[Summer 2012] Commentary

commentary t h e O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F co k e r coll e g e – h a r t s v ill e , s o u t h ca r olina

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coker.edu | cokercobras.com | facebook.com/cokercollege | youtube.com/cokercollege

COMMENTARY

S UPPORT

LIFE SUPPORT

(Dan Shanks: Class of 1997)

26 Ta b l e o f C o n t e n t s A DVOC ATE

South Atlantic Conference 3 ENG A GE

Fred Edinger

A ME SS AGE FROM DR. Ro b e r t L . W YATT President of the College

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Development

Alumni News

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S UPPORT

Bell Tower Challenge I MPA CT

Steinway Initiative

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Summer has evaporated, lifting the curtain on a new academic year and revealing institutional changes that will nurture growth on many fronts.

Instruction in the new master’s program in college athletic administration has begun. The Joseph L. and Betty C. Wiggins School of Education is now reality, as is the honors program and a suite of new music programs.

Our team in Development and Alumni Affairs are introducing several new affinity groups to strengthen and maintain alumni relationships.

We’ve also opened another apartment complex, the Downtown Flats, to

Summer 2012 | Vol. 40, No. 2 coker.edu | cokercobras.com facebook.com/cokercollege | youtube.com/cokercollege

In addition to the many “firsts” emerging on the stage this year, one special “last” promises to infuse energy, excitement and competitive spirit into

STAFF

campus life all year long. This will be the Cobras’ final year as members

A R t Di r e c t o r / D e si g n e r

Kyle Saverance ’06

of Conference Carolinas before our athletic teams become members of the

Executive Director of Marketing & Communications ksaverance@coker.edu

South Atlantic Conference.

E d i t o r s/C o n t r i b u t o r s

G r a p h i c D e si g n e r

Kyria Hoffman ’10

Norah Wofford ’11

Content Manager & Writer khoffman@coker.edu

Publications & Web Designer nwofford@coker.edu

Barb Steadman

accommodate growing enrollment.

Vi d e o g r a p h e r

Whatever draws you to Coker this year, and in whatever ways you stay involved, whether by visiting campus or by reaching out through myriad

Director of College Relations bsteadman@coker.edu

Seth Johnson ’12

new and social media options, know that we deeply appreciate your

Chris Dougherty

Interactive Media Developer sjohnson@coker.edu

thoughtful support.

Manager of Athletic Media Relations cdougherty@coker.edu

My best, The Commentary is the official magazine of Coker College and is published by the Office of Marketing & Communications.

Dr. Robert L. Wyatt

COKER COLLEGE Office of Marketing & Communications 300 East College Avenue Hartsville, SC 29550-3797 843.383.8000 | 843.383.8017

coker.edu

Coker Accepts Invitation to Join the

South Atlantic Conference Coker College has accepted an invitation to join the South Atlantic Conference for its athletic programs.

The South Atlantic Conference Presidents Council voted unanimously to extend the invitation both to Coker and Queens University of Charlotte, which also accepted the invitation. Both institutions will begin competition in the conference in the 2013-14 academic year. The additions will increase the number of SAC members to 12 institutions and marks the conference’s first expansion since 2010, when Anderson University joined the league.

“The South Atlantic Conference is a signature conference in Division II, and we embrace this opportunity as a vital step in our efforts to expand and enrich Coker College athletics,” said Wyatt. “In terms of reaching Coker’s long-term goals, SAC membership is a real game-changer. I am excited and proud to accept this invitation.”

Coker will be the SAC’s third member institution from the Palmetto State, while Queens, based in Charlotte, N.C., becomes the league’s sixth member from North Carolina.

“On behalf of our presidents, athletic directors, coaches, student-athletes and fans, I am thrilled to welcome two elite academic and athletic institutions in Coker and Queens,” said SAC Commissioner Patrick Britz.

“We believe that the addition of these two fine schools will enhance the experience of all SAC student-athletes and elevate the visibility and longterm strength of the conference.”

U.S. News and World Report recognized Coker as No. 18 in its 2012 Regional College South Rankings and Queens as No. 21 in its 2012 Regional University South Rankings.

“The South Atlantic Conference is privileged and excited to welcome Coker College and Queens University as members,” said Dr. Wayne Powell, chair of the SAC Presidents Council and president at Lenoir-Rhyne University. “Both schools will bring impressive pedigrees to the league.

“The Presidents Council unanimously agreed that the academic and athletic cultures at Coker and Queens are consistent with the vision of the South Atlantic Conference and will mesh seamlessly with our 10 current member institutions.”

Coker will compete in 13 of the SAC’s 14 championship sports, with football being the lone exception. Queens will participate in all SAC sports except baseball and football.

Coker’s athletic program produced 20 all-conference, two Capital One Academic All-District and one Capital One Academic All-America selections in the 2011-12 academic year. The Coker men’s golf team captured the 2012 Conference Carolinas championship, and the men’s soccer program earned its first-ever NCAA championship selection last fall.

“Looking ahead, the transition into the SAC presents an opportunity to develop our student-athletes on a new level, and we are eager for the start of conference competition in the 2013-14 season,” said Dr. Lynn Griffin, Coker’s athletic director. “It is an honor and privilege to accept this invitation to the SAC.” Logistics of Coker and Queens’ integration into the SAC, including the possibility of divisional play, will be vetted by the conference’s leadership groups in June.

ADVOCATE

ADVOCATE

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104t h S PRI NG COMMENCEMENT Coker College celebrated its 104th Spring Commencement May 5, 2012, in the Courtyard at Davidson Hall. President Wyatt [ 1.0 ] presented diplomas to 140 graduates and conferred a Doctor of Humane Letters on this year’s keynote speaker, William E. Schmidt, deputy managing editor of The New York Times.

Assistant Professor of Sociology Mal Hyman [ 1.1 ] received the College’s Master Professor Award. Each year the student body nominates deserving professors for the award, and the graduating class votes on the top five nominees. The nominees were Associate Professor of Business Administration Glenn Chappell, Assistant Professor of Mathematics Paul Dostert, Professor of Education Darlene Maxwell and Assistant Professor of Business Administration Joseph Stevano.

Two seniors, Emma Nichole Hayes and Diego Polo, were recognized as first honor graduates, members of the Class of 2012 who had earned the highest academic cumulative grade-point average. Both achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 4.0.

The Alumni Cup was awarded to Joshua David Bittinger, Caroline Altmann Dixon, Ashley Nicole Hancock, Emma Nichole Hayes and Diego Polo. The Alumni Cup is awarded by the Coker College Alumni Association to the five members of the graduating class who have earned the highest academic averages for their junior and senior years.

WEB E X TR A S To view the commencement video plus many more, visit: youtube.com/cokercollege BECOME A SUBSCRIBER! [ 1.1 ]

2012 S p ri n g Co m m e n c e m e n t Speaker William Schmidt, deputy managing editor of The New York Times, presented the Coker College spring commencement address Saturday, May 5.

“Mr. Schmidt has set an exceptional model of citizenship and professionalism in an era when both qualities seem in short supply and are urgently needed,” said Wyatt.

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C A M P U S I S S U E

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ADVOCATE

PULSE Participants Celebrate Successful Year More than two hundred teachers, school staff members and community leaders gathered at Coker this spring to celebrate the first year of the Comer School Development Program implementation in Hartsville.

Ha r r is DeL oac h, J r. [l e f t] a n d D r. J a m e s P. Co m e r [Ri g h t]

The day long program included a luncheon, a keynote speech by Yale University’s Dr. James P. Comer, and presentations from Southside Early Childhood Center, Thornwell School for the Arts, and Washington Street and West Hartsville Elementary Schools.

Professor Susan Henderson, director of the new Joseph L. and Betty C. Wiggins School of Education, welcomed the audience and introduced the partners in PULSE, a unique public-private partnership administered by the TEACH Foundation, with a five-year $5 million grant from Sonoco.

Charlie Hupfer, TEACH board president and a member of Coker College Board of Trustees, thanked the participants for “giving Hartsville children the opportunity to have the kind of education they will need to compete effectively in the 21st century.”

Dr. Comer greeted the audience as “friends of children all” and then described his earliest meeting with leaders of the partner organizations, Sonoco,

Schmidt’s responsibilities include, among others, oversight of newsroom administration and finances, staff development and newsroom standards.

Schmidt has worked for The Times since 1981 and spent much of his career at the newspaper as a correspondent based in bureaus outside of New York. He spent ten years working for the national desk, as The Times bureau chief in Denver, Atlanta and Chicago. From 1991 until 1995, he was the newspaper’s London correspondent. In 1995, he was assigned to New York as deputy national editor and helped direct The Times coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing and the 1996 presidential campaign.

Before joining The Times, Schmidt worked for Newsweek for eight years, the last two as bureau chief in Moscow. For the three years prior to his Moscow assignment, Mr. Schmidt was Newsweek’s Middle East bureau chief, based in Cairo. He also served as the magazine’s Miami bureau chief and was a correspondent in its Chicago bureau. From 1967 until 1973, he was a reporter with The Detroit Free Press.

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Coker, the Darlington County School District, and the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics.

“When I listened to Mr. DeLoach [Harris E. DeLoach, Jr. is chairman, president and CEO of Sonoco.] talk, it was clear,” Comer said, “that having a welltrained workforce was an important motivation. He also said something that I will never forget, ‘It’s just right that all of the children get an education that would prepare them to function well.’

“After that first conversation I had a sense that this was a community that could put a program together that supported the culture that would allow all the children to develop and learn well.”

Judging from the results of Year One, it appears he was right.

In 1987 Schmidt was among seven reporters and two editors at The Times who shared the Pulitzer Prize for national reporting for articles about the causes of the Challenger disaster. In 1971 he shared the George Polk Award for national reporting for coverage of the shootings at Kent State University. In 1977 he won an award from the Overseas Press Club for his reporting on the war in Lebanon.

Schmidt received a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism from the University of Michigan.

With six news bureaus in the New York region, 14 national news bureaus and 25 foreign news bureaus, The Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes and Citations, far more than any other newspaper. It was awarded a Pulitzer for Explanatory Reporting and International Reporting in April 2012.

T HE OFFICIA L M AG A ZINE OF COKER COL L EG E, H A RT S V IL L E, S .C .

COMMENTA RY

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“Outside of a Dog” { P r o f e s s o r F r e d Edi n g e r ’ s La s t L e c t u r e }

ENGAGE

Professor of Geology Fred Edinger, who retired at the end of the spring semester, presented a lecture titled “Outside of a Dog” April 10 in the Charles

1. Don Quijote

by Miguel de Cervantes (Raffel translation)

2. The Autobiography of Malcom X

by Alex Haley

3. Coming of Age in the Milky Way

by Timothy Ferris

4. Wolf Willow

by Wallace Stegner

5. Albion’s Seed

by David Hackett Fischer

6. The Testament

by John Grisham

7. The Lord of the Rings

by J.R.R. Tolkien

8. Things Fall Apart

by Chinua Achebe

9. Moby Dick

by Herman Melville

10. Ishmael

{

F r e d Edi n g e r ’ s La s t L e c t u r e R e adi n g Li s t

}

W. Coker Auditorium of Davidson Hall.

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by Daniel Quinn 2012

C A M P U S I S S U E

Referencing the famous Groucho Marx line about books and friends, Edinger’s lecture shined a light on, among other things, the favorite books of his friends – colleagues with whom he has built lasting relationships, a fascinating career and a proud institution.

Edinger joined the Coker College faculty in 1973. Among his many contributions to the institution and its students, his role in establishing COW Days, a student tradition, which began in 1976, may represent the most charming aspect of his legacy at the College.

Although he consistently shuns credit for starting the “Coker Olympics of Winter,” the tradition that began as a winter-doldrums breaker under his watch as advisor to Coker College Union has grown into a much-loved, iconic annual competition for the student body.

Edinger received his undergraduate and Master of Education degrees at Whittier College in Whittier, Calif., and a Master of Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, N.C. In 1991, he completed his Ph.D. in geological sciences at the University of South Carolina.

Selected by students as Coker College Master Professor of the Year in 2000 and again in 2006, Edinger has served on various faculty committees at the College including the curriculum committee, student development committee and in a number of institutional roles including as associate dean of student development and as the faculty representative to various subcommittees of the board of trustees. He has also served as a professor or faculty participant for Coker’s study abroad trips to Iceland, the Netherlands, Germany, Greece, Tur-

key and China. Edinger was promoted to Professor Emeritus of Geology during the spring meeting of the Coker College Board of Trustees in recognition of his long and faithful service to the College.

Edinger is a member of the National Association of Geology Teachers, the Carolinas Geological Society, the Darlington County Historical Society, the American Philatelic Society and the France and Colonies Philatelic Society. He is a founding member of the Institute of Analytic Philately.

Throughout his tenure at Coker, Edinger has served in volunteer capacities in Hartsville through his involvement with the West Hartsville 4-H Club, the Darlington County School District, the City of Hartsville’s Environmental Commission and St. Luke United Methodist Church.

The Last Lecture Series, established by President Robert Wyatt last year to celebrate academic excellence and individual achievements of retiring Coker faculty, “invites students of all ages to pay tribute to excellence and step into stories that will inspire greater individual and shared successes than we have yet imagined.”

The Last Lecture by Edinger was part of Coker’s annual Celebration of Academics, which was sponsored by Wells Fargo.

WEB E X TR A S To view this last lecture video plus many more, visit: youtube.com/ cokercollege BECOME A SUBSCRIBER!

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[ 1.0 ]

Promotion & Tenure Promotions

Dr. Tracey Welborn [ 1.0 ] Professor of Psychology

Tenure Dr. Gordon Brown Assistant Professor of Chemistry* Professor Todd Rix [ 1.1 ] Assistant Professor of Library Science* Dr. Mac Williams [ 1.2 ] Assistant Professor of Spanish*

* Effective 2013-14

HONOR S Dr. Fred Edinger Professor Emeritus of Geology

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Sabbatic al s Professor Jim Boden [ 1.3 ], Professor of Art, Spring 2013 - plans to engage in extensive studio time pursuing his own artwork and will travel to Germany to perform research into the works and processes of Counter-Reformation work by Peter Paul Rubens and conduct a comparative exploration of 15th17th century Germanic depictions of the Crucifixion.

Professor Boden will also meet with gallery directors in the United States and Germany to pursue exhibition opportunities of his work.

Dr. Joe Stevano, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, Spring 2013 - will conduct research on poverty in America, which will focus on South Carolina and how current federal and state policies affect poverty. He will also look into how long the typical welfare recipient remains on welfare as well as whether or not a family being on welfare is a good predictor of whether the children will be on welfare when they reach adulthood. He will also explore the connection between welfare and crime. The information found in this research will be used to develop a new upper-level business course.

Dr. Jasna Shannon [ 1.4 ], Associate Professor of English, Spring 2013 – plans to perform research on national identity and how identity shapes academic writing. Specifically, she is interested in how writing center peer tutors can be trained to help international students who struggle to adapt to a new academic discourse while preserving their national identities.

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She will incorporate the findings of her research into the tutor-training course. She also intends to upgrade the current database used to record tutoring sessions after exploring how other schools combine databases and assessment strategies for writing centers and writing courses and programs.

Dr. Cathy Cuppett, Professor of Spanish, Spring 2013 – plans to spend two weeks volunteering at Outreach 360 in the Dominican Republic and will focus on improving the elementary Spanish sequence she currently teaches by improving the experience for kinesthetic learners, increasing the use of music in the classroom and incorporating Web 2.0 technology. She will also explore the Outreach 360 Program as a possible site for a short-term study abroad program for students.

Dr. Darlene Maxwell [ 1.5 ], Professor of Education, Fall 2012 - will examine the creative, innovative, stateof-the-art programs and concepts that address the needs of children in the 21st century. Her intention is to visit other early childhood programs and colleagues at the collegiate level as well as the primary level locally, nationally and possibly internationally; review pertinent professional literature relevant to program revision; and consult with other leaders in the field. She will also continue to work on the revision process for the final submission of the early childhood program for NCATE.

T HE OFFICIA L M AG A ZINE OF COKER COL L EG E, H A RT S V IL L E, S .C .

COMMENTA RY

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ENGAGE

Dr. Suzanne Parker Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sport Studies

[ 1.1 ]

ENGAGE

3r d A n n ua l C e l e b r at i o n o f Ac a d e m i c s ENGAGE

Continuing a tradition that began during President Robert Wyatt’s inauguration as the 16th president of Coker College, Coker hosted a campus-wide Celebration of Academics Monday, April 9, through Friday, April 13.

HANNAH LIDE COKER SCHOL AR SHIP In an original presentation created for the Celebration of Academics Performing Arts Showcase, Brianna Fowler, a rising senior theater major, shared news of a new endowed scholarship to honor the legacy of Mrs. Hannah Lide Coker, whose inspiring story is chronicled in “A Story of the Late War.” More than $20,000 has been contributed to the fund,” said Wes Daniels, Coker College Director of Campaigns. “The scholarship will be used to defray education expenses for Coker College students whose example, like Hannah Lide Coker’s, can inspire others to uphold the highest standards of character, service and leadership,” he added.

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C A M P U S I S S U E

“These celebrations have been enthusiastically embraced by students and faculty and by our neighbors throughout the region,” said Wyatt. “In fact, the overwhelming success of last year’s celebration prompted this year’s organizers to extend the event from three days to five.”

According to Professor of Political Science and Philosophy Jim Lemke, who headed planning for the inauguration as well as for the now annual Celebration of Academics, it just wasn’t possible to present even a cursory introduction to the many intriguing projects and programs students and faculty explored at Coker this year within the three days originally allotted for the event.

“One of the most satisfying lessons we learned in putting together this year’s program is that the volume of individual and collaborative projects we are undertaking is exploding,” said Lemke. “From computer science to life science, from American literature to international studies, Coker students are involved and deeply engaged in scholarly inquiry in ways I’ve not seen for a number of years.”

With last year’s program, organizers decided that the theme of the annual celebration would be “What Box?,” a phrase intended to convey the idea that education – effective education – is not confined to the classroom but is incorporated into all aspects of

the student experience. This year, the “What Box?” theme means significantly more. It also reflects the fact that the activities of a robust academic community do and should press the boundaries of conventional beliefs and expectations.

“In light of the expanded program in 2012, we were especially grateful for the financial support of Wells Fargo, which, this year, became the sole corporate sponsor of the Celebration of Academics,” said Lemke.

Among the many presentations in this year’s Celebration were the final presentation of the College’s 2012 Last Lecture Series by retiring Professor of Geology Fred Edinger, dozens of poster presentations of student research and service-learning projects, 20 presentations of student-faculty research projects and a special presentation about PULSE (a local education initiative supported by Sonoco).

The popular, culminating presentation of Coker’s annual Performing Arts Showcase was performed twice this year. The first showing, on April 11, was intended primarily for faculty, staff and students. A second presentation was scheduled on April 13 in response to broad interest expressed by residents of Hartsville and surrounding communities and by alumni who returned to campus for the College’s Alumni Day activities.

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Go online to read more class news: www.coker.edu/the-commentary

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class news •

G at h e r e d & w r it t e n by cl a ss R e pr e se n tat i v e s

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S u sa n A l l e n M o r a n o ’69, Awa r d W i n n e r

The 2012 Coker College Alumni Weekend was held April 13-14 with 158 alumni in attendance representing the classes of 1946-2011 joined by faculty, staff and friends of the College. Festivities began on Friday night with the reunion class dinners. On Saturday, alumni participated in class meetings, attended the general session and the presentation of the 2012 alumni awards and gathered for a luncheon in the Susanne G. Linville Dining Hall. During the general session on Saturday, the class gifts totaling over $19,400 were presented to President Robert Wyatt from the reunion classes of 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972 and 1977.

Alumni Association awards were presented during the General Session to the following recipients: Susan Allen Morano ’69 – 2012 Distinguished Achievement Award Gloria Mack Bell ’74 – 2012 Distinguished Service Award

Class reps needed for: 1937, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1958, 1967, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. If you are interested, please call the alumni office at 1-800-65-COKER (26537) or 843-3838062.

1938

Florence Houck Steele

Post Office Box 69 Davis Station, SC 29041 803-478-8783 | 803-460-7877 cell phone

1939

Lisa Miller Sneed ’98 Mary Constance [Connie] Bell ’93 EV 104 Cooper River Road Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 843-650-4791 | CokerGrad@aol.com Dear Class of 1939: I must begin this, my first column as your class representative, with a hearty “thank you” for allowing me to serve in this capacity. I have thoroughly enjoyed chatting with some of you on the phone. I vow to do my very best to reacquaint you with your classmates as I share with you our conversations and letters. Again, thank you, for permitting me to be your class representative.

A special thanks, also, to Marjorie Brunk Nettles, ’40 who gave me the new phone number for Octavia “Ta” Moses Mahon. Just a few months ago, Ta moved from her home in Sumter to Covenant Place of Sumter where Margie lives. The two have been friends for many years, and now they are also luncheon companions. Ta says that she lives in a very lovely place and takes it “one

day at a time”. She used to be extremely active but now pushes a walker.

Ta has four children: a son in Columbia, a daughter in Blue Ridge, GA, another daughter that shares her time between Pawleys Island and Summerville, and another son in Spartanburg. She tells me that her children and grandchildren are very attentive to her. She is also very fortunate to have a nephew in Sumter (a surgeon who operated on her leg last week) that checks on her and takes care of her.

Within the past year, Ta talked to one of your classmates, Jeanne Anderson McLain who lives in Columbia.

I had a lovely chat with Eloise Hayes Smith. She still lives in her home in Latta, does pretty well, drives a little, and just celebrated her 94th birthday. Being the baby of a rather large family, she said the celebration seemed to last a month. She has a daughter next door and a son here at the beach. She maintains that her children are very, very good to her. By the way, her son is my optometrist. Eloise’s last trip to Coker College was in 1999 when she celebrated her 60th class reunion. She recalled the wonderful time that she, Janet Langston Jones, and Edna Johnson Kirkegard had. She truly did not want the events to end.

The news of Helen Montague James comes to us via Ta Mahon. The two attend the same church and circle meetings. Helen still lives in her home and is as bright as can be. Her children and grandchildren are very good to her, and she loves to go to Edisto Beach with them.

About a year ago, Eloise Hayes Smith talked with classmate Helen Moore Beam. Helen lives in Roanoke, VA, and she has a home right here in Myrtle Beach as well. She promised to call Eloise next time she came down to the beach.

Several times I have called Janet Langston Jones,

but she is never home. But I don’t give up very easily, and I will eventually reach her.

A math major, Eloise Hayes Smith told me that she enjoyed her years at Coker. She married in 1941 and found herself to be not only a teacher, but a military wife as well. In her words, “Wherever he was stationed, I taught school – NC, SC, FL, and VA.” She continued teaching school for thirty (30) years. After retirement, the Smith’s traveled extensively visiting all of the lower 48 states. Her husband did not care to visit Alaska or Hawaii. After he passed way, she received an invitation to a wedding in Alaska. I can’t think of anything that would have kept her from going, and off she went having a marvelous time. Then, about five years ago, she received an invitation to visit her son’s former college roommate who returned to his native Hawaii after school. Again, a team of horses could not have held her back. After three glorious weeks in the Aloha state, she arrived back home with her mission accomplished – a visit to all of these United States.

Twice a year (Thanksgiving and Mothers’ Day) the Smith family gets together, and Eloise is so looking forward to the upcoming Mothers’ Day celebration. And to all of you who are mothers, a very happy Mothers’ Day to each of you.

Please write or call me with any news, address or phone number updates, or just a “hello”. Your classmates would simply love to hear from you.

Again, a great big “thanks” for allowing me to serve as your class representative. And don’t forget to tell someone that you love them!

Cordially, Connie

G l o r i a Mac k B e l l ’74, Awa r d W i n n e r

A l u m n i Day 2012

DEVELOPMENT

1940

Mary Constance [Connie] Bell ’93 EV 104 Cooper River Road Myrtle Beach, SC 29588 843-650-4791 | CokerGrad@aol.com

DEVELOPMENT

Dear Class of 1940: I talked with Gladys McNeill Bellamy who says she is doing well and still living in her home in Conway.

On November 28, 2011, Katherine Jackson Barton became a great grandmother for the very first time. Dr. Ellen and Fred Blackmon are the proud parents of the newest addition to the family, Fred Mooney Blackmon, III. Of course, Kat knitted a special outfit for this precious child, and she has almost finished a sweater for him. She still continues to knit baby caps for preemies and donates them to the local hospitals.

I spoke with Nell Godwin Morris who announced that she has a broken femur bone in her left leg, and is fervently trying to learn to use a walker. Now you know that Nell is not going to let a broken leg keep her down, and when we talked, she was still working from her chair.

She works so diligently for the Three Rivers Historical Society which has grown into a rather large organization. She mailed 425 copies of the Chronicle (newsletter)] from her home which also serves as an office for Three Rivers. When I asked Nell when the leg would be better, she promptly answered, “I wish I knew!” She does have a physical therapist stop by twice a week to help with her leg exercises.

I spoke with Ruby Whittington Oliver’s daughter who informed me that Ruby is at the beach for three weeks with girlfriends. She gets around really well and looks forward to getting together with her friends each year. I asked about Choco, her little grand-dog, and he was staying at home while she is down at the beach. I’m sure they miss one another.

Marjorie Brunk Nettles said, “I’m here, but that’s about it”. She’s been having trouble with her back lately. She was delighted that Octavia Mahon (Ta) ’39 has moved to Covenant Place of Sumter where Margie lives.

They sit together for lunch every day.

Katherine Jackson Barton lives in Alabama, and they have experienced lots of severe storms lately near Birmingham, and several people were injured in Tuscaloosa. There are warnings, she told me, but sometimes they are mere seconds in advance. Other than those storms, they have experienced a very mild winter.

When Kat Barton began to speak of Coker College, I could hear the excitement in her voice. She told me about the teas with Mrs. Coker and recalled wearing stockings, hats, and gloves. Those were more formal days, when the young ladies dressed for dinner. She shared with me that once she received a demerit when she went downtown not properly dressed.

Frances Humphries Price is always a great source of information for my column. I called several times, but never received an answer.

Mary Luther Hudson said that she’s doing great.

Both of her daughters are doing well, and she has a granddaughter graduating from high school this year. Of course, Mary is trying her best to guide her granddaughter towards Coker College. We talked about needlework; Mary loves to crochet and do needlepoint. She has made just about everything – baby shoes, sweaters, baby caps, and blankets. Then we talked about the lost art of tatting.

What a talent – taking a single strand of thread and making intricate lace to place around blouse collars, placemats, linen napkins, pillowcases and such.

I received a lovely note from Katherine Jackson Bar-

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A L U M N I I S S U E

ton which contained pictures of Nancy Barton the new grandmother, Katherine Barton the new great grandmother, and of course the new baby, Fred Mooney Blackmon III. You just can’t imagine what it meant to me to receive these photos. I enjoy all the cards, letters, photos, and news that each of you send to me.

Occasionally, Mary Luther Hudson gets back to Hartsville, and she said the campus is just beautiful. If you haven’t been on campus lately, I encourage you to make the trip.

Marjorie Brunk Nettles has three daughters, six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. All are doing well.

Nell Godwin Morris and her three sisters get together for lunch periodically. Her older sister lives in Greenville, but the other two live much closer to Nell in Hemingway. Nell looks forward to being with her sisters on these delightful occasions. Nell told me that she will be 94 years old in July. I just had to ask her if all her sisters stay as busy as she does, and she promptly answered, “Yes!”

I talked with Loree Harrington Gandy for a while on the phone. She had written me a letter earlier in the day and had not yet mailed it. She said that she was delighted to read the 1940 class news in the Winter 2012 edition of the Commentary. If you will recall, Loree was very instrumental in getting this column back in the Commentary.

With her guidance, it is truly my pleasure to report your news. Loree told me that she still has a problem hearing certain high pitches, and conversation is best face-toface. Now that tax season has ended, I do hope to visit with her again soon.

Loree said that she can’t get about like she once did, but she still lives alone in her home in Hartsville. Her daughter Gail, son Phil, and grandson Phillip live close-by and check on her frequently. She loves being outdoors in her yard. I remember one day that Loree and I visited Kalmia Gardens, and as we walked the trails, she would name each plant and tree along the way. It was such an education for me, and I do hope that we can do that again someday.

Loree shared a very tender story with me. Shortly after graduation from Coker, she visited overnight with Enid Vause Eaddy (deceased 9/20/11) and her family. She recalled that Enid’s mother was such a gracious lady, and although Loree and Enid weren’t real close during their college years, they became the best of buddies when they became teachers.

After phone calls to Margaret Davidson Baker, Sarah Orr Scarborough, and Mildred Hardin Sawyer I found that none of their phone numbers were in service.

If any of you may know of a new phone number or address, please share it with us.

Please call or write to me with your stories of Coker College. Perhaps you have visited the campus lately, and you could share with us the differences from your years as a student. I would love to hear from all of you.

In my last column, I told you that Herb and I were going to take a longer than usual fall vacation. We headed to Florida for a few days to visit my college roommate. From there, we flew to Mexico for a week at Riviera Cancun.

Well, while we were in Mexico, Hurricane Rena, a category 3 storm at the time, decided that she, too, wanted to visit.

Halfway during our stay, we were told that we would be transported to a “refugee dome” as the resort was preparing to close. The restaurants were stripped of all food, furniture, dishes, and even light fixtures. Pool furniture was tied together and thrown in the bottom of the pools.

Even the signs pointing the way to various buildings were removed. This was serious. But, alas, we have the greatest travel agent in the world, and a plane came in to get

several people out of the country just prior to the closing of the airport. As we were warned, the first 45 minutes or so of the flight were rather bumpy, but we were elated to be on our way to safety. Back in the USA, we saw news reports that Hurricane Rena was downgraded to a Category 1 storm and had changed course. We didn’t care; we were just happy to be safe.

As always, a great big “thanks” for allowing me to serve as your class representative. And don’t forget to tell someone that you love them!

Cordially, Connie

1941

Norma Mathis Pate

c/o Norman Pate Post Office Box 885 West Point, VA 23181-0885 803-439-7930 cell phone | ndmp8@juno.com

1942

Class rep or co-rep needed

1943

Selma Stogner LeHardy 415 Lakeshore Drive Hartsville, SC 29550 843-332-7952 Class co-rep needed Dear Classmates,

The world hasn’t heard much from the class of ’43 for several issues of the Commentary, but I am happy to share a very tiny bit of news. From just four of us. Had very poor luck with the phone. Missed most of you and Emily Funderburk Love and I had such a bad telephone connection we couldn’t chat. I’ll try again, Em. Maybe I’ll write—but oh, it’s such a chore to read my writing.

Maybe I’ll have my word processor up and running again soon. Connie Gardner Gandy and you caught up with each other and you are well. Does your grandson still live with you in Georgetown? Lucky girl!

Connie is still happy and vibrant as ever and is busy with church and all kinds of meetings with Sonoco friends.

Did you tell me you worked at Sonoco 40 years, Connie?

After that she worked a few years at Saleeby Law Offices.

And all this while she has taken care of her beloved children, grandchildren and now her great-grandchildren— in spite of the broken leg she has lived with for years, she is the same happy Connie. Now her heart acts up and she is more or less dependent on oxygen. Connie and I chuckled—what do we expect—we’ve already reached that plateau of ninety years—or we’re fast approaching!

I did get Rosamond (Bouka) Durban McDuffie on the phone a bit late the other night to learn that she is still the go-getter she always was. You know, I think she is even more excited about her life’s work as a preservationist. We do need more of them in the world. She is fighting to save her beautiful Aiken, and she has many accomplishments—old historical buildings. Fought hard— saved her wonderful church from destruction—a new church was added instead. And it’s back on the National Registry!

She does all this in spite of vertigo.

She uses a walker to keep her from falling when the dizziness hits. She is determined to stay in her home with house help once a week. And a driver she can call since she is no longer able to drive. Keep up the good work, Bouka!

I wish I could report such outstanding accomplish-

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ments in my life! I’m still in my home in Hartsville, even though my sister and brother graciously keep after me to join them at the Presbyterian Home in Summerville. I should do it, I know, but how I hate to think of leaving my wonderful lake—Prestwood Lake in Hartsville. And, the daunting task of going through a lifetime’s collection of stuff! And oh, how I would miss all the wonderful events at our beloved Coker!

I noticed in the Commentary of a few days ago that we had lost Sadie Gamble Clemons. I’m sorry, so sorry, but I had not been able to find Sadie for a long time.

I also noted in the State newspaper a few months ago a notice of Lemyra Ward Kellahan’s son. I saved the write-up, but, of course, couldn’t find it when I began writing this.

I also noticed a write up of the death of Rufus Earle Sadler from Clinton, SC on January 20, 2012. He had a daughter named Virginia.

I hope to have news of the rest of you ’43ers—and soon!

Love you, Selma

1944

Class rep or co-rep needed

1945

Katherine Still Campbell 295 Club Acres Orangeburg, SC 29118 803-534-6594

1946

Class rep or co-rep needed

1947

Lee Blake Stevenson

Post Office Box 660 Beaufort SC 29901 843-524-5860 | Lbs26@islc.net

1948

Pat Hesse Hardison

1300 Queens Road, Unit 318 Charlotte, NC 28207 704-373-3056

were much appreciated. Their news will be “old” by the time you receive it but worth your awareness, I believe.

Frances Matheson Leppard sent good wishes to all.

She and Pam Huggins Chapman are in frequent contact.

Pam shared that she had serious surgery last March, lost Henry in July, and then experienced a TIA also in July.

Through all this she has maintained a hopeful attitude.

In the meantime, her daughter Joye has moved to Hartsville from Chattanooga. Joye’s husband is the minister at First Presbyterian in Hartsville. With Joye now close by and son Mike also in Cheraw, Pam is grateful to have her children and grandchildren near her.

Elizabeth Gerrald Gibson updated the concerns she shared in the last correspondence. Her sister died in December 2010. Lib had a hip replacement and is now able to walk much easier. Since then, she has been treated by a gastroenterologist. Bentley’s health problems mentioned earlier have improved. Lib hopes our classmates have good news and healthy days.

Lib Bishop Tiller is rejoicing that she now has a great- grandson! She enjoys good health and shared that she had a wonderful trip to New York at Thanksgiving.

There was a note from Lillian Dillard Stephens. She and Steve are doing well and looking forward to a joyful season. Thanks, Lil, for you good wishes!

She expressed regret regarding the passing of Genevieve Chandler Peterkin ’49. Jenny was a noted environmentalist in the beach area and was also known for her association with Brookgreen Gardens. She was a dear friend to our class.

Another loss which impacted many in our class was Betty Yarbrough Watt ’48. Although, like Jenny, she was not a member of our class, her kind spirit and encouraging manner influenced us.

Pat and I have had a good year. He faithfully attends cardiac rehab and I join him most days. We celebrated our 60th wedding anniversary in December with a dropin hosted by our family. While none of them live in Columbia, we get together rather often. And, the family is growing! We expect our 4th great-grandchild to arrive in May.

Write when you have news. I’ll save it until it’s time to submit again.

My best to each of you, Velna

1949

1951

210 Saddlebrook Lane Hopkins, SC 29061 803-776-0926 | LHAnderson32@aol.com

1201 Wisteria Drive Florence, SC 29501 843-662-2797

Lois Hatfield Anderson ’54

Electa Andeson Small ’85

204 Lantana Circle Georgetown, SC 29440-7278 803-348-6748 | andee33@aol.com

1950

Velna Rollins Patrick

Rose Patrick Smith ’75

1801 Stannard Trail Raleigh, NC 27612 919-789-4829 | dsmithII@nc.rr.com Dear Classmates,

Several members sent cards at Christmas which

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Dear Classmates,

Can you believe it has been a year since our 60th reunion in June 2011?! At that time we only had seven who attended—Nina Cox Collier, Rachel Collier Flowers, Joan Snoddy Hoffmeyer, Jeanette Long Kelly, Carolyn Huggins Kendall, Elsie Vause Matthews and myself.

Small in number but good quality! We had a good time being with each other and sharing a letter from Hellen Jackson Jackson and one from Denise Guerin Rice. Hellen spent forty years teaching in Carrollton High School and West Georgia College. Since retirement she has continued to make her home in Carrollton. She continues teaching senior adults in Sunday School as she has for forty years. She is also President of the Carroll-Heard Retired Educators Association. Hellen like many of us is also a widow, her husband having passed away in 2007.

Denise is living in Kings Bridge, a senior retirement community in Atlanta, GA. Her twin girls are nearby and

very attentive. Her son lives in San Francisco, CA and she enjoys visiting him. Denise’s husband has also passed away.

I am saddened to hear of the recent death of Annie Rose Wolfe Pruette on March 28, 2012. She was always faithful to attend our class reunions. Our sympathy and prayers go to her family.

In my recent visits to Conway I saw Sylvia Jo Thompson Avant. Her husband Billy died November 6, 2011. I also had lunch with Jo Hunter Watson.

I would like to have more news to share, but if you don’t sent it I can’t share it!

Don’t forget to send our contributions to the Coker College Annual Scholarship Fund.

Love you friends, Betty Lee

1952

Betty Lou McIntyre Barclay

329 Lee Circle Dillon, SC 29536 843-774-6122 | Bbar830771@aol.com

Frances “Frankie” Nicholson Townsend 201 Kinney Circle Bennettsville, SC 29512 | 843-479-9398

Dear Classmates,

The “Select Few of ’52” ended up as the “Select Three of ’52” at our 60th reunion. Betty Lou McIntyre Barclay, Jane Woodward Truett and I had met in Florence in March to plan with high hopes that many of you would come. Anyway, we three had a great time and missed all of you.

I’m happy to report the class of 1952 exceeded our goal for class gift to the Scholarship Fund. A big “thank you” to everyone who gave.

I have enjoyed talking to several of you said “Everything is about the same, nothing new.” At our age that can be good, since change can mean troubles.

Karen Johnson Conway’s husband had a severe stroke in November. He will be in assisted living permanently. Karen said her children have been so helpful.

We’re thinking of Karen, and of your busy stressful days.

Anne Howell Seavey lost her husband several months ago. Our sympathy to you an your family.

I had nice chats with Dorothy “Dot” Garrell Hanna and Louisa Porter Presler recently. Both expressed regrets that they couldn’t go to our reunion.

Barbara Spears Baird and her family were getting ready to celebrate Bob’s 90th birthday.

My daughter, Ann Bowman, is busy officiating at tennis tournaments for U.S.T.A. Home is still North Augusta,

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1 Granville Road Columbia, SC 29209 803-776-3046

Betty Lee Jordan Gandy

First Row (left to right): Betty Lou McIntyre Barclay, Frances Nicholson Townsend, Jane Woodward Truett

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when she’s not on the road.

My only grandchild, Anna Townsend, is a junior in high school, and has been named a Kentucky Governor’s Scholar. Needless to say my head is big, big! Anna still enjoys playing flute in the Louisville Youth Orshestra.

Life around my house hasn’t changed much, thank goodness! My cairn terrier, Barney, still has me well trained. I still enjoy playing bridge often, activities at church, and going to the beach.

Let’s try to stay in touch. Betty Lou, Jane and I would love to hear from more of our class.

Floyd and her golf size beaded necklace, our professors and their guidance and knowledge and many other special traits.

We appreciate our day at Coker and look forward to the 65th. Hope more can come and enjoy a great day.

Betty Lou McIntyre Barclay

1953

Pat Chapman Huff

Love, “Frankie”

507 Wilmar Avenue Hartsville, SC 29550 843-332-3755 | Phuff507@cs.com

Dear Classmates,

Mitzi DuPre Matthews

It has been very interesting in the past few weeks talking with the member of the class of 1952. Jane Woodward Truett, Frances “Frankie” Nicholson Townsend and I had hoped to have a few more than the three of us at our 60th reunion, but we were the only ones who made it for the big event. The three of us had a great time and everything was planned so well and it was very nice. We are sorry that so many missed this big occasion. Our class met its goal for the Annual Scholarship Fund and more.

Lunch in the dining hall was delicious. Our student helpers were very efficient and we enjoyed their attention and helpfulness.

During our class meeting the three of us elected honorary May Queen for our class since the old ones weren’t there which was: Jane Woodward Truett as May Queen, Frances “Frankie” Nicholson Townsend as President of our student government of ’52, and Betty Lou McIntyre Barclay as Dean of Women. (Betty Lou promised to dye her hair blue or green in keeping with Ms. Mills style.) We also did have some good laughs thinking of the past.

Flora Collins Baker has had some problems lately with shingles and vertigo but she and Jim are doing well and enjoy their family visiting.

It was also good to hear from Miriam “Tiggie” Hooks Benefield and Dewey. I enjoyed talking with both of them.

Betty Wray Macdonald Jones and I had good visits by phone. It is nice that Tiggie and Betty Wray live close and get together. Betty Wray is doing well and we talked about things that we collect. She likes to go antiquing.

Recently, I had a long talk with Leatrice Margolin Weiner and she reported that she could not come to the reunion, but she would be glad to host a get together at her home. She also was concerned about Truey Tarbox Thieker ’53 and thought that Truey would probably enjoy hearing from her classmates. She is not able to attend the reunion.

Dorothy “Dot” Garrell Hanna and Herb Hanna ’51 are doing alright. Dot has some problems with walking due to an old injury that bothers her.

Crickett Blackburn Rogers has problems with her back and cannot sit for any extended periods. We hope she will soon be better.

We would like to get news from any of you who can communicate with us. It is really rewarding that some of us can still get together, laugh and visit with. It seems like it was not long ago that we were at Coker. We still remember walking to church with our Sunday hats, gloves and Sunday best, sitting with a faculty member at meals, rushing to breakfast with our coats on to cover our pjs, cutting concerts and getting caught and having to answer to the President, Jennie Smith McLeod playing the piano, Barbara opening matches and having a big surprise for her match collection, Flora sleeping in art lectures, Dr. “Pete”

Hello dear Classmates:

I’m excited about Coker!!! We’ve made wonderful lifetime friends there. Now, we look forward to our 60th reunion next April 12 – 13, and I hope everyone who is able will be at Coker with hats and gloves on!

On October 18, 2011 I visited Jennie Herlong Boatwright in Ridge Spring, SC. She had the best vegetable soup, pimento cheese sandwich, iced tea and peaches and ice cream for dessert. We enjoyed a few hours of talking. Jennie had finished her chemo treatments and was getting her strength back.

I picked up Louise “Cooter” Tapp Joye ’51 on October 22 as she and I went to the funeral service of Joann Jones Woodward (who received a two-year Associate Degree in Business Administration in 1952).

Joann married Jane Woodward Truett’s ’52 brother who was the late Dr. Martin B. Woodward an orthopedic surgeon in Columbia. We talked with all four of their children and Jane and her daughter.

Pat Chapman Huff, Betty Jean Roberts Hunsinger, Charlie Chewning and I had lunch at Bizzell’s in Hartsville with Nancy Wyatt, our president’s wife, on October 28.

We made Nancy an honorary member of the class of 1953.

We really enjoyed being with her. After Nancy left, the four of us went to Pat’s house and played our “3-13” card game.

Betty Jean Roberts Hunsinger was honored by her four children for her 80th Birthday on November 19, 2011.

Pat’s daughter Patty drove her to Latta that night after they had had a baby shower for her granddaughter in Marion that afternoon. My daughter Kay drove me there from Lexington. “B. J.’s” friend Dwight Hyman was there with Mickey McDowell. The food was very delicious!

At Christmas-time we had cards from Jennie Herlong Boatwright and Phillips, Joyce Bell, Jean Fore McDaniel and Mac, Sarah Sampson Bell and James and, Beth DuBose Cottingham ’55 and Walter. I received one from Doris Johnson Gray ‘51 and Sammy. At that time their daughter was at MUSC after having had a Bone Marrow Transplant for Leukemia. Doris and I were such good friends when I lived in Beaufort. She’s still my good friend. I hope to make a trip to Beaufort to see friends this spring. Sally McTeer Chaplin ’56 lives there also.

Kathleen Kay Lightsey ’54 sent me a card. Hope to get together with her soon. She’s my first cousin and our mothers, Mary Elizabeth Wysong Kay ’26 and Mitylene Wysong Dupre ’29 were “Cokernuts”.

After Christmas I received a note from Lois Ann Buddin Coker and Donald with the sad news that their daughter Sharon Elizabeth Coker Bagnal had lost her long painful battle with cancer on December 21, 2011. She’s with the Lord now and free from pain. Please pray for

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A L U M N I I S S U E

200 Juanita Drive Lexington, SC29072 803-808-8462 | Bmatthews4@windstream.net

them at this time.

Then, in January, 2012 we learned of the death of Bob Owen, who was a pharmacist in Batesburg and the husband of the late Betty Epting Owen ’52. Betty and I roomed together when I was a junior and she was a senior. Please keep their children in your prayers.

Jean Fore McDaniel and Mac were at their Pawleys Island home in January so we met them at Webster’s in Mullins for lunch. Betty Jean Roberts Hunsinger and her friend Dwight Hyman, Sarah Sampson Bell and James, Mickey McDowell and Lois Hatfield Anderson ’54, Chuck Cottingham, Pat Chapman Huff and her granddaughter Erin and I were among the ones there. We had a fun time talking and eating. After lunch we went to Betty Jean’s house and continued with our conversation.

Peggy Warren Smith lost her sister Betty in March and Camilla Richardson Livingston who was our classmate for one year passed away the same month.

Please have Peggy’s and Camilla’s families in your prayers.

I’m sorry for this sad news.

The good news happened on April 13, 2012! We had our Mini-Reunion at the Hart house in Kalmia Gardens.

Our guests from the college were Dr. Robert Wyatt (President) and his wife Nancy, Wes Daniels ’03, Mr. Charles Sullivan (Interim Vice President of Institutional Advancement) and his wife Betty, who graduated from Coker in 1971, Pat Dampier ’90 and Dee Pierce. Betty Carol Mobley Bynum and Bundy, Betty Jean Roberts Hunsinger and her friend Dwight Hyman, Sarah Sampson Bell and her son Gregg, who is a judge and said he was “Driving Miss Daisy”, Chuck Cottingham, husband of the late Sarah Frances Coleman Cottingham, Mickey McDowell, husband of the late Anne Merck McDowell, Charlie Chewning, Pat Chapman Huff, Jo Anne Boyd Sires, Beth DuBose Cottingham ’55 (started with our class) and I were there from our class.

Dr. Wyatt told us about opening Coker’s first downtown loft apartments and that they plan to build a new dorm on campus. They added men’s volley ball and lacrosse to the sports program. They have launched a new Graduate program: a Master of Science and they now have an Honors program among other exciting things going on at Coker. Charles Sullivan reported some alumni news and praised the class of 1953 for the largest Endowed Scholarship Fund.

Dr. Wyatt invited Pat and I to go to the Performing Arts Showcase Friday night. Wes Daniels said he would be our “date” and pick us up and take us back to Pat’s house afterward. Guess what? We kissed and hugged him goodnight! By the way, the Coker singers are fabulous and there was a beautiful piano solo and a great piano duet.

There were modern dancers and theater performances also. The students at Coker are quite talented. I spent two nights with Pat. Charlie came over and we had dinner at Bizzell’s on Thursday night and played our famous “3-13” card game and we also played “Spades”.

We saw Susan Daniels Henderson ’93 who is Chair of the Education Department and her husband Kyle.

Susan is daughter of the late Dr. James Daniels and Marie Daniels. We spoke to Mary Coker Joslin who is the only living daughter of Mrs. David Coker. She was with her daughter, a lawyer from Raleigh, NC.

Pat has a new great grandson named Stewart Wilson born to Ansley and Brandon Wilson. The grandparents are Brenda and Keith Stewart from Marion, SC. Betty Jean will be busy with weddings of grandchildren – one in May and one in August.

I have two grandsons graduating this spring. One will graduate from college on May 12 and the other will graduate from high school on June 2. I have some health problems, so I keep going one day at the time as most of

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you do, since we’ve gotten older. We aren’t old yet, are we?

Please remember our 1953 Endowed Scholarship Fund. We have approximately $27,400 of the $30,000 we would like to have by our 60th reunion. Thanks for your contributions.

Much love, Mitzi

1954

Lois Hatfield Anderson

210 Saddlebrook Lane Hopkins, SC 29061 803-776-0926 | LHAnderson32@aol.com

1955

Hoyland Lowery Fisher 925 Dogwood Court Hanahan, SC 29410 (843) 747-9764 | hoyfish@bellsouth.net

1956

Peggy Cantey Gardner Post Office Box 42 Manning, SC 29102 803-435-6862

Barbara Ward Mishoe

154 South Main Street Greeleyville, SC 29056 843-426-2591 | tnmishoe@ftc-i.net

I trust that everybody is having a good summer. Let me hear from you.

Love, Lynn

Lura McCutchen Holler sent this news “I am sorry to miss the reunion. My choral society is singing in Columbia with the Defiant Requiem (Verdi Requiem) that weekend.

I did want to comment on my boys who all graduated from college as did their dad. My granddaughter, Beth, was 5th generation at her graduation.

My two grandsons are a Freshman and Junior at Northwestern High. I suppose they will also go to college.

My youngest granddaughters are 4 and 1, and it will be a while before they consider Coker or wherever.

I have been involved in many clubs and programs in Rock Hill. Jimmy and I became camellia judges after his retirement. We enjoyed travelling many places with this opportunity.

Jimmy died in 2006 from cancer. I don’t get to Edisto Beach as often as we used to, but if anyone is visiting Edisto Beach check on me in case I am there at 3536 Yacht Club Road (843-869-2722).

1958

Class rep or co-rep needed

Gabrielle (Gaby) Morandiere

Substitute Class Representative 300 East 54th Street # 7-K New York, NY 10022 212.832.7462 | gaby.morandiere@verizon.net Dear Classmates of 1958,

1957 First Row (left to right): Ann Gay Blakeney Duvall, Anne DuBose Smith

1957

Lynn Williams Oates

3417 Oates Highway Lamar, SC 29069 843-332-3040 | lwoates@peoplepc.com Dear Class of ’57,

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Sincerely, Gaby Morandiere

1959

Pat Crawford Fields

1713 Scenic Valley Lane Knoxville, TN 37922 865-675-3013 | JCF97@prodigy.net

Holly Mims Westcott

7813 Harpeth View Drive Nashville, TN 37221 615-673-7949 | hmwestcott@att.net

In speaking with a number of our classmates, we are all amazed that we are now at the three-quarters of a century age! That used to be old. Now it is just another year for which we are grateful and another year that we can contribute in some way. I have been trying to catch up on the news, but it has been—in most part—an exercise in frustration! If that means you are all well and busy, I won’t complain!

I have heard that there is a group from the Columbiaarea who get together periodically, and that sounds wonderful. In speaking to Barbara Roney Whittington she says that there are several signs of aging that people share, and perhaps that makes those things easier to accept. When I asked what she was dong, she answered “as little as possible” though knowing Barbara, I would imagine that only her story!

I spoke with Sylvia Pennell Lemelin who told me that her husband passed away in April of ’11 so she

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By the time you read this, our 55th Reunion will be but a memory. Hope many of you were able to attend the festivities. I, however, was not able to be there. My trip to Holland started on April 13 so I missed everything.

I am sure that everybody there had a good time--Anne DuBose Smith always plans good parties! Many thanks, Anne, for the work you did.

The only news I have is from Anne McGuirt Kennington who has recently had surgery and could not be at the Reunion. Anne, we hope your recovery is swift and that you are good as new soon!

As usual, I list your news in alphabetical order with the last names you used while you were students. It is always a big help when you send your news to me and it helps a lot to have you share news of any classmates you have contacted or who have shared with you.

My apologies for having been inundated with other projects (like the reunion of my class of ’62!) and not having had time to make telephone calls to you. Please let me know if you have any changed contact information – particularly with email addresses.

Virginia Blakeney Case shared the news that her mother -in-law celebrated her 90th birthday on February.

24th. All the children came, including a great-great granddaughter. One asked how it feels to be the grandmother of a grandmother. Virginia had her left hand operated on for carpal tunnel. It was worse than the right one. She did not know they could hurt so much. Her husband celebrated his 75th birthday with a small party on March 30th.

Virginia enjoys keeping in touch with a few classmates occasionally by e-mail. She has tried Facebook, but it was taking too much time and is thus trying to find a better way to communicate.

James Lamar Caldwell, Jr. wrote that it has been a busy Spring here as usual for this time of the year. Fruit trees have bloomed and we have peaches formed on the peach trees and some pears are beginning to appear.

Not having a big garden this year but Lucy Singletary Caldwell ’54 has set out tomato plants and bell pepper plants. She had some sugar snap peas growing but rabbits helped themselves to those. I’ve been doing yard cleanup to get rid of Fall and Winter debris. The Camellias have finished blooming and the Azaleas are now in full bloom and are gorgeous again this year. It’s not too early for peaches and pears here. My peach trees bloomed a couple of weeks ago and the peaches began to form a

few days ago. Should have fresh peaches in June, July and August depending on the variety. We will be loaded with blueberries again this year as in years past. Friends and neighbors get a share of those. The bees have been busy this spring and the buzzing has been noisy but welcomed.

Annette Cooke Stokes had a lobectomy Feb. 21, due to a chronic infection in the lower left lobe of a lung.

She reports that she has been doing quite well, recovering, and is currently undergoing radiation treatments which are not bothering her very much. She was diagnosed with pulmonary lymphoma but after more tests the verdict is that it is curable, which is wonderful news.

Husband, Gordon, has been a true caregiver, and Annette is learning to pace herself. She has lots of walking to do and breathing treatments, but she is getting there! “Can’t keep an ole ’58-er down!”

Suzanne Louise Currier Soderberg is spending a lot of her time gardening and coordinating schedules with her husband and son while hoping to be able to visit their son‘s family near Dallas, TX.

Linda Ann Gause Connor is returning to work in Chemistry. She is tutoring eight students daily in chemistry exercise classes.

Elizabeth Owens has moved to her son’s. They are in the process of making some renovations to his house and gathering various permissions from local authorities.

So this must be an exciting time for them.

Mary Kay Rickenbaker visited Marian McKnight Conway last summer and so enjoyed touring the Conways’ vineyard.

Mary Harvey Holmes is still enjoying her life in Atlanta. She has recently returned from Gulf Shores, Alabama visiting a friend.

Emma Katherine Thomason Ballenger and Isam took a ten-day cruise through the Panama Canal.

You are wished a lovely rest-of spring and a pleasant and relaxing summer filled with easy visits with your family members and friends.

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has had a year of adjustment. It was quite sudden and unexpected, so it took time to get over the shock.

Elizabeth Whittle Baxter sounds the same on the phone as she did when I first met her! She travels a lot and seems to be dealing with aging well.

I spoke briefly to Shirley Land Lupfer. She and Mike were planning a trip to Italy in April. She, too sounds just as she did over 50 years ago.

Doris Ann Maxwell English is back in her family’s old, historic home. She welcomed her third grandchild this year. She is one of several from our class who have dealt with cancer, but is doing well now.

Cynthia Sullivan Anzolut and her husband run a golfing league (are we surprised?) and have an interest in a minor league basketball team. They live in Hershey, PA.

In October of last year Faye Gurley Reynolds and Bonnie Cone Sawyer came to visit and it was a great pleasure for Jim and me. We took them to the Smokies to see the fall colors which were spectacular as they usually are in the fall. We had great fun re-living old days, and Jim

to hear from the ’59ers.

1960

Ann Matthews Bragdon

1563 Johnsonville Highway Lake City, SC 29560-6202 843-389-4401 | wbragdon@ftc-i.net

1961

Sylvia Beard Seppala

2271 Brackenville Road Hockessin, DE 19707 302-239-0641 | sylviabs@aol.com

Regina Swygert-Smith

5206 Main Street Stephens City, VA 22655-2632 540-868-1055 | randm@bilbroughterriers.com

DEVELOPMENT

First Row (left to right): Peggy McCue Freymuth, Paula Moran, Carol Richardson, Brenda Cromer Miller, Rosalind C. Hearon; Second Row (left to right): Sara L. Anderson Kummer, Valerie Powell White, Charlotte Cothran Taylor, Betty, Saunders Brooking, Molly Holbrook Thomas Birchler, Gabrielle Morandiere; Third Row (left to right): Linda W. Stanton, Dee M. Huey, Nancy Thornhill Bolden, Peggy Zeigler Reeves, Frances Segars Kelley, Peggy Brown Buchanan, Carole Causey Boyles, Anita Jones Stanton; Fourth Row (left to right): Dot Herlong Hay, Bruce Williams, Gail Arnette Sinclair, Ina Ingram, Ida Pace Storrs, Mary Bell Kittle, Judy Griggs

had great fun laughing at us! A few days later they went to visit Holly Mims Westcott in Nashville.

Doris Kirk Miller was in Florida in February (2012), and she also enjoys her condo at the beach in South Carolina in the spring. She is involved in the “Taste of Pageland” sponsored by the Garden Club there.

I’ll close with news of Tricia Fisher Williams. The conversation with her was wonderful. She has “Family Night” every Thursday with 15-25 family members at her house for dinner. Tricia has 29 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren! None of the rest of us can challenge those numbers! Tricia volunteers at her church 2 days a week, and frequently visits a daughter and son who live in Phoenix. Tricia sounds very happy and is well.

Please keep in touch with Holly or me as we do like

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A L U M N I I S S U E

1962

Gabrielle (Gaby) Morandiere

300 East 54th Street #7-K New York, NY 10022 212-832-7462 | gaby.morandiere@verizon.net Dear Classmates:

More than thirty classmates were able to join us at Coker for our 50th reunion on April 13th and 14th. Many more of you really wanted to attend, but were unable to do so and we did miss you! The weather was beautiful, the “new” campus is very interesting and attractive, our Friday night dinner was lovely and participating with other classes on Saturday was enjoyable. Our class gift surpassed the goal of the Alumni Association and we all

should be proud for being such loyal supporters of our school.

As usual, I the news of our classmates is listed in alphabetical order by the last names we had while students. Please remember to keep us posted on your news.

Linda Abbott Johnson wrote that she would not be able to join us in April because her daughter-in-law had a double mastectomy at the end of February. There are four small children and Linda is to help out as much as possible. “She did receive a very good report and we are hopeful for a bright future. Anyway, I decided that this was not the time for me to be away from home – if something comes up with her, I need to be here for the children. I hope you understand and that you would convey to our classmates that I will be thinking of each of you and wishing that I could be there.” Linda sends best wishes to all and is making exciting plans to bring her 13year old grandson to NYC early in June.

Sara Anderson Kummer has retired totally and she really misses having students, though she keeps in touch with some. She and sister Charlotte spent two weeks in October wandering around Kentucky, looking at horses and farms and finding distilleries! They discovered some really nice bourbons! They are going to Holland and Belgium in late April for a cruise in the rivers and canals and visits to the tulip gardens. Then in November, Thanksgiving week and the bookend weekends, they are taking some of our family members to Venice, Florence, and Rome. This will be a “tasting” for three of our grandchildren, to get them into a life-long travel mode!

Sara’s garden is weedy and in need of attention. When the daffodils were blooming and she longed to get out and dig! The horse, which is really a “lawn ornament” is rarely ridden and really spoiled. “The yellow lab is just like me, sometimes energetic, happy, and spirited, but occasionally slowed by arthritis. Life is good and I am happy.”

Peggy Brown and John Buchanan borrowed daughter, Mary Ryan, and daughter Margaret’s twins in March for a wonderful trip to Disneyworld. Unfortunately, their son-in-law died suddenly in November. John continues to spend half of each month being a Bishop in Quincy, IL. Peggy goes with him when she has a chance.

She has been helping Margaret with the twins and supporting her as she finishes nursing school, graduating on May 5th. Their other daughter, Mary Ryan, is enjoying living and working near Hilton Head.

Jo Ann Clayton Leist wrote “I find it incredible that even though I was only at Coker as a freshman and a sophomore I have vivid mental images of every single person on your list! In fact, that fact makes me wish that I could join the reunion. I can’t do so, however; but I do hope that you will extend my greetings to all who remember me! “The Leists have had a wonderful visit from their son and his family who live in Boone, NC.

Rosalind “Roz” Carrigan Hearon made it to our reunion after breaking her ankle. Thanks to Valerie Powell White, Roz had to come! Roz has retired from teaching at Fort Jackson and her daughter and son keep her and her husband, Edwin, busy.

Carole Causey Boyles and her sister, Virginia Causey Burk ’67, were able to make it to our reunion. This year Carole has remodeled her kitchen. She retired two and a half years ago and now spends a lot of time with her church and volunteering.

Brenda Cromer Miller was so kind to bring the most beautiful centerpieces for our dinner. Everyone was in awe. She has been so active with the SC Garden Club I had a good hunch and it really worked better than I would have believed possible.

WWW. COKER . E D U

WWW. COKER . E D U

Because of an important ASNR meeting in New York City, April 17th to April 29th, she could not make it to our reunion. BUT, I am hoping to hear from her if she has time so that we may get together for at least a cup of coffee.

Nancy Martin Swisher continues teaching ESL at N.C. State. She has been concentrating recently on writing in Today’s Research World. She has begun an online newsletter at http://www.ncsu.edu/eslglobe.

Nancy hopes to travel to Puerto Rico this summer.

Susan Lane Martin Bryan lost her husband, Lee, in August, 2010. She has moved to Lubbock, TX, near her middle son, Chris. She still enjoys painting and sings in her Methodist Church’s choir and works part-time in a floral garden center. Son Keith lives in Frisco, TX and son, Kevin lives farther away with his family. Daughter, Katherine, lives in Nashville, TN in advertising. Sue has two great-grandchildren!

Peggy McCue Freymuth brought her daughter, Ann, to our reunion and that was a special treat for us all.

Ann’s daughter, Harleigh, was chosen to participate in a regional choir concert in Winston Salem from February 29th – March 4th. This was presented by the Southeast Choral Directors’ Society. Peggy joined the two for a thrilling and beautiful time of concerts.

Betty McDaniel Hedgpeth and Carey had a family get-together to attend rather than our reunion. They are well and still busy travelling to visit family and keeping up with their overseas projects.

Pat McTeer Hughes did not make it to the reunion, but she fell and hurt her ankle that weekend. Thanks to having an M.D. as a son, she was able to listen to his advice by telephone and hopefully is healing. Pat was very helpful with our reunion. She still works at the Hartsville Public Library.

Bonnie Murray Bull and her freshman and sophomore roommate, Judy Eadon Gibson nearly made it to this reunion, but Bonnie’s husband was suddenly scheduled for eye surgery.

Peggy Zeigler Reeves kindly offered to help with our reunion and what a help she was! Since my brain stops working the right way at a certain point, Peggy comes to the rescue. She is still so kind, gentle and intelligent. While I was heading in the wrong direction for many hours from the Charlotte airport and the motel decided they had no rooms for us, Peggy had everything under control and made it all work! She was supposed to have semi-retired but is back working fulltime because her company cannot do what she knows so well.

Nancy Rogers Watkins was in charge of a Global seminar in Strasbourg last fall. Her husband travels often to India where his son and he have a non-profit which is interesting and does such good work. Nancy was hoping to join us but wrote that “Alas, it just won’t work for me, as that is the week of my birthday, and we have friends coming down from New York. So sorry. I’m sure that you will all have a wonderful time.” Her work life has finally slowed down, as she is now working as a consultant, on a year-long contract, but only two days a week. Thus, she has time at the farm with her beloved husband and time in the city to work and to see friends, most of whom live in DC. She and Law are planning a trip to Normandy and Brittany at the end of the summer. Nancy also keeps up with academic work and colleagues -- writing, translating, giving papers, etc. In addition, her daughter, Ellen, has moved back to the area and is doing a post-doc in genomics at an institute nearby. “So, I lead a full, busy, and fulfilling life.”

Betty Saunders Brooking has two sons and five grandchildren. I wish you could have seen her with former roommates and dear friends, Charlotte Cothran Taylor, Paula Moran and Carol Elting Richardson at our

reunion. T’was pure joy!

Frances Segars Kelley was an incredible help with planning and hosting our reunion in so many most wonderful ways! She has run from pillar to post to check out all sorts of possibilities and kept in touch with those at Coker who helped make our celebration work. She also was kind enough to bring champagne for our 50th!

Florence “Flo” Staklinski Taylor missed our reunion because of an important show at the Atlanta Mart. Her mother is 93 and doing very well.

Linda Williams Stanton’s husband of 48 years, Josh Joyner, unfortunately died last October. Linda actually made it to our reunion and it was wonderful to see her!

She loves to read, mysteries and at the moment, the Hunger Games. She sees Pat McTeer Hughes from time to time at the library.

Thomas Terry, according to his wife, Travis Smith Terry ’61, has been a Baptist minister in Blackville. They have one son who lives in Florence with two Terry grandchildren. Thomas and Travis unfortunately lost one of their sons in an accident.

Gwendolyn Thomason Adams tried to figure out how to join us even for a little while. “Herbert, my husband, is on the board at USC. He is retiring the end of June and he feels obligated to attend all the special events until that time one being on the Friday of our reunion...investiture of a new chancellor etc. Then Sat. we have a wedding of a teacher (who worked for me while I was principal) daughter in Hendersonville, NC. I just can’t come and hate to miss the renewed friendship and fellowship. Please let all know I will be thinking of them and all the good times we had over 50 years (can’t believe it).”

Nancy Thornhill Bolden has moved to York, SC, to be near her daughter’s family, especially that darling grandson. Moonpie’s Hartsville house is on the market and, according to Frances Kelley Segars, it looks beautiful. We had “lost” Moonpie and Frances saved the day! On April 14th all reunion classes met together in the new Performing Arts Center and some current Coker thespians wanted to borrow a volunteer to help with their drama/comedy skit. Moonpie was chosen from the audience. Her performance was fabulous and a hoot!

Henrietta Ramsey vanArsdale had a conflict for our reunion. Friends and business associates in gardening were expected to arrive from many parts of the country to meet and re-connect that very week in Columbia.

Harriet King van Norte and Bob seem well. She was busy planning a reunion with lots of people she had worked with for many years. Too bad it was the same weekend as ours.

Susan Watkins Hadwin and her husband spent several weeks visiting with friends in Florida and thus she was unable to join us for our 50th. Her mother is 94 and lives in a nearby Assisted Living residence. Susan has three children and eleven grandchildren, ages 8-23! All live near Chapin, so that is special for all of them.

Cathy Ward Parker and Jim are fine but slowing down a bit. Nova Scotia to Hartsville would be a long trip.

Edith Ganelle Watts has moved into a smaller house in the country near Lumberton and has wonderful neighbors. Unfortunately she has been having severe back problems and may have needed surgery at the time of our reunion.

Linda Whittle McCormick was hoping to join us for part of our reunion if a grandchild in Columbia were playing a game the weekend of our reunion.

Unfortunately we did not see her.

Nancy Wilson is still happy living in Phoenix. She loves to correspond by email and wishes all our classmates had that.

T HE OFFICIA L M AG A ZINE OF COKER COL L EG E, H A RT S V IL L E, S .C .

COMMEN TA RY

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DEVELOPMENT

Charlotte Daggett Bauguss lives in a townhouse near Charlotte. After Coker, she attended Queens College.

She worked for Duke Energy and returned to school at Queens College. She worked in telecommunications.

After retiring she took classes in accounting and taxation and then worked at Jackson Hewitt. Now she works as an accountant from her home and tax time means she could not come to our reunion. Her son works in logistics and airfreight, is married and concentrates on sales and logistics solutions.

Doris Duke Straight wrote that she would not be able to join us for the 50th. Doris and her younger sister were going to Texas to visit their other sister. That is the only time it would work for everyone’s calendar. “Please give my regards to everyone.” Doris’ son and his wife are having their second son in June. All are very excited!!!

Doris supposedly retired the end of September, but like most children’s homes, Thornwell is short-handed right now and she has been helping out with the Independent Living program for the college age students - a program that a co-worker and Doris developed about seven years ago. She is glad to be doing that again. She hopes that February is the last month she will be needed and will truly be able to retire She has moved back to McClellanville until her house there sells, then plans to buy a house in Columbia where my youngest daughter and my son live.

Beatrice “Bea” Duncan Weston sounds well and says she and her husband are looking forward to staying in their summer house near Brevard on Lake Toxaway, NC.

Judy Eadon Gibson lost her mother in February.

She was planning to join her former roommate, Bonnie Murray Bull, for our reunion. Clemson decided to present an award to Judy’s grandchild at the same time and so Judy was needed there, of course.

Zeda Forte Wilkes writes “It is hard to believe it has been 50 years! Right now I am not sure if I can make it to Coker but you make it sounds so great I may have to change my plans. Craig and I are, of course, are still in Columbia, SC. We have a son, Jordan, who is a chef at an Italian restaurant here in Columbia. Our son, Craig, lives in Charlotte, NC and is a policeman there after retiring from the Army ( three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan). We are so thankful he is out now although he chose another stressful job! Our daughter lives in West Jefferson, NC (close to Boone). We enjoy visiting them and seeing our Grandson, Blake, who is eight. Margo’s husband is the city planner there and Margo works for a hometown bank. I have retired from teaching and Craig still works two days a week for now. He can’t give up working or either thinks they can’t do without him! He has retired from the same job twice! Oh well, as long as he is happy, right? I volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House and the Palmetto Health Hospital, reading and gardening… flowers and vegetables! Craig and I both love bluegrass music and will be attending a festival and then a few days at the beach.”

Molly Holbrook Thomas Birchler was a wonderful help again with our reunion. It helps so much to have such good suggestions and advice. I received a notice from the Alumni Association that Molly had given a generous donation in honor of the class of 1962. The Birchlers and Anita Jones Stanton look forward every spring to the Palustris Festival, a special week of the arts in/near Southern Pines.

Anita Jones Stanton has recently retired and was determined to make it to our reunion. She reports that Kay Lawrimore Byrd’s mother has died recently. Kay has been battling another cancer and we all hope this one can respond to treatment as well as the others have.

Karen Ann Mansfield still works as Office Manager for the American Society of Neuroradiology in Illinois.

DEVELOPMENT

Mary Ann Wycliff Johnson wrote that she has just moved to Scottsdale, AZ to be closer to her daughter’s family. Her house in Lexington, SC, is for sale and when that does happen, she will have to return to pack up and move.

Those classmates of ’62 we all loved seeing at the reunion were: Molly Holbrook Thomas Birchler, Nancy Thornhill Bolden, Carole Causey Boyles, Betty Saunders Brooking, Peggy Brown Buchanan, Peggy McCue Freymuth, Judith “Judy” Ann Griggs, Dorothy “Dot” Herlong Hay, Rosalind “Roz” Carrigan Hearon, Lee McCown Huey, Ina Crim Karow Ingram, Frances Segars Kelley, Mary Bell Kittle, Sara Anderson Kummer, Brenda Cromer Miller, Henrietta Chapman Moore, Paula Moran, Gaby Morandiere, Peggy Zeigler Reeves, Carol Elting Richardson, Gail Arnette Sinclair, Anita Jones Stanton, Linda Williams Stanton, Ida Pace Storrs, Charlotte Cothran Taylor, Valerie Powell White and Bruce Williams.

Please have a nice spring and summer and keep me posted if you have any news or changes in your contact information. PLEASE plan to come to our next reunion!

Love, Gaby

1963

Nancy Warren Clarke

P.O. Box 988 Montreat, NC 28757 828-669-5728 | frauclarke@mindspring.com

Edith Floride Reynolds

105 South Rosemary Avenue Andrews, SC 29510 843-264-5173 | ef.reynolds@frontier.com

After a month of hospital stays and visits to several doctors, Jennie Turner Gustafson was diagnosed with Peritoneal Cancer. She had a hysterectomy in March and started chemo in April. Please keep her and husband Gus in your prayers.

We offer our condolences to Kay Elder Williams in the death of her mother, Vermelle Elder, who died on December 31, 2011.

2013 will be here before you know it. We hope you all are beginning to make plans to attend our 50th reunion—April 12-13, 2013. For those of you who have not been back to Coker in a long time, you will be surprised at the many changes on campus.

Don’t forget, when you make your contribution, designate it for the class of ’63 Endowment Scholarship.

We still haven’t met our goal.

Edith and Nan

1964

Lorena Cook James

DEVELOPMENT

24 Dearborn Rd North, SC 29112-8201 803-874-3332 | lorenajames@windstream.net

Becky Sparrow

505 Law Street Hartsville, SC 29550 843-857-0782 | rgs2000@aol.com

Cameron Council Speth

986 Forest Road New Haven, CT 06515 203-453-8985 | cece@speth.com

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1965

1969

106 Arapaho Circle Darlington, SC 29532 843-395-2173

1903 Surrey Oaks Court Arlington TX 76006 817-274-5633 | ajpoitras@sbcglobal.net

Eleanor Powell Clark

1966

Anne E. Neely The Tree House P.O. Box 204 Shallotte, NC 28459 | 910-754-5375

1967

Class rep or co-reps needed

1968

Joan Lading Abernathy

20037 Oak River Court Petersburg, VA 23803 804-590-1644 jabernathyva@aol.com | jabernathyva@comcast.net Class of 1968,

How often do you find yourself saying ”Where does the time go?” Yes, 44 years of time have passed since our class graduated from Coker and we are all pondering this same question. Keeping up with classmates is not a priority whereas figuring out where you misplaced your reading glasses is on the top of the list! Looks like an updated list of email addresses will be my priority in order to reach more members of the class of 1968.

Pat Harmon Pantsari has just returned from a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean, celebrating their 40 years of marriage. The trip was a gift from their kids, who actually decided to make this a family cruise. Being still in the travel mode, an April visit to the Grand Canyon with a stopover in Vegas was next on the agenda. Pat still swims a few times a week and is trying to improve her golf game which she says is consistently inconsistent.

Betsy Walker Chambers recently heard from her freshman roommate, Mary McGee Wiggins and the two had fun reminiscing about Coker days. Mary now resides near Florence, SC.

Nancy Strahan Hall is now a proud Grandmother.

Her youngest son, John and his wife Aley are the parents of Drew, who was born in February. Nancy and Weller have also been taking Spanish classes since last summer, noting that it’s more fun to study when no grades are given, just lots of laughs.

Nancy Baker Bell, Angelyn McCarver Bateman, and Judy Brown Pigg had a wonderful luncheon with Barbara Nexsen Lansche at Drengaelen. Barbara was traveling through Hartsville on her way to Georgetown for a high school reunion, so Wes Daniels ’03 invited the “Hartsville Girls” to have lunch together. Everyone enjoyed reminiscing about their college days and really entertained Wes and Pat Dampier ’90 with all their stories.

Judy and Wayne are excited about cruising to the Baltic Sea in May. They will be accompanied by Judy’s two sisters, Margaret Brown Young ’63 and Jane Brown Riechmann ’70 and their spouses.

My second retirement has led me down the path of volunteer related work. Being a “buddy reader” to a fifth grader and the hours I spend at the Restore for Habitat for Humanity gives me a sense of giving back to my community. When asked how I am enjoying being retired, my response is that I have the “tired” part down pat!

Please do try to stay in touch. Spring 2013 will be our reunion year.

April Garnier Poitras

Leigh Anne Farnell

Post Office Box 685 Boothbay, ME 04537-0685 207-633-3676 | lafjpn@roadrunner.com

1970

Jane Brown Riechmann

2970 St. Johns Avenue Jacksonville, FL 32205 904-384-8650 | stjohnsjane@bellsouth.net

Hello, classmates! I’m afraid to mention a season as The Commentary has been a little off in their publication time. But this is scheduled for summer 2012 publication so here’s hoping we are all enjoying a safe one.

What a small world (or state) we live in. Those were the thoughts of Gayle Buckheister Sawyer when she and George attended the launch of a New Tech High School in Summerton, SC, in March and were greeted by one of the two Clarendon Board of Education members— Anne Davis Darby ’68 and her husband Jim.

Linda Burnett Jeter says she and her husband Jay have both completely adapted to retirement. She’s enjoying reading more books and watching lots of sports.

Their daughter Jayne is in Atlanta working retail and has appeared in two semi-professional plays.

By the time this news is read, Elaine White Gilbert and Vic will have added two more to their grandchildren tally with the birth of a daughter (who arrived April 3 and is named Molly) to their younger daughter Ginger and her husband, and a third son for their older daughter Laura and her husband. Elaine’s a busy grandmother!

In her Christmas letter of 2011, Candace “Candee” Constable Craven stated that husband Scott retired from his position for 32 years as a faculty member of the University of Wisconsin. She says Scott has not really realized he’s retired as he’s staying busy with his monthly public radio programs, several Extension programs, student hunting programs and deferred maintenance projects at their home and lake cabin. They now have three grandchildren (2 boys, 1 girl) and are enjoying them as often as possible. Candee’s mom Barbie, whom some of you may remember, has left her Manchester, NH home and moved to WI to be near Candee.

Nell Cutts Daniels reports that she is out of the political arena at this time which is allowing her to travel more with husband Ken. By the time you read this, her older son Patrick will have gotten married. Her daughter Sarah and her husband Eric will be residents of Gainesville, FL where Eric will be doing a Fellowship in Neonatology.

Nell also said that she, Connie White Boleman, Myra Cato Coffey, Beth Abrams Jones, Lucy E. Maxwell and Suzette Whittle York all enjoyed a get-together at Connie’s brother’s Holden Beach house in March. They enjoyed lots of fun, food and long walks on the beach.

Beverly Armstrong McLaughlin reports in her Caring Bridge journal that her latest series of treatments are going well. This is a trial treatment that she feels fortunate to be able to participate in. She and Mac were able to get to their farm in Virginia as well as make a visit to their grands who she says are growing up too quickly.

Where does the time go?

Susan Burns Wetmore’s mother Mary passed away in December, 2011. I know many of you may remember her. Susan’s dad is still going strong and lives in Laurens

WWW. COKER . E D U

I live in Columbia with husband CP and work parttime at the Dept of Juvenile Justice. Have been an RN there for 21 years and continue to love my job. Daughter, Brooks, lives in Asheville with husband Chris and children Mia and Gray. She is an early childhood therapist. Son, Palmer, lives in Greenville and is a dentist in Laurens, and son, Andrew, is a senior at USC here in Columbia. Our family loves spending time at Litchfield Beach, and we also spend many joyful hours with my mother who is 95 and continues to live at the home place in Mountville.

ning our next get together already and we really want to see you there! You can find me back in my home town Salisbury, NC!

Harriett Courtney Lemke – I came back to Hartsville in 1982, met and married a Chicago native, Dr. Jim Lemke a Coker professor in 1984. I am a retired chef, cookbook author, a SC Master Gardener, a walker and a runner. Coker is a great school for a great education. Come often and celebrate our fabulous and fun years at Coker.

Janice “Willie” Cochran Wilkins – Awesome to see everybody! One more year (probably) until retirement!

Yeah!!! Missed everyone that wasn’t here!!!!

Betty Birdsong Matthews ( Birdthang or Bird….) – Alumni Day was so much fun!!!! Lots of laughing, remembering and talking. We all look so young! I hope to retire from teaching in February ’13. Can’t wait to begin that next phase of my life. David and I plan to do some traveling and just enjoy life!!!

Janie Cleckley Campbell – It was so amazing to just pick up where we left off “ a few” years ago! Lots of giggles and shared memories. CA said it was a hoot to watch each other and see that many of us have the same mannerisms and expressions from our college years. You will be hearing from the college as we will be rolling out a campaign this summer for our new gym/wellness center on the site where the Byerly hospital stood. We are hoping that you will take pride in helping build our athletic facility. When Julia Anne “Judy” Southard visited the campus she was shocked that we are still using our old gym.

It will mean a lot as we recruit athletes for the future of the college. Another project our class is starting is a fund to update and insure the future of the Coker Bell tower.

Some of our classmates designated their gift for that. We want you to plan to visit with us as we plan our off year trips and our “official” visits every 5 years. We want see you!!! What would get you back for a visit???????

Rev. C. Kay Seaborn Fuino – I walked all around the campus on Friday and it is so beautiful. Then dinner with six of you at the Midnight Rooster. Too much fun remembering good times but also sharing about those we missed. Laughing about the things we did that were so silly and truly wishing our entire class was there to celebrate. Today we added a few more and shared more stories. When I sang our alma mater it was okay until the last verse. Tears choked me up then as I thought about all of us going our separate ways. I like it better when we are together. Blessings and love to all of you. Thanks so much for asking me to present the “check” to the College.

Alumni News from the Class of ’72

1973

Jean Southard Riddle wants to know where were Kelly, Andy and Hart? And to all our classmates, we are getting a new gym/ wellness center. More to come.

Sarah McCanless Haarlow – I am living in Hartsville again, so any time you want to come to Coker I have plenty of beds and I’d love to have you. Retired finally!!!

Husband, Bob, is Headmaster at Thomas Hart Academy here. Son, Mel, and his wife and two grands are here- in fact Mel is Mayor of Hartsville. Daughter Elizabeth in in Columbia, married to Robert Williams. Step sons Jeff (Casey) in Rome, GA- he’s a basketball coach; Chris (Lauren) Greensboro, NC- he’s a golf instructor. Nancy Thomas Oliver ’71 & Joye Segars Davis. I finished in ’71 too but I came, so can you!!! Reed McSwain Jackson and Cathy McSwain…Jane Woodberry Fordham, Helen Amann Chiha where are you????

Elizabeth “Fish” Young Fisher – What a fabulous time it has been to be on “campus” again and reconnecting with my “always” young and fun Coker buddies!!! Coker is as I have always remembered it…so lovely! We plan-

1002 Starcliff Drive Lugoff, SC 29078 803-438-5638 | jane@ctp-cpa.com

visiting bi-monthly with her dad, who, while 90, manages to get around quite well. And sadly, Sarah’s mother died.

Christina Glover Wallerstein crosses the country monthly from Pasadena to Lynchburg, Va., to visit her mother, Philipa Glover, who, in spite of poor health, has lost none of her spunk.

Request me on Facebook as a friend, and you will be able to keep up with several more of us, including Bonnie Rivers Drumwright, Kathy Hardin, Kathryn Latimer Welch, Margaret “Barry” Murphy Sadler and Wendy Lamm Leonard. Bonnie’s grandchildren are just as blond as she was during our days at Coker. Kathy and Kathryn think Bonnie’s grandkids are cute (and I agree). Wendy’s family has had a wedding. Theatrics are still part of Barrie’s life. Our daughter, Mary B., is slated to begin in September an 11-month mission trip with The World Race, working in 11 different countries. Afterwards, she plans to move to Nashville to try her hand at earning a living composing music. I’d love to hear from you!

Sarah Jo Wood Safrit

1972 First Row (left to right): Jean Southard Riddle, Carol Ann Hackney Bingham, Harriett Courtney Lemke, Sarah McCanless Haarlow; Second Row (left to right): Bet Birdsong Matthews, Janice C. “Willie” Wilkins, Elizabeth “Fish” Fisher; Third Row (left to right): Sarah Mims, C. Kay Seaborn Fuino, Sister Wham Thomas, Janie Cleckley Campbell in the same house where Susan grew up.

Bentham Reed, Mary Edmunds Reed’s son, is in Afghanistan on his second tour. He’s with the Corps of Engineers there. We pray for his safe return.

Mark and I (Jane Brown Riechmann) enjoyed another trip to Oahu in January, flying there military Space Available. We’ve decided to make this an annual winter get-away trip and have already made plans for our next trip there in mid-January 2013 with friends who will be making their first Space A trip.

I could not end this news without a BIG thank you to Linda Smith Bradford who has served six years on the Board of Trustees. She has represented Coker well and it’s an honor to have someone so capable from the Class of ’70 serve. Thanks, Linda, from all of us, for giving Coker so much of your time and talent!

Hope to hear from more of you next time! I’ll try to give you more time to get your news in. Anyone interested in being the class rep or a co-rep with me, please let me know. And, don’t forget ‘THE PLAN’!

Jane Brown Riechmann

1971

Sarah Jo Wood Safrit

Post Office Box 388 Beaufort, NC 28516 252-728-3213 | leonards@mail.clis.com

WWW. COKER . E D U

205 Water View Drive Columbia, SC 29212 803-781-3294 home | 803-240-2896 cell thombpa@bellsouth.net Class co-rep needed

Classmates who were unable to attend our reunion, you really missed a fun time!! We were able to renew old friendships and enjoy the beautiful campus!! What a Great Time we Had!!

Sister Wham Thomas

Jane Clyburn

Dear Classmates;

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. I know I’m looking forward to it (at the time of this writing, it’s not quite here yet)

Sorry I didn’t sent out an email for news for Commentary but I left my prior job and was not able to get the list of my contacts with everyone’s email. So, please email me at the address above & below so I can add you to my contacts and keep up with everyone.

Not sure when the last “letter” was written but I have a new grandchild, a girl. Teagan was born October 30, 2011. She joins a sister, Logan-4, and a brother, Ryan-6.

As I stated earlier, I am no longer working with the CPA firm. I am now the Accounting Specialist for a home care company in Columbia. The biggest part of my job is

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Priscilla Perry Arnold shared news from several of our classmates thanks to her annual “Coker Girls Get-Together.” This year she met in Atlanta with her buddies, Linda Rhyne, Trisha Braid Collins, Elizabeth Cockfield Bushardt and Sarah Sheppard Mims, for a weekend of theater, museum, shopping, eating, photos and lots of laughter. Trisha’s son, Jason, was ordained as an Episcopal priest. Linda’s daughter, Stewart, has married. Liz’s two granddaughters are growing way too fast for her.

Pricilla is keeping busy with her practice in Missouri and

Mary “Sister” Wham Thomas

DEVELOPMENT

the payroll for all employees and contractors and it keeps me busy. I no sooner get here on a Monday before I realize it’s almost Friday. But, I love staying busy. It does make the time go by faster.

I wish I had news from others but I’ll just have to wait until I get my contact list back up and running. Meanwhile, please contact me either by phone, email, or snail mail. I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Jane Clyburn

1974

Pat Newman

P.O. Box 357833 Gainesville, FL 32635-7833 678-849-5308 | pnewman224@yahoo.com

1975

Rose Patrick Smith

DEVELOPMENT

1801 Stannard Trail Raleigh, NC 27612 919-789-4829 | dsmithII@nc.rr.com

Brian Eckart spent his 30 year career as a psychotherapist helping those dealing with trauma and grief. For the last 14 years, he has focused on hospice work. Mostly retired now, he lives on the boundary of the national forest outside of Asheville and spends part of the winter in Florida. When not working, he enjoys traveling and painting. His two daughters are in college.

Floy Henry Fanning and Rick are empty nesters with both girls away at college in Greenwood. Jennifer is a senior and Kimberly is a freshman. Floy has renewed her National Board Certification and teaches in Winnsboro.

Kathi Pleasant Luther and Chuck continue to work though Kathi plans to retire next year. They have two grandchildren with whom they would like to spend more time. Kathi lost her dad last August and makes regular trips to visit her mother in NC.

Another person with a retirement target date in mind is Elizabeth “Brown” Glenn Marvin. She is the school publications and journalism advisor at Westside High School in Anderson. She enjoys the visits she makes to Denver where her daughter and son-in law have an online custom leather business.

Betsy Mauldin McCray writes, “In September I moved to Columbus, NC to my dream house that sits atop a hill on 18 acres. I have a wonderful mountain view from every room on one side of the house. I moved here with my four horses, three dogs and two cats. It was a big daring move but I’d been thinking about this for about four years. It is a really “horsey” area and that was the main attraction. Elizabeth is finishing up her studies for dental assisting in Wilmington in July. She would then like to move back to the Charlotte area or to Ft. Lauderdale. I would like to say hello to our classmates, upper and lower!”

Ruthie Henderson Mobley and Brad Mobley are retired and doing well. They have been in Hartsville for a number of years and enjoy trips to Maryland to visit daughter Katie, an auditor for the Navy.

Deborah Scarboro Snyder supervises student teachers at UNCC. She’s “ready” for knee replacement and looks forward to more mobility and less pain. Daughter Hannah continues to go to college in Boone and husband Tom is a photographer and potter. Scarboro enjoys connecting with Coker friends on Facebook and will be glad to “invite” you to join the Coker Peeps group.

Reveley Wilson Thomy divides her time between teaching an autistic 11-year-old student and working at Bee Hive Gifts, sister Virginia’s shop in Kingstree.

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Daughter Mary Alice married Justin Bogue last November and they live in Ocala, FL where Justin is a pharmacist with Walgreens. This summer, Reveley will travel once again with People to People and will visit Italy and Greece.

She shares that that her dad (94) still sings in the choir, volunteers at the hospital and plays cards with friends EVERY Friday night!

Priscilla Corriher Weaver brought husband Donny into Landis Plumbing Supply after he retired from Philip Morris. They have two daughters: Lauren, a critical care nurse for cardiac patients and Sara, a teacher.

Carlotta Johnson Wiggins and Johnny enjoy the time they spend at their place on the Little Pee Dee River.

Grandson Miles, 3-years-old, has his “Papa” and “CeCe” wrapped around his little finger! He and his parents, Gil and Audrey, live in Mullins and Gil works with Dow Chemical Company. Zan works for Coastal Carolina University and Rob, who works for the state, recently bought a house on Charleston. Carlotta works part-time at the school and Johnny is with John Deere.

Carolyn McMillian Dunn and David are doing well!

Carolyn is still “up in the air” and most of her flights are international ones. She goes to California as often as she can to visit the grandchildren.

Each year Miriam Anderson draws an adorable family Christmas card and this year was no exception. She added a new snowman to the card: a grandson! Cooper arrived on June 15, 2011. Miriam writes that she enjoys retirement.

Sarah Creech Vick teaches Bible study groups through the Ladies Ministry at her church. She enjoys spending time with her dad and takes him somewhere every day. John is attempting to master Electronic Medical Records and is not convinced that it’s better than “the old way”. Allie is an admissions coordinator for the Aveda Institute in Chapel Hill. Suzanna graduates in May and will enter grad school at NCSU in the fall. As a University Ambassador, she conducts campus tours and recently had the Chancellor join her group!

Diane Roden Dinneny certainly had her share of weather challenges in 2011. An August hurricane left her and the girls without power for 6 days while Owen was in the Netherlands. Later, a freak snow storm….17 inches…resulted in another loss of power and damage to thousands of trees in their town. The clean-up is on- going. The Dinnenys have a new golden retriever puppy, Darcy. Last May, Kate Lyn received her master’s from Rutgers and is now the Children’s Librarian at the Riverdale Public Library. Megan spent a semester at Goldsmiths College at the University of London and was able to do a great deal traveling while abroad. She’s a graphic design student and is slated to graduate in 2013.

Keep in touch! Sending or responding to emails is an easy way to do it!

Rose

1976

Marilyn Mros Belotti

1118 Inverness Lane Hanahan, SC 29410 | Drb90@att.net

1977

Jane McCrackin Suchy

1011 Poplar Street Marion, SC 29571 843-423-1989 | suchysuchy@aol.com

1978

Vicki Smith Chaplin

839 Bethlehem Road Hartsville, SC 29550 843-332-5998 | Chaplins4@aol.com

Dr. Daniel Moses

Post Office Box 2403 Jacksonville, FL 32203 904-777-8179 | dan1204@bellsouth.net

1979

Debbie Schultz McLaren

20184 Foothill Terrace Ashburn, MD 20147 703-726-1190 | writerdeb11@aol.com

What a beautiful Spring we are having so far and its only March. I don’t know about you but this year has flown by for us. It has also brought some major changes for my family, as our son, our only child, joined the Marine Corps last year. We are so very proud of Stephen and his desire to serve our Country. He is currently stationed in Okinawa Japan, where he works in the computer side of Intelligence. With his departure came the “empty nest.”

I must say, Stephen adjusted much better to the Corps than I have to the empty nest.

As you can imagine, having a son in the Military has brought its own set of challenges. Suddenly our lives have been consumed with learning Marine acronyms, mailing out lots of boxes and packages, and learning how to interact with the Military community. One of my biggest challenges is learning how to relate to my 22 yr old son as an adult. Moving from parenting him, to a more supportive role. I’m sure all of you with adult children can relate to such a dilemma. These communication issues have a way of working themselves out. We just have to hang in there and keep loving our kids. Also with Skype and Facebook, it is much easier to keep in touch with a deployed service member. I t makes thousands of miles not seem so far apart. I am very grateful for that, not so sure my son is...LOL!

To keep busy I am volunteering at the USO at Dulles Airport. I have the pleasure of greeting our Troops and helping them as they pass through our area. I can honestly say, we have the greatest Troops in the world.

Most recently I started a Military Parents support page on Facebook. If any of you have kids in the Military, feel free to drop by our page. We would love to have you join us. I am also in the process of writing a book of encouragement for Military parents. Since Stephen joined the Military, God has given me a heart to minister to Military families. I am still learning how best to do that.

I have spoken to a few of our classmates. My husband Robb, and I met with Rick Harrell and his wife Susan, at the beach over the Christmas Holidays. It was such fun to just sit and catch up with each other. They have moved back to Myrtle Beach, after a couple of year spent in Northern Italy heading up a Missions team. Rick, is now a Pastor on staff at Sea Coast Vineyard Church. Susan works as an online Professor for a couple of Universities.

She and Rick also have an empty nest. Guess we are just at that age folks!

Our old friend Raymond Timmerman, is living in his childhood home in Jackson, SC. where he is the Pastor of a small Baptist Church there. I think he and Teresa still have a couple of children living at home. He is the same old witty Ray we always knew and loved.

Ron Sferazzo Watford and his wife, live in beautiful Naples Florida. Ron’s two sons are in college, so he also faces the empty nest...at least until schools out.

WWW. COKER . E D U

How about you and your families? We would love to hear from you and get caught up. Please contact me at either writerdeb11@aol.com, or on Facebook at Debbie Schultz McLaren.

Have a wonderful Spring, and drop me a line soon!

Warmest Regards, Debbie Schultz McLaren

1987

1994

14405 Woodswalk Court Midlothian, VA 23112-2412 804-639-2814 | Cindy.L.Hylton@pmusa.com

2977 Dance Drive | Hartsville, SC 29550 843-332-9835 | blankcamp@aol.com

1980

1819 New Market Road Hartsville, SC 29550-9303

703 Beaty Street Conway, SC 29526 843-248-3925 | lhickman@sccoast.net

1988

Lee H. Hickman

Susan D. Weathersbee

137 West Home Avenue Hartsville, SC 29550-4123 843-383-4692 CIRCEmyTW14/Sunbeam@hotmail.com

1981

Barbara A. Britton ’82

6716 St. Julian Way Fayetteville, NC 28314 910-860-7650 | 877-820-9147- toll-free jmb1jmb2@aol.com (put Coker in subject line)

1982

Debra Holt Zsembik

325 Moss Avenue Port Orange, FL 32127-6136 386-760-6430 | ddshouse@yahoo.com

1983

Glenn Douglas Bridges

55 Managhan Drive, Apt 306 Hardeeville, SC 29927 843-208-3272 | daddydolphin@hargray.com

1984

Donna Craig

801 Longbow Road Charlotte, NC 28211 704-365-6763 | djcraig@bellsouth.net

Michelle Wiscovitch King

400 Gandy Drive Hartsville, SC 29550 843-857-0084 | michaelbking@bellsouth.net

1985

Electa Anderson Small

204 Lantana Circle Georgetown, SC 29440-7278 803-348-6748 | andee33@aol.com

Tracie Johnson Paschal

Cynthia Lee Hylton

Phyllis Atkinson Palmieri

1995

Heather McConnell Buckelew

Lisa Bryant McDowell

9 Alison Way Columbia, SC 29229 803-699-7924 | mcdowellx5@aol.com

Millicent Chewning Macchione

Class co-rep needed

183 Royal Oaks Lane Lexington, SC 29072 803-926-8410 | ppeagler@columbiastaffing.com

1997

Pennie Cathey Peagler

Meg Quilty Liebe

Karol Lowery

Klowery727@aol.com

Alison Elizabeth Wood

2400 Pine Haven Street | Beaufort, SC 29902-6042 425-338-9760

803 Washington Avenue Palmyra, NJ 08065 856-303-1090

Regina Bacote Donithan

1990

1998

6 Corby Court Columbia, SC 29229 803-462-9851 | Algibson90@bellsouth.net

apruett76@yahoo.com

17341 Hartsville Ruby Road | Hartsville, SC 29550 843-335-5850 | rbacote518@hotmail.com

Amy Gibson

Kathy Harsh Cunningham

6004 Highmarket Street Georgetown, SC 29440 843-527-0530 | khc1224@aol.com

Our sympathy to Amy Gibson and her family in the death of her father, Charles Hilton Gibson on March 27, 2012, after a year long battle with cancer.

1991

Helen Mason Allen

1823 Misty Vale Road Charlotte, NC 28214 704-391-0931 | We3allens@bellsouth.net Helenm.allen@cms.k12.nc.us

1992

Kelly S. Jenkins Fredie James Williams

Angela Hodges Taylor Class co-rep needed

Ashley M. Pruett

Megan Brenna Holmes is in her fifth year at the Greater Gallatin United Way as the after school program coordinator for our KidsLink initiative. Her daughter, Brayton, is ten years old, and her son, Gabriel, is eight years old. Both are healthy and beautiful.

Mike Corn lives at in Columbia, TN, and is the head baseball coach at Columbia State Community College.

Trent Johnson and his family reside in Hartsville.

Trent works for The Salvation Army headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina, serving as the Regional Resource Development Director for the state of South Carolina.

Tanya Keith Kobylarz and her husband, Peter, will celebrate their fourth anniversary in April. They live and work in Charlotte, NC, and are currently foster parents for Mecklenburg County.

Karen Tallon Park has been living in the DC area for five years. She is working on her Masters degree in Nutrition, and hopes to finish next spring (’13). She and her husband, Sun, welcomed their first child, a son, Callen Michael, on May 31, 2011. Her mom, Janice Bullard ’90 EV, and sister, Brenda Tallon Bradshaw ’00 plan to visit Callen for his first birthday in May!

Ashley Pruett lives in Atlanta, GA, and continues her work as the manager of membership at ASHRAE, an international professional engineering society, focused on sustainability in the built environment. She and her fiancé, Kay, will be getting married in November of this year in Portsmouth, NH.

Susan Scoggins French: My husband Jeffery ’93 and I are still living in Columbia, SC with our 3 kids, Cooper (9), Julia (5) and Lilly (6 months). My days are spent maintaining our family’s busy schedule and volunteering at the kids’ school. Just livin’ life and lovin’ it!

Kristi Hutchinson Towey: I am still happily living in

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1610 Southwood Court | Florence, SC 29505-3195 843-629-8372 | S_Fryer@fsd1.org

1989

1993

133 Tall Oaks Drive Irmo, SC 29063 803-749-3922 Home | 803-318-1413 Mobile triggermartin@aol.com

Sam J. Fryer III

1996

1986

Teresa “Trigger” Martin

1606 Duckhorn St NW | Concord, NC 28027 704 786-1857 | nj2sc2nc@ctc.net

3011 Stone Bridge Trail Conyers, GA 30094 770-388-0067 | Millicentmacchione@yahoo.com

P.O. Box 2734 | Evans, GA 30809-2734 fredie.williams@gmail.com

1 Cobblestone Court Columbia, SC 29229 803-699-6620 | susansrobey@earthlink.net

Viola DeDe Lawrence

dede_lawrence@yahoo.com

1111 West Roseneath Road Florence SC 29501-5745 raciePL@aol.com

Susan Sweatt Robey

Jennifer Spray Blankenship

DEVELOPMENT

On July 15, 2012, an alumni survey was sent via email to the classes of 2003, 2009 and 2011. We want to hear you’re doing now and how your time at Coker prepared you for what you’re doing now. Your feedback helps us continue to improve the education we offer as we ready future graduates for life after Coker. Your opinions are crucial as we work to further enhance the Coker experience.

If you have questions, feel free to contact Marcy Kershner at 843-383-8022 or mkershner@coker.edu.

NYC with my husband Justin Towey ’97 and two boys, Desmond and Jake. I divide my time between projects for community and schools, chauffeuring the children to their activities, taking care of home, family and me . It keeps me busy and I love doing it. Justin is now working for Hightower Advisors since August 2011 and loving it.

I am still hopeful one day I will have the time to attend the Natural Gourmet Institute in NYC to continue my new found passion in vegetarian cooking and healthy eating.

Our older son Desmond is now in 7th grade at Poly Prep and Jake is in 2nd grade at The Garden School. They both love baseball as much as dad and I have had to learn way more than I ever thought I would about baseball…I even keep the scorebook from time to time for the coach!

Well, that’s it in a nutshell. Life is busy but exciting and I wouldn’t want it any other way.

Heather Sizemore Turner lives in Hartsville and work for PGBA in Florence. She is married and has a seven year old son.

Mirah White Welday: Greetings, Class of ’98! It’s been a long time since I’ve sent in news so I’ll condense as much as possible! Kurt and I moved to Norfolk, VA in November 2011 after two years in Hawaii and three years in Misawa, Japan. Hawaii was fabulous and I wouldn’t complain if the Navy saw fit to send us there again! Japan was great and we met some wonderful people. Our final year there was chaotic as we dealt with the earthquake and tsunami in March and the aftermath. We were happy to get orders back to the US. Kurt’s doing great and is stationed on the USS Harry S Truman. I am a Transition Assistance Trainer for the military. I provide workshops on career transition for military personnel separating or retiring from the military. We are enjoying Navy life and are looking forward to a great 2012.

Felisha Harmon Widener: I recently moved across the world to the UK with my husband, Anthony, and our two kids, Hunter (9) and Aidan (8). We are adjusting to life in England after living in Japan for four years. I spend my days homeschooling the kids and managing our family’s social activities and our home.

1999

Shonda Miles Knotts 925 Lynch Road | Coward, SC 29530 843-210-3346 | Shonda.Knotts@PalmettoGBA.com

DEVELOPMENT

Dean S. Legge

808 South Poplar Avenue | Andrews, SC 29510-3032 843-264-9398 | dean@dawgpost.com Rebecca Lynn Teal

Sheila Brodie Trapp

Post Office Box 967 | Hartsville, SC 29551

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2000

Keelea R. LeJeune

3121 Torres Avenue | Pensacola, FL 32503 850-393-6861 | Keelea.LeJeune@covenanthospice.org

2001

Roslynn D. Elom

572 East McIver Road Florence, SC 29506 843-667-0502 | Ravenrose3@aol.com

2002

Blayke Epley Turrubiartes

1847 Arnold Drive Charlotte, NC 28205 704-535-1504 | bpepley@yahoo.com

Stephanie Carwile Parker Post Office Box 299 Panola TX 75685 Stepahnierodeo@aol.com

2003

Emily Marovich Tupper

1100 Esplanade # 10 Redondo Beach, CA 90277 emilymarovich@yahoo.com

Wes Daniels

302 Hinnant Lane Hartsville, SC 29550 843-616-2485 | wdaniels@coker.edu

Greetings Class of 2003! I hope 2012 is off to a great start for all of you. Thanks for all of your responses. As you can see, our classmates have been busy. I heard from Deslyn K. Fowler McLeod. She has been married for seven years and has three children. She is currently living in Lexington, SC.

Ellen Mason Harris is currently the Director of Nutritional Services at a Nursing Home in Marietta, SC. Ellen suddenly lost her husband on May 9th. You have been and continue to be in our prayers, Ellen.

Shannon Lalla Candler and her husband Matt Candler ’02 are living in Georgia and just welcomed their first child into the world, a baby girl born on July 14th.

Welcome to the world Caroline Marie Candler! Shannon recently started a new job with WFN, Inc. a program management and consulting firm that is contracted

by Gwinnett County to run their federal entitlement grants. She is a Community Programs Specialists in charge of administering Gwinnett County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) & Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs by managing grantees (County departments, cities, and local nonprofits). Sounds very interesting to me! Shannon and Matt have been married for five years.

Phinon Hawk Woodside was married to Mike on

April Fools Day at Walt Disney World. They are living in Newark, Deleware and she is working at Wilmington Savings Fund Society.

Trixi DeRosa-Davis just started a new job teaching Spanish for the South Carolina Virtual School Program through the State Department of Education. Dr. Cathy Cuppett joins her classes virtually to present on Study Abroad opportunities available to high school and college students. Trixi is so appreciative of the faculty at Coker who continue to offer their support to alumni.

It was good to hear from Kristie Lowe Bratcher. She just graduated with her masters in nursing this past May. She is now an official acute care nurse practitioner, ACNP. She works in the Texas Medical Center with a critical care team covering intensive care units. Also, going on two years of marriage to Ric Bratcher and no children are in the near future!

Adam Hensley and his wife, Summer, just had their first child (Samuel Tice Hensley). He was born July 1, 2011.

They currently live in Lexington, SC and both work for Enterprise Rent a Car. Adam was recently promoted to Business Rental Sales Executive of the greater Columbia area. Hartsville is actually in his territory so he makes frequent stops to see Coach Schmotzer and to eat lunch at Bizzell’s.

Marilynn Lance-Robb has been promoted to Branch Manager of the Carvers Bay Branch Public Library located in Georgetown. She is the proud mother of two children and grandmother of three.

I did not receive an official report from Bessie Tomberlin, but do know she is married and has a child.

She is currently living in Colorado.

Nicole Lin Gonzalez-Angulo is teaching Spanish and Drama at a private Christian academy in Columbus, Ohio. She is married with three children.

Erin Earle Owen and her husband Gary, just welcomed their baby girl Cooper to the world. Erin is still living in Australia and her parents are packing up from Canada and moving to Australia to join her.

Emily Marovich Tupper and her husband Greg are still living in Los Angeles but a rumored move to Texas could be in the near future.

Courtney L. Smith just moved to Daytona Beach with her long time boyfriend, Mike Geiger. She is still working with Daktronics and expanding their territory.

She still is associated with The Citadel and gets to South Carolina fairly often.

D and Amber Douglas Brown just moved into a new house and love it. It is a block from his parents’ house, two blocks from the neighborhood pool and my house backs up to theirs, so they are in heaven! D and Amber have two children and are doing great.

My big news is that I got married on October 29, 2011 to Lacey Edens. She is a graduate of USC and works at Hilex-Poly here in Hartsville. We honeymooned in Jamaica and did not want to come home! We had a great crowd of Coker alums at the wedding, including: Michelle Eaddy Hood ’95, Michael Hood ’97, Elizabeth Steele Hall ’97, Susanne Watts ’02 and Collin Liggett ’04,

WWW. COKER . E D U

D and Amber Brown ’03, Courtney Smith ’03, Erin Earle ’03, Emily Marovich Tupper ’03, Dani Chaplin ’02, Kyle Saverance ’06 and several others I know I am leaving out.

I am still working at Coker as Director of Major Gifts and still love it. I hope all of you can come and visit soon…you would be so proud of your alma mater.

Which brings me to my next point…our TEN YEAR reunion is less than two years away. Please go ahead and plan to be here for Homecoming in October or 2013. It is the first weekend of the month and I will send out dates and details later. I would love to see everyone. If you are interested in helping with the planning, please contact me. AND, if you have not already done so, please make your gift to the Annual Scholarship Fund today. Our class has a great record of giving back, especially compared to those classes around us. Any support you can give back is much appreciated. Have a great 2012!

Wes

2004

Julia Cox Kokemor

12787 Highway 90 Kenner, LA 70070 504-466-3096 | jucarcox@hotmail.com

Selena Davis

1003 East Home Avenue | Hartsville, SC 29550-3409 SelenaCobras20@hotmail.com

Kimberly Ackerman Shelley was voted Teacher of the Year for Marion High School. Kimberly was a Spanish major and teaches Spanish. While a student at Coker, she studied abroad at the University of Salamanca under the auspices of Academic Programs International.

Congratulations!

2005

2006

1241 Old Oak Road Birmingham, AL 35235 205-853-5871 | smilerainmaker@aol.com

200 Cedar Branch Road | Loris, SC 29569-5834 843-756-4469 | jenmarie_john315@yahoo.com

Jessica Brill Lloyd

Hello again, everyone! I am still teaching voice and dance lessons and, my husband, Curtis ’02, is still teaching PE and coaching. Our daughter, Victoria will turn three this September and we are planning a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Party. Our family is looking forward to a wonderful Disney trip that we have planned for this summer. Ten days with my extended family! We are very excited. We are also trying to sell our house and are building in Leeds, Alabama, which is where Curtis teaches. I hope you are all feeling blessed and taking time to appreciate the good times of life, and I would really like to hear from more of you this fall.

Jennifer Curtis Grainger married Brandon Grainger of Myrtle Beach on January 23, 2010 and then purchased and renovated a home in the historic district of Chesterfield. Jennifer gave birth to Scarlett Alyssa Grainger on September 22, 2011. Jennifer has enjoyed employment in the Service Coordination/Family Support Services division of CHESCO Services since 2005. Recently, she was promoted to Quality Assurance Coordinator.

Jennifer and her family are currently enjoying the small town life and raising their quickly growing daughter.

Ben Johnson is still living in Columbia. He says that he hasn’t gone anywhere…yet! Ben has still been enjoying singing and will be turning thirty this summer.

He hopes to hear from everyone soon.

Remember classmates, add SmileRainmaker@aol. com to your inbox, so you can receive my updates and reply with the exciting events of your life. Wish you well and have some Summer Fun!

Jennifer Jackson

Class co-rep needed

2007

Kristin Caswell

55 Villa Road, Apt 347 | Greenville, SC 29615 864-235-6563 | kriscazz@yahoo.com

Nikki Daniell Johnson

843-669-1083 | 843-857-3812 nikkidaniell@gmail.com

Ladrica R Jones-Christain

1407 D Willow Trace Drive | Florence, SC 29501 843-667-3400 | ladricaj@hotmail.com

2008

Veronica Gallo Bambery

502 Cashua Street Darlington, SC 29532 veronicagallo@hotmail.com

Shereza Mazyck Middleton 420 Royer Road Bishopville, SC 29010 Smiddleton26@adelphia.net

Jessica Lloyd

DEVELOPMENT

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The Office of Institutional A dvancement would like to thank the friends, alumni, faculty, staff, foundations and corporations who gave so generously to Coker College this year. Your support allowed us to surpass last year’s fund raising total by 21 percent, and exceed the goal for the vitally important A nnual Scholarship Fund which directly helps so many Coker College students.

A l l t h e f o l l o w i n g g i f ts a n d i n f o r m at i o n w e r e r e c e i v e d D e c e m b e r 16, 2011 t h r o u g h J u n e 30, 2012

DEVELOPMENT

MEMORIAL S Mr. and Mrs. E. Nathan Allen Deborah Allen Vrooman Daphne Arthur Nancy and Budgy Wilhelm Mary Lou Bailey Andy and Vicki Eaddy Martha M. Baker Dr. and Mrs. Stephen Terry Billie Kissane Barclay John P. Barclay, Jr. Ashley Barrow Mary Bell Kittle Mary Caskrey Bell Pat Chapman Huff Betty White Bizzell Don Bigby William H. Bragdon, Jr. Ann Matthews Bragdon Don and Patti Posey Bullen Charles R. and Louise A. Cleveland Coker College Walter and Beth DuBose Cottingham Judy Watson Dew Jane Matthews Wanda Turner Evelyn Parsons Weaver Gene Brasington Pat Chapman Huff Allan Brock Nancy and Budgy Wilhelm Reginald Brown Edie Williford Brown Don and Betty Buhrmaster Elizabeth Buhrmaster Cooper Linda Cagle Andy and Vicki Eaddy Corine Segars Cain Rebecca Sparrow Barbara Turner Campbell Carol Ann Turner Atkinson Doyle L. and Katherine C. Cannon Caroline C.Harrington Sharon Elmore Case Carol Ann Elmore Kim Chalmers Mary Lahr Cain Margaret Chalmers Nancy and Rollins Culpepper Joseph Davenport Dr. and Mrs. Fred Edinger Pearl Fryar Dr. Lois R. Gibson Jennifer Halls Carolyn Donati Johnson Mary Coker Joslin Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Rubinstein Barbara Steadman

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Roy Tucker Keith and Caroline Williamson Gertrude “Trudy” Johnson Chewning Charlie Chewning Mildred Abbott Currier Suzanne Soderberg Dr. James D. Daniels Andy and Vicki Eaddy Sheila and Dan Schmotzer Dr. Elizabeth Davidson Susan Shumake Patricia Maxwell Day John Day Deceased Members of the Class of 1948 Betty Padgett Black Dana Dixon Jeff Maddox Dr. Rion Dixon Jimmy and Nancy Baker Bell Rev. John Doubles Jane Woodward Truett and Theresa Truett Jason Montgomery Dunn Nancy P. Dunn Bailey “Bayy” Eaddy Andy and Vicki Eaddy Lillie Easterling Ritta Croft Hennecy Vermelle Elder Nancy and Budgy Wilhelm Patricia Hanahan Engman Craig Mason Liles Richardson Nickerson Rachel Smith Warren Jody Gaskins Sandy Gaskins Barbara Bailey Goodson Robert Goodson, Jr. Thomas E. Goodson, Jr. Dr. Valleria Grannis Gail Helms Dorothy “Dottie” Cain Grant Pat Chapman Huff Rebecca Sparrow Becky Gray Gus and Joan Snoddy Hoffmeyer Wanda Campbell Harrison Denise Norris Walden Margaret Hatcherson Pat Chapman Huff Randolph W. Hope III Rebecca Hope Jack Lee Hopkins Craig Mason Bill and Mary Ann McCaskill Tomlinson Carl H Huff Pat Chapman Huff Joy Keyserling Ginny Fleming Virginia King Virginia King Hilderbrand

Dr. Kenneth Krueger Dr. Lois R. Gibson Mae Elizabeth Latimer Dr. Cathleen Cuppett Camilla Richardson Livingston Pat Chapman Huff David Long, Jr. Donald and Diane Croteau Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Haynes Carol Healy Mr. and Mrs. Craig Johnson Paul and Deborah Seward William Spivey Raymond Witzell William Olen Lowery Andy and Vicki Eaddy Jean Ludlam Tricia McClam W. Reaves McCall Margaret and Roy McCall Delmouth “Red” McElveen Dr. Cathleen Cuppett Betty Warren Morgan Charlie Chewning Pat Chapman Huff Laura Camlin Moulton Charlotte Hamer Moulton Dr. Pickens Moyd Pat Chapman Huff Jimmy and Nancy Baker Bell Carol Kay Dudley Nooft Virginia French Lyles Annie E. Oliver Harriet King Van Norte Chaty Hayes O’Neal Thomas O’Neal Wave Josey Parks Edith Floride Reynolds Courtney Howard Quattlebaum Coker College Craig Mason Georgia Porcher Rachel Smith Warren Floride Josey Reynolds Edith Floride Reynolds Sandra Kirkley Rhodes Shelia Meeks Gilbert Charlie Scott Andy and Vicki Eaddy James H. Shelley Patricia K. Shelley Alice and Virgil Smith Louise A. Cleveland Betty Alewine Smith Luther B. Smith, Jr. Beulah Smith Pat Chapman Huff Mary Todd Davies Smith Melinda Hudgins Adams Ginny Fleming

Pam Phillips Ivester T. Bruce Smith, Sr. Phillip and Sara Odom Annabelle Snipes Nancy and Budgy Wilhelm Carroll Stevenson Lenore Blake Stevenson Angus Stewart Nancy and Budgy Wilhelm Maxine Coskrey Eadon Thomas Peggy McCue Freymuth Louise Tucker Pat Chapman Huff Grace Vail Pat Chapman Huff Charles Vaughan Gayle Brunson and Jim McQuage Mr. and Mrs. William Camp Dr. and Mrs. Burns Coleman Dale P. and Nancy Cooper Mr. and Mrs. Frank Drose Friends at Blue Cross/Blue Sheild H. F. Galloway, Jr. Adolph P. Hearon Kenneth and Gloria Holladay Beverly Johnston Nan and Edgar Lawton Bill and Ruby Livingston Margaret and Roy McCall Julie and Judy McClendon Mr. and Mrs. Nelson McLeod Mrs. Jerry McLeod Charles N. and Ellen Hardin Rogers Mr. and Mrs. Billy Thibodeaux Rose and Sarah Chaplin Thomas Edee Vaughan Eleanore Vaughan-Langley James and Virginia Vaughan Jo L. Vaughan-Fee Arthur and Ann Weaver Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Weeks Sara K. Wilds Jerry and Lorraine Wilson Mr. and Mrs. Leonce Vaughan Dexter Vaughan Mary Jane Jacobs Veneklasen Ginny Fleming Betty Yarborough Watt Rachel Collier Flowers Matthew Wendell Lucy Singletary Caldwell G. James Wilds III Carol Godwin Frank Woods Murray McDonald Joann Jones Woodward Jane Woodward Truett and Family

WWW. COKER . E D U

SCHOL AR SHIPS & ENDOWMENT Algernon Sydney Sullivan Scholarship The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation Ann Ludlam Winfield ‘44 Endowed Scholarship Ann Ludlam Winfield Ann Matthews Bragdon Endowed Scholarship Dr. Ann Matthews Bragdon Patti Posey Bullen Louise Atkinson Cleveland Beth DuBose Cottingham Judy Watson Dew Wanda Turner Evelyn Parsons Weaver Anna White Hill Endowed Choral Scholarship Richard and Brenda Porter Anne Lamb Matthews Endowed Scholarship Dr. Ann Lamb Matthews C. G. Timberlake Memorial Scholarship William and Olive Timberlake Chaty Hayes O’Neal ‘46 Endowed Scholarship Thomas A. O’Neal, Jr.

S YMPATHY Jacqueline Newsom McKenzie ’49 in the death of her husband Julian McKenzie on October 13, 2006.

Elizabeth Gerrald Gibson ’50 in the death of her sister on December 20, 2010.

Ann Livingston Joyeusaz ’50 in the death of her sister-in-law Camilla Richardson Livingston on March 30, 2012.

Sylvia Jo Thompson Avant ’51 in the death of her husband Billy Avant on November 6, 2011.

Margaret Rion Wilkins ’51 in the death of her sister-in-law Sarah “Sally” Katherine Trowbridge Rion ’49 on March 24, 2012.

Family of Betty Epting Owen ’52 in the death of her husband Bob Owen on February 7, 2012.

Anne Howell Seavey ’52 in the death of her husband Fred L. Seavey on November 26, 2011.

Lois Ann Buddin Coker ’53 in the death of her daughter Sharon Elizabeth Coker Bagnal on December 21, 2011.

Peggy Warren Smith ’53 in the death of her sister Betty on March 1, 2012.

Lura McCutchen Holler ’57 in the death of her husband Jimmy Holler on December 23, 2006.

Peggie Wiggins McLean ’58 in the death of her husband Lewis F. McLean ’58 on February 1, 2010.

Barbara Dibble Dixon ’59 in the death of her brother-in- law Dr. Rion Dixon on November 14, 2011.

Sylvia Pennell Lemelin ’59 in the death of her husband Dan Lemelin on April 19, 2011.

WWW. COKER . E D U

Becky Sparrow Diana Cobb Nall Endowed Social Work Scholarship Jean Virgin Eleanore Whittinghill Vaughan Endowed Music Scholarship Gayle Brunson Burns and Alice Coleman Mr. and Mrs. Dale P. Cooper Richard F. Drose H. F. Galloway, Jr. The General Electric Foundation Adolph Hearon Kenneth and Gloria Holladay Bevely Johnston Edgar and Nan Lawton William and Ruby Livingston P. L. and Margaret McCall Juliet McLendon Billie McLeod Sally Smyrl Rose S. Thomas Jo L. Vaughan-Fee James and Virginia Vaughan Arthur and Ann Weaver Sara K. Wilds Jerry and Lorraine Wilson Erby and Katie Sue Diffie Jackson Endowed Scholarship Sadie Abbott

Frank Bush Endowed Scholarship Frank and Frankie Bush Robert and Sandy Brown George Sawyer Kalmia Endowment Drs. George and Gayle Sawyer Hannah Lide Coker Bicentennial Endowed Scholarship Coker Farms National Historic Foundation Robert Goodson, A.I.A. Hartsville Rotary Foundation M. B. Nickles Ronald W. Radcliffe Charles and Betty Young Sullivan William and Olive Timberlake Jacqueline Everington Jacobs Endowed Scholarship Patricia Lipe James Clarence Bigby Endowed Scholarship Don C. Bigby Jean Ludlam ‘51 Endowed Scholarship Tricia McClam Joanne Moody Zobel Endowed Scholarship Joanne Moody Zobel John C. and Leland S. Hungerpiller Endowed Scholarship Sloan Hungerpiller Brittain James and Page Hungerpiller

Joslin General Endowment Estate of William C. Joslin Kalmia Gardens Endowment Fund Estate of William C. Joslin Leona Davis Perry Endowed Scholarship Dr. Priscilla Perry Arnold Marvis Wiggins Henry Endowed Scholarship Pat and Marvis Henry Nancy Barrineau Endowed Sholarship Nan Howard Teressa Harrington Nickey Brumbaugh Endowed Art Scholarship Elizabeth Coughlin Randolph W. Hope Endowed Scholarship Rebecca Hope Rubinstein-Büchler Endowed Scholarship for International Study Dr. and Mrs. Joseph Rubinstein Sara Cottingham Piano Scholarship Charles Cottingham Sloan H. Brittain Endowed Music Scholarship Sloan Hungerpiller Brittain Sparrow Scholars Program Susan M. Frank

Ann Matthews Bragdon ’60 in the death of her husband William H. Bragdon on March 17, 2012.

Sarah Sheppard Mims ’71 in the death of her mother.

IN MEMORIAM

LIBR ARY

May White Walker ’29 Helen Graham Hodson ’33 Nancy Womble Berry ’34 Pauline Denny Jenkins ’36 Elizabeth Rickenbacher Prickett ’36 Nina Sanders Speights ’37 Wave Josey Parks ’38 Annie Alma Reames Walker ’38 Cynthia Kelley Callaway ’41 Josephine Lillian Cooper ’41 Helen Frances Willis Woodberry ’42 Margaret Ann Renegar Barile ’45 Helen Hope Peterson Bell ’45 Iris Tomlinson Anderson ’46 Zilla Margaret Buddin Creticos ’46 Elsie Louise Trantham ’47 Bruce Watterworth ’47 Margaret Cox Bellman ’48 Florrie Estelle Faulkner Stockman ’48 Betty Yarbrough Watt ’48 Genevieve Chandler Peterkin ’49 Sarah “Sally” Katherine Trowbridge Rion ’49 Jean Alston Prince Webster ’49 Maurice Gray ’50 Annie Rose Wolfe Pruette ’51 Betty Alewine Smith ’51 Wayne Chester Josey ’52 Dorothy Cain Grant ’53 Camilla Richardson Livingston ’53 Patricia Ann Robertson England ’54 Lewis Franklin McLean ’58 Eva Lou Stokes Rutledge ’58 Mary Mattison Weeks ’60 Dorcas Lineberger Merhoff ’61 Linda Sample Mobley ’61 Patricia Hanahan Engman ’65 Jack L. Hopkins ’65 Courtney Howard Quattlebaum ’65 Todd Davies Smith ’66 Mary Emma Michau Jordan ’70 Joel Thomas Cassidy ’71 Kay Meares Whaley ’71 Frank Lewis Coons ’75 Douglas F. Faggart ’78 Wanda Dillon Statham ’81 Samuel E. Lamar ’82 Mollie Woods Watford ’88

The following gave gifts of books or media to the Charles W. and Joan S. Coker Library-Information Technology Center

Laura McLeod ’60 in the death of her sister Penny McLeod Nissley on May 26, 2011.

Susan Lane Martin Bryan ’61 in the death of her husband Edward Lee Bryan on August 31, 2010.

Peggy Brown Buchanan ’62 in the death of her son-in-law on November 1, 2011.

Kay Lawrimore Byrd ’62 in the death of her mother recently.

Beverly Jones Dinkins ’62 in the death of her husband.

Peggy McCue Freymuth ’62 in the death of her brother Carl on July 18, 2011.

Judy Eadon Gibson ’62 in the death of her mother Maxine Coskrey Thomas on January 21, 2012.

Marcia Clark Krueger ’63 in the death of her husband Kenneth W. Krueger on January 30, 2012.

Patricia Tindall McClary ’63 in the death of her mother Marguerite Bruorton Tindall on May, 24 2011.

Linda Williams Stanton ’62 in the death of her husband Joshua Joyner Stanton on October 10, 2010.

Kay Elder Williams ’63 in the death of her mother Vermelle Elder on December 31, 2011.

Virginia Anderson Hopkins ’65 in the death of her husband Jack L. Hopkins on March 8, 2012.

Nancy Baker Bell ’68 in the death of her brother George Clarke Baker on December 26, 2011.

Celeste Oliver Phillips ’70 in the death of her father Benjamine Oliver, Jr. on January 8, 2011.

Susan Burns Wetmore ’70 in the death of her mother Mary Riddle Burns on December 1, 2011.

Kenneth W. Krueger ’73 & Carole King Krueger ’74 in the death of his father Kenneth W. Krueger on January 30, 2012.

Nancy Harter Boyd ’74 in the death of her father James Harter on March 11, 2011.

Kathi Pleasant Luther ’75 in the death of her father Willard C. Pleasant on October 1, 2011.

Betsy Mauldin McCray ’75 in the death of her mother Laura Maludin on February 12, 2011.

Amy Gibson ’90 in the death of her father Charles Hilton Gibson on March 27, 2012.

Connie Bell Hucks ’93 EV in the death of her husband Herb Hucks on June 13, 2012.

Karen Johnson Jeffords ’93 in the death of her mother Jessie Dixon Johnson on January 13, 2012.

Thomas Matthew Long ’11 in the death of his father Thomas David Long on May 17, 2012.

Amanda Amerson Beck ’04 and Jimmy Beck ‘03 in the death of her mother Mary Etta Griggs Beasley on June 7, 2012.

Larry Asbury Charlie and Joan Coker Serena Hill Larochee Nicole Morales Richard and Sylvia Puffer Donald Quist

T HE OFFICIA L M AG A ZINE OF COKER COL L EG E, H A RT S V IL L E, S .C .

DEVELOPMENT

Margaret Segars Copeland ’58 in the death of her husband David English Copeland on February 16, 2012.

Christine and Brent Weaver Endowed Scholarship Brent and Christine Weeks Weaver Class of 1953 Endowed Scholarship Betty Mobley Bynum Charlena Hunt Chewning Walter and Beth DuBose Cottingham Pat Chapman Huff Mitzi DuPre Matthews Edward D. McDowell Class of 1959 Endowed Scholarship Patricia Williams Class of 1963 Endowed Scholarship Lana Barnett Nancy Clarke Belinda Copeland Nancy Forbis Lynda Hord Vicki Ison Mary P. King Carol Kirven Madeleine McKenzie Katherine Nobles Georgia Porcher Edith Reynolds Nancy Wilhelm Class of 1964 Endowed Scholarship Naomi Jackson Lorena James Cameron Speth

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DEVELOPMENT

HONOR ARIUMS Don Amaral Andy and Vicki Eaddy Marguerite Assey Christina Glover Wallerstein Jordan Atkinson Betty Atkinson Nell Bates Beasley Naomi Kelley Jackson Nancy Thornhill Bolden Teresa Baker Elizabeth Cockfield Bushardt Dr. Priscilla Perry Arnold John Rogers Cannon Reagan Gafford Cannon Dr. Pat Holland Chapman Gail Etters Pilger Class of 1947 Gene Brown Class of 1958 Annette Cooke Stokes Class of 1962 Molly Thomas Birchler Class of 1970 Patricia Shuler Noble Trisha Braid Collins Dr. Priscilla Perry Arnold Walter and Beth DuBose Cottingham Claire Hudson Gaskins

Dr. Kaye Crook Andy and Vicki Eaddy Wes and Lacey Daniels Susanne and Collin Liggett Wes Daniels Connie Brock Courtney Smith Caitlyn Driscoll Michael and Ann Driscoll Dr. Fred Edinger Dr. Susan Daniels Henderson Dr. Joseph Flaherty Dr. Patricia Lincoln Ginger Freeman Dr. Stephen Terry Deanne Frye Dr. Stephen Terry Jan Bonnett Frye Christina Glover Wallerstein Sara Preston Hall Dean and Elizabeth Steele Hall Segars Hall Dean and Elizabeth Steele Hall Hartsville Fire Department XYZ Seniors Group of St. Luke UMC Gus and Joan Snoddy Hoffmeyer Courtney Smith Pat Chapman Huff Walter and Beth DuBose Cottingham

Jacqueline Everington Jacobs Patricia Jacobs Lipe Judy Hayes Johnson Christina Glover Wallerstein Ashlon Langley Rose and Sarah Chaplin Thomas Dr. James Lemke Dr. Patricia Lincoln Susanne Watts Liggett Claire Hudson Gaskins Dr. Anne Lamb Matthews Naomi Kelley Jackson Mitzi DuPre Matthews Walter and Beth DuBose Cottingham Mary Ann McCaskill Naomi Kelley Jackson Stephanie Medley Mark Medley William D. and Mary Nicholson Belinda Blackmon Professor Richard Puffer Susanne and Collin Liggett Stephanie Rhodes J. W. and Lisa Rhodes Linda Rhyne Dr. Priscilla Perry Arnold Sarah Jo Wood Safrit Christina Glover Wallerstein Jean Smith Sansbury Naomi Kelley Jackson

Kyle Saverance Susanne and Collin Liggett Brenda Schmotzer Andy and Vicki Eaddy Dan Schmotzer Andy and Vicki Eaddy Dave Schmotzer Andy and Vicki Eaddy Goz Segars Donald J. Amaral Gloria Mack Bell Stanley B. Bikulege Linda Smith Bradford R. Howard Coker Dr. Cathleen Cuppett Karen Lear Edwards Tom Ewart Pamela Gill Franklin Larry O. Gantt Jean Grosser Cynthia Hartley Charles Hupfer Hoyt Kelley Jonathan Lee Dean Legge E. Leroy “Toy” Nettles, Jr. Jane Parler Norwood Dr. Leroy Robinson Sarah Jo Wood Safrit Electa Anderson Small Charles L. Sullivan

Dr. Howard Tucker Dr. Michael Siegfried Audrey Leigh JoAnne Boyd Sires Walter and Beth DuBose Cottingham St. Luke UMC Knitters Howard and Patricia H. Dampier Charles and Betty Young Sullivan Thomas Alan Charles Sullivan Bernard Campbell Dr. Richard Swallow Hank Alewine Dr. Stephen B. Terry Michael Daley Emily Marovich Tupper Courtney Smith Dr. Jason Umfress Dr. Stephen Terry Eleanore Vaughan Rose and Sarah Chaplin Thomas Jean Virgin Becky Sparrow Robby Watts Claire Hudson Gaskins Betty Williams Dr. Stephen Terry Kay Elder Williams Vicki Ison Dr. Robert L. Wyatt Pamela Gill Franklin

WEDDINGS

BIRTHS

Congratulations on the marriage of Amelia Tindal ’73 and John Roven ’74 on November 1, 2011.

Congratulations to Pat Chapman Huff ’53 on the birth of great-grandson Stewart Russell Wilson on February 15, 2012.

Congratulations to Sabrina Wotier Peterson ’02 and Nathan ’02 on the birth of son Austin on July 17, 2011.

Congratulations to Madeleine McKenzie ’63 on the birth of granddaughter Kora on September 21, 2011.

Congratulations to Majorie Muldrow Goodson ’05 on the birth of daughter Kiara on May 20, 2011.

Congratulations to Kitty Nobles ’63 on the birth of grandson Luke.

Congratulations to Caitlin Hudson Luther ’06 and Corey on the birth of daughter Adeline Kennedy Luther on January 24, 2011.

Congratulations on the marriage of Shannon Strickland ’90 and Roger Hornsby ’89 in 2011.

Congratulations on the marriage of Marielle Santos Smith ’02 and Mac McLeod in June 2011.

Congratulations on the marriage of Jeffrey Johnson, II ’06 and Fieke Richter on January 17, 2012.

Congratulations to Cameron Speth ’64 on the birth of granddaughter Grace on July 1, 2011.

Congratulations on the marriage of Wes Daniels ’03 and Lacey Kathryn Edens on October 29, 2011.

Congratulations to Judi Cooper Camak ’70 on the birth of grandson Samuel “Hayes” Camak.

SEND US A WEDDING PHOTO OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM WITH ALL YOUR COKER GUESTS!

Congratulations to Lora Harrell Knotts ’02 on the birth of daughter Lorelai Virginia on August 27, 2011.

Congratulations to Nancy Timms Matthews ’76 and Dave ’91 on the birth of granddaughter Adeline Kennedy Luther on January 24, 2011.

SEND US BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENTS ABOUT YOUR CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN!

Lacey Kathryn Edens and Wes Daniels ’03

Kalmia Gardens

DEVELOPMENT

DONATIONS

MEMORIAMS

Dennis & Lyndell Becker Fitz Coker Annie Rue Denny William & Cynthia Dempsey Eddie & Linda Drayton Wade & Lee Hicks Mal & Carol Hyman Larry & Virginia Gantt Karen Gentry Julian & Mary Alice King Edgar & Nan Lawton Harry & Rita Moran Bobb E. Riggs Tom Rogers Drs. George & Gayle Sawyer Sarah W. Safrit Don & Phyllis Sheeley Michael & Anna Siegfried Spring Beauty Garden Club Sumter Garden Club John & Judy Walker

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Daphne Arthur Bob & Betty Corning Julian & Mary Alice King Betty Bizzell Kirk & Jane Dunlap Mary Esther Denny Dr. & Mrs. William Kennedy Hazel Culpeper Byrd Stanley Byrd Vivian A. Byrd Robert & Sue Davis Frances Chambers Stanley Byrd Vivian A. Byrd Dave & Karen Mitchell Carol Coggeshall Sara K. Wilds Frances Dargan Charles & Adrienne Rogers Dr. Rion Dixon Rose Marie Newsom Jason Dunn Harry & Rita Moran

A L U M N I I S S U E

Bailey Eaddy Nita Howard Jake Ervin Charles & Adrienne Rogers Dick Fagan Ruth Iseman Wilbur Kirkland Hayes Dr. and Mrs. Brooks Bannister Willard Jacobs Ruth Rogers Nielsen Pauline Denny Jenkins Mary Ester Denny William Joslin Ruth Rogers Nielsen Sara K. Wilds Randy King Rose Marie Newsom Anna Lanier Rose Marie Newsom Martha Clyburn Lawhon Harris & Louise DeLoach Marion Lee Rose Marie Newsom Reaves McCall Ruth Rogers Nielsen Cameron McNeill Rose Marie Newsom

Pickens Moyd Bob & Betty Corning Harry & Rita Moran Doris Newsom Rose Marie Newsom Lib Purvis Charles & Adrienne Rogers Jim Rion Dr. & Mrs. William Kennedy Annabelle Snipes Dr. & Mrs. William Kennedy James Wilds Julian & Mary Alice King Ruth Rogers Nielsen

HONORARIUMS Dr. Ronna Askins Nita Howard Bob Bristow Nita Howard George & Hettie Dargan Nita Howard Fred & Nancy Edinger Bobb E. Riggs

Charles & Bettis Howard David & Patsy Cannon Harold & Libba King Nita Howard Dr. and Mrs. Joe Matthews Nita Howard Pam Newsome Chipsie Doughty Frank Prehoda Clifford & Shirlyn Bellum Mary Ridgeway Keith & Ruth Kooken Charles & Adrienne Rogers Nita Howard Sarah Safrit Christina Wallerstein Dr. George Sawyer Bobb E. Riggs Layton Elizabeth Suits Betty Jo Nichols

WWW. COKER . E D U

ENGAGE

Coker Men’S Golf Te am Win Conference Carolinas Title The Coker men’s golf team put together a spectacular final round of play to capture the 2012 Conference Carolinas Men’s Golf Championship on Tuesday, April 24. Down 18 strokes entering the day, the Cobras fired a team score of 285 (-3) to storm their way into first place and defeat Barton College by one stroke. The Cobras carded a three-round team total of 898 (+34), while Barton shot 899 (+35) in second and King College placed third at 907 (+43).

Leading the way for the Cobras was freshman Christopher Fuga with a fourth-place finish overall. Fuga shot 71 (-1) in the final round. Also carding a 71 in the final round was sophomore Josh Clay. He placed fifth overall. Junior Jake Murphy finished in a tie for 16th after carding a

one-over-par 73 in the final round, while senior Diego Polo also finished in 16th; he shot a teamlow 70 (-2) in the last round. Senior Jared Crane rounded out the field for Coker with a 78 (+6) in the third round. He placed 33rd overall.

“This is unbelievable,” said head coach Tommy Baker. “I am extremely excited for my guys.

They never gave up. They played hard all week and they definitely deserve to be champions.”

With the win, the Cobras advanced to the NCAA South/Southeast Super Regional Tournament May 7-9 in Conover, N.C., at the Jones Golf Course. They finished 18th as a team.

This was the second Conference Carolinas Men’s Golf Championship for the Cobras; the first came in 2006.

Board of Trustees Updates Officer s

Ne w Member s

Re - Elec ted

R. Howard Coker Chairperson Cindy Hartley Vice Chairperson A. Hoyt Kelley Secretary Gloria M. Bell Treasurer

Susan Allen Morano At Large Member Gabriel Fonseca Student Member Dr. Jun Matsuo Faculty Member

Larry Gantt At Large Member Sarah Jo Safrit At Large Member

W W W. COKER . EDU

R. Howard Coker Elec ted chair of the Board of Trustees R. Howard Coker, Hartsville, has been elected to serve as the Chair of the Coker College the Board of Trustees.

Coker is vice president of Global Rigid Paper and Closures at Sonoco and serves on the Company’s executive committee.

Previously, he has held several leadership positions within the Company, including division vice president and general manager, Sonoco Phoenix; director of sales and marketing, Rigid Paper and Plastics – North America; and general manager, Rigid Paper and Plastics – Asia/Pacific.

Coker is a graduate of Wofford College with a Bachelor of Arts in business administration. He also received a Master of Arts in business administration from Wake Forest University.

Coker succeeds Goz Segars, who served as Chair of the Coker College Board of Trustees since 2010.

The Coker College Board of Trustees serves on a voluntary basis and maintains broad responsibility for the mission, long-range direction, policies and financial condition of the institution.

T HE OFFICIA L M AG A ZINE OF COKER COL L EG E, H A RT S V IL L E, S .C .

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SUPPORT

Life Support { O n t h e b a t t l e g r o u n d , b a s k e t b a l l c o u r t & A t h o m e , c o mm u n ica t i o n i s k e y }

Dan Shanks wakes up every day and says goodnight to his wife, Sophia, SUPPORT

through a computer. This is the best and worst part of his day, all at once.

As he begins another tiring, gruesome day of work, she is calling it quits on another.

“This bond goes deeper than basketball.

I

know

in

this

profession you’re supposed to win games and everything, but the payback is the connection you develop between player and coach. In 39 years of coaching I have a large family of former players, but this guy is special...”

DAN SCHMOTZER

This is the life to which Shanks has become accustomed. The 1997 Coker College graduate has served as a human terrain specialist for the United States government since July 2010. He is currently stationed in Ghazni Province in Afghanistan.

Human terrain mapping, in essence, is serving as a sociocultural advisor to the military. For Shanks, who speaks the English, Dari and Pashtu languages, it involves talking to local Afghan nationals and gathering their thoughts, grievances and political considerations using social science research methods to get a broad sample to validate the findings.

“Basically, we collect as much information as we can in order to advise the U.S. military how to operate in certain areas,” said Shanks, a former standout on the Coker men’s basketball team. “This could involve geographic considerations, political or tribal battles, or figuring out the different networks of power players – who’s important, who’s not.”

Shanks and his team use the information they receive to try to limit the violence throughout the country. The goal is to provide operationally relevant sociocultural knowledge that enhances the

decision making process. He says the best part of his job is when he is successful in helping a soldier make a more informed decision based on the applied and proven research methods they use, which is the reason he pursued the position originally.

“I wanted this job because I wanted to work with the best fighting force in the world,” said Shanks. “Cultural nuances and information can make all the difference in building relationships and alienating the public or not in Afghanistan. I want to help our soldiers understand these foreign countries they have to fight in and, in some cases, rebuild. I feel truly honored that our great country has allowed me the privilege of helping shape even the smallest of decisions.”

While the job brings Shanks plenty of joy, it has its share of difficult times. His not-yet-three-yearold marriage is waiting for its chance at consistency.

“It’s challenging to be married and be 8,000 miles apart,” he admits. “The eight-and-a-half-hour time difference is tough, too, but we get to talk and Skype every day.”

Being able to handle conflicts and distractions is nothing new for the 39-year-old. He’s been on

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W W W. COKER . EDU

has the highest scoring average for a season (21.8) and career (18.9), the most points scored in a season (610), the highest free-throw percentage in a season (93) and the highest free-throw percentage in a game (100). He was part of the ’94-95 team that won a school-record 10 straight games, led the program to a No. 14 rank nationally in Division II, and is the only player to win freshman of the year and player of the year honors from the conference in the same season.

During Shanks’ time at Coker, the men’s team won more than 80 games and reached the conference championship three times, winning one. This period changed the dynamic of the program; winning became common and recruiting battles became easier. A lot of credit is due to No. 24, who was inducted into the Coker Hall of Fame in 2004.

“When you get old, you look back and you ask, ‘How many times do you really go somewhere that you’ve never been before?’” Schmotzer said.

“You’ll have it with the birth of a child, death of a parent – it’s different emotions. The only thing that can take you to a level like that emotionally is sport. That guy did it to me, not only to me but for me. I’ve experienced that only a few times in my life, but he was the main reason for one of them.

You don’t get it often, but when you do, you don’t forget it.

“The difference he made to our college is unparalleled. We had some success early in my time here, but Dan’s teams changed everything. He and

Missy Paterson were difference-makers for this school.”

As Shanks worked his magic on the court, he and Schmotzer developed a bond off of it that continues to this day. Shanks’ father passed away when he was 15, and he now says that “coach Schmotzer is like a father figure to me.”

The two regularly connect over the phone or through Skype. When Shanks is in town – he and Sophia still reside in Hartsville – he will routinely speak to Schmotzer’s team. And of all the hardware and memorabilia that fills the coach’s office, Shanks’ old No. 24 jersey is the easiest one to find, hanging right behind his desk.

“This bond goes deeper than basketball,” said Schmotzer. “I know in this profession you’re supposed to win games and everything, but the payback is the connection you develop between player and coach. In 39 years of coaching I have a large family of former players, but this guy is special. I can’t tell you how tight this is.”

Shanks’ work agreement with the government could last up to four years. When it breaks again in September, he will have an opportunity to continue serving or return home for good and search for a job in the states. For the first time in a while he wouldn’t have to use a computer to say goodnight to Sophia – he could just lean over and tell her himself.

T HE OFFICIA L M AG A ZINE OF COKER COL L EG E, H A RT S V IL L E, S .C .

COMMENTA RY

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SUPPORT

the go ever since he left Coker to pursue a professional basketball career – one that lasted seven years in Europe – all the way to his current location in Afghanistan.

Shanks credits his time at Coker for teaching him how to manage his life. He left campus with degrees in history and physical education with a concentration in physical fitness programming, but the first challenge involved learning to separate athletics from academics. And his coach, Dan Schmotzer, and favorite professor, Mal Hyman, helped pave the way for him.

“Coker really gave me the chance to find a balance,” said Shanks. “I was an absolute basketball nut. Coach Schmotzer got me going from a playing standpoint, and Mal helped me grow up intellectually. Those two also really gave me the chance to practice positive role modeling. When I was at Coker I was 100 percent basketball. Now, I’d say I’m about 10 percent, and that transformation started at Coker.”

Shanks’ contribution to the men’s basketball program is far from forgotten, however. Many consider him one of the best male athletes to ever don a Coker uniform. Shanks is second on the school’s all-time scoring list with 1,895 career points. A knee injury his senior season cost him 10 games and derailed his chance to be at the top, as he sits 80 points behind the all-time leader, Dennis Woolfolk.

He still holds multiple records at Coker. Shanks

SUPPORT

Bell TOWER CHALLENGE { A FUN D EST A BL I SHE D BY THE C L A SS OF 1 9 7 2 }

Since 1914, the Bell Tower has stood as one of the oldest and most loved symbols of Coker College.

SUPPORT

It houses the bell that was originally in the tower of the old Welsh Neck Building, which stood near where the James Lide Coker III Residence Hall is today. For 50 years, the bell rang each and every day to signal wake up, meals, change of classes, fire drills and lights out, and many Coker girls received a work scholarship to ring the bell and keep the campus on schedule.

Recently, new traditions have been adopted.

Each year, during the candle lighting ceremony, freshmen students are welcomed as members of their commissioner families and ring the bell to mark the beginning of their time at Coker. Four years later, they hear the same familiar bell toll at Commencement as they graduate - positive, prepared and proud of what they accomplished while at Coker.

Today, the Bell Tower is in need of major repairs.

The most pressing concern is the steel connecting the wooden tower to the concrete foundation has rusted away, leaving it structurally unsound. The

latticework has also rotted and needs to be replaced. The Bell Tower will also receive a fresh coat of paint and new roping for the bell once the structural renovations have been completed. The total cost for restoration is estimated at $14,000.

A fund has already been established by the Class of 1972, and it has issued a challenge to all even year sister classes to rally together to raise the funds necessary for the repairs.

“The Bell Tower is one of the few things still on campus that has been here almost since the beginning of the College,” said Harriett Courtney Lemke ’72. “Each class has established its own traditions for ringing the bell, but the Bell Tower is one campus icon everyone will always associate with Coker.”

In fact, Betty “Bet” Birdsong Matthews ’72 remembers the day she first arrived at Coker in 1968.

She can still recall the first words her mother, a 1947 Coker alumna, said as the two stepped onto campus.

“The Bell Tower is still here.”

CLASS OF 1972

Please consider making a gift today to help restore this much-loved campus landmark to its former glory and ensure it is still standing for many generations of Coker students to come.

Gifts can be made online by visiting coker.edu/gifts and indicating the Bell Tower Fund. For more information, please contact Wes Daniels ’03 at wdaniels@coker.edu or 843-383-8178.

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Ladies of Coker Wiggins Walk way Dedic ation The plaque affixed permanently in her honor reads as follows:

The boardwalks are dedicated to BETTY CAMPBELL WIGGINS (1924 – 2010) In recognition of her devotion to and generous support of Kalmia Gardens of Coker College

On Saturday, August 25, the Ladies of Coker will meet in Greenville, S.C., for lunch at High Cotton followed by a lovely afternoon at the Upstate Women’s Show at the TD Convention Center. We will enjoy a time of fellowship and celebrate women while we plan for our next event in February, which will be held at Coker.

Hotel rooms have been blocked off at the Hyatt Place Greenville for those ladies who would like to make it a girls’ weekend in the upstate of South Carolina.

Please contact Lindsay Crighton for more information on the Ladies of Coker, upcoming events and hotel reservations.

Lindsay Crighton email: lcrighton@coker.edu phone: 843-383-8364

C3: C e l e b r at i n g Co k e r Co l l e g e wi t h a T r i p t o A i k e n, S.C. Come join us as we travel to Aiken, S.C., and enjoy the history, entertainment and dining this fine city has to offer. Coker College is pleased to resume its famous “Coker Trips” under the new name of C3: Celebrating Coker College. This adventure will include a tour of the famous thoroughbred race track, a guided tour of historical Aiken, an art class, a dance performance and so much more. We hope you will take this opportunity to explore one of South Carolina’s hidden gems while celebrating the success of Coker College with others who love the institution just as much as you do. Please note this trip requires a moderate amount of walking. For more information, please contact Lindsay Crighton at 843.383.8364 or lcrighton@coker.edu.

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T HE OFFICIA L M AG A ZINE OF COKER COL L EG E, H A RT S V IL L E, S .C .

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SUPPORT

When Betty Wiggins passed, her friends and family turned to poetry in an effort to memorialize the spirit they treasured, and which they deeply mourned when she left. Betty’s Song was in the garden when she was in the garden, and today its lyrics serve as a reminder of her joyful, authentic and beautiful spirit and of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve Kalmia Gardens.

Today, it is clear that Betty’s passion must be applied to a greater good. The boardwalks she provided symbolize the steady path forward, which her generosity has helped make firm.

Coker College is excited to announce Ladies of Coker, a new women’s circle. Ladies of Coker serves to broaden the engagement of women - both alumni and friends of Coker - through philanthropy and leadership in ways that honor the history of the College. Women who give at an annual level of $500 will be invited to join.

IMPACT

Co k e r SI FE P l ac e s i n To p 40 i n Nati o n a l Co m pe t i t i o n Following a win in the regional competition in New York City in April, Coker College’s Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) team placed in the top 40 in the national competition in Kansas City, Mo., May 26.

IMPACT

Three Biology Major s Presented Rese arch at International conference Three Coker College biology students, the only undergraduates in attendance, presented research at the 11th European Conference of Fungal Genetics held in April at the Philipps-Universität/Max Planck Institute of Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg, Germany.

More than 650 participants from 38 countries attended the conference, which included plenary lectures and poster sessions about new developments in fungal genetics.

Coker’s Megan Sexton, a rising senior, Sara Atkinson, a rising junior, and Rebecca Armentrout, who graduated in May, presented their research project entitled, “Interrogating the transcriptomes of developmental mutants to identify conidiation-specific genes in Fusarium graminearum,” during a poster session of the conference. They were accompanied by their research advisor, Coker College Associate Professor of Biology and Director of Undergraduate Research Joseph Flaherty.

“Coker’s students were able to enjoy not only the scientifically exciting and thoughtprovoking aspects of the meeting,” said Flaherty, “but also the charm of the medieval city of Marburg.”

In addition to the lectures, participants had opportunities to meet and discuss their research with each other during coffee and cake breaks. Guided tours were also available to participants interested in exploring the historic town. The conference concluded with a dinner at the Marburg Castle.

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“To be named among the top 40 of 160 SIFE teams in the country, particularly in just their second year, is an outstanding achievement for our students,” said Coker College President Robert Wyatt.

“The competition at the national level is especially difficult and highly competitive, and no other second-year team placed as well this year,” Wyatt added. “While I am exceedingly proud of our team’s continued efforts and expansion over this past year, I am equally appreciative of the support of our campus and the Hartsville community, whose collaborative efforts made an important difference.”

Last year, Coker College’s SIFE team placed in the top 60 of the nation and won Rookie of the Year.

SIFE USA is the oldest and largest of the 39 SIFE country operations and with some 4,000 students, faculty and executives in attendance, the SIFE National Exposition represents the largest gathering of SIFE network members anywhere in the world.

Coker’s presentation, a 24-minute multimedia production, featured highlights from many of the projects they supported during the 2011-12 academic year, which included, for the first time, an international service project.

Three SIFE students, Cody Ellison, Kaitlynn Jessup and Lindsey Allen, traveled with College staff to Muhuru Bay, Kenya. While there, they helped open a Learning Resource Center for the community. A renovated building purchased by Coker SIFE to house a library and multiple vocational training classrooms, the Center is the only facility of its kind in the town. The project was originally developed through a contact of Associate Professor of Communication Richard Puffer and now includes a partnership with Maseno University in Nairobi and two other SIFE Teams: SIFE Maseno and SIFE Kenya.

This year, Coker SIFE’s campus programs included launching a recycling program in the residence halls in conjunction with Sonoco’s recent community-wide recycling effort; teaching Finance 199, a

financial literacy course for both evening and day students at Coker; and hosting College to Career, an event designed to help students develop proficiencies in professional etiquette and protocols.

Local programs the team supported this year included: • K almia Gardens Second Annual Duck Cup; • M arketing support for Hartville downtown businesses; • P ee Dee Mobile, an iPhone business directory for Hartsville and Florence, S.C.; • S AT Prep, a program to help college-bound high school students prepare for college admissions examinations; and • F reedom Schools, a reading-based program administered by the Children’s Defense Fund to provide summer programming for elementary school students that began in Hartsville this summer.

Six students served on the presentation team: Brianna Fowler, Kaitlynn Jessup, Eren Moses, Tyler Senecal, Tyler Staub and Timothy Strickland.

The other team members included Lindsey Allen, Adam Bedard, Lucas Britt, Jessica Covington, Cody Ellison, Leslie Hanna, Austin Harper, Sarah Kinsey, Matthew Kreider, Noah Lascell, Mark Nankervis, Halee Polson, James Sweeney, Jasmine Brown, Steve Marciano and Amy Nelson. They were accompanied by Wyatt and SIFE Director Benjamin Chastain and advised by Brianna Douglas, Coker College human resource manager.

For more information about Coker’s SIFE program, contact Chastain at bchastain@coker.edu.

To learn more about the SIFE network, visit www. sife.org.

WEB E X TR A S To find out about the SIFE team, visit: coker.edu/current-top-stories/2018coker-sife-places-in-top-40-innational-competition.html

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All-Steinway School Initiative

Approximately 135 institutions, colleges and universities in the world have the prestigious honor of being an “All-Steinway School.”

Your Role

The Rewards

A Shared Legacy

Total cost of the project: $600,000

Recognition as an All-Steinway School will:

Continuing the tradition of providing fine performing arts programs at Coker College is critically important to the future of the institution.

To become an All-Steinway School, Coker College will need the support of alumni and friends to help us purchase 12 Boston vertical pianos and 9 Steinway grand pianos. Our first new Steinway grand piano has been generously purchased by Margaret and Roy McCall, Jr. »»

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he first phase of this campaign is the T acquisition of a Steinway B and 12 Boston vertical pianos

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rovide exceptional students with P world-class instruments

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ontinue the momentum and growth in C the music department

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ttract talented students and faculty A who demand the highest standards of excellence

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osition Coker College as the first and P only All-Steinway School in the Pee Dee region, creating pride and excitement on campus and throughout the region

The second phase of this campaign is to purchase 8 Steinway grand pianos »»

Enhance the prestige of past and future

Contact information: »»

harles Sullivan, Jr. C Interim VP for Institutional Advancement csullivan@coker.edu | (843) 383-8267

Steinway Piano Recital Sunday, September 16 | 4:00 PM Watson Theater | Coker College

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T HE OFFICIA L M AG A ZINE OF COKER COL L EG E, H A RT S V IL L E, S .C .

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IMPACT

Coker College alumni

Redefining ready, Coker College is bringing new meaning to what it is to be exceptional.

We are preparing Coker’s students to make a difference in their communities and are counting on loyal alumni to help. Your support is key to making Coker College an AllSteinway School.

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAID OFFICE OF M A R K ET I NG & COM MU NIC AT IONS 300 East College Avenue

843.383.8000

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Hartsville, South Carolina 29550

1.800.950.1908

facebook.com/cokercollege

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coker.edu

youtube.com/cokercollege

S TA FF OLY MPIC S o f SUMMER On Friday, May 11, Coker College staff members from every department on campus gathered on the Bell Tower Lawn behind Davidson Hall to participate in the Staff Olympics of Summer. Staff were divided into four teams and competed in 16 events including the watermelon race, tug of war, cow box relay, Coker trivia and tricycle race.

For the second year, the President’s Office took home the first place trophy. After the games, all the teams enjoyed lunch together in the Susanne G. Linville Dining Hall.

COLUMBIA, SC PERMIT 1204