Momentum by College of Charleston

momentum A Newsletter for Alumni, Families and Friends of the College of Charleston

INSIDE Cover Story

tudent S Profile: Sanaz Arjomand and Jon Napier

onor Profile: D Peter and Susan Schottland ollege of C Charleston Fund ollege News C and Updates Event Calendar Happenings

Fall 2009

To our Alumni, Parents and Many Friends:

ive the life … it’s what we subscribe to at the College of Charleston – a life of the mind, achievement, city and discovery. The College of Charleston is about creating a unique experience for our students, faculty and staff – all of them learning together in the company of our alumni, parents and friends. Momentum is our newly conceived bi-annual newsletter, combining student, faculty, alumni and donor achievements. It’s designed to raise the level of awareness about life at the College, to include information on how private support impacts the mission and our promising future. Your feedback is always important to us, so let us know what you think – and also let us know what you want to learn more about. In the meantime, please enjoy this inaugural edition of Momentum and feel free to share it throughout the community in which you live and serve. Thank you for all that you do. Thanks as well for what you will continue to do in support of the College of Charleston. Go Cougars!

George P. Watt Jr. (l to r): Peggy Watt, Emily Molony Swanson ’89, Steve Swanson ’89, Anita Zucker and George Watt

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Executive Vice President, Institutional Advancement Executive Director, College of Charleston Foundation

Student Profile Photo by Jenna Brown ’07 Cover photo and inset by Terry Kuzniar

Golden opportunities

anaz Arjomand ’11 didn’t plan on spending her summer as a foreign correspondent in Iran, chronicling political upheaval and mass rioting. And Jon Napier ’10 didn’t necessarily envision himself rushing a gurney-bound motorcycle accident victim down emergency room corridors to a triage unit during his summer break. But both College of Charleston students took these surprises in stride, keeping cool heads in situations that would test the nerves of any professional journalist or trauma nurse. Arjomand and Napier are two of many standout students attending the College with the help of scholarships. Both students credit scholarship offers for enabling their education at the College, and both believe their education has been an exceptional and unique preparation for life after college. For political science major Arjomand, recent experiences away from Charleston have affirmed lessons learned on campus. Growing up as the daughter of Iranian immigrants, the Georgia native believed that government could be a source for good. Then came fascinating history and political science courses at the College, followed by an internship at the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C. Next was her trip to visit relatives in Tehran, where she witnessed the widespread protests and chaos that followed the Iranian presidential election last June. (cont. next page) MOMENTUM FALL 2009 3

Despite pleas from family members who feared for her safety, she blogged about the protests to much acclaim, with some of her writing appearing in international news outlets like the Huffington Post and World Focus. “I figured the Iranian government had bigger problems than some little college student,” says the fearless Arjomand, who attends the College with the help of the College of Charleston Academic Scholarship, the College of Charleston Foundation Scholarship, the Presidential Scholarship and the Alexandra Dengate Scholarship from the political science department. The takeaway from these experiences, she says, is that government, diplomacy and foreign aid are much more nuanced than she originally believed. Not that such insights have diminished her interest in government. She has aspirations of becoming a professor or a policy analyst, and is now taking an Arabic course – her fourth language. She is also making plans to study in the Middle East. 4 MOMENTUM FALL 2009

“My teachers have been really helpful,” she says. “They are really open to all my questions and confusion.” Similarly responsive and helpful, says Napier, have been the science faculty. Napier is a biology major who has received the Presidential Scholarship, the Kathryn Ann White Scholarship and the College of Charleston Academic

“The faculty here have just been golden, ever since my freshman year.” – Jon Napier ’10

Scholarship. This financial assistance has enabled him to save money for the next step in his education: medical school. Napier, a native of North Carolina, believes his undergraduate science education has been top-notch. “The faculty here have just been golden,” he says, “ever since my freshman year.” To get a taste of the medical world, Napier volunteered in the emergency

room of Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, N.C., in the summer of 2008. He helped check in patients and carried messages among medical staff. He also assisted the badly injured motorcycle accident victim who arrived at the hospital in the passenger seat of a car that came to a screeching halt outside the emergency room. When not buried in biochemistry homework, Napier wields an épée in a fencing club with other College students. He has also hosted a twohour classic rock radio show on CofC Radio. His interest in rock, along with a music appreciation class he took at the College, have motivated him to attend many concerts and symphonies around Charleston. These cultural events, he says, as well as the appeal of urban living and nearby beaches, place the College in a class of its own. He’s well aware, too, that he’d have missed out on much of this if he hadn’t received financial assistance. “The scholarship offer,” Napier says, “was pretty much a godsend.” M

donor profile

Potential investment

Photo by Garry Geer

eter and Susan Schottland believe in the power of education to transform lives. They see how education is the X factor that allows people of all backgrounds to rise up and reach their full potential. And potential is exactly what they see at the College of Charleston. “The College has a tremendous opportunity to achieve even greater heights,” says Susan Schottland. “If you are interested in an excellent school in a great city, the College has everything going for it. That’s why our daughters, Libby and Meghan, chose it – and that’s also why we love it.” Besides being the parents of two current students, the Schottlands have participated in the life of the College for more than a decade. Peter’s father, Stan Schottland, served on the School of Business executive board for many years, and founded the Schottland Leadership Award. In the late 1990s, he passed the reins to Peter, who then joined (cont. next page) MOMENTUM FALL 2009 5

scholarship recipient

the school’s Board of Governors and became actively involved in enhancing the business program. Earlier this year, the Schottlands established the Schottland Scholars Program, an intensive professional development program that brings together a group of exceptional students who demonstrate a high level of initiative. “Most elite business schools,” explains Peter, the president and CEO of American Packaging Corporation, “have a scholars program that takes 10 or so of the most talented and enthusiastic students and provides them a customized experience their senior year. This program allows the best talent to be exposed to a variety of business environments and industries, and will help them formulate a more detailed plan for their future.” The Schottland Scholars, as a cohort, work with professional industry mentors, study global issues, participate in servicelearning projects, undergo etiquette training and individual assessments, and 6 MOMENTUM FALL 2009

participate in a series of lectures from the brightest in business. “The generous gift from Peter and Susan Schottland has allowed us to develop a program that is the first of its kind at the College and in the state,” says Rhonda Mack, associate dean of graduate

“If you are interested in an excellent school in a great city, the College has everything going for it. That’s why our daughters chose it – and that’s also why we love it.” – Susan Schottland

and professional programs. “In fact, it’s one of the few of its kind in the Southeast.” “It is our hope,” Peter adds, “that these students are presented with every opportunity to be the best of the best at graduation time, and ready for any professional challenge.” M

Adam Brunelle Hometown: Woonsocket, R.I. Major: Political Science Class Year: Junior Adam interned for the U.S. House of Representative’s Committee on the Budget last spring. This coming spring, he’s working for Lowcountry Earth Force, an organization that encourages youngsters to interact with their natural environment.

development

scholarship recipient Sara Daise Hometown: Beaufort, S.C. Major: Communication Class Year: Junior When Sara isn’t working at the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture or editing the Crazyhorse literary journal, she’s using her creativity to pen her own poems and original writing.

spotlight

College of Charleston Fund

our gifts to the College of Charleston Fund are the cornerstone of the College’s fundraising efforts each year. With each gift to the College of Charleston Fund, another student has a chance to become a scholar, a leader, a citizen and a Cougar. Seventy cents of each dollar you donate helps fund merit- and need-based scholarships and provide student employment opportunities. The remainder of your gift helps recruit and retain top professors who will not only teach but inspire students, and also allows for many popular Alumni Association networking events. Your support makes a difference. For more information, please visit us online at www.cofc.edu/giving. M

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News & updates

calendar dec

10 feb

Lowcountry Chapter Holiday Party Join Lowcountry alumni and the past presidents of the Alumni Association as we kick off the holiday season in the beautiful Carolina First Arena. Where: McAlister Suite, Carolina First Arena Time: 6–9 p.m. Cistern Society Luncheon A special luncheon for planned giving donors. Where: Alumni Hall, Randolph Hall Time: 1–2:30 p.m.

mar

Winthrop Roundtable Friends of the Library’s dinner with guest speaker Bob Seelert, worldwide chairman of Saatchi & Saatchi, a global advertising firm. Where: third floor, Addlestone Library Time: 6:30–9 p.m.

mar

Old Timers Reception A special event for all alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago. Where: Addlestone Library Time: Noon–2 p.m.

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Panel Discussion on C-SPAN The Department of Communication’s panel on political scandal and crisis communication was aired on C-SPAN this fall. Panel participants were Gina Smith ’97 (The State journalist who broke the Governor Mark Sanford scandal), Tucker Eskew (veteran of political campaigns for Bush-Cheney and McCain-Palin), Mike McCurry (former press secretary to President Clinton) and Phil Noble (president of the S.C. New Democrats and former International Political Consultant of the Year).

National Principal of the Year

Literary Legend on Campus

Lucy Garrett Beckham ’70 won the National Association of Secondary Principals’ top honor this fall: principal of the year. Lucy is the principal of Wando High School in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Each summer, the incoming class of freshman students is asked to participate in the summer reading program. This past summer’s reading selection was Tim O’Brien’s The Things They Carried, which was named one of the 20 best books of the last quarter century by The New York Times. The award-winning author and Vietnam veteran held a reading at the College’s Carolina First Arena in October.

Halsey Institute Opening This fall, the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art opened the doors of its new gallery space in the Marion and Wayland H. Cato Jr. Center for the Arts with the exhibition Aldwyth: Work v. / Work n. – Collage and Assemblage 1991–2009. Learn more about the Halsey and its exhibitions at halsey.cofc.edu.

New Science Center Construction is winding down at the College’s new state-of-the-art Science Center, with plans for faculty and staff to take occupancy later this fall and for spring semester classes to be held in the building.

mar

13 mar

18 april

Jewish Studies Program Celebrates 25 Years It’s worth kvelling about. The Yaschik/ Arnold Jewish Studies Program commemorated its 25th anniversary with a weekend of activities in October. Since 1984, the Jewish studies program has shaped and sustained a high-quality curriculum and an exciting social environment for more than 700 Jewish students and others at the College.

50th Reunion Dinner for the Class of 1960 Members of the Class of 1960 are invited back to campus for induction into the Old Timers Society and a dinner celebrating their 50th reunion. Where: Alumni Hall, Randolph Hall Time: 6–9 p.m. Jeremy Warren Vann Scholarship Gala A fundraiser for the Jeremy Warren Vann Memorial Scholarship, which supports teacher education. Where: The Landing, Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Time: 6–10 p.m. A Charleston Affair Welcome the Class of 2010 into the alumni family with great food, drink and music for all alumni. Where: The Cistern Yard Time: 7–10 p.m.

(l to r) Peter Robinson, Sarah Lynn Gainey ‘66, Louester Smalls Robinson ‘77, Tahlia Robinson and Tony Meyer ‘49

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happenings

School of the Arts Friends renewal party (l to r): Rosina Kennerty Seignious ‘49, Ashley Jones Smith ’00 and Chandra Fripp Vick ’74

Stewardship reception (l to r): Carol Fishman, Leo Fishman and Mickey Bakst 10 MOMENTUM FALL 2009

Gavalas Kolanko Foundation reception (l to r): Ron Kolanko, Alex Jackson ’10, Joe Riley Jr. and Nick Gavalas

Academy Award–winning visual effects artist Nafees Bin Zafar ’98

Award-winning writer Tim O’Brien at the College’s Carolina First Arena

Jewish studies program’s 25th anniversary (l to r): Jeff Silverberg ’07, Mary Karesh ’05, Jami Rechtman ’06 and Becky Hemmo Spielman ’06

Stewardship reception (l to r): Sandra Fennell and First Lady Jane Benson

Jewish studies program’s 25th anniversary (center): Norman Arnold, one of the benefactors of the Yaschik/Arnold Jewish Studies Program

happenings

Jewish studies program’s 25th anniversary (l to r): Leslie Archer, Jonathan Ray, Harlan Greene, Thelma Becker, Martin Perlmutter and Kevin Archer

Stewardship reception: Kim and Van Sturgeon ’81

Retired coaching legend John Kresse’s induction into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame (l to r): Coach Bobby Cremins, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and John Kresse

Family Weekend 2009

Grand opening of the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art in the new Marion and Wayland H. Cato Jr. Center for the Arts with the exhibit Aldwyth: Work v. / Work n. – Collage and Assemblage 1991–2009

School of the Arts Friends renewal party (l to r): School of the Arts Dean Valerie Morris, Marty and Don Belk ’00

School of the Arts Friends renewal party: Dorie Spaulding and Douglas Ashley MOMENTUM FALL 2009 11

A Gift (and a Giver) That Keeps on Giving Tricia Ory ’96 (M.S. ’97) knows a little something about consistency. Since 1998, Ory, a C.P.A. in Charlotte, N.C., has steadily supported the College of Charleston Fund, among other College academic programs and facility improvements. Her first gift: $20 to the College of Charleston Fund, $5 to the Cougar Club (1998) Her latest gift: $200 to the College of Charleston Fund; $200 to the Dean’s Fund of the

School of Business (2009) Why she gives: “I was fortunate to receive scholarships while at the College; thus, I believe

I’m paying it forward. My college education has been the base of my professional success.” What she thinks is the College’s greatest strength:

“Individual attention and guidance. While taking ACCT 101 during summer school, Professor Rebecca Herring asked to see me after class. She told me that I had a ‘knack’ for accounting and asked whether I had considered accounting as a major. Not exactly what anyone expects to hear, but in hindsight, that conversation and the subsequent mentoring and support she provided has made a tremendous impact in my life.” To learn more about ways you can support the College of Charleston Fund and other College initiatives, check out www.cofc.edu/giving.

Office of Annual Giving www.cofc.edu/giving

843.953.7362