2021-2022 President's Report

R EPOR T

P R ESIDEN

T’

Dear Friends,

We rejoice that the Lord has carried us through the pandemic of the last two years. Early on we adopted Psalm 46 as our pillar of strength: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear” (Psalm 46: 1-2a). We are thankful for everyone who prayed with us and labored beside us. Through the tumultuous times of 2020-2022, thousands of students graduated despite the pandemic, and we welcomed two of the largest classes in university history to campus the last couple of years. We anticipate a more normal student experience in 2022-2023, while acknowledging that the future is in the Lord’s hands.

The Charleston Regional Business Journal honored our University Pandemic Task Force for their heroic COVID-19 response with its prestigious 2021 Health Care Heroes award. The Task Force worked many grueling hours to lead the university safely through the pandemic, and I remain grateful for their backbreaking work.

As part of our 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, we rolled out the Passport to Purpose to help students better navigate their collegiate journey. The Passport to Purpose recognizes that every person is made in the image of God, and the passport helps students discover their passion, design their pathway, develop their potential, and declare their purpose. This comprehensive approach is designed to prepare student leaders to pursue significant lives.

Our alumni, employees, and generous donors made history April 13 by raising more than $1 million on CSU’s annual Giving Day, and our Limitless Campaign generated a record-setting $11,169,339 in commitments during its first year. Our students, faculty, and staff packed an astounding 10,924 shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child program, the most boxes packed by a university for the third year in a row. We graduated the first doctoral students (Doctor of Education) in university history this year, and we launched our second doctoral program’s first cohort of 48 students on May 31 (Doctor of Physical Therapy). To top it off, our Division 1 Athletics Department won three Big South Conference championships (men’s cross country, men’s golf, women’s tennis), were runners-up in baseball, and finished third in the Sasser Cup competition that recognizes the conference’s top athletics programs.

As we celebrate our wins, including being named Charleston Metro Chamber's 2022 Business of the Year, we turn our hearts and hands to making 2022-2023 an even more successful year—for the glory of God and the good of others. We could not do what we do without you. Your encouragement and support are evidence of God’s faithfulness on behalf of His university. Thank you!

Go BUCS!

Dondi

Dondi E. Costin, PhD President

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Our summer was spent immersed in screening applicants, scheduling interviews, and observing teaching demonstrations to maintain a full Christian faculty to meet the needs of a huge incoming freshman class. About 20 new full-time faculty joined the CSU family this fall.

On May 7, 2022, CSU celebrated graduation for 506 new CSU alumni who crossed the stage after being inspired by Commencement Speaker Coach Lou Holtz. We awarded 776 degrees for 2021-2022, a new record for the total number of graduates in a single year.

We congratulate two CSU faculty members who completed their doctoral degrees: Dr. Glorimar Blanco, assistant professor of Spanish and chair of the department of languages, and Dr. Joel Chapman, assistant professor of mechanical engineering.

COLLEGE OF NURSING

Dr. Vicki Ball was named Dean of the College of Nursing and worked diligently to fill all our nursing programs, including the Accelerated Bachelor of Nursing, the Master of Science in Nursing, and our most successful undergraduate program, the Bachelor of Nursing degree.

Professor Sarah Hathcock is now the Bachelor of Science in Nursing director; Dr. Marcey Jorgenson assumed the role of graduate director, and Professor Kerri Nelson became the ABSN program coordinator.

To date, 33 College of Nursing graduates from the May 2022 cohort have passed the NCLEX-RN and became licensed nurses. Twenty students were accepted into the Accelerated BSN cohort, and 52 students were accepted into the traditional BSN August 2022 cohort. The MSN program admitted students for the August 2022 cohort in both Nurse Educator and Nurse Leader tracks.

RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS:

•Jenny Bullock presented “Development of Cue Recognition among First Semester Nursing Students through a Telehealth Experience,” SC Nursing Education Simulation Alliance Annual Conference, July 15, 2022.

•Lori Tisdale presented a Pediatric Certification Review Course, Upstate Area Health Education Center, July 27-28, 2022.

•Dr. Vicki Ball had a chapter, “Health Policy for Advanced Practice Nurses: The Social Structure of Congress,” published in the textbook Shaping Nursing Healthcare Policy: A View from the Inside (2022).

•Sarah Hathcock, Lori Tisdale, Vicki Ball, and Kris Heaton attended the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Annual Conference, July 12-15, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. Ball also served on the ACEN Evaluation Review Panel, June 6-7, 2022.

•Andrea Raines earned her Certified Nurse Educator credential in May 2022. This exam has a national pass rate of less than 70%.

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS

COMPUTER SCIENCE

Two Master of Computer Science students are paid interns for the renowned oncologist, Dr. Kevin Hughes. Dr. Hughes works in genetic research at the Medical University of South Carolina.

AERONAUTICS

Since its approval by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Provisional Pilot School in fall 2021, the Aeronautics program continues to thrive and exceed enrollment expectations. Graduates of the program will not only meet all university requirements to receive a Bachelor of Science degree but also will graduate with the Federal Aviation Administration ratings: Commercial, Multi-Engine, Instrument, and Flight Instructor.

Additional concentrations, Missionary Pilot and Military Pilot, were added to facilitate tailored training and curriculum for students seeking careers as missionary pilots worldwide or as military aviators. The FAA has now recognized the Aeronautics Program as an official Part-141 Pilot School.

BIOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY

Three students and two faculty members received South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities research grants and presented their research findings at the 2022 Research Symposium. Amber Alliston and Colton Huber, under the sponsorship of Dr. Joshua Wofford, assistant professor of chemistry, presented "Experimental and Computational Methods for Understanding Copper Import, Trafficking, and Regulation as a Systems Level Model in S.cerevisiae." Busola Bamidele Oseni, under the sponsorship of Dr. Aiye Liang, professor of chemistry, presented "Investigation of ProteinGlycosaminoglycan Interactions by Capillary Electrophoresis."

The CSU Herbarium celebrated its 10th anniversary of registering with the New York Botanical Garden. The CSU collection houses approximately 3,000 specimens in specially designed storage.

COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA ARTS

PUBLICATIONS:

•Dr. Amy King, “Tomorrowland Around the World 2020: A Virtual Pilgrimage,” Journal of Communication Technology

•Dr. Jason Peterson, “A Closed Incident: Mississippi Newspaper Coverage of Jackson State College’s 1956-57 Basketball Season,” Southeastern Review of Journalism History.

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

PRESENTATIONS:

•CSU Women’s Basketball coach Clarisse Garcia presented "Growing Up as a Hyphenated American," during Hispanic Heritage Month.

•Faculty/Student Symposium: 15 Spanish and Arabic students presented their life stories or original works of literature analysis in the target language.

•In collaboration with the local Hispanic community organization Olla del Arte/Art Pot, foreign languages hosted the screening of an original documentary film "A Year and a Day" to promote multicultural understanding in the Lowcountry.

HORTON SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS

FACULTY PERFORMANCES AND PRESENTATIONS:

•Six recital pieces by selected instrumental and voice students

•10 vocal ensembles

•40 public events by the Marching and Pep bands

•Hosted guest speakers: Dr. Angela Blalock, Dr. Ruth Ellis, and Joann Kulesza, for vocal performance students. CSU faculty speakers: Dr. Marshall Forrester and Dr. Soohyun Yun spoke at professional organizations.

•Music Faculty members performed with such notable groups as Charleston Symphony Orchestra, Hilton Head Orchestra, Summerville Orchestra, Beaufort Symphony Orchestra, Charleston Wind Symphony, North Charleston Pops Orchestra, Charleston Jazz Orchestra, South Carolina Jazz Masterworks Ensemble, Charleston Men’s Chorus, Sandlapper Singers, Charleston Bach Society, Hilton Head Choral Society, and Piano Texas Conference.

STUDENT PERFORMANCES:

•“Shakespeare Scenes, Songs, and Swords,” a series of dramatic and musical sketches drawn from (or inspired by) the works of William Shakespeare, written and performed by CSU Theatre and Lyric Theatre.

•“Curtains,” musical comedy, performed four times on campus and in the area by CSU Lyric Theatre.

MEDIA ARTS

PRESENTATIONS:

•Aaron Baldwin presented relief prints in a solo show at the Rice Museum in Georgetown.

•Timothy Banks was a merit award winner at three national arts organizations for his illustration work, notably in the newly published children's book The Hiking Viking

•2022 Portfolio Showcase, featuring a wide range of work of Graphic Design students.

ENGLISH

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:

•Dr. Megan Busch published "Rhetorical Failures and Revisions in the Second-Wave: Emerging Intersectionality in the Ethe of Activist Zelda Nordlinger," a peer-reviewed article.

•Dr. David Floyd, chapter, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind: A Faerie Story of Liminality and Individuation,” to Faeries on Film (August Night Books) and White Crow Books’ Fairies Films: Wee Folk on the Big Screen

•Dr. Scott Yarbrough, “Suburban South: The Novels of Inman Majors,” book Twenty-First Writers, edited by Jean W. Cash and Richard Gaughran (University Press of Mississippi) and “The Road, Consumerism, and Consumption” in Approaches to Teaching Cormac McCarthy, ed. Stacey Peebles (Modern Language Association Press).

•Undergraduate literary magazine, The Sefer, and the English Department hosted guest author readings by: David Kirby, Ron Rash, and Stephen Hundley.

•The Sefer received 44 poems, five short stories, four essays, and four art pieces for the 2022 edition. The staff selected and edited nine poems, two short stories, one essay, and an art piece.

•Dan Leach won the Starkey Flythe Jr., Memorial Prize from the South Carolina Poetry Society. Awarded The Editors’ Prize, literary journal Copper Nickel for “Wasp Queen.” Poem “Challenger,” The Appalachian Review.

•Dr. Wes Garey, peer-reviewed article, “The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Early Modern Women’s Writing in England,” article, Oxford University’s journal, Notes and Queries

•Dr. Celeste McMaster, finalist, 2022 Coker Fellowship in Fiction, South Carolina Academy of Authors, short story, “Blake’s Carousel.”

•Dr. Carissa Smith, CSU’s 2022 Excellence in Teaching Award.

•English faculty participated in six Sandwich-It-In book review programs with the residents of The Elms community.

HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE

In cooperation with the CSU Center for Global Education, the department hosted the inaugural CSU Global Lecture Series, featuring retired diplomat Jon Gundersen.

SOCIAL SCIENCES

A new faculty/student Anti-Human Trafficking organization organized and hosted guest speakers from Dorchester County Sherriff’s Office; S.P.E.A.K.S., a center for victims of sexual violence; and Doors to Freedom, a safe house for human trafficking victims.

Psychology faculty participated in weekly student-sponsored Psychology Club/Psi Chi activities.

The Psi Chi honor society held its first in-person induction ceremony in two years, welcoming 20 new members.

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS:

•Dr. Amanda Harmon published the results of a study, “Triplication of the Williams syndrome region with a contiguous distal 2.6 MB duplication of 7q11.23: A severe phenotype,” undertaken in conjunction with five colleagues at other institutions.

•The Criminal Justice program, in cooperation with the CSU Leadership Institute, hosted CSU alumnus Rachel Janowski, a lawyer in the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

NIELSEN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

FACULTY-LED PARTNERSHIPS:

•Creative Teamwork students, led by Emory Hiott, consulted on a marketing project for a local company, Adoption Options, Inc. Students analyzed data leading them to find a new market unidentified previously by the law firm. A social media campaign, that once launched hit 18,000 impressions within two days, resulted in 128 new engagements. Students also researched the law firm’s search engine optimization (SEO) positioning on Google, enhanced the client’s web position, developed a branding guide to be used with all communication platforms, and identified events to increase brand awareness.

•CSU Peer-to-Peer Coaching students, led by Dr. Heather Chadwick and Boyce Smith, partnered with Beyond Our Walls to provide financial literacy instruction to kindergarten through 8th grade Charleston County School District students. The CSU Peer-to-Peer Coaches provided financial literacy training and created a new curriculum and lesson for the BOWS students for every financial literacy session.

PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS:

•Gerdes, D. L., & Peters, S., “Next steps: Getting your case published Workshop,” Southeast Case Research Association, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

•Gerdes, D. L., & Rollins, J. M., “Dwane Thomas: Think Outside the Border,” Southeast Case Research Association, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

•Gerdes, D. L., Palmer, D., & Embry, K., “You’re only as good as your last decision.” Southeast Case Research Association, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

•Gerdes, D. L., Embry, K., & Hiott, S. E., "The podcasters' dilemma." Southeast Case Research Journal

•Gerdes, D. L. & Pearson, R. S., "Voting my conscience." Southeast Case Research Journal.

COLLEGE OF CHRISTIAN STUDIES

PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS:

•Dr. Ed Gravely and Dr. Pete Link wrote Bible 101, a popular-level introduction to the Bible, by Simon & Schuster.

•Dr. Jonathan Denton editor, Ancient Text/Modern World: Teaching Our Ancient Text to a Modern Student, Rutledge Press, chapters from each faculty member in the College of Christian Studies, Dr. Michael Bryant, Dr. Allen Jackson, Dr. Jay Strack, and Dr. Dondi Costin.

•Dr. Ross Parker, with Dr. Jordan Wessling of Lindsey Wilson College, The Problem of Divine Motivation, accepted for publication by Cambridge University Press.

•Dr. Ryan Gimple revised and published his PhD dissertation, Covenant Transformative Learning: Theory and Practice for Mission, Western University Publishers.

•Dr. Jonathan Watson revised and published his PhD dissertation, In the Name of Our Lord: Four Models of Relationship Between Baptism, Catechesis, and Communion, Lexham Press.

•Dr. Ron Harvell and the Dewey Center for Chaplaincy hosted its first conference on Faith and Mental Health. The conference offered training in SAFETalk suicide awareness and intervention, PTSD care, and mental health first aid. Special presentations were offered by Philip and Terry Lee, founders of the Overflow Foundation; Chaplain Stephen West, director of chaplaincy for the National Association of Evangelicals; and Dr. Harold Koenig, professor and director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health at Duke University.

•Dr. Ben Phillips secured articulation agreements with all six Southern Baptist seminaries, allowing CSU College of Christian Studies graduates to reduce their MDIV degree requirements (or other seminary degree) by as much as 33 hours, saving from $8,700 to $17,400 in tuition and fees.

•Dr. Peter Beck, two chapter-lengths works accepted for publication.

COLLEGE OF HEALTH SCIENCES

PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

•Earned Accreditation Continuation from the ARC-PA in April 2022 with the next review in 10 years.

•Enrolled 35 students in the Class of 2023, the largest cohort of students to date.

•100% of students in the Class of 2021 passed the Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) with a 97% first-time pass rate.

PHYSICAL THERAPY

•Earned Candidacy for Accreditation from CAPTE on April 26, 2022.

•Faculty published four manuscripts and five book chapters.

•Doctor of Physical Therapy, CSU’s new Physical Therapy program, enrolled its first cohort of 48 Physical Therapy doctoral students in May 2022.

PUBLIC HEALTH

•Dr. Laurel Glover served on a medical mission trip in the Dominican Republic.

COLLEGE OF ADULT AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

U.S. News & World Report ranked CSU No. 29 nationally in its Best Online Undergraduate Bachelor’s Programs category and No. 21 for Veterans.

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

CSU awarded 32 students the Doctor of Education in Leadership, the first doctoral degree in the university's history.

STRATEGIC PLANNING & CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

STRATEGIC PLANNING

CSU continues to make progress in executing the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan, which includes the following goals:

•Exemplify a Distinctively Christian Identity

•Pursue a Culture of Excellence and Innovation

•Attract and Engage a Vibrant Student Body

•Prepare Graduates to Flourish Spiritually, Intellectually, Physically, and Professionally

•Inspire, Empower, and Equip CSU Faculty and Staff

•Renew, Develop, and Strengthen Relationships to Fulfill the Institution’s Mission and Vision

•Faithfully Steward Resources

Thirty-five teams, each led by a team captain, have been formed to pursue a department-related goal to advance the overall plan.

VIEW THE PLAN: charlestonsouthern.edu/strategic-plan

WHITFIELD CENTER FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP

The mission of the Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership is to equip individuals for leadership and service through the development of a biblical worldview.

BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW INSTITUTE

•Alexandra DeSanctis Marr, a writer at National Review and Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, shared a virtual presentation, “Surrender Isn’t An Option: Understanding the Abortion Debate.”

•CSU established a formal partnership with the C. S. Lewis Institute, an international organization committed to Christian discipleship, for the purpose of offering high quality discipleship programs to students, faculty, and staff.

•Discipleship 101, a series that taught students the basics of Christian discipleship, featured: Dr. Michael Bryant, “Understanding Discipleship;” Dr. D. J. Horton, lead pastor, The Church at the Mill, Moore, S.C., “Growing as a Disciple;” and Dr. Scott Duvall, professor, Ouachita Baptist University, Arkadelphia, Ark., “Living as a Disciple.”

FAITH AND LEARNING INSTITUTE

•Dr. Doug James, associate director for faculty development in teaching & learning, at the University of North Carolina’s Center for Faculty Excellence, provided a virtual presentation to CSU faculty, “Transforming Your Teaching: Innovative Teaching Practices.”

•Several CSU representatives participated in a virtual book study pilot program for International Alliance for Christian Education member institutions. Participants read The Great Upheaval: Higher Education’s Past, Present, and Uncertain Future, by Arthur Levine and Scott Van Pelt. This program connects CSU professors with faculty at IACE member institutions for ongoing professional, spiritual, and personal growth.

•Faculty participated in a book study of Matt Perman’s What’s Best Next: How the Gospel Transforms the Way You Get Things Done.

LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

•The Leadership Institute is a student leadership development program that teaches the essentials of Christian leadership. Seminar speakers and topics included: Colonel Arthur Athens, former director of the U.S. Naval Academy’s Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, “Running on Empty: Strategies for Dealing with Physical, Mental and Emotional Exhaustion;” Dr. Michael Bryant, “How to Make Good Decisions;” Representative Randy Neugebauer, former U. S. Congressman from Texas’ 19th Congressional District, “Humility;” Rachel Janowski, assistant solicitor, 9th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, “Leaders and the Law;” and Dr. Maxwell Rollins, “Leading in Times of Crisis.”

ATHLETICS

FOR THE BUCCANEERS WAS ARGUABLY THE BEST YEAR EVER

FOR THE ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT.

Beginning with a cumulative GPA above 3.0 for the second consecutive year, the Buccaneers won three Big South Championships and finished third overall, of 12 teams, in the Big South Conference Sasser Cup competition, which recognizes teams in the league that have had the most successful athletic year in both regular season competition and the Big South Championship tournaments.

Additionally, our men's teams finished third overall in the men's All-Sport Standings, and the women's teams finished fourth in the women's All-Sport Standings.

BIG SOUTH CHAMPIONS

Both Men's Cross Country and Women's Tennis won their second consecutive Big South Championships. Men's Golf also won a Big South Championship.

WOMEN’S GOLF

Rising sophomore Madison Freeman was named a recipient of the 2021-2022 Women's Golf Coaches Association AllAmerican Scholar Team.

MEN'S TRACK AND FIELD

Fearghal Curtin qualified for nationals in the 10,000 meters, placing No. 20 at the NCAA Championship in Eugene, Oregon. He garnered All-America Third Team honors at the event.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

Our Women’s Tennis team was tabbed as an Intercollegiate Tennis Association AllAcademic team, and seven team members received Scholar-Athlete recognition. Also, for the second year in a row, Head Coach Anca Dumitrescu was named the Big South Conference Women’s Tennis Coach of the Year.

GRADUWAY

The Buc Club has partnered with Graduway, which assists individual sports at the university to offer an online platform for raising money for important projects. This opportunity will assist with strengthening each team.

Winning conference championships and advancing to the NCAA Tournament continues to be the ultimate athletic goal for our 16 teams.

FINANCE & BUSINESS

FACILITY EXPANSION

Facility expansions included construction for Phase 1 of the Science and Engineering building, which houses the engineering program, and completion of the quad stairwell project.

Current projects include the design for the quad encapsulation project by Hood Construction Company and conclusion to construction on the new intramural field which will accommodate recreation teams and marching band practice. The conceptual design for the proposed arena has been completed. Ken Betch of Betch Associates and Mark Hood of Hood Construction Company, Inc. are working on the initial preliminary cost estimate for the arena.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY HIGHLIGHTS

•Completed an audit of cybersecurity and financial aid and established a proactive plan.

•Increased WiFi bandwidth for all campus networks.

•Replaced the wireless core.

•Installed 163 additional wireless access points with concentration on the quads for student satisfaction.

TOTAL ENDOWMENT

BUDGET:

DEVELOPMENT

1,403

DONORS IN

STRONG SUPPORT FROM THE CSU COMMUNITY

The Lord has carried us faithfully through challenging times with His continual guidance. The support of our faithful alumni and friends helped many students discover their passion in order to live out their calling and pursue a significant life.

HISTORICAL GENEROSITY

University history was made with a record-breaking $5.6 million given in fiscal year 2021-2022. This is an increase of 110% from the 2020-2021 fiscal year. Words cannot express the gratitude we have to our loyal supporters for continuing to believe in and invest in the mission and vision of CSU. We praise the Lord for His provision through our alumni and friends.

LIMITLESS CAMPAIGN

The Board of Trustees formally announced the launch of a comprehensive fundraising campaign in spring 2021. Currently in the quiet phase, the Limitless campaign focuses on a new convocation center, student scholarships, enhancing the student experience, and more. In the campaign’s first full year, over $11 million was committed to the $45 million goal of the Limitless campaign.

ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND

The Annual Scholarship Fund again topped the $1 million mark. Every gift to the Charleston Southern Fund goes directly to help students receive their education at CSU.

HANS A. NIELSEN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

The Board of Trustees approved the naming of CSU’s business college after receiving a $2 million dollar commitment from the Nielsen family. The gift, from alumnus Roger Nielsen ’74, his wife, Joyce, and their children, Brian and Kristen, is in honor of Roger’s father, Hans A. Nielsen.

CSU GIVING DAY

CSU Giving Day 2022 was an exciting day filled with divine surprises and an abundance of special support from the CSU community. We made CSU Giving Day history, not only by surpassing previous years’ totals, but also by exceeding $1 million committed from our Buccaneer family. The CSU family has provided many blessings that will make a continual difference in the lives of our students.

WOMEN’S COUNCIL

The annual Women’s Council Auction raised $51,310 for student scholarships. These dedicated women have established three $100,000+ endowed scholarship funds: the Mattie Leigh Francese Endowed Scholarship, the Charlene Kirk Endowed Scholarship, and the CSU Women’s Council Endowed Scholarship.

DENOMINATIONAL RELATIONS

Rev. Tom Clemmons leads a volunteer team of CSU staff and faculty who represent CSU at several national, state, and local conventions, and associational meetings. Local pastors met on campus in spring 2022 for the first time in two years to fellowship. Dr. D.J. Horton, Pastor at Church at The Mill, was the guest speaker. Dr. Horton also spoke at CSU's Chapel service.

CSU has partnered with the Charleston Baptist Association by connecting college students with marketplace leaders through the Next Generation Mentoring Initiative. This initiative strengthens the local church’s outreach while building relationships between local churches, community leaders, and students.

A Christian university, CSU seeks to connect with local churches, connect our students to local churches, and serve local churches by periodically providing opportunities for pastors and church staff to gather at the university, learn from speakers, and enjoy fellowship. One example of CSU’s cooperation with local churches is the EPIC Bible teacher training program led by Dr. Peter Link and Dr. Ed Gravely of the College of Christian Studies.

ENROLLMENT & MARKETING

CSU GREETS LARGE CLASS DESPITE PANDEMIC

The fall 2021 class was one of the largest in the university’s history with an increase of 120 full-time students over fall 2020.

The campus also saw a dramatic increase in residential students enrolled with 1,288 students moving to campus—exceeding housing goals and expectations by at least 200 Buccaneers. As a result, Residence Life converted two-and-a-half floors of the Wingate hotel located on campus to housing to accommodate nearly 200 students.

This growth, despite the continuing COVID pandemic, can be attributed to increased efforts by the enrollment team, including the merger of enrollment and marketing into a dynamic unit reframing enrollment practices and marketing language for the university.

Growth can also be attributed to expansion in numerous academic programs, the leadership of the COVID Pandemic Task Force, and the desire of students to return to a somewhat normal life. The Task Force, led by faculty members in the health sciences and other campus leaders, quickly formulated plans to keep students and employees healthy and activities as close to normal as possible. The Marketing and Communication team kept the campus apprised of COVID numbers and safety techniques through the BucSafe campaign.

One distinct advantage CSU had in moving fully online was our foundation of quality online instruction. In 2021, U.S. News & World Report ranked CSU No. 21 in the nation for online bachelor’s degree instruction. With the assistance of the academic technology office, all professors were trained in delivering online instruction.

Overall, Charleston Southern continues to grow in population, in degree programs, and in facilities. Most notable are the launch of the aeronautics program, expansion of the engineering program, and the accreditation of the Doctor of Physical Therapy program. And, in response to program growth, a new Science & Engineering building opened its doors just in time for fall semester.

The Bachelor of Science in engineering features concentrations in computer, electrical, and mechanical engineering. CSU is one of the few Christian institutions in the Southeast offering an engineering program.

CSU aeronautics is the only program in the state of South Carolina where a student can simultaneously learn to be a pilot and earn a bachelor’s degree and is one of only three Federal Aviation Administration-approved pilot schools in the state.

Founding Director Christopher “C.J.” Will, retired Air Force Colonel, was hopeful for 12 students in the first class starting in fall 2021. Will said, “CSU soared to roaring heights with 34 inbound students plus a hefty waitlist. The inaugural class was more than one-third female and close to 20% people of color.” The program began in response to market need. A Boeing study forecasts more than 700,000 commercial pilots will be needed over the next 20 years.

STRACK CENTER FOR GLOBAL LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY

Designed to build upon sustainable and growing enrollment, the creation of the Strack Center for Global Leadership and Ministry partners CSU with Dr. Jay Strack’s Student Leadership University. Strack, a 1975 CSU alumnus, and the CSU College of Christian Studies and CSU Online are developing majors, minors, and certificates which will be offered online to prospective students via dual enrollment. The curriculum will focus on biblical worldview and apologetics, youth culture and ministry, and global leadership strategies.

Strack said, “We believe that youth ministers and educators are the gatekeepers for a generation. We live in an ever-changing world, and we have got to be the place where they receive an education that is intuitive and adaptive, that allows them to go anywhere in the world such as inner city, rural church, mega church, nonprofit.” SLU and CSU have entered a 10-year partnership which allows CSU to be the sole higher education institution represented at Student Leadership University events.

WEBSITE TRAFFIC

•638,627 new website users

40.56% organic search

24.81% direct search

14.69% paid search

7.58% display (digital ad)

6.28% referral

2.08% social media

TOP WEB PAGES

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AUDIENCE ACQUISITION

69.3% Undergraduate

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WEBSITE USERS

9.66% Graduate

STUDENT LIFE

RESIDENCE LIFE

The number of students living in the residence halls increased from 1,097 in fall 2020 to 1,280 in fall 2021.

EXPANSION OF SWEET 16 EVENTS

We averaged approximately 600 people per event in 2020-21. Sweet 16 events are our largest events each year. Some events are open to our campus community, including employees, board members, and alumni. Many departments such as Enrollment, Development, and Alumni Relations have aligned much of their planning to correspond with several Sweet 16 events. Big school or small school, no one does events like CSU!

NEW TRADITIONS / RING CEREMONY

We celebrated our first Ring Ceremony in April overlooking the Reflection Pond with a beautiful view of Lightsey Chapel as the backdrop. We had 85 students attend and receive their signature class ring. Over 400 guests attended the new CSU tradition. After the ceremony, all enjoyed a reception on the lawn with music and refreshments. A gorgeous ice sculpture in the shape of the CSU signature ring was the perfect photo spot for many of our students.

600PEOPLE

3x

National OCC Record Holder

10,924 BOXES PACKED

OCC SHOEBOXES

CSU has been the National Record Holder for the past three years, packing more boxes than any other college or university for Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child. Our 2021 Collection Day and our Packing Party were huge successes. We crushed our goal of 10,000, packing 10,924 boxes! This year we are hoping to pack 12,000 shoeboxes. Bucs Win and Bucs Pack at CSU! What better way to unite the campus than sharing the Gospel across the globe through simple items in a shoebox?

It was heartwarming to see the enthusiasm and excitement around the Reflection Pond as staff, faculty, and students carried armfuls and wheeled carts of packed shoeboxes to the tables. The Library packed an amazing 1,045 boxes and won a well-deserved day off and a trip to Dollywood. The College of Education took first place among faculty departments for the third year in a row. Packing Party for 2022 will be Nov. 17.

CAMPUS RECREATION

Construction began for new Intramural Complex with anticipated completion before spring 2023. This multimillion-dollar complex will consist of two concrete outdoor basketball courts, and an artificial turf field for football, ultimate frisbee, softball, soccer, and marching band practice.

CAMPUS SECURITY

Charleston Southern continues to be ranked by Niche as one of the safest colleges or universities in the country. The most recent ranking gives us an A- grade for safety.

CAMPUS MINISTRIES HIGHLIGHTS

•48 Salvations documented in Chapel and Campus Ministries.

•260 students enrolled from SLU 101 recruitment for fall 2021 (259 freshmen and one transfer).

•CSU Campus Ministries led Passion Week Wednesday’s Worship, “Holy City Worship,” in Marion Square with The Citadel and College of Charleston’s Baptist Collegiate Ministries.

MISSIONS

•We sent a team to Erwin, Tennessee, during Spring Break. CSU has partnered with this ministry for almost 20 years.

•Continued partnership with GenSend of the North American Mission Board.

•Partnered with the South Carolina Baptist Convention to minister and host approximately 4,000 students via SummerSalt and KidSalt Camps on our beautiful campus.

•A new sound system was installed in Lightsey Chapel Auditorium with 1/3 of the cost paid by the SCBC for use in summer camps.

•Next Generation Mentoring Initiative. Partnered with the Charleston Baptist Association to connect CSU students to marketplace leaders in local churches.

CLUBS / ORGANIZATIONS

Student organizations completed 121 service projects such as Walk for Water, Relay for Life, Ronald McDonald House, and multiple blood donation events for American Red Cross.

4,000 STUDENTS

Career Center

The Career Center offers multiple services for current students and alumni. A recent undertaking was the collaboration of the development office and the Career Center to establish the Buccaneer Bridge Alumni Mentoring Program which pairs students with alumni who act as career mentors. Currently, 303 alumni and 212 students have joined the program.

SOME OF THE SERVICES OFFERED AT THE CAREER CENTER INCLUDE:

•Career assessments.

•Tests to match skills and passions with jobs.

•A job board which can be viewed by students, companies, and churches.

•Assistance with resume and cover letter writing.

•Career fairs.

•Workshops to acquaint students with graduate skill requirements.

The graduate outcomes for students who graduated during 2021-2022 are still being collected and will be released at a later date.