FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 , 202 4
T he I naugura TI on of
n a T han B. C opeland , e d . d .
as T he T wen T y - f our T h
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l I mes T one u n I vers IT y
g affney , s ou T h C arol I na
Founded on liberal arts principles in 1845, Limestone offers associate, undergraduate, and master’s degree programs on-campus and through its innovative Limestone Online Program that reaches across the globe.
Limestone University’s foundation in Christian faith and liberal arts empowers students of all abilities and backgrounds who will invest in themselves and aspire to thrive spiritually, personally, and professionally.
In a compassionate and supportive environment based on Christian principles, Limestone nurtures students to become critical thinkers, strong leaders, and effective communicators who are prepared for successful lives, careers, and continued graduate studies.
Limestone has always been a pioneer in providing access to higher education for those who otherwise might not have enjoyed that access. In 1845, when higher education was only a dream for young women, Limestone was founded as the first women’s college in South Carolina and one of the first in the United States.
In the early 1900s, when young men from the local area sought higher education, but could not afford to attend distant universities, Limestone admitted them as daytime commuting students.
In the 1970s, when most colleges and universities had no interest in educating working adults, Limestone established the Block Program, one of the pioneer programs for non-traditional students. The Block Program allowed students to complete their bachelor’s degrees entirely through evening classes.
In the mid-1990s, through the establishment of what was known then as its Virtual Campus, Limestone emerged as a national leader in applying computer technology to instruct students who could not utilize traditional classroom settings. Now known as Limestone Online, the program provides the opportunity for those students – especially working adults – to further their education, work full-time, and be there for their families.
Providing higher education access to those needing it the most has been a proud theme throughout the history of Limestone.
The institution’s name was changed to Limestone University on July 1, 2020. Limestone was well positioned to change its status from a college to a university. The Limestone Master of Business Administration program was approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 2011, and its first M.B.A. graduates were conferred in 2014. Since then, Limestone has added M.B.A. concentrations including Healthcare Administration, Management & Leadership,
and Sport Business. In addition, the University now offers specialized graduate degree programs that include Master of Social Work, Master of Nursing, Master in Education–Teacher Leadership, and Master of Science in Health Informatics.
Limestone University is committed to the liberal arts and sciences and to educating students for leadership, service, and professional responsibility in the 21st century. While receiving a solid foundation in the liberal arts, Limestone is well-known for its pre-professional degree programs.
Including its traditional On-Campus Program in Gaffney, South Carolina, and its innovative Limestone Online Program that offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, Limestone is one of the largest private universities in South Carolina.
1845-1859
Thomas Curtis Founder
1859-1872
William Curtis Co-Founder
1873-1881
Thomas Bomar and Charles Petty
1881-1886
Harrison Patillo Griffith and Robert O. Sams
1886-1896
Harrison Patillo Griffith
1896-1899
John R. Mack
1899-1923
Lee Davis Lodge
1923-1951
Robert Colley Granberry
1952-1953
O. Norman Shands
1953-1966
Andrew Jackson Eastwood
1966
George Daniel Grice Executive Consultant
1967-1969
John Carl McCollister
1969-1970
John Andrew Hamilton Interim
1970-1973
M. Stanyarne Bell
1973-1979
Jack Jones Early
1979-1985
William J. Briggs
1985-1986
Francis W. Bonner Interim
1986-1991
G. Frederick Payne
1991-1992
Dan Champion Interim
1992-2017
Walt Griffin
2018-2023
Darrell F. Parker
2023
Monica Baloga Interim
2024-Present
Nathan B. Copeland
Dr. Nathan B. Copeland began serving as the 24th President of Limestone University in May of 2024.
Limestone is an accredited, independent, non-denominational Christian university with its residential campus located in Gaffney, South Carolina. Founded on liberal arts principles in 1845, Limestone offers associate, undergraduate, and master’s degree programs on-campus and through its innovative online program that reaches across the globe.
Dr. Copeland was selected as the President of Limestone by a vote of the Board of Trustees in April of 2024, and he took office a month later. He had previously served, since 2021, as the Vice President of Advancement and Enrollment at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama.
“It is a great honor to serve as the President of Limestone University, and I am tremendously humbled for this opportunity,” Dr. Copeland said. “To the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and local community, I am grateful for the trust that has been given to me to lead our institution. Limestone is clearly a special institution on the brink of what can and will be a healthy and vibrant future.”
Dr. Copeland received his Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Business Administration from Harding University and his Doctor of Education degree from the University of Alabama.
He arrived at Spring Hill College after serving in various roles in the private sector including the Principal and Founder of The Alabama Group, a small business development company.
Dr. Copeland’s academic career began at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas, where he was the Assistant to the President as well as the Founding Director of the Center for Professional Excellence in the University’s Paul R. Carter College of Business. He also taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the Carter College of Business on leadership, business communications, promotional strategies, and entrepreneurial studies.
Along with his wife, Erin, he has four children, including daughter Kate and sons Colin, William, and Grant.
o rder of the a C ademi C P ro C ession
U niversity m arsha L
U niversity f a CUL ty
t he d e L egates from C o LL eges and U niversities
B oard of t r U stees
P resident ’ s C a B inet
P L atform P arty
C hairman of the B oard of t r U stees
Randall L. Richardson
P resident
Nathan B. Copeland, Ed.D.
o rder of the C eremony
P re LU de
t he a C ademi C P ro C essiona L
Michael J. Langer, D.M.A. Organist
W e LC ome
Stacy G. Aldrich
Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Limestone University
i nvo C ation
Blair D. Bryan
Non-Profit Founder/Philanthropist
P L edge of a LL egian C e
Marley J. Edenfield ʼ25
Vice President of the Student Government Association, Limestone University
g reetings and C harge to P resident C o P e L and
On Behalf of the Board of Trustees
Randall L. Richardson
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Limestone University
On Behalf of the Faculty
Brian F. Ameling, Ph.D. Provost, Limestone University
On Behalf of the Staff
Jerricho E. Cotchery Head Football Coach, Limestone University
On Behalf of the Students
D. Carlee Ayers ʼ27
President of the Student Government Association, Limestone University
On Behalf of the Limestone Charter Association
Angel H. Malone, Ed.S. Superintendent, Limestone Charter Association
On Behalf of the Community
The Honorable Lyman D. Dawkins, III ʼ15, Ed.S. Mayor of Gaffney
On Behalf of the Alumni
Brendan B. Storrier ʼ10 Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach, Limestone University
i ntrod UC tion of the P resident
David B. Burks, Ph.D. President Emeritus, Harding University
i nd UC tion and i nvestit U re of the P resident
Randall L. Richardson
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Limestone University
D. Carlee Ayers ʼ27
President of the Student Government Association, Limestone University
i naU g U ra L a ddress
Nathan B. Copeland, Ed.D. President, Limestone University
C L osing
Stacy G. Aldrich
Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Limestone University
a L ma m ater
The Limestone University Chorus
Gena E. Poovey, D.M.A. Conductor
Michael J. Langer, D.M.A. Organist
B enedi C tion
Steve K. Lake
Vice President of Advancement, Harding University
r e C essiona L
Michael J. Langer, D.M.A. Organist
C e L e B ratory P ost LU de
The Limestone University Marching Band
Jovon D. Milford, M.A. Director
Ceremony P arti C i P ants
m aster of C eremonies
Stacy G. Aldrich
Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Limestone University
U niversity m arsha L
Paul R. LeFrancois, Ph.D. Professor of Economics, Limestone University
t he d e L egates of C o LL eges and U niversities
Oglethorpe University, 1835
KaThryn T. mCClymond, ph d President
Carson-Newman University, 1851
rodeny e russell, ed d Associate Provost
Wofford College, 1854
BrIan J. lemere, m.s.
Associate Dean of Students and Associate Vice President
Lander University, 1872
maTThew hammeTT, ed.d. Interim Dean of Students
North Greenville University, 1891
Tony l. Beam, d.mIn. ʼ80 Senior Director, Church & Community Engagement
Harding University, 1924 mIKe wIllIams, ed.d. President
University of South Carolina Upstate, 1967
TIerney BaTes, ph.d. Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs
National Christian School Association, 1985 andrew s. BaKer, ph d President
B oard of t r U stees
Randall L. Richardson Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Limestone University
Lee E. Sowell
Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Limestone University
Kristopher Bonocore Secretary of the Board of Trustees, Limestone University
Brian J. Bauer ʼ99 Treasurer of the Board of Trustees, Limestone University
Julia M. Bass
W. Reed Brown
Katherine R. Bryan
A. Tony Fisher
Virginia P. Hamrick ʼ75
Susan S. Hines
Richard F. Jiran
Chelsea A. McCoy ʼ10, D.O.
Rahul N. Mehra, M.D.
Shauna Lynn Menning
Harmony F. Noda ʼ02, D.P.T.
C. Phil Orr, Jr.
Boone S. Peeler
W. Don Pullum ʼ81
Tierney R. Rollins ʼ02
Brian M. Russell ʼ03
Patrick L. Still, III ʼ03
s enior B oard of t r U stees
Crossie M. Cox ʼ68
Michael R. Daniel
Julie W. Lowry ʼ65
Joseph F. Sullivan
e meriti B oard of t r U stees
Nancy C. Carlisle ʼ52
Betty T. Clark ʼ60
Sara J. Eddins ʼ60
Reverend Roy N. Mathis
Vera J. Mitchell ʼ65
N. Eugene Moorhead ʼ62
Barbara B. Smith ʼ55, Ed.D.
Donald A. Yager
t he P resident ’ s C a B inet
Stacy G. Aldrich
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Brian F. Ameling, Ph.D. Provost
Alex R. Carroll ʼ19
Associate Vice President for Online and Graduate Programs
Andrew W. English
Chief Information Officer/Vice President for Institutional Research and Information Technology
Brandi P. Hartman ʼ97 Chief of Staff
Hailey P. Martin ʼ08
Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
Travis W. McDowell
Vice President for Enrollment Services
Kelly A. Tillinghast
Associate Vice President and Dean for Student Success
Jeremy C. Whitaker ʼ08
Executive Vice President/Vice President for Finance and Administration
Charles W. Wyatt ʼ89
Vice President for Communications and Marketing
t he L imestone U niversity C hor U s
Nirro M. Arch
Tegan Beattie
Chris Bolin
Dravon Drummond
Emma G. Harvey
Alia Ibenasdiken Kempa
Emma Jane Isler
Ashley Patterson
Jason Z. Wanzel
Kimberly Wilson
Hunter Zimmerman
t he L imestone U niversity m ar C hing B and Lily Fowler
Kyle Homan
JaQuez Lowe
Veronica Montgomery
Tyler Riggins
Savanna Scruggs
Camron Wells
t he P residentia L i naU g U ration C ommittee
Razan Alamad
Stacy G. Aldrich
K. C. Barnhill
Anastasia K. Byars
Andrew W. English
Anna Catherine H. English
Jordan Falls, M.B.A. ʼ19
Joe C. Fields
David J. Finklea, Ph.D.
Antwon J. Gleaton ʼ14
Emily M. Glesias
Christine L. Harder
Brandi P. Hartman ʼ97
Chip Hill
Lisa H. Hobbs ʼ05, ʼ20
Monica P. Lanier
Jennifer W. Ledbetter
Christina L. Lievsay
Hailey P. Martin ʼ08
Patti H. McCraw ʼ17
Billy J. Perrell
Tiwanda O. Proctor ʼ15
Terri D. Smith
DeeDee M. Wall
Jane G. Watkins ʼ85, Ph.D.
Charles W. Wyatt ʼ89
t he U niversity s ea L
The history of the official seal of the University is hidden in mystery. The candelabrum part of the seal was used under Dr. Lee Davis Lodge. The first record that exists with which we can definitely date the candle holder is 1904. In The Calciid of that year the junior motto appears as Phosde, which in Greek means “Toward the Light.” The phrase, , connotes a progression or journey from darkness to “light.” The lighted seven-branched candelabrum with the Greek expression combined symbolizes the purpose of the University to instill in its students to move forward in their search of “light” or, in other words, “truth.”
Frank L. Eyer (1868-1932)
In Southern Carolina, Beneath the pine tree’s cone, There stands my Alma Mater, My dear, my fair Limestone. ‘Tis there my memory lingers, And naught can quite compare To the hours I spent at Limestone, At Limestone, dear and fair.
Chorus
Oh Limestone, cherished Limestone, I love thy classic halls; Oh Limestone, fairest Limestone, I love thy sacred walls. Thy name I crown with honor, And I shall ever give To thee a heart’s devotion, As long as I shall live.