Improving health care
The Sumter Item Welcome
Onbehalf of the staff at The Sumter Item and all of our community partners featured in this magazine, I’d like to officially welcome you to the 2025 edition of Life is Good in Sumter. Inside these pages, you'll see a snapshot of life in Sumter - how we live, work, learn, play and pray.
The Sumter of today is innovative. Sumter is bold. Sumter is a place of business and community.
From Shaw Air Force Base to local industries to our beautiful downtown, change is happening. It's happening not only through new buildings, businesses and incoming residents, but also through a sense of community, unity and belonging as we work on building something together.
In 2025, I’d like to encourage you to seek that community, to seek belonging. Build large bridges of unity with others who also make up the fabric of our area. Learn from those who have a different perspective of the world. Listen thoroughly with the goal of an even better tomorrow.
As the area’s leader in media for 130 years, The Sumter Item is here to help build that community, hold the powerful accountable and promote economic development. Local news does that, and we believe it’s important. We’re a strong, independent local news voice and builder for all of Sumter.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or a newcomer to the area, we encourage you to subscribe to The Sumter Item, either through a print+online or an all-online subscription at theitem.com/subscribe. At the very least, please sign up for our free email newsletter at theitem.com/ newsletter. We tell the stories of your community. We vow to listen and to be a microphone for your collective lives.
Inside these pages, you’ll see many of the people who and places and businesses that make our community great. We’re here for you, Sumter, and we hope you enjoy this magazine.
What's Inside
Photo by Micah Green
Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce Welcome from the
Welcome!
On behalf of the Board of Directors, our dedicated team and nearly 1,000 member businesses, I’d like to extend a warm welcome to you.
For over a century, the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce has stood as a steadfast advocate for business and community growth. Through challenges big and small, including navigating the lasting impacts of the pandemic, our community has consistently demonstrated resilience and unity — proving why we proudly call ourselves Team Sumter.
In today’s ever-evolving economic landscape, businesses are finding innovative ways to connect with one another and with consumers. We’re fortunate to have the support of our forward-thinking city and county leaders who share our vision of Sumter as a thriving regional hub. Together, we’re creating opportunities that strengthen our local economy and enrich the lives of our residents.
At the Chamber, we’re committed to fostering a “shop local” mindset and highlighting the importance of supporting businesses right here in Sumter. Whether you’re exploring our vibrant restaurants, unique boutiques or engaging attractions, we encourage you to immerse yourself in everything our community has to offer.
If you’re visiting and considering a more permanent move, we’d be honored to welcome you as part of Team Sumter. With an exceptional quality of life, affordable living and unmatched Southern hospitality, Sumter is more than a place — it’s a home.
Thank you for choosing Sumter. Your support of our local businesses and community means the world to us.
Buzzing with business in Downtown Sumter
Revitalization in Downtown Sumter is on the rise as new businesses blend charm with innovation along Main Street. From boutique shopping to gourmet flavors, entrepreneurs are creating experiences to draw customers in and keep them coming back.
BY ALAYSHA MAPLE
Development in downtown Sumter has been on the move for more than 20 years. Alongside new businesses opening, downtown’s revitalization includes a new streetscape, renovations of buildings, development of several plazas that feature beautiful fountains and the construction of new buildings. If you’re not stopping in to check out these buzzing new businesses, downtown Sumter has also become the place Sumterites go for art and entertainment, from outdoor concerts and markets to festivals and various shows in and around Main Street.
Check out more about the arts scene in and around downtown on page 10
Shop, sip and savor SPICE & GRAIN GOURMET
On your drive into downtown, you can stop by Spice & Grain Gourmet for a unique experience of extraordinary flavors.
Tammy Gristwood’s love for international cuisines inspired her to open Spice & Grain Gourmet, locally a one-of-a-kind gourmet grocery store at 532 Bultman Drive. Since September 2024, the store has offered a world of unique spices, salts, teas and ready-made gifts sourced from over 20 countries. Customer favorites include pasta baskets from Italy, herbal teas, pistachio butter and vegan and gluten-free options. Every Saturday, customers are able to sample custom tea blends.
The store will introduce a refrigerated section that features imported meats, cheese and caviar in 2025.
ADDRESS: 532 Bultman Drive
HOURS: Wednesday-Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed Sunday through Tuesday
PHONE: (803) 774-0107
UNDER THE COVER
If you’re looking for a place to cozy up with a good book, simply look Under the Cover.
At 9 S. Main St., the bookstore, opened by Sharlene Shuler, offers an escape for readers to enjoy stories and sips. Plush couches, ottomans and even the opportunity to play with cats and kittens, all of whom are up for adoption, create a warm, inviting ambiance to explore the shelves lined with romance spanning all genres, including Christian, young adult and non-English, as well as literary classics, local and South Carolina authors and New York Times Bestsellers. The experience is complete with a wine bar that offers reds, whites and prosecco.
Besides great books, Under the Cover hosts events like book signings, trivia nights, book clubs, festive workshops and more – sure to bring bookworms together for an evening of reading and relaxation. Stacks share space with gifts for readers and non-readers, such as bookmarks, coloring books and jewelry.
ADDRESS: 9 S. Main St.
HOURS: Monday-Wednesday from noon to 8 p.m., ThursdaySaturday from noon to 9 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.
PHONE: (803) 883-4054
LOLLIBEAR BOUTIQUE
Best friends and moms Mary Kathryn Hulme and Hallie DuBose brought charm and whimsy to the heart of downtown with Lollibear.
The children’s clothing and toy boutique offers an experience, whether it be picking out the perfect Easter dress, a playful everyday outfit or a heartfelt baby shower gift – all of high-quality, boutique-exclusive brands. The space welcomes children so parents don’t have to go out of their way to visit.
ADDRESS: 101 N. Main St.
HOURS: Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and closed on Sunday
PHONE: (803) 774-0317
Flavor, flair and fun coming soon GAHNZALES
Downtown Sumter is gearing up for an exciting year with new businesses set to make their mark. From bold Tex-Mex flavors to sweet, gourmet delights, these upcoming ventures will add more vibrancy and variety to a historic downtown that is exponentially evolving.
According to Quixote Hospitality, Gahnzales will introduce authentic Tex-Mex flavors inspired by the eclectic culinary scene of Austin, Texas. Named in honor of owner and Sumter restaurateur Danielle Gahnz Thompson, the restaurant, nestled in the former Hamptons location, promises fresh ingredients, bright flavors and the best margaritas in town.
The restaurant is slated to open in 2025.
CONFECTIONARY & COMPANY
From morning treats to specialty goods, there will be something delicious for everyone at Confectionary & Company. The bakery and gourmet grocery store, slated to open in 2025, is dedicated to bringing freshly baked pastries and a selection of premium grocery items to downtown Sumter, according to Quixote Hospitality.
SumterFullin
A year of art, innovation and community. Art in Sumter isn’t just seen. It’s felt.
In 2024, creativity flowed beyond walls and stages, finding life in community spaces and bold new projects.
BY ALAYSHA MAPLE
Patriot Hall
Patriot Hall, established in 1986 at 135 Haynsworth St., set the tone by beginning its $5.3 million renovations in August 2024. As a central part of Sumter’s Cultural Center, the venue is set to debut grand updates in spring 2025 to add to the dynamic performances hosted on its stage, including modernizing its sound system, stage and seating as well as ensuring the venue is ADA accessible.
Sumter Opera House
Sumter Opera House, in the heart of downtown Sumter at 21 N. Main St. and another cornerstone of local culture, was built in 1893 and is a four-story Romanesque-style building – and is preparing for a grand glow up. A $15 million transformation is set to begin in 2025 with plans to include an expansion of its lobby, backstage amenities and seating adjustments. Cultural Manager Seth Reimer said though the venue is no stranger to renovations – it has undergone two in its 130-plus years – this one will make it an “indispensable cultural asset.”
Sumter Little Theatre
Sumter Little Theatre, 14 Mood Ave., turned 85 in 2024. Alongside its stellar performances, it was devoted to bringing in new programs to make the year worthwhile. The theater, founded in 1939, revamped its youth classes and hosted showcases that allowed these
young actors to show off their skills and invited community members to acting workshops with its veteran actors to serve as a precursor to actual auditions, all while introducing new, friendly faces to its stage and beyond. It also hosted new events, including its inaugural Theatre Festival, which featured theatrical and musical performances and a directors Q&A panel among other highlights; Mood 14 Cabaret, a cabaret-style event with smooth vocal stylings of SLT veterans; and A Night of Theatre Games, where onlookers could play or watch improv, character types, genres, competition games and more.
South Sumter Art Park
New spaces full of color and inspiration emerged with the opening of South Sumter Art Park, 645 Manning Ave., in December 2024. The once-vacant grass lot has been transformed into a vibrant addition to the community featuring murals by local artists Marie Grady, Walter McNeil, Ernest Hampton and Rosetta Davis, art-themed playgrounds and colorful basketball courts. The park was a collaborative project between the City of Sumter and state Rep. David Weeks, D-Sumter, as funding came from South Carolina Arts Commission for $550,000 as well as support from the Williams-BriceEdwards Charitable Trust, Team Sumter, South Carolina House Speaker Rep. Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, and former Sens. Kevin Johnson and Thomas McElveen.
Manning Avenue Art Studio
At the foot of the Manning Avenue bridge at 241 Manning Ave., the Manning Avenue Art Studio began a new chapter of its existence in May 2024 with the groundbreaking of an 8,000-square-foot expansion designed to foster music, dance and visual arts to continue the legacy of its founder, David “Pablo” Sanders. The historic studio was founded in 1976, and the expansion will be a contemporary building that will blend seamlessly with the eclectic mix of structures along the avenue. From clearing off the adjacent lot to opening those grand doors, the timeline for completion was seven months.
Mosaic Garden
Mosaic Garden, established in 2004 between Hill Printing and the old Wise Jewelry on Main Street under the leadership of the late Martha Greenway, is a beautiful collection of mosaic tile art with a tiered fountain, curated between the Sumter County Cultural Commission, City of Sumter and Sumter-area schools. In December 2024, the club planted one of its first trees in the garden, a Japanese red maple, one of the first of many efforts to restore the unique garden. Azalea Garden Club will continue to set out more plants native to the area to attract local wildlife and create a “bee hotel” to make the garden more pollinator friendly.
HEALTH CARE Sumter in
Tandem Health
Tandem Health Main (Adult Medicine, Behavioral Health & Counseling, Immunology and Pharmacy)
1278 N. Lafayette Drive, Sumter, SC 29150 | (803) 774-4500
Tandem Health Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics
370 S. Pike West, Sumter, SC 29150 Gynecology (803) 774-6448 | Pediatrics (803) 774-7337
Tandem Health Dental
1105 N. Lafayette Drive, Suite C, Sumter, SC 29150 | (803) 774-3600
Tandem Health Family Medicine
Sumter
319 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150 | (803) 774-4500
Tandem Health Family Medicine
Pinewood
25 E. Clark St., Pinewood, SC 29125 | (803) 774-4501
Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital
Outpatient/Retail Pharmacy
*open to the public (803) 774-8772
Medical Office Building 1, Suite 220 115 N. Sumter St. Sumter, SC 29150
Hours: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sunday, 1-5 p.m.
Prisma Health Cardiology - Sumter Medical Office Building 2, Suite 205 100 N. Sumter St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 434-3800
Prisma Health Cardiology - Hartsville 701 Medical Park Drive; # 301 Hartsville, SC (843) 383-5978
Prisma Health OB/GYN - Sumter
Medical Office Building 1, 115 N. Sumter St. Sumter, SC 29150
Suite 110: OB Office (803) 774-9650
Suite 200: GYN Office (803) 774-8351
Prisma Health Surgery - Sumter
Medical Office Building 1, Suite 300
115 N. Sumter St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 775-1550
Prisma Health Plastic Surgery
Medical Office Building 1, Suite 115 115 N. Sumter St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-7546
Prisma Health Pain and Spine
Medical Office Building 2, Suite 320
100 N. Sumter St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-6824
Prisma Health Orthopedics
Medical Office Building 2, Suite 200
115 N. Sumter St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-7621
Prisma Health Family Medicine
- Sumter
Medical Office Building 1, Suite 400
115 N. Sumter St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 934-0810
Prisma Health Family Medicine
- Bishopville
116 Hospital Square, Bishopville, SC (803) 484-9424
Prisma Health Pulmonology
- Sumter
Prisma Health Infectious Disease
- Sumter
Prisma Health Gastroenterology
- Sumter
Prisma Health Neurology - Sumter
Medical Office Building 1, Suite 315 115 N. Sumter St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-9787
Colonial Healthcare
Colonial Family Practice (Main Office)
325 Broad St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-5227
Colonial Family Practice
304 W. Wesmark Blvd. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-5227
Colonial Family Practice
674 W. Liberty St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-5227
Colonial Family Practice
698 Bultman Drive Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-5227
Colonial Urgent Care
327 Broad St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-5227
Colonial Pediatrics
742 W. Liberty St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-5227
Colonial Rx
325 Broad St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-8240
Colonial Neurology
385 W. Wesmark Blvd. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-8240
Colonial Pain
215 W. Hampton Ave. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-5227
Counseling
742 W. Liberty St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-5227
Psychiatry
696 Bultman Drive Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 848-0500
McLeod Health
Palmetto Adult
Medicine Sumter 1295 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 905-6800
McLeod Cardiology Associates
540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 883-5171
McLeod Vascular Associates
540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (843) 777-7043
McLeod Urology Associates Sumter
Michelle B. Miller, NP
540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 340-5100
McLeod Orthopaedics Associates
540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (843) 777-7900
Gamecock City Farmers Market
BY SARAH SONNTAG
Bringing local vendors together and spreading the message to ‘shop local’ on Saturdays in Sumter
Local farmers, vendors and craftsmen gained yet another spot to share their locally made goods in Sumter.
Gamecock City Farmers Market opened on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at 853 Broad St., outside Central Carolina Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology Training Center. According to market Director Albert ‘”Beazo” Kelly, on its opening day, the market saw about 400 guests.
“We’re hoping that we can fill this whole parking lot up with vendors, and we’re hoping to have thousands of shoppers here soon,” he said.
The market will run every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will continue to add vendors so that there is a little bit of something for everybody, from fresh fruits and vegetables to handmade jewelry.
David Simmons, market operations
director, explained the intent of the market as, “We both are born, bred and raised here in Sumter, so we have love for the city. We are shopping local, creating and generating the local market and economy for other people and for our community because we know when we give more here, then we’ll grow more here as well.”
The love for the Sumter community was certainly felt by all guests and vendors in attendance at the market. Small business owners like Charles Harris of Lord and
Harris Family Farm are excited to have another market where they can share their fresh goods harvested that day and spread the “shop local” message.
“Now, we’re a small farm, but we want to do our part to help bring fresh, locally grown vegetables to this area,” Harris said. “We’re trying to get everyone to realize that their food should really come from less than 50 miles away from their home.”
Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital
brings neurological care to Sumter community
“We are committed to creating a better state of health in South Carolina, and this new service offers neurological capabilities for our Sumter residents.”
- Anthony Jackson
BY PRISMA HEALTH
COLUMBIA - The Sumter community now has access to specialized neurological care with the establishment of Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital's first in-house neurology department. The expansion will offer local inpatient and outpatient services for neurological disorders like stroke, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders, and epilepsyservices that previously required travel to Columbia.
"We are committed to creating a better state of health in South Carolina, and this new service offers neurological capabilities for our Sumter residents," said Anthony Jackson, interim CEO for Prisma Health Midlands hospitals. "This investment further establishes Tuomey Hospital as a full-service community hospital, allowing us to help patients overcome barriers to obtaining care and improving health outcomes for our communities."
The expansion welcomes two neurologists, Shawn D. Moore, MD, and Courtney L. Litchmore, MD, to the Sumter area.
Dr. Shawn Moore is a graduate of Saint Louis University Medical School and completed residency in neurology
at Baylor College of Medicine/Houston and a vascular neurology fellowship at Prisma Health Richland Hospital. "We're excited to be part of this service expansion for the Sumter community. The ability to receive expert neurological care close to home is invaluable," he said. "When patients can stay in their community, surrounded by their support system, it significantly enhances their recovery process and overall care experience." Moore specializes in stroke care and treats a variety of other neurological conditions that previously required traveling to Columbia for specialty care.
Dr. Courtney Litchmore is originally from Jamaica and completed medical school and internal medicine internship at University of the West Indies in Jamaica before transitioning to Prisma Health for his residency in neuroscience. He also completed a fellowship in neurophysiology at Keck Hospital of University of Southern California. His practice includes treating patients for neurological conditions such as epilepsy, stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and myasthenia gravis.
Michael BAKER
By Bruce Mills
SAFE Federal Credit Union CEO wins Sumter Chamber’s Business Person of the Year award at annual gala
Spirits were high at the 2024 Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Gala.
Each year, the gala celebrates locals who are business professionals and difference-makers in the Sumter area. Notable people from across a variety of careers including education, military, nonprofits and more were honored at last year’sgala.
Among the awards given April 4, 2024, perhaps the most prestigious is the Business Person of the Year, which was awarded to President and CEO of SAFE Federal Credit Union Michael Baker.
Former reporting from The Sumter Item details there are several criteria a nominee must meet to qualify for the award: They must have a successful track record of business over a period of years, must demonstrate the integrity of a business person that is synonymous with the bearer of the award’s name by giving back to the community and show dedication to the success of their employees personally and professionally.
The Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce also had a change of command from Jimmy Davis of Air Solutions Heating & Cooling to Cheryl Baker, general manager at Hyatt Place Sumter Downtown.
Roads projects begin to take shape through new Penny Tax
By Deirdre Currin
Sumter is already preparing to implement the voterapproved Capital Sales Tax Referendum, also known as Penny for Progress, which takes effect in May.
After the penny tax was passed by voters in November 2024, the year finished with seeing the referendum’s transportation projects added to the Transportation Improvement Program – a program that lists all federally funded projects and all transportation projects regardless of the funding source that have regional significance. The tax will fund 30 projects to improve quality of life, economic development, infrastructure and other aspects of Sumter over the next handful of years. Here is a look at some of the transportation-based projects.
The “Harvin Street Redesign and Streetscape” is No. 27 on the Penny for Progress projects list. Also known as the North and South Harvin Street corridor retrofit, this penny project was on SCDOT’s January agenda to be included in the statewide transportation improvement program. According to the project list, the retrofit will improve downtown safety and increase on-street parking capacity and has $1.5 million allotted to it.
“Community Sidewalks/Activity Paths” is No. 28 on the Penny for Progress Projects list. One of the project’s main activity paths, a connection between Shot Pouch Greenway and Palmetto Park, is in its feasibility stage to see how a pedestrian path can be established between Shot Pouch Greenway, the YMCA and college campuses to ultimately arrive at Palmetto Park and Palmetto Tennis Center. Another aspect is the Lafayette Drive side path, which was also on SCDOT’s January agenda to be included in the statewide transportation improvement program.
The U.S. 378 Robert Graham Freeway improvements project is in the final draft stage of its feasibility study and conceptual engineering design work. This project is No. 14 on the Penny projects list, and $6 million of the $72 million project will be provided by the Penny. According to the Penny projects list, this project will “reconnect the communities and services north and south of the US378 Bypass at Wesmark and Miller Roads to improve safety for drivers and pedestrians and enhance mobility for all travelers.”
Further transportation penny projects will be added to the Transportation Improvement Program, including road paving and resurfacing as well as further sidewalk projects.
McLeod Health Providers
Primary Care
Eagerton Family Practice
Robert S. Eagerton, MD* / Carmen Roberts, DO*
Amber P. Newman, NP
200 East Hospital Street, Manning, SC 29102 (803) 433-0439
McLeod Primary Care Clarendon
Lisa E. Heichberger, MD* / Laine Way, MD
Susan Caulkins, FNP / Susanne Johnson, FNP
50 East Hospital Street, Suite 3
Manning, SC 29102 (803) 435-8828
Palmetto Adult Medicine Sumter
Harry A. Jordan, Jr., MD / Andrew J. Reynolds, MD
Hugh T. Stoddard, Jr., MD
Katherine S. Coffey, PA-C / Emily J. Miller, PA-C
Racheal D. Posey, APRN
1295 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 905-6800
McLeod Primary Care Turbeville
Abbie Kirby, PA-C / Shawn Lockamy, NP
Amanda McConnell, PA-C
944 Smith Street, Turbeville, SC 29162 (843) 659-2114
McLeod Family Medicine Kingstree
Raina McKenzie, PA-C
1200 North Longstreet Street, Kingstree, SC 29556 (843) 355-5459
Cardiology
McLeod Cardiology Associates
Prabal Guha, MD / John Rozich, MD, PhD
Dennis Lang, DO
540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 883-5171
Manning Clinic: 21 East Hospital Street, Manning, SC 29102
* Not accepting new patients at this time
Obstetrics and Gynecology
McLeod Women’s Care Clarendon
Monica Ploetzke, MD / Katee L. Wyant, MD
Tom Chappell, CNM / Allison Saran, CNM, WHNP
Rebecca Cartledge, APRN, CNM
Shaquinda Dowdle, DNP, APRN, CNM
50 East Hospital Street, Suite 2, Manning, SC 29102 (803) 433-0797
Orthopedics
McLeod Orthopaedics Associates
Rodney K. Alan, MD / Chaz McDonald, NP
Warren Pyles, PA-C
540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (843) 777-7900
50 East Hospital Street, Suite 6, Manning, SC 29102 (803) 433-3065
Surgery
McLeod Surgery Clarendon
Devonne D. Barrineau, MD / Laura Collins, FNP
50 East Hospital Street, Suite 4, Manning, SC 29102 (803) 435-2822
Urology
McLeod Urology Associates Sumter
Michelle B. Miller, NP
540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 340-5100
Vascular
McLeod Vascular Associates
William C. Jackson, DO
540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (843) 777-7043
THE NEWEST LADIES
ouncils
of Sumter’s
By Deirdre Currin
Election season saw much of the same for city and county government in Sumter. Everyone who was running for reelection regained their seats whether they were opposed or not. However, two seats were empty and ready for the taking: District 7 on Sumter County Council and Ward 4 on Sumter City Council. Now the two women who fought for and won their seats have been sworn in, been present at their first meetings and might be able to relax soon.
District 7 Councilwoman Tasha Gardner-Greene and Ward 4 Councilwoman Lynn Kennedy both have unique lives, talents and experiences to bring to Sumter’s government.
Tasha Gardner-Greene
Gardner-Greene said she usually holds a minimum of three jobs at a time, and that is a great indication of the type of person she is.
“I truly believe an idle mind is a playground for the Devil, so if I was up, I needed to be working to keep my hands and my mind busy, and so working, community service and church – that’s pretty much my life, and it still is.”
Gardner-Greene loves to stay busy, but not just with work. She has a black belt in taekwondo, has been dancing since she was 7 and enjoys traveling because she loves to learn.
“I don’t ever want to be stagnant,” Gardner-Greene said. “I want to always be in a position that I’m learning.”
But just as much as Gardner-Greene enjoys learning a new craft or about a new place, she enjoys her hometown.
Born and raised in Sumter County’s District 7, Gardner-Greene has always loved the tight-knit community she was born into, so much so that she has made a name for herself among her neighbors.
“I was already doing the work,” Gardner-Greene said about why she ran for county council. “I’m currently a member of three neighborhood associations […] so when there’s issues […] people know I’m actively involved in the community, and I attend meetings, so they’d call me when they have a problem, whether it be streetlights, people speeding on the roads or a stop sign down or a sign down.”
Gardner-Greene said she enjoyed doing this for the community, but it was harder for her because she was not actually a member of council. Now, she hopes to get answers back to her community more quickly.
Currently, Gardner-Greene works at Jewelry Wholesale, where she has been since 2004, and she is also a choreographer at New Bethel Baptist Church – a task she has been doing for about 20 years.
Everything Gardner-Greene loves gets her careful and undivided attention. For example, she picks up litter in her community, not just on community pickup days, but for fun. And when her mother had a stroke in 2017, it was Gardner-Greene who kept watch over her alongside her daughter who was a teenager at the time. Gardner-Greene and her daughter never strayed too far from their homes at the time, as they wanted to ensure their mother and grandmother had the best care possible.
Sadly, Gardner-Greene’s mother passed away in July of 2024, right as campaigning season was ramping up, but earlier that year, even though her communication was limited, Gardner-Greene’s mother made it known that she supported her daughter’s decision to run by saying “no, do it,” after Gardner-Greene ran the idea by her.
Now, though Gardner-Greene is still dealing with the aftermath of losing her mother and learning the rules of Sumter County Council, she is determined to keep hearing the needs of her community.
Lynn Kennedy
Since Lynn Kennedy was 8 years old, she was volunteering for Sumter, whether it was passing out free stew at the Iris Festival or parking cars at Riley Ball Park.
“I’ve always felt a big responsibility to our city and county. Sumter has always been very important to me; I’ve always been very active in the community,” Kennedy said. “My father was the same way, and I’ve always been taught that if you put your name on a roster, you need to do your part.”
Now, her legacy of serving the community continues as she becomes Ward 4’s newest representative and one of the first women on city council since 2010.
When Kennedy was in her early 30s, she joined the Junior Chamber of Commerce (the JCs) where she learned how to speak in public and where she also was the first woman president – an experience Kennedy called “a challenge.”
As the organization had once been for men only, Kennedy had her work cut out for her, but she said what she learned with the JCs prepared her for a seat on council.
“I think all of us have a purpose, and you just got to find what it is,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy describes herself as a citizen who has desires just like any citizen would. For example, an increase in jobs, growth in the city and county and retaining Sumter’s youth.
“I want to see good things happen,” Kennedy said.
While Kennedy was a city volunteer and then an employee of the city for 17 years, she also has her name attached to something of her own: her local butcher business, Carnivore Butcher and Bottle.
As a child, Kennedy got into an accident that rendered it hard for her to chew meat, and she often had to go outside of Sumter to get what she needed. When Kennedy decided to sell what she had to outsource, an easier-to-chew meat that is antibiotic and preservative free, she was told not to start it because Sumterites wouldn’t support it.
“Carnivore has been very successful; thank you, Sumter, and we get a lot of people out of Camden, Manning, Summerton,” Kennedy said. “It’s kind of helped me with more of an outreach, and so I’ve got to see so many people that I would’ve never met.”
Kennedy said she gets her drive from her mother, who worked the same job her whole life and excelled at it.
Kennedy has served on city council for a couple months now and has been learning the ropes as the newest member on council.
“I think we’re gonna move forward with a lot of good projects and people should see those coming to fruition real soon,” Kennedy said.
Shaw Air Force Base’s 20th Fighter Wing
COL. KEVIN D. HICOK BROUGHT UP FROM WITHIN TO EXPAND HIS LEADERSHIP ON BASE, IN SUMTER
BY BRYN EDDY
Col. Kevin D. Hicok, the current 20th Fighter Wing commander as of June 2024, said his oldest son is a stoic guy.
This stoic guy, at 12 years old, has moved around a lot in his life, but when his parents asked him how he would feel about sticking around Sumter after having already lived there for three years, he smiled a smile his dad won’t soon forget.
The Hicoks, like any military family, live a transient life, having lived all around the world in service to their country. It’s both an honor and a sacrifice, the commander’s wife, Bridie, said.
They moved to Sumter’s Shaw Air Force Base in July 2021 when Hicok was deputy commander of the 20th Fighter Wing.
“I really like that feeling of just being kind of scooped up and part of the community,” he said.
It’s special that Shaw’s new commander was chosen internally; usually, the base commander comes from another place, but Hicok and his family are already familiar with not only Shaw, but Sumter as well.
But they know what it’s like to be new in town, so they want all airmen and soldiers at Shaw to feel welcomed in Sumter to ease that transition every military member and family experiences upon every move.
“Welcoming these families into your communities and into your activities is very crucial to some of these families having a good experience and being able to do the mission because their families are supported at home,” Bridie Hicok said. “If you have a neighbor that you know is military, maybe their spouse is deployed, maybe their children are struggling to adapt to a new place, to invite them into your
activities and invite them to children’s birthday parties. Invite them to neighborhood barbecues and cookouts.
“Tell them about events that are happening, and sometimes it’s easier to move to a new place and just be quiet, not immerse yourself, but this town is full of opportunities, and we want our families to know that they can go to these community events.”
Welcomed and supported is exactly what the Hicoks felt during the ceremony where Shaw’s commander position switched hands officially.
“It was overwhelming, a lot of emotions going on. We’re very good friends with the previous command team, and so it’s a moment of gratitude for being able to be their partner for the last couple of years,” he said. “It’s bittersweet to see them go. And then just to look out in the crowd and see all the airmen, the breadth of support.”
The previous 20th Fighter Wing commander was Col. Kristoffer Smith. He is now deputy director of plans, programs and requirements for Air Combat Command at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, according to Shaw’s website.
SUMTER NAMED American World War II Heritage City BY NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
BY BRUCE MILLS
ONLY 1 JURISDICTION IN EACH STATE OR TERRITORY CAN BE DESIGNATED
2024 saw the City of Sumter and Sumter County recognized for their residents’ and leaders’ contributions to the home front during World War II, a mark of Sumter’s motto of “Uncommon Patriotism.”
Sumter was one of eight localities designated as an American World War II Heritage City last year after the acceptance of a joint application from an effort between the city, county, Sumter County Museum and several people who helped with letters of support. Only one community in each state or territory can receive the designation. The American World War II Heritage Cities
Program was established in 2019 and has already recognized nearly 40 other cities and communities. Starting in August 1941, almost four months before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Sumter became home to Shaw Field – which is now Shaw Air Force Base – as a U.S. Army Air Corps Basic Flying School, where pilots prepared for advanced training, according to Sumter Museum Executive Director Annie Rivers and the Heritage City listing through the National Park Service. The training program was changed to Advanced Flight Training in October 1942, and more than 8,600 U.S. and
Allied pilots graduated from Shaw Field by the end of the war. It also was a prisoner of war camp from March 1945 through early 1946, hosing German POWs who worked on local farms in the area.
In addition, the listing says, “Shaw Field was home to multiple Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). Because of a shortage of male pilots and the need to
train as many new pilots as possible, the female pilots helped train male air cadets, taught male instructor pilots and served as test and ferry pilots for the airfield.”
Sumter has always been known for its “Uncommon Patriotism” for veterans, from the Revolutionary War days to today. Memorials abound throughout the area, including at the former Sumter County Courthouse and Veterans Park.
World War II Medal of Honor recipient Gen. George Mabry Jr. from Sumter is also honored for his heroics in the war. Four members of the Tuskegee Airmen, one of the most successful fighter units in World War II who were all African American, had ties to Sumter, memorialized by a P-51 Red Tail Mustang plane, which was flown by the Tuskegee Airmen, outside of Shaw.
Many Sumterites on the home front also participated in the war effort, Rivers said. Local companies such as Carolina Industries Inc. manufactured items for the U.S. military. Service groups, such as the Kiwanis, sponsored paper drives and collected scrap metal. Local high school students raised money to purchase 21 Jeeps for the Army. Additionally, an observation tower was built on Sumter’s tallest building at the time, the City National Bank Building downtown, and was part of a larger air raid system.
Rivers credited Sumter Item archivist and historian Sammy Way for his research and historical accounts that contributed to the success of the local application.
Way, retired Maj. Gen. T. Michael Moseley and Steve Creech, a former mayor, also helped by providing letters of support with the application.
Sumter has also taken steps to preserve that war history through Veterans Park; Sumter Military Museum and plans to expand it; Temple Sinai Jewish History Center, which documents Sumter’s Jewish roots, involvement in World War II and the Holocaust; and the city and county’s Purple Heart designations.
“World War II not only impacted those who went to war, but also those who carried on the life and work of the home front,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said. “It’s important we remember that cities and towns both big and small made major contributions at home to the war effort, all of which helped Allied forces defeat the Axis powers.”
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Shaw Air Force Base welcomes new leadership, growth in units
Shaw Air Force Base has come a long way since it was established as a basic flying school in 1941, and last year was no exception to its evolution.
The base is home to the 20th Fighter Wing, which is the Air Force’s largest combat F-16 wing, 9th Air Force (Air Forces Central), 15th Air Force, Third Army/U.S. Army Central and a handful of other units, and Sumter thrives on calling Shaw its neighbor and partner in making the region a place veterans want to retire to and civilians find reason to practice their “Uncommon Patriotism.”
The 20th Fighter Wing traces itself back to 1927 with the authorization of the 20th Balloon Group. From these humble beginnings, the 10th Pursuit Group was formed in 1930, according to military fact sheets.
“After World War II, the redesignated 20th Fighter Group was inactivated in October 1945. Nine months later, the group was reactivated. In 1947, the 20th Fighter Group was assigned to the newly activated 20th Fighter
Wing, and in 1955, the group was absorbed by the wing.”
Last year, the 20th FW cycled through its change of command to welcome Col. Kevin D. Hicok, though it wasn’t really a first-time welcome.
The Hicoks moved to Sumter in July 2021 for Hicok to serve as deputy commander before he was chosen internally for the leadership position. The extra time spent in Sumter gives Hicok an understanding of the community and how to make airmen and soldiers feel welcome.
While Hicok’s story is one of experience in Sumter, recounting Shaw’s progress in Sumter last year did include a first-time visit when an MQ-9 Reaper landed at the base for the first time. The drone aircraft are operated by the 25th Attack Group, which is housed at Shaw, but its airmen and sensor operators hardly ever get to see it in person. Thanks to new satellite launch and recovery capability, the MQ-9’s visit was also a morale-boosting opportunity for airmen to bring their families to see
what they work with.
The 25th ATKG was activated in Sumter in 2018 for the area’s quality of life and to be a part of this specific community, geographically separate from the 432nd Wing at Creech AFB in Nevada, and last year also marked a milestone for their permanency when a new state-of-the-art facility officially opened. The buildings, which broke ground in 2021, will house the MQ-9’s remote operations for two squadrons as well as office headquarters and operational support. They are four times the size of what had been temporary facilities.
Airmen were not the only military personnel who saw change to their leadership in 2024, promising a new look into 2025. U.S. Army Central, which is the U.S. Army Service Component Command for United States Central Command, marked a Change of Responsibility to welcome Command Sgt. Maj. Eric R. McCray. In his role, he serves as the senior enlisted advisor.
ELECTED OFFICIALS
SUMTER COUNTY VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS OFFICE
• Patricia Jefferson, director
• 141 N. Main St. Sumter, SC 29150
• (803) 436-2310
• Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.
U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION REPRESENTING SUMTER COUNTY
Lindsey Graham (R) 290 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-5972
508 Hampton St., Suite 202 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 933-0112
www.lgraham.senate.gov/ public/
Tim Scott (R) 104 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 (202) 224-6121 1901 Main St., Suite 1425 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 771-6112 www.scott.senate.gov/
Ralph Norman (R) 569 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-5501
454 S. Anderson Road, Suite 302 B Rock Hill, SC 29730 (803) 327-1114 norman.house.gov/
James E. “Jim” Clyburn (D) 200 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 (202) 225-3315 1225 Lady St., Suite 200 Columbia, SC 29201 (803) 799-1100 clyburn.house.gov/
STATE SENATORS
To email a member of the state Senate: bit. ly/2C2JWGK
Jeffrey Graham (D-Camden) District 35
Kershaw, Lee, Richland and Sumter
508 Gressette Bldg. Columbia, SC 29201 Business: (803) 212-6008 Message: https://www. scstatehouse.gov/email. php?T=M&C=703124916
Jeff Zell (R-Sumter)
Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg and Sumter
Business: (803) 212-6040
Message: https://www. scstatehouse.gov/email. php?T=M&C=1999431789
STATE REPRESENTATIVES
To email a member of the state House of Representatives: bit.ly/2s7h1R6
District 50
Kershaw, Lee, Sumter 422B Blatt Bldg. Columbia, SC 29201
Will Wheeler III resigned in January of 2025.A special election to fill the seat was scheduled for June.
David Weeks, (D-Sumter)
District 51
Sumter
308D Blatt Bldg. Columbia, SC 29201
Sumter Office: (803) 7755856
Columbia Office: (803) 734-3102
Home: (803) 775-4228
Fawn Pedalino (R-Manning)
District 64
Clarendon, Sumter
422D Blatt Bldg. Columbia, SC 29201
Business: (803) 212-6929
Home: (803) 938-3087
Murrell Smith (R-Sumter)
Speaker of the House
District 67
Sumter
525B Blatt Bldg. Columbia, SC 29201
Sumter Office: (803) 7782471
Columbia Office: (803) 7343144 Home: (803) 469-4416
SUMTER COUNTY COUNCIL
Council meets at 6 p.m. every second and fourth
Tuesday at 13 E. Canal St.
Carlton Washington (D)
District 1
13 E. Canal St. Sumter, SC 29150 Home: (803) 436-2102 cwashington@ sumtercountysc.org
Artie Baker (R)
District 2
3680 Bakersfield Lane
Dalzell, SC 29040 Home: (803) 469-3638 council@sumtercountysc.org
Jimmy Byrd Jr. (R) Vice Chairman
District 3 P.O. Box 1913 Sumter, SC 29151 Mobile: (803) 468-1719 Fax: (803) 436-2108 jbyrd@sumtercountysc.org
Charles Edens (R) District 4 3250 Home Place Road Sumter, SC 29150 Home: (803) 775-0044 Mobile: (803) 236-5759 charlestedens@gmail.com
Vivian Fleming-McGhaney (D)
District 5
9770 Lynches River Road Lynchburg, SC 29080 Home: (803) 437-2797 Business: (803) 495-3247 vmcghaney@ sumtercountysc.org
James T. "Jim" McCain Jr. (D) Chairman District 6 317 W. Bartlette St. Sumter, SC 29150 Home: (803) 773-2353 Cell: (803) 607-2777 jmccain@sumtercountysc. org
Tasha Gardner-Greene District 7 council@sumtercountysc.org
SUMTER CITY COUNCIL Council meets on the first Tuesday at 1 p.m. and the third Tuesday at 5 p.m. at the Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St., 4th floor. Members are nonpartisan.
David Merchant Mayor 26 Paisley Park Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-1086 dmerchant@sumtersc.gov
Anthony Gibson Ward 1 agibson@sumtersc.gov
James Blassingame Ward 2 3060 Foxcroft Circle, Sumter 29154 (803) 840-1029 jblassingame@sumtersc.gov
Calvin Hastie Sr. Ward 3 810 S. Main St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 774-7776 chastie@sumtersc.gov
Rebecca Lynn Kennedy Ward 4 rkennedy@sumtersc.gov
Colin Davis Ward 5 720 Oak Brook Blvd. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 494-3337 cdavis@sumtersc.gov
Gifford Shaw Ward 6 28 Paisley Park Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 773-5918 gshaw@sumtersc.gov
Ralph Canty Sr. Chairman
District 3 104 S. Salem Ave. Sumter, SC 29150 803-983-1469
ralph.canty@sumterschools.net
Tarah Cousar Johnson District 4
4770 Narrow Paved Rd. Lynchburg, SC 29080 843-412-4811 tarah.cousarjohnson@ sumterschools.net
Shawn Ragin Chairman District 5 3835 Quiet Court Sumter, SC 29150 803-464-6859 Shawnragin89@gmail.com
Matthew "Mac" McLeod District 6
2985 Bruce Circle Sumter, SC 29154 (803) 938-2701/Cell mac.mcleod@ sumterschools.net
SUMTER SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Attend virtually by searching “Sumter School District Board Meetings” on YouTube, or watch on Facebook @SumterSCSchools. Trustees are non partisan.
Brian Alston District 1 Vice Chairman District 1 3385 North Kings Hwy. 261 Rembert, SC 29128 (803) 572-1938 brian.alston@sumterschools. net
Brittany English District 2 6760 Spring Hill Rd. Rembert, SC 29128 803-968-8899 brittany.english@ sumterschools.net
Gloria Rose Lee Clerk 710 Shepard St. Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 464-6414
Gloria.lee@sumterschools.net
Bonnie Disney District 9 Swan Lake Dr. Sumter, SC 29150 803-983-0268 bonnie.disney@ sumterschools.net
District 8
*A special election to fill the unexpired term of Jeff Zell had not occurred when this magazine printed.
CELEBRATING THE FUTURE:
Sumter’s Next Generation spotlights the area’s brightest youth
BY ALAYSHA MAPLE
Achievements among young people often go unnoticed beyond the confines of their classrooms or neighborhoods.
But that won’t do, not if The Sumter Item can help it.
With the support of Sumter Economic Development and TheLINK Economic Development Alliance, the newspaper will enter its second year of shining a much-deserved spot-
light on Sumter’s youth through its groundbreaking series, Sumter’s Next Generation.
Launched in August 2023, this twice-monthly Wednesday series is more than just a feature. It’s a means of celebrating the vibrancy, ingenuity and dedication of local students who are redefining excellence. From academics to the arts, community involvement to career readiness, this
series is proof that today’s generation is ready to rise to the occasion, and Sumter is ready to cheer them on.
In its first year, Sumter’s Next Generation made waves in the classrooms and the community, featuring students who showcase an eagerness for a bright future and how it will involve their peers, colleagues, friends, family and beyond. From a future plastic surgeon getting her
start in a high school art class and an Eagle Scout using his free time to restore an environmental center to its eco-friendly status, to a teenage firefighter clocking in for night shift mere minutes after the final school bell rings, to male cheerleaders who are breaking boundaries and redefining possibilities, these stories reflect the diversity and brilliance of Sumter’s future leaders.
And it’s not just for the students. This series is for their peers, to show them the power of what’s possible. It’s for the parents, teachers, mentors and loved ones who can clip these stories and add them to their fridge, right next to those adorable stick-figure portraits from the student’s earlier years. It’s for the entire community, a reminder that the future is bright when we invest in our youth.
And that’s why TheLINK has given its support. Sumter Economic Development and TheLINK Economic
Development Alliance, a public-private economic development organization charged with facilitating the creation of jobs and the investment of capital in our region, recognizes the invaluable role young talent plays in shaping the region’s future – and it wants in.
“A large focus of Sumter Economic Development and TheLINK Economic Development Alliance is to strengthen our talent pool for our local industries. Our goal is for businesses to not just start here but stay here,” said Erika Williams, communications and strategic initiatives manager. “One way of shoring up business success is to have a workforce that stands at the ready to respond to the rapid and ongoing changes of our industries.”
“By involving students in the various talent development programs that are hosted or spearheaded by our Economic Development team,
they are exposed to all the offerings of this region that may align with their highest goals and brightest dreams,” she expressed. “There really is SUMthing for everyone in SUMter. It’s our pleasure to match the people with their plans.”
The focus on local talent is what makes Sumter’s Next Generation an impactful and important partnership between The Sumter Item and TheLINK.
“Jumping in to support the Next Generation initiative further catapults the goal of highlighting current and future talent,” Williams explained.
“The students who are nominated and selected are chosen based on merit, tenacity and creativity – all makings of stellar students and model employees. We want to celebrate them, encourage them, and, yes, eventually hire them!”
“The work of Sumter Economic Development and TheLINK is extraordi-
nary. From bringing stellar industries and opportunities to Sumter’s workforce to making eSTEAM one of the largest educational events of its kind in the state, their work to raise the quality of life in Sumter is all around us,” said Next Gen News Editor Alaysha Maple. “To work in tandem with them to shine a spotlight on the bright pupils who will become active, impactful players in bettering Sumter through the workforce and in other vital areas of our community is a privilege.”
Sumter’s Next Generation includes both print and video components shared to The Sumter Item’s website, Facebook and Instagram. While the words on the page – A5 of the Wednesday edition – offer a connection to a student’s story, the videos are meant to bring these features to life and engage a younger audience on a platform they know and love.
Meet the Team
Alaysha Maple (Writer) I Zac Hooks (Videographer) Cary Howard (Graphic Designer)
This dynamic storytelling approach has inspired students to see themselves as part of something bigger – a community that values their contributions and cheers them on every step of the way.
Want to see these students in action? Catch the print Wednesday edition of The Sumter Item or follow along on Instagram (@sumteritem) or Facebook (The Sumter Item) to experience the stories of Sumter’s brightest stars.
Check out the latest episode of Next Gen and more here.
MOMENT MEET THE
BY BRUCE MILLS
DUAL ENROLLMENT, INCREASED PROGRAM OFFERINGS AND MORE HELP USC SUMTER ACHIEVE RECORD ENROLLMENT
By establishing linkages with area school districts for college credit offerings, increasing program offerings in key workforce areas and other factors, University of South Carolina Sumter achieved a record student enrollment this school year.
Total fall semester, official enrollment saw an 8.4% increase to 1,804 students in 2024-25 from the prior year and enrollment is up across all areas – to include traditional college students and dual-enrollment high school students – as USC Sumter tries to “meet the moment” regarding current students’ needs in higher education.
Traditional enrollment of college students stood at 756 in fall 2024, up from 655 in fall 2023, according to Interim Campus Dean Eric Reisenauer.
Dual enrollment, which has grown rapidly in the last decade, allows high-performing high school students to take college classes at no cost while still in high school. Dual enrollment at the college was 1,048 students in the fall.
TRADITIONAL ENROLLMENT ON THE RISE
All categories of traditional student enrollment are up this year to include “continuing” students, new freshmen and transfer students, Reisenauer said.
He attributes the growth to numerous factors in recent years to include being increasingly strategic in building out curriculum, a proper approach to offering online courses to fulfill course requirements and fill necessary gaps for students and continued expansion of the school’s athletics program. Currently, there are 15 Fire Ants teams.
The advent of the bachelor’s degree programs in tandem with USC Aiken in Nursing and Elementary and Early Childhood Education have been big attractions also, Reisenauer said.
“With those three programs, students — for example — may be at another school in the state and realize, ‘Hey, I can go home, save some money, pay a lower-tuition cost and finish off my prerequisites and then apply to the Aiken Education program or the Aiken Nursing program and stay there and get the bachelor’s in that without having to leave the Sumter area.’
“Every student is different and so I can’t speak to everybody’s life story, but these are the stories that I am aware of and how USC Sumter continues to grow to try to meet the moment
ERIC REISENAUER
PHOTOS BY USC SUMTER
if you will by thinking about what our students need and providing them that in a way that is convenient and flexible, but also true to the academic standards that people expect from USC.”
DUAL ENROLLMENT AND ‘EARLY COLLEGE’
Given increasing college costs, dual enrollment has become a popular option for high school students across the U.S.
In the tri-county region, Sumter School District, Clarendon County School District, Laurence Manning Academy and Lee Academy currently are all partners with USC Sumter for dual enrollment, according to Damien Picariello, the college’s director of faculty, curricula and courses for dual enrollment programs.
In the program, high school juniors and seniors take two college classes each semester alongside their high school courses. The college courses are taken online or in person at their high schools or at the college, he added, and students ultimately can complete 24 college credits from the University of South Carolina.
“If you have been watching the cost of college over the last several years, you know that free college classes are a fantastic opportunity,” Picariello said. “So, we are really excited to be able to offer dual enrollment to a growing number of students in Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties. Our mission at USC Sumter is to make college as accessible and as affordable as possible for students in South Carolina, and dual enrollment is a big part of that.”
In the last decade, the college has increased its dual enrollment partners, but also the number of students participating in the program from each high school has increased, Reisenauer said.
A much smaller category of eligible high school juniors and seniors from Sumter School District can participate in an intensive, early college program on site at the USC Sumter campus, called “Early College,” Picariello said.
The program has been around about 10 years and accepts about 25 students each year. Those students can graduate high school with a diploma and an associate degree from USC Sumter also in hand.
CAMPUS RENOVATIONS
In the last few years, renovations have occurred all over the USC Sumter campus, Reisenauer said.
The Science Building was completely renovated in a $10.9 million project that was finished last year. With the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in association with USC Aiken, there are new nursing classrooms and labs.
In November 2024, a completely renovated auditorium in the Nettles Building opened and is named the C. Leslie Carpenter Auditorium after a former dean.
According to Reisenauer, most campus buildings have had significant renovations to their interiors, particularly the Student Union building and most classrooms in Schwartz and Arts and Letters.
A new Wellness Center is also on the horizon and was in the architectural design stage at the outset of 2025. It will give the college’s growing athletics program a home with coaches’ offices, locker rooms and much more, he added. Additionally, it will provide recreational opportunities for students who are not athletes.
A new softball field is open now with phase 2 upgrades and amenities to come soon, according to Reisenauer.
“USC Sumter is very proud to be a part of the Sumter community, and we are always looking for ways to better serve the educational needs of Sumter and the surrounding areas,” he said.
WANT MORE INFO ON DUAL ENROLLMENT?
Google “USC Sumter Dual Enrollment” or contact Damien Picariello, director of faculty, curricula and courses for dual enrollment programs, at (803) 938-3812, or Lara Painter, director of educational partnerships, at (803) 938-3890.
Revving up education:
Sumter shows great interest in CCTC’s ‘Pit Stop with A Pro,’ college’s future
BY ALAYSHA MAPLE
The excitement of NASCAR was in the air on the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024 mix in the revving of engines as Central Carolina Technical College hosted its “Pit Stop with a Pro” featuring NASCAR driver Kyle Weatherman, and it was deemed a major success.
Misty Hatfield, vice president of institutional advancement at CCTC, explained the college sought another way to motivate its students beyond a
“traditional open house.” When approached with the advertising opportunity to collaborate with Darlington Raceway in preparation for the NASCAR Cup Series Southern 500, the college couldn’t turn down the chance. Soon after, they realized how to make this event worthwhile for everyone inside and outside the college campus.
“We realized we need to tie something else to it,” she said. “We needed something that would motivate people. So ‘Pit
Stop with a Pro’ is basically a way to highlight some of our industrial program while also getting people [to campus].”
Feedback from students leading up to the big day was overwhelmingly positive, Hatfield said. So, to give them an opportunity to be hands-on in the success of the event, the college’s marketing team worked with the Engineering Design Program to create a 3D model of Weatherman’s No. 91 Chevrolet Camaro.
Behind the scenes, Tony Daley, engineering design academic program manager, and Grace Bodiford, engineering design adjunct professor, were hard at work to produce a pro-worthy 3D model. After one frustrating attempt that cost her a day, Bodiford was able to build a detailed model of the fast car in two days, adding in the finishing touches of windows, wheels and all the things that make the car special to the featured guest. She was able to present
Weatherman with the gift, one he proudly accepted as it sat close by during his meet and greet.
When folks weren’t getting their picture with the pro, they ventured throughout the campus to test their driving skills at a mini track, get up close and personal to the action through the virtual reality race simulator and EA NASCAR race simulator, be fast and furious in the dual pitstop challenge and enjoy a delicious meal and sweet treat at several of the food trucks parked on campus. A smile wasn’t hard to find as attendees enjoyed all the action the college had to offer.
And for Daley and Bodiford two CCTC alumni who decided to serve their school in a different capacity events like Pit Stop with a Pro are meant to have fun and showcase the best parts of their alma mater, but it’s also about building connections.
“We’re definitely building that community presence,” Daley as-
sured. “We went to school [here] a long time ago, and we did have events, but it seems like we’re getting involved in the community and letting the community know that we’re here for educational purposes, but also as a foundation like a pillar in the community.”
Hatfield couldn’t agree more. There is a “renewed interest in hands-on fields,” and CCTC has plans to mold those interests into prosperous careers and connections.
“We’re just excited to see that people appreciate the trades again ... the stigma is slowly going away. Coming to a technical school is not looked upon the way it used to be,” Hatfield expressed. “We’re excited not just for the support from students, but the support from parents, high schools, from counselors and even our legislators and our governor. They’re sending money our way, so we’re trying to make good use of it.”
Morris College names
Sewell its 11th president
Dr. Said Sewell previously served as the director of the Office of Academics, Research, and Student Success for the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC), the nation’s oldest and largest consortium of historically Black colleges and universities. In this role, Sewell provided leadership coordination for the academic affairs, student affairs and sponsored research divisions of Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine and Spelman College.
Source: Morris College
orris College Board of Trustees in Sumter named Said Sewell, Ph.D., CFRM, as its 11th president with his presidency beginning on July 1,
“The Morris College Board of Trustees, chaired by Dr. Phillip M. Baldwin, along with the greater Sumter community are excited about the possibilities Dr. Sewell brings. The Board of Trustees stands behind Dr. Sewell as he transitions into his role as the 11th President of Morris College. The Board wish to thank the Baptist E&M Convention of South Carolina, the students, faculty and staff of Morris College for their support. The Board is also grateful to Morris alumni and donors for their dedication to Morris College, and working together we will build a greater
Sewell is the current president and managing partner for The Empowerment Group, a consulting firm that provides educational services to a broad network of higher educational institutions. He also serves as director/ chief academic, research and student affairs officer to the Atlanta University Center Consortium Inc., which is comprised of Morehouse College and Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University and Morehouse School of Medicine.
Before serving at the consortium, he was vice president for student affairs at Morehouse College. He has also served as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at Lincoln University in Missouri, assistant provost for academic affairs and dean of Under-
graduate Studies at Kent State University, executive director of the Academic Success Center at the Fort Valley State University, interim department head at the University of West Georgia and founding director of the Center for African-American Males: Research, Success, and Leadership Inc. Sewell has held tenured faculty appointments at Lincoln University, Fort Valley State University and the University of West Georgia.
“I am humbled to stand on the shoulders of the predecessors who have gone before me. As their successor, I accept the torch to sustain and grow Morris at any cost,” said Sewell. “I am, also, honored to serve on behalf of the Board of Trustees of Morris College, along with joining the students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community in working collaboratively to support student success, grow enrollment, raise financial support, and enhance academic programs. The idea of returning Morris to the ranks of the nation’s premier HBCUs invigorates me.”
Sewell, a native of Houston, Texas, graduated from Morehouse College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He earned a Master of Public Administration in Public Policy from the Honorable Barbara Jordan-Honorable Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University and a Ph.D. from Clark Atlanta University in Political Science. Sewell also completed Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy’s Certificate of Fund Raising Management, Clark Atlanta University’s Executive Leadership Institute, Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education’s Institute for Educational Management, Harvard University’s Divinity School’s Leadership Development Institute, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Millennium Leadership Institute and the Higher Education Leadership Foundation’s Leadership Institute.
An ordained Baptist minister, Sewell is a member of Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church in Decatur, Georgia. He serves on several public and nonprofit boards, including the Georgia Commission on Service and Volunteerism, the National Association of Collaborative Leadership, Georgia State University’s Rialto Performing Arts Center and the Center for African American Males.
Terri Johnson Terri Johnson
Johnson said she enjoys the lightbulb moments with students the most District Teacher of the Year
Math interventionist wins Sumter School District Teacher of the Year
BY BRUCE MILLS
Terri Johnson has been thinking about getting a new car, but now she does not have to after being named Sumter School District’s Teacher of the Year for the 2024-25 school year.
A new perk for the teacher who wins the district’s highest honor annually is receiving a new car from Freedom Honda of Sumter for one year, and Johnson said she will make good use of the vehicle while also performing her duties as teacher of the year. She won the award at the district’s Back to School Rally for teachers and staff at Sumter County Civic Center on July 30, 2024.
Johnson said the honor and accolade are nice, but the real work now begins to ensure district teachers have the support they need to help the district grow and in turn help students reach their full potential.
She added best practices with students, in her opinion, involve teachers building relationships of trust and support with them and then implementing instructional strategies to help close gaps academically and emotionally.
A graduate of Crestwood High School in 2007, Johnson returned home to Sumter
last year as a K-2 math interventionist at Cherryvale Elementary School after spending the first 12 years of her career as a classroom teacher in Richland School District 2 in northeast Columbia.
She said she wanted “to give back to her hometown,” and the math interventionist role allows her to influence more students as opposed to just one or two classrooms of students in a year.
Johnson works with Tier 3 students, those who score at the lowest academic level in math. She instructs a small group of students at one time in either a “pull out” strategy in her own classroom or a “push in” model where she works within another teacher’s
OTHER AWARD WINNERS
classroom setting.
Johnson said she enjoys the lightbulb moments with students the most, where students show continued growth.
“At those times, they are feeling proud of the accomplishments they are making, and it just does something for me,” she said. “It makes it seem rewarding to me because I have always served at schools where students’ academic achievement may not have been the highest; so, when they have those moments of accomplishment or success, they are celebrating themselves, and it gives me joy to celebrate with them.”
In addition to student performances and a motivational speaker, the district also gave out four new awards with $250 cash prizes from the Sumter Education Foundation at the back-to-school rally. The district’s support staff employee of the year was Felicia Martin-Bell of Furman Middle School. The district office/annex employee of the year was Kristin Hackett. The district’s assistant principal of the year was Leslie Dowling of Lemira Elementary School, and the district’s principal of the year went to Michelle McBride of Pocalla Springs Elementary School.
About 1,700 people attended the rally.
BY BRUCE MILLS
5,000-square-foot, two-story senior center
Sumter YMCA CEO Missy Corrigan said social isolation also on the rise, the timing port seniors. In the last decade, the local
for services from seniors.
“We want to make sure that we have a place for our seniors,” she said. “The center will serve as a hub for social connection and life services and educational programs,” she said.
The facility will officially be a “community center” and open to all Sumter County seniors 50 and older, regardless of whether they are YMCA members, Corrigan added, and will be guided by the YMCA’s mission, values and Christian principles.
Programming at the center will be free or at a very low cost, she said.
Activities for seniors currently include movie nights, crafts, a lunch-and-learn program, co-ed Bible study, field trips, book club and holiday celebrations, among others.
According to Corrigan, the YMCA is asking seniors for additional input now on other activities that could be added at the new center.
Discussion about the proj-
ect started about two years ago, and the Sumter County Legislative Delegation secured $750,000 in the state budget. Two local foundations, the Williams-Brice-Edwards Charitable Trust and the CP Legacy Foundation of Sumter, provided additional financial support.
As of the groundbreaking date, Sumter Family YMCA has raised $1.8 million of the $1.98 million price tag for the facility, Corrigan said.
Officials on hand for the ceremony included the local delegation, City of Sumter and Sumter County leaders and other dignitaries.
Hawkins and Kolb is handling the construction, and the senior center is expected to open in about a year from the groundbreaking, Corrigan added. The center will be an addition to the current YMCA facility and located at the rear of the site near the group exercise room, lower gym and youth department.
SUMTER YMCA
SENIOR CENTER BY THE NUMBERS
$1,980,000
Total cost for new center
$1,800,000
Money raised to date
80,000
Current square feet for YMCA facility
5,000
New senior center’s square footage
1965
Year that current YMCA facility on Miller Road opened
1912
Year that original YMCA facility opened locally at the corner of Liberty and Sumter streets in downtown Sumter
70
Attendees at the groundbreaking ceremony 2
New center will be two stories
LibertycontinuesSTEAM to expand
3-phase construction project will add Junior Academy at Sumter Mall site
BY BRUCE MILLS
Like in previous years, Liberty STEAM Charter School will continue to grow in 2025, as work has begun on construction at Sumter Mall to add grades 5 through 8.
A three-phase expansion project to add Liberty’s Junior Academy became official in
August 2024 when school leaders signed an additional lease agreement with mall owner Hull Property Group of Augusta, Georgia. Construction will take three years.
In August 2023, Liberty STEAM opened its Elementary Academy campus in the mall
that currently houses grades 2 through 4 and 450 students, or “scholars” as the school refers to them.
With an additional 65,270-square-foot footprint in the facility, nearly half of the mall’s space will be occupied by Liberty, according to school
Executive Director Trevor Ivey.
In the expansion, Liberty will have full buildout of its Junior Academy in 2027 with vacant space for the addition of the eighth-grade class in 2028.
Grades K-1, a total of 300 students, are at Liberty’s Primary Academy at 15 School St. in South Sumter.
The first phase of the addition began in October 2024 and will add room for fifth grade and more extra space at the mall site. It will be ready for the first day of school in August of 2025.
The facility expansion and “phased openings” at Sumter Mall will not impact Liberty’s current enrollment schedule, which adds one grade per year, or 150 students, until buildout at 12th grade with the first graduating class in the 2032-33 school year.
State officials call Liberty leaders ‘visionary, inspiring’
State leaders in attendance at the September 2024 groundbreaking ceremony for Liberty STEAM Charter School’s Junior Academy at Sumter Mall described the school’s leadership, led by founding Chairman Greg Thompson, as visionary and inspiring.
Five years ago, a public charter school in Sumter was just a vision, but today Liberty STEAM is a K-4 school with 731 students and will see a four-grade expansion at its mall site in the next few years. State Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver and others have taken notice.
Weaver and state Public Charter School District
Superintendent Chris Neeley were among the dignitaries on hand at the ceremony and praised Thompson and the school’s other leaders for bringing educational choice to families in a rural area of South Carolina.
Liberty STEAM’s philanthropic arm is Quixote Foundation, also in Sumter.
“The work that everyone here is doing together –the power of teamwork and potential – to call forth that vision of what is possible for our students and what is possible in our rural communities is just such a gift,” Weaver said.
State charter school law requires Liberty to be reflective of Sumter School District. The school is 64% minority, and 72% of students in the 2024-25 school year live in households below the poverty line.
In just the school’s fourth year with students, excellence is a school motto, and Weaver added that Liberty “sees the way to turn obstacles into opportunities.”
Neeley of the South Carolina Public Charter School District – which is Liberty’s authorizer, or sponsor –called Thompson “a visionary leader to see into the future and see the possibilities that exist in the community for all children of Sumter County” to include redeveloping Sumter Mall at a time when malls in secondary markets are not faring well.
Thomspon deferred credit away from himself and thanked Liberty’s founding board of directors for helping to cast the vision and also the school’s entire staff.
“It sure feels good to be a leader of a great team, and you are a great team,” he said. “The board has its role, but really, we cannot do the work. You do the work. You take care of our children, you educate the children, and you take care of our families.”
Liberty STEAM has not named a site for its Senior Academy, grades 9-12, as of early this year.
Greg Thompson, founding chairman of Liberty STEAM’s Board of Directors, said the expansion is a big step in the school’s continued development and that he is excited for the future.
“With this expansion comes additional state-ofthe-art facilities that will provide scholars with the resources they need to succeed,” he said. “This is an exciting development for the school and the Sumter community. We’re committed to providing innovative, high-quality educational opportunities that increase learning opportunities throughout South Carolina, and this is another milestone development in fulfilling the promise we made to our community a little more than five years ago.”
Authorized by the state Public Charter School District in 2020, Liberty STEAM is the first tuition-free public charter school in Sumter County. At buildout, Liberty projects to serve 2,000 students.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Sumter School District
1345 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, SC (803) 469-6900
Elementary Schools
Alice Drive Elementary School 251 Alice Drive, Sumter (803) 775-0857
Cherryvale Elementary School 1420 Furman Drive, Sumter (803) 494-8200
Crosswell Drive Elementary School 301 Crosswell Drive, Sumter (803) 775-0679
High Hills Elementary School 4971 Frierson Road, Shaw AFB (803) 499-3327
Kingsbury Elementary School 825 Kingsbury Drive, Sumter (803) 775-6244
Lemira Elementary School 952 Fulton St., Sumter (803) 775-0658
Manchester Elementary School 200 Clark St., Pinewood (803) 452-5454
Millwood Elementary School 24 Pinewood Road, Sumter (803) 775-0648
Oakland Primary School 5415 Oakland Drive, Sumter (803) 499-3366
Pocalla Springs Elementary School 2060 Bethel Church Road, Sumter (803) 481-5800
Rafting Creek Elementary School 4100 Hwy. 261 North, Rembert (803) 432-2994
R.E. Davis College Preparatory Academy
345 Eastern School Road, Sumter (803) 495-3247
Shaw Heights Elementary School 5121 Frierson Road, Shaw AFB (803) 666-2335
Wilder Elementary School
975 S. Main St., Sumter (803) 773-5723
Willow Drive Elementary School 26 Willow Drive, Sumter (803) 773-5796
Middle Schools
Alice Drive Middle School
40 Miller Road, Sumter (803) 775-0821
Bates Middle School
715 Estate St., Sumter (803) 775-0711
Chestnut Oaks Middle School
1200 Oswego Road, Sumter (803) 775-7272
Ebenezer Middle School 3440 Ebenezer Road, Sumter (803) 469-8571
Furman Middle School
3400 Bethel Church Road, Sumter (803) 481-8519
Hillcrest Middle School 4355 Peach Orchard Road, Dalzell (803) 499-3341
R.E. Davis College Preparatory Academy
345 Eastern School Road, Sumter (803) 495-3247
HIGH SCHOOLS / CAREER CENTER
Crestwood High School
2000 Oswego Road, Sumter (803) 469-6200
Lakewood High School
350 Old Manning Road, Sumter (803) 506-2700 or 803-506-2704
Sumter High School
2580 McCrays Mill Road, Sumter (803) 481-4480
Sumter Career and Technology Center 2612 McCrays Mill Road, Sumter (803) 481-8575
Alternative School
Sumter Academy for Support and Intervention
475 Crosswell Drive, Sumter (803) 774-5900
Adult Education
Sumter County Adult Education 905 N. Main St., Sumter (803) 778-6432
Charter School
Liberty STEAM Charter School Administrative Office
117 N. Main St., Sumter (803) 720-5652
PRIVATE AND INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS
Ragin Preparatory Christian Academy 68 Market St., Sumter (803) 774-5549 or (803) 469-6058
Sumter Christian School
420 S. Pike West, Sumter (803) 773-1902
Thomas Sumter Academy 5265 Camden Hwy., Rembert (803) 499-3378
Wedgefield University for Kids 6220 Wedgefield Road, Sumter (803) 494-3887
Westside Christian Academy 554 Pinewood Road, Sumter (803) 774-4406
Wilson Hall 520 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter (803) 469-3475
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Central Carolina Technical College 506 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter (803) 778-1961
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
398 Shaw Drive #112, Shaw AFB (803) 666-7401
Morris College
100 W. College St., Sumter (803) 934-3200
Saint Leo University 2751 S. Wise Drive, Sumter (803) 469-0026
Troy University
465 Rast St., Sumter Sumter campus (803) 773-0025; Shaw campus (803) 666-3313
University of South Carolina Sumter
200 Miller Road, Sumter (803) 775-8727
Webster University
398 Shaw Drive, Shaw AFB (803) 666-2254
