhibitions, athletic enhancements, theatrical performances, library books, student mission trips and so much more, which all have a positive impact on students. The Anderson Fund literally touches the lives of thousands of students each year and provides hope to our world as Anderson University sends forth inspired Christian leaders and servants who will make a difference in their local communities where they will live, work and serve.
Make your gift today with the enclosed envelope or go to www.AndersonUniversity.edu/giving/online. You may also contact our Office of Development at 864.231.2147.
Anderson University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or religion in its programs and activities. Please direct inquiries to Dr. Beverly Rice McAdams, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion/Title IX Administrator, Merritt Administration Building, 3rd floor, 316 Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621, (864) 231-2126, bmcadams@andersonuniversity.edu or to the Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education at ocr@ed.gov.
athletic news...
Trojans in motion!
Bill D’Andrea named
vice president for athletics In mid-September, Bill D’Andrea was named Vice President for Athletics. Since his arrival during the summer of 2015, D’Andrea has placed an emphasis on facility enhancement and fundraising, with membership in the Trojan Club growing significantly – most notably in student involvement. During his tenure, the Trojans have made nearly a dozen appearances in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament, with the women’s basketball team bringing home the 2015 regular-season title. AU student-athletes have earned All-South Atlantic Conference honors on 40 occasions, and gone on to claim All-Southeast Region recognition 16 times.
AU student-athletes have earned All-South Atlantic Conference honors on 40 occasions, and gone on to claim All-Southeast Region recognition 16 times. Anderson has seen newcomers claim four SAC Freshman of the Year titles, a women’s basketball Player of the Year (2015-16) and AU men’s and women’s tennis players swept the 2017 SAC ScholarAthlete awards, with cross country and track runners earning three appearances in the NCA A National Championships. D’Andrea has overseen substantial improvements at the Athletic Campus, with significant enhancements to the weight room and the addition of lights and locker rooms at soccer’s Trojan Stadium. AU student-athletes have also performed in the classroom, boasting a departmental-record 3.24 GPA at the conclusion of the 2015-16 academic term. 3 6 | AT H L E T I C N E W S
Bill D’Andrea, Vice President for Athletics
Men’s Cross Country Head Coach Kevin Eagle took the reins of the Trojan cross country and track programs in early July. Eagle arrived in the Electric City after four seasons at the helm of the Limestone cross country and track and field programs, where his Saints earned All-Conference Carolinas Cross Country honors on 22 occasions. Eagle guided the Saints to the 2016 Conference Carolinas’ Men’s Indoor Track and Field title and the Limestone women’s cross country squad was runner-up at last season’s conference championship. Prior to his stint in Gaffney, Eagle spent the 2012-13 season as an assistant cross country and track and field coach for the Gillette College (Wyo.), men’s and women’s programs. He helped guide 21 Pronghorns to the NJCA A Indoor/Outdoor National Championships, while seeing a pair of athletes qualify for the USA Track & Field Nationals in 2013. Eagle helped develop a combined nine cross country and track & field athletes to All-America status, with four claiming Academic All-America honors during his time in the Cowboy State.
Mason Hazel
From top to bottom: Haylee Love, Olivia Evans
The men’s cross country team, which has been ranked in the top five in the Southeast Region in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) DII Regional Rankings all season, was tabbed to finish third in the conference this season, in a vote by the league’s coaches. Senior Mason Hazel repeated as the top finisher at the USC Upstate Invitational in early October, while leading the Trojans past Newberry for the team title. The Trojans captured the top four spots and seven of the top eight finishes.
Women’s Cross Country Following third-place finishes at each of the last three South Atlantic Conference Championships, the women’s cross country team has been predicted to finish third in the 2017 SAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll. The women’s cross country team has been ranked among the top three in the Southeast Region in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) DII Regional Rankings all season and had already claimed two titles by early
Kevin Eagle, Men’s Cross Country Head Coach
October. Paced by senior Haylee Love’s first-place finish, AU claimed the top four spots and five of the top seven slots en route to winning the USC Upstate Eye Opener. Four weeks later, freshman Olivia Evans won the USC Upstate Invitational as the Trojans claimed the first eight spots and 12 of the top 14 slots to outduel Newberry for the championship. (Continued) AT H L E T I C N E W S
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From top to bottom: Forrest Fowler, Cal Brock
Tiffany Elam
Men’s Golf Senior Forrest Fowler fired a two-day 6-over-par 150 and finished in a tie for second place, as the men’s golf team finished second at the AU Invitational. Fowler finished in the three-way tie for second, while freshman Cal Brock finished fifth after a two-round 151. Both Fowler and Brock earned spots on the All-Tournament Team.
Women’s Golf Sophomore Kate Hill fired a two-day 6-over-par 150 to lead the women’s golf team to its first-ever AU Invitational team title, as the Trojans held off runner-up Lincoln Memorial by one stroke in mid-September. Hill finished second, just one shot off the pace. Hill and teammate Tiffany Elam were both named to the All-Tournament Team.
Volleyball Todd Hay was named Head Coach in March, after serving the previous five seasons at the helm of the Newberry volleyball program. He was named the Wolves’ head coach prior to the 2012 campaign after
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Todd Hay, Women’s Volleyball Head Coach
six seasons as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at NCA A Division I University of Central Arkansas. He posted an overall 84-72 mark at Newberry, while leading the Scarlet and Grey to four appearances in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament, including three appearances in the semifinals and a pair of appearances in the NCA A Southeast Regional Tournament.
During his six seasons on the sidelines in Conway, Ark., Hay helped lead the Sugar Bears to an overall 139-59 record, with two Southland Conference championships and four division championships. He was also an instructor in the Kinesiology/Physical Education department at UCA. Prior to the season, Rachel Moran was named an assistant coach. Moran, a native of Cypress, Texas, was a setter for Newberry during Todd Hay’s stint as head coach for the Wolves and dished out 2,550 assists over the span of 92 matches during her collegiate career. She helped lead the Wolves to 64 victories, including three South Atlantic Conference Tournament appearances and back-to-back appearances in the NCA A Southeast Regional in 2012 and 2013. As a coach for her former club team, Moran helped guide her team to a pair of third-place finishes at national qualifiers and the 14 gold medal at the A AU national championships in Orlando last summer. The Trojans got off to one of the best starts in school history and closed the month of September on a seven-match win streak, which was the longest since the 2004 squad reeled off 11 straight wins and is the fourth-longest in school history. The 2002 team posted nine consecutive victories and the ’98 squad recorded an eight-match win streak.
Rachel Moran, Women’s Volleyball Assistant Coach
For the fifth consecutive year, the volleyball team was named a recipient of the American Volleyball Coaches’ Association (AVCA) Team Academic Award, as announced in July. The Trojans joined seven other South Atlantic Conference schools and a record-setting 822 collegiate and high school volleyball programs that garnered the accolade. The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school teams that displayed excellence in the classroom during the school year by (Continued) AT H L E T I C N E W S
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maintaining at least a 3.30 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale. The volleyball squad posted a 3.404 GPA for the 2016-17 academic year.
As a defender, Calabria scored two goals, both game-winners, while tallying 13 shots with five coming on goal.
The Trojans were tabbed to finish third in the conference in a vote by the league’s coaches, with sophomore setter Emily Conlin and the senior trio of Serena Jackson, Marissa Mitter and Rachel Burts capturing Preseason All-SAC honors.
Women’s Soccer
Mitter was named AstroTurf South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week in early October, after helping lead the Black and Gold to three consecutive league wins.
Men’s Soccer After finishing fifth three of the last five seasons, the Trojans were picked to finish 10th in the annual Preseason South Atlantic Conference Coaches’ Poll. Senior defender Josh Calabria was named to the Preseason All-SAC Second Team. The native of Canberra, Australia started 13 matches last season, while missing several starts due to injury.
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After coming off of a 9-6-1 overall record and 6-4-1 league mark and reaching the South Atlantic Conference semifinals for the second straight year, the Trojans were predicted to finish fifth in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coach’s Poll. Sarah Jacobs joined the coaching staff as an assistant in mid-August. The native of Greer S.C., played collegiately at Clemson (2008-11) earning team MVP honors in 2010. After exhausting her eligibility at Clemson, Jacobs extended her playing career by joining the Carolina Elite Cobras in Greenville, S.C. After several stops around the professional ranks, Jacobs most recently was a member with the FC Dallas, Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), in Frisco, Texas. Jacobs holds her USSF National “D” License and has served in a variety of roles in several different soccer organizations over the past four years which include camp coach, youth coach, club administrator and assistant varsity coach.
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Spark the Christmas Spirit! During this holiday season, Anderson University wishes you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful time with family and friends. We also encourage you to consider us as you make your year-end gifts using the envelope enclosed in this magazine.