Wofford Today Summer 2009 by Wofford College

Volume 42, Number 4 Spartanburg, South Carolina Summer 2009

Wofford Today

www.wofford.edu

From the Archives John Harris and the National Beta Club: Commemoration of the society’s 75th Anniversary

cross the country every year, thousands of middle school and high school students receive invitations to join an organization that has its roots at Wofford. The National Beta Club was founded by Dr. John West Harris ’16 while he was on Wofford’s English faculty. Today, that organization, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, has more than 400,000 active student members in 42 states. It still has its headquarters in Spartanburg. Born in Spartanburg, John Harris came to Wofford in 1912 from Spartanburg County’s Fairforest High School. He earned distinctions in English, Latin, Greek, history, psychology and astronomy during his senior year and was selected to be one of the senior speakers at Commencement. His address was “The Position of the Individual.” He completed enough credits to graduate with both a bachelor of arts and a master of arts degree in 1916. After graduation, Harris taught in Georgia for a year and then served in World War I. He studied law at Columbia University in New York for a year, but returned to take a position on the English faculty at Wofford in 1920. He taught at Wofford from 1920 to 1925, then was on leave for three years at the University of North Carolina, where he earned his doctorate Dr. Harris as head of the National Beta Club and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He came back to Wofford in 1928 as professor of English. In 1930, Harris, along with President Henry Nelson Snyder and Dr. David Duncan Wallace of the class of 1894, prepared and submitted a report to the Senate of Phi Beta Kappa petitioning the society to grant a chapter at Wofford. While in New York, Harris had come to believe that Wofford deserved to have a chapter of America’s most prestigious academic honor society. Just over 10 years after the report’s submission, Wofford was awarded the Beta of South Carolina chapter. While he was president of the Spartanburg Kiwanis Club in 1933, Harris pressed the club’s education committee to help motivate high school students to attend college. He believed that high schools needed student-led organizations that promoted scholarship, leadership and service. The organization he founded would combine the scholarly attributes of Phi Beta Kappa and the leadership and service philosophy of the Kiwanis Club. The first Beta Club was organized in January 1934 at Spartanburg County’s Landrum High School. Harris left the Wofford faculty in the spring of 1935, and for the next six years he worked to build the National Beta Club. In 1941, he joined the faculty of Presbyterian College as head of the department of English, though he continued to serve as executive secretary of the Beta Club, which had its headquarters in a house across the street from Wofford. When he retired from the Presbyterian faculty in 1960, he continued to lead the Beta Club. In addition to being an alumnus and professor at Wofford, Harris had other connections to the college. He was married to Mary Moss of Orangeburg, the daughter of Judge Benjamin Hart Moss, who attended Wofford in the early 1880s and was a trustee of the college for almost 40 years. Mary Moss Harris’s mother was the daughter of Congressman Samuel Dibble, Wofford’s first graduate. Teaching loads in Harris’ day were heavy, and carrying the double load of teaching and building a national academic and service organization no doubt kept him busy. “Let us lead by serving others,” the motto of the National Beta Club, was undoubtedly Harris’ own personal motto. by Dr. Phillip Stone ‘94

A scan from the 1916 Bohemian with Harris’ class photo and bio

In this issue...

Summer 2009

Commencement 2009: Graduating seniors and their families enjoyed a barbecue at the Village senior apartments during Commencement weekend. In the background, Village construction continues. (See Commencement photos on pages 12-13).

WOFFORD TODAY... New and retiring trustees; Innovative summer programs...............4 Wofford’s GOLD BLACK & GREEN...............5 DEVELOPMENT... College plans new home for music program; Arthur Vining Davis Foundations provide funding for greenhouse...............6 Helping Hannah: Why Annual Fund gifts to the college are more important than ever...............7 STUDENTS... Announcing student awards and recognitions...............8 Moreno and Wofford ONE team bring top prize to college...............9 STUDENT-ATHLETES... Bosscars bring glamour to Wofford athletics; Quick hits and Football 101.............10 FACULTY... Six retire and two honored during Commencement.............11 COMMENCEMENT 2009........ 12-13

Making Wofford Number ONE (page 9)

Volume 42, Number 4 • Summer 2009 Visit Wofford Today online at www.wofford.edu/WoffordToday

offord Today (USPS 691-140) is published four times each year by the Office of Communications and Marketing, Wofford College, 429 N. Church St., Spartanburg, SC 293033663, for alumni and friends of the college. Issued quarterly: fall, winter, spring and summer. Periodicals postage is paid at Spartanburg Main Post Office, Spartanburg, South Carolina, with an additional mailing entry at Greenville, S.C.

For and About Alumni... including births, weddings, photos, notes and profiles of Wofford alumni........ 14-23

Doyle Boggs ’70, senior editor boggsdw@wofford.edu, 864-597-4182

Class of 1959 celebrates 50th reunion by graduating again.............15

Brett Borden, Laura H. Corbin, Janella Lane, Phillip Stone ’94 and Tyson Thompson, contributors Brent Williamson, sports Photography by Mark Olencki ’75 Printed by Martin Printing Company Inc., Easley, SC

Anderson speaks to Southern Guards.............16 Wilson receives SCICU Teaching Award.............17 Hiott shares love of experimental photography.............18 Wofford Bookshelf.............19 Black & Gold Gatherings.............20

Student-athletes treated to a different kind of awards banquet (page 10)

Wofford Today

Johnson reigns in beach tennis court.............22

Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89 and Pat Smith, associate editors

Mailing address changes to: Alumni Office, Wofford College 429 N. Church St. Spartanburg, SC 29303-3663 e-mail alumni@wofford.edu call 864-597-4200; fax 864-597-4219 It is the policy of Wofford College to provide equal opportunities and reasonable accommodation to all persons regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.

Wofford College is committed to quintessential undergraduate education within the context of values-based inquiry. As a learning community, we are united by the unfettered pursuit of knowledge and the creative search for truth.

Summer 2009 • Wofford Today • 3

Wofford Today

for the most up-to-date news, check the Wofford Web site at www.wofford.edu one manuscript evaluation with the program’s assistant director, Jeff VanderMeer, a two-time winner of the World Fantasy Award. Other teaching participants are offord will host a variety Holly Black, co-author of the of innovative programs popular “Spiderwick Chronicles;” this summer. For more inforAnn VanderMeer, anthologist mation, visit the Web site at and fiction editor of Weird Tales www.wofford.edu. magazine; Tobias Buckell, New York Times best-selling author of ommy Woods ’00 and “Halo: The Cole Protocol;” and QS1 are bringing Black Will Hindmarch, game designer Boys of Distinction, a group and author of “Things We Think that promotes healthy behavabout Games.” ior in our community’s young black males (ages 8-17), to the new program, Connections campus for six weeks starting and Intersections in MathJune 8. They will hold sympo- ematics (July 19-Aug. 1), will siums on July 31 and Aug. 1. examine a variety of math-related Visit www.blackboysofdistinc- topics, introduced historically and tion.org for additional informa- in the context of mathematics tion. in the liberal arts. Students will

by Santiago Mariani ’08, under the direction of Dean of the Library Oakley Coburn. In August, Mariani will begin his studies at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Pennsylvania, preparing to become a Roman Catholic priest in the Diocese of Charlotte. Shelley Henry Sperka ’75 will update and maintain the tour. “The new Web pages include links by building and location, by type of work, by collection, by artist,” Coburn explains. “There are also sections on the preservation work we’ve done as well as details about other points of interest on the campus. Each time the page is opened a new selection from the collection is highlighted. Thumbnail images can be enlarged. For each artist and work there is a brief explanaexplore the math of art, music, he Summer Institute for tion.” Professional Development philosophy, logic and other fields. To see the collection, visit Rather than the traditional (July 6-Aug. 6), for college www.wofford.edu/arttour/. focus on rote learning, algebra juniors and seniors, is an intensive, five-week residential and algorithmic problem-solving in mathematics, this program will Wofford announces program designed to provide explain the harmony and beauty 2009 Community of students with a substantial set of elements of math. While of skills directly applicable in students will consider a variety of Scholars the professional workplace. The program will explore such math problems, the program will r. G.R. Davis, professor not emphasize the completion of topics as leadership developof biology, will lead 10 “problem sets.” Instead, particiment; innovation and creativWofford faculty members and pants will work with each other ity in solution development; 18 students in the college’s third and with faculty to appreciate leveraging technology; public Community of Scholars. math in a broader context. speaking and professional Funded by the Fullerton Program faculty include Drs. Foundation, the 10-week summer presentation skills; executive Matt Cathey and Joseph Spivey, writing; understanding global program fosters collegiality and both assistant professors of math- creates cross-disciplinary dialogue issues; project and time management; networking; business ematics at Wofford. among students and faculty etiquette and personal finance; conducting research in the natural and resume development and sciences, the social sciences and Enjoy virtual campus interview skills. the humanities. Scott Cochran ’88, director art tour Each undergraduate research of career services, will lead the hanks to a sophisticated new fellow pursues a research project program. section of the Wofford Web on campus and works under the site, you can experience a comsupervision of a faculty mentor hared Worlds (July 19-Aug. plete virtual tour of the college’s engaged in parallel or related 1) challenges teenagers to artistic attributes, ranging from research. create fully realized imaginary architecture to outdoor sculpture Project topics range from worlds using creative writing, to portraits and paintings. alternative medicine to music to technology, and collaborative The new feature is the result explorations of gender and race problem solving. It is open to of a year of meticulous work in children’s literature. In the fall rising eighth through semester, fellows make a rising 12th-graders. public presenShared Worlds tation of their also offers students research to the the chance to work Wofford comon fiction writing, munity. game design and To see a other creative arts. complete list of In addition projects, www. to attending wofford.edu/ overview classes community with Wofford ofscholars/. faculty members in a variety “Picnic at the of disciplines, Lake” by Endre students will Komaroni Katz, from the Teszler receive one-on-

Wofford begins innovative summer sessions

Tommy Brittain ’75 retired after serving for 12 consecutive years on the college’s Board of Trustees. His final duty as chair of the board was handing out Bibles during Commencment.

Two alumni elected to Wofford Board of Trustees Two trustees retire from board service; new officers elected

wo Wofford alumni were elected on June 2, 2009, to the college’s Board of Trustees at the Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church of South Carolina. Two other trustees retired from the body and new officers were elected during the board’s spring meeting on campus in May. Elected were D. Christian Goodall ’79, president and CEO of Continental American Insurance Co. in Columbia, S.C., and Corry W. Oakes III ’89, president and CEO of OTO Development LLC in Spartanburg. Goodall has served on Wofford’s Alumni Executive Council, the President’s Advisory Board, and the National Campaign Steering Committee. He is a board member at the Hammond School in Columbia, and he and his family have supported a number of civic and charitable organizations in the Midlands, including Providence Hospital, the South Carolina ETV Commission, Carolina First Bank, EdVenture Children’s Museum and the Salvation Army. Elizabeth Goodall ’09 is his daughter. Before starting and heading OTO Development, a hospitality management business, Oakes was president and CEO of Extended Stay America in Spartanburg and had been director of construction for Blockbuster Entertainment. Oakes and his family are active supporters of the Spartanburg Day School and other Spartanburg area civic organizations. He is currently a member of the Wofford President’s Advisory Board and the Terrier Club. At the May meeting of the board, Thomas C. Brittain ’75, chair of the board, retired after serving the maximum consecutive terms of 12 years on the board. His final act as chair was handing out Bibles to new graduates at Commencement on May 17. He is a partner in the law firm of Hearn, Brittain & Martin, P.A., in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Also leaving the board was Ann C. Johnson of Spartanburg, who served a four-year term. New officers elected at the May meeting for the 2009-10 year were Hugh C. Lane Jr., president and CEO of The Bank of South Carolina in Charleston, chair; J. Harold Chandler ’71, chief operating officer of Univers Workplace Benefits of Hammonton, N.J., vice chair; and C. Michael Smith ’75 of Greenville, S.C., president of Smith Development Co., secretary. 4 • Wofford Today • Summer 2009

Collection

Gold, Black & Green: a process, not an outcome

hat’s one of the many lessons that the Wofford community learned over the 2008-2009 academic year as the college’s Presidents Climate Commitment (PCC) task force began its on-going work. The national initiative, which now has been signed by more than 600 American college and university presidents, pledges to move toward “climate neutral” campuses as quickly as possible. Signatory institutions of higher education also accept the mission of acting as cultural leaders and responsible citizens in their communities, not only educating young men and women with technical and scientific knowledge, but also graduating enlightened leaders ready to bring about change. “Looking back over the year, we can point to some real accomplishments,” says Allyn Steele ’05. “We were successful in altering the way that Wofford sometimes has approached complex issues like those surrounding Gold, Black & Green,” he says.

“We encouraged students to seize an opportunity to get practical experience in leading and engaging the campus community, and that happened. “Also, signing the PCC committed Wofford to some ambitious first-year goals, such as developing a Green House Gas (GHG) inventory and creating mechanisms to maintain GHG reporting and monitor data (such as air and car travel) not previously reported.” As Steele’s analysis implies, Gold, Black & Green is an umbrella term for several different programs and activities related to environmental issues.

Campus Dialogue “WOCOGG” (the acronym for Wofford College Go Green) entered the campus vocabulary early in the year as a coalition of student groups approached environmental issues from a variety of perspectives.

is one of the first historic preservation projects in South Carolina renovated to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards. It will be ready for classes and other activities in the fall. Wofford is also proud of several grants that have been received to support the developing environmental studies program, including the Santee Cooper President Benjamin B. Dunlap Lecture Series on Sustainability and Energy. about the benefits of purchasing To find out more about Gold, work proceeded on the Wofford locally produced food and other Black & Green at Wofford, visit Environmental Studies Center products, reducing transportation at Glendale Shoals. The historic the special feature on the Wofford costs and stimulating the Upstate building, once a textile mill office, Web site at www.wofford.edu/gbg. economy. by Doyle Boggs ’70 Wofford faculty also joined in the national teach-in on global warming. Other panel discussions and lively public debates between faculty members dissected many of the complexities of global climate change.

“The fact the document I signed is called a Presidents Climate Commitment reminds me of Mahatma Gandhi’s wry remark: ‘There go my people. I must hurry to catch up with them… for I am their leader.’ It’s the students who are the true leaders in this Gold, Black & Green initiative. The best of the rest are wise enough to follow.”

Sustainability

Sustainability means designing a human future for a diverse Earth Day in April included planet, a safe, healthy, clean and the reaffirmation of the Presidents efficient ecosystem with more Climate Commitment. resilience and less vulnerability to The student-led Real Food system stress or collapse. While Challenge encouraged awareness causation and timing may be debatable issues, few would disagree that the Earth is approaching the point where the planet’s resources cannot indefinitely sustain the present growth rate of human consumption. Dr. Kaye Savage, the incoming director of the environmental studies program Jack Byrne of Middlebury at Wofford, is excited about the possibility of teaching about a subject that is second College was a visiting Gold, Black nature to her in a learning environment that she loves. & Green lecturer. He explained “I was an art major at Pomona College (Calif.),” says Savage, who comes to Wofford the theory behind sustainability, from Vanderbilt University. “I was interested in but he moved beyond that to science but pursued other passions. I was routed give practical lessons from his into my current scientific perspective through the experiences at one of the nation’s world of art…doing a photography internship at benchmark colleges. He also led a the Hawaiian volcano observatory. workshop for key staff. “This innovative Wofford program is Several initiatives fall under designed to help people understand such the sustainability program. For interconnections, although they will develop example, GHG emissions at a focus area in science, social science or Wofford have been compared to the humanities,” Savage says. “The intention other benchmark institutions. is that they will come back together and share a deepened perspective and breadth of The results generated by a calculaknowledge. Hopefully, our graduates will emerge tion tool, Clear Air Cool Planet, Savage ready to step into environmental stewardship and showed that while Wofford cerperhaps leadership roles in society.” tainly has work to do, the college Savage received her Ph.D. in geological and environmental sciences at starts from a promising position. Stanford University in 2001. She has taught a variety of courses related to water Given Wofford’s downtown locaresources, including hydrogeology, methods in environmental geology, and tion, a clean air campus is vitally environmental mineralogy. Her research is focused on processes controlling the important to the surrounding distribution, speciation and transport of trace elements at and near the earth’s city. surface. While she hails from the West, the South has piqued her interest in many areas. “The South has a lot of surface water issues and drought issues currently Curriculum that people are becoming more aware of,” she says. “There are also a lot of With faculty approval in energy-related issues with coal mining and that sort of thing. There are certainly place for offering a major and a many aspects of this part of the country that are unique.” by Brett Borden minor in environmental studies,

Savage coming to Wofford as director of environmental studies

(Above) John Lane ’77 (left) with visiting Gold, Black & Green lecturer Jack Byrne looking at renovation plans at the Glendale Shoals building. (Below) The President's Climate Commitment task force brought environmentally friendly cars to the campus for Earth Day.

Founding members of the PCC task force: Dr. Caleb Arrington • Lindy Bunch ’09 (co-chair) Jason Burr ’01 • Lani Foster ’93 • Sarah Hager ’11 • Bob Keasler Mark Line • John Lane ’77 • Brian Lemere • Bill Littlefield Kelly Lowry ’92 • Catherine Raymer ’11 • Dr. Doug Rayner Bob Richards • Dr. Ron Robinson ’78 Allyn Steele ’05 (co-chair) Other members of the task force are added as sub-committees are formed. Summer 2009 • Wofford Today • 5

Development Update Wofford plans new home for music program

Fund-raising efforts under way to renovate Church Street facility

offord has purchased the former Baptist Collegiate Ministry Building, adjacent to Ben Wofford Books on North Church Street, as the new home for the college’s music

Bath

Office

program. The planned $1 million renovation will, when complete, provide much-needed rehearsal, classroom and office space for Wofford’s expanding music program. Renovation will include:

Office Office

Administrator Assistant

Office

Storage #3

Corridor #3

Office

Seminar Room

Classrooms: Four soundproof classrooms will double as large rehearsal spaces. The concert band and string ensemble, along with choral groups and chamber players, will enjoy dedicated rehearsal and instruction areas.

Toilet Vest #1 Janitor Vest #2

Ramp #2 Corridor #2

Practice Practice Practice Practice Entry

Men

Women Toilet

Ramp #1

Corridor #1

Classroom

Lobby Music Storage Storage #1

Classroom

front entrance

Classroom

Music Storage

Seminar Room: Ideal for special topics or advanced coursework, this classroom space also may be used as a practice room. Practice Areas: Four practice areas will be available for small group work, such as flute choirs, string quartets, and oneon-one voice or instrument instruction. Faculty Offices: Five offices will allow the music faculty convenient access to rehearsal and classroom space, saving time and facilitating instruction and opportunities for mentoring.

Classroom Court Yard

Storage #6 Outside Storage

Kitchen

Almost 700 members of a student body of 1,450 men and women take advantage of music education and performance opportunities at Wofford. “There are lots of pre-med and pre-law majors as well as those who are planning a business career who are only interested in a college where they can continue studying music and performing with other students,” says President Benjam B. Dunlap. “We want them to consider Wofford.”

Music Building Naming Opportunities Classrooms (each).............................$200,000 Seminar Room..................................$150,000 Offices (each).......................................$50,000 Practice Areas (each)..........................$25,000 For more information on making a gift, please contact the Office of Development at 864-597-4200.

“Do we need more music at Wofford? That’s like asking whether we need more ideas.” Dr. Benjamin B. Dunlap, president of the college

Wofford greenhouse to facilitate botanical research

College honors Endowed Scholarship Donors

Wofford’s new greenhouse, built with a $200,000 grant from the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations of Jacksonville, Fla., was put to work immediately as Dr. Doug Rayner’s botany class will work on a seed bank study through August. The facility, located behind the Roger Milliken Science Center, will be used for other educational research and purposes. Mouse-ear cress, the “mouse/fruit fly of the botany world,” and other plants will be grown for use in biology experiments. The college also will use the greenhouse to develop collections of unusual plants that represent the gamut of morphologies typical in the plant world. Large collections of orchids and carnivorous plants also will be cultivated, and a variety of plants will be grown for use on campus until all of the space is committed to research. The college even will grow plants to sell to help defray costs of the greenhouse.

On April 14, major scholarship donors and scholarship recipients gathered at the Sixth Annual Scholarship Donor-Student Recognition Dinner held at Wofford in the Harley Room of the Richardson Physical Activities Building. Above, Delores and Harold Chandler ’71, who along with Ed Wile ’73 and Jimmy Gibbs, is spearheading an effort to endow the college’s athletics program, enjoyed an evening with students Mitch Allen ’11 and Robby Davis ’11. Both are members of the college’s football team and both hold scholarships established by the Chandlers.

6 • Wofford Today • Summer 2009

To see more photos from this event, log on to www.wofford.edu/gifts/photogalleries.aspx.

Helping Hannah (and every Wofford student) Annual Fund gifts bridge the gap between tuition, endowment and financial aid

eet Hannah Jarrett ’11. In many ways, she’s a typical Wofford student who fell in love with the college during her first visit and is looking forward to summer break before beginning her junior year in the fall. Her financial aid package is pretty typical too: a combination of a merit scholarship, federal and state grants, college loans and work-study. Usually that would be enough, but Jarrett, like thousands of college students across the country, fears rising tuition, decreasing merit scholarships, uncertain government grants and piling additional loans on her future so she can finish her degree. “I’ll probably be one of those people who are paying off their student loans for the rest of their lives. But I feel like my Wofford education is worth it,” says Jarrett. Over the past year, declines in endowment market value and income have required Wofford to focus on budgetary belt-tightening while protecting the faculty-student relationships and academic programs at the core of the Wofford experience. As departments begin the 2009-10 fiscal year, administrators and faculty know that they’ll again be operating within tight financial constraints. According to Wofford President Benjamin B. Dunlap, the current economic storm facing the nation increases the value of annual financial gifts to the college. “What is crucially important in such a period is that our forward momentum is sustained and that the Wofford student experience grows ever better,” he says. “Because of wise investments and prudent budgeting in the past, Wofford is in a position to accomplish precisely that. Annual Fund gifts are not being used to patch the sails on the good ship Wofford, but to keep its sleek new engine running at top efficiency.” Lisa De Freitas ’88 has been working in Annual Giving at Wofford for 20 years. This is the most challenging economic climate she’s ever faced. “The economy has affected so many of our constituents,” says De Freitas. “Recent graduates are having difficulty finding jobs, retirees are facing huge losses from investments, and so many families are dealing with the loss of income. And yet, Wofford remains a priority for thousands of alumni, parents and friends who have already given to the college this year — some for the first time. I am encouraged and humbled by their generosity. It is this broad base of support for the Unrestricted Annual Fund that will be critical to bridging the gap while the endowment recovers strength over the next couple of years.” Even though she’s a student, Jarrett’s not just along for the ride. As a member of the Wofford on Call team, Jarrett and 30 other Wofford students make telephone calls asking Wofford alumni, parents and friends to give to the college. “One of the reasons I love working for Wofford on Call is the fact that I know I’m helping contribute to lowering tuition and increasing scholarship funds,” says Jarrett. “Every time I get a pledge, I’m not only grateful on behalf of Wofford, but also personally grateful because I wouldn’t be here without the Annual Fund.”

Annual Fund Historic Growth $3,000,000

2009 Goal Current total $2,500,000

$2,000,000

$1,500,000

$1,000,000

Annual Fund growth from 1989 through 2009. The 2009 total of $2,800,000 is a goal figure. The current Annual Giving total for 2009 is $1,239,408.

Hannah Jarrett ’11 The college uses Annual Fund dollars right now to help where the college needs the funds the most. According to De Freitas, that might be faculty salaries or scholarships, but it also might be used to finish a construction project, keep the lights burning in Old Main, or purchase technology. Jarrett feels some comfort knowing she’s doing her part even if sometimes the person on the other end of the line can’t make an immediate gift because of the economy. “Thankfully, most people know that the economy affects Wofford and Wofford students. They realize that now is the most important time to donate to the college, even if it’s a seemingly meager amount. Every gift counts,” says Jarrett. “I feel that if you’re going to spend money on anything right now, it should be education. And from my experience with Wofford on Call, most Wofford people agree.”

by Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89

Great Oaks Society recognizes leadership gifts to the Unrestricted Annual Fund

elow, Dixie and Carter Thomasson ’68 enjoy conversation at the Great Oaks Society reception held at the president’s home on May 11. The Greats Oaks Society event recognizes donors who give at least $2,500 each year to the Unrestricted Annual Fund. Their gifts provide critical operating support for the college and help offset the cost of tuition for every Wofford student. Annual Fund contributions provide support for the entire educational experience at Wofford — from academic support and student services to scholarships and maintenance of the campus. To revisit the evening or learn more about the Great Oaks Society and see a current list of members, visit www.wofford.edu/gifts/ GreatOaksSociety.aspx. Summer 2009 • Wofford Today • 7

“Jessica Miller is an outstanding student and young person and has brought high honor to herself, her family, and Wofford and we congratulate her,” adds Dr. David Wood, senior vice president of academic affairs and dean of the college. “The Fulbright Committee recognized the enormous potential she possesses for providing leadership in an increasingly complex and interdependent world.” Miller, who served as editor of the Wofford Old Gold & Black during the past year, also received the Cochran Award for excellence in student publications during the college’s Honors Convocation.

Reynolds’ “Violet” wins Ben Wofford Prize

E Presidential International Scholars Regina Fuller ’11, Vanessa Lauber ’09 and Jonathan Hufford ’10 with Wofford President Benjamin B. Dunlap following the announcement of the new scholar at the college’s spring Honors Convocation.

Fuller to travel world as Presidential International Scholar

lizabeth Reynolds ’08, who now lives in Atlanta, won this year’s Benjamin Wofford Prize for her novella, “Violet.” She won it for her story about a girl who learns why her father left on the day that her mother remarries. It deals with her attempts to get to know her father and to cope with her changing relationship with her mother. Reynolds says the prize will inspire her to polish her writing talents. “I was elated when I found out I’d won,” she says. “It was definitely a surprise. I always thought it would be great to win, but I was happy just taking the novella workshop with other students who loved to write and who gave wonderful feedback. I think the prospect of winning the Ben Wofford Prize is a huge incentive to finish a longer work of fiction.”

Reynolds signs copies of “Violet” for Josh Turner ’12 and Amanda Saca ’11.

students

egina Fuller ’11 is Wofford’s 26th Presidential International Scholar. A Spanish and intercultural studies major, she will spend the 2009-10 academic year traveling to developing countries researching her independent project titled “Exploring the African Diaspora.” She called her selection “exhilarating” and “surreal.” “I just hope to share a lot of my experience, not only with the Wofford community but also with my native Spartanburg,” she says. “All around the world, we’re one humanity and our actions here can affect someone there, and vice-versa.” Fuller is no stranger to travel. So far in her Wofford career, she has studied abroad in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, where she studied Afro-Caribbean culture and the rejection of Afro identity by black Dominicans. During her sophomore Interim, Fuller volunteered in a creche in Cape Town, South Africa, while studying the present-day effects of the Trust and Reconciliation Movement. She also completed an internship in Washington, D.C.

Miller returns to Germany as Fulbright Scholar

wo 2008 Wofford alumni won Fulbright Teaching Assistantships last spring, and now a third graduate shares this distinction. From October through July, Jessica Miller ’09 will be assisting in English classes in a German school. “I’m certainly excited, and a bit surprised, to have been selected for this honor,” says Miller. “During my study abroad experience in the spring of my junior year, I developed a love of the German language and an appreciation for the culture, and I’m absolutely thrilled to have the chance to go back. With Fulbright, I will spend 10 months as a teacher’s assistant in an English class, organizing activities for the students and helping them improve their English proficiency in and out of the classroom.”

Newspaper staff earns S.C. Press Association honors

Miller with Dr. Deno Trakas, chair of the Department of English at the college

he South Carolina Press Association this spring honored three staff writers for the Old Gold & Black, Wofford’s student newspaper. Vanessa Lauber ’09 (in top left photo) won first place in the column category for a package of three entries, “Unequal Rights,” “Does carpet art count?” and “You are what you eat.” Lauber also received third-place recognition in the feature story category. Jessica Miller ’09 (left) received second place in the feature story category for “A Blackmail Note…” and also second place in the column category for her Editors Top 5 column. Tom Fenner ’10, placed third in the arts and entertainment category. Students competed against more than 400 entries from other colleges and universities across the state in the under 5,000 enrollment category. The Old Gold & Black received third place for best overall newspaper. “The Old Gold & Black staff explored relevant topics, improved the look of the paper, and practiced tight editing this year. I’m proud for them,” says advisor Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89.

by Brett Borden

8 • Wofford Today • Summer 2009

Tomas Moreno ’11 (left) speaking to the Wofford community on the importance of standing against world poverty and disease. (Right) ONE at Wofford brought the ONE bus to campus to draw further attention to the cause.

Wofford’s Moreno: ONE dedicated student Tomas Moreno ’11 remembers the first time he went out of his way to really help strangers.

“I was a member of Interact (a national service organization) in high school in California,” he says. “For our club project, we refurbished discarded playground equipment and took it to poor neighborhoods in Mexico. The children just hung back and watched us work, but when we loaded up to go home, they ran to their new playground even before the cement had time to dry. Their enormous smiles gave us all the payback we needed. Each of us realized how little it takes to make a big impact on another person’s life, if you simply take on the task one person at a time.” Moreno brought that attitude and his desire to promote action with him to Wofford. Thanks to his leadership efforts and the work of dozens of ONE volunteers, Wofford upset major state universities such as Florida and Michigan to become the 2009 ONE Campus Challenge champs. ONE is a global advocacy and campaigning organization backed by more than 2 million people from around the world dedicated to fighting extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa. “ONE was active on our high school campus in California, and I knew a lot about it even before arriving at Wofford,” says Moreno. “Dr. Ron Robinson knew this, and asked me if I would help get the program started when Wofford became a ONE campus last year. I got some additional training from OXFAM, a great international famine relief organization that has been supported by Wofford students in the past. I also became a regional worker for ONE, and I’ve been on campuses all across the two Carolinas, so I had a pretty good idea what might work at Wofford.” College coaches get noticed by building up successful programs. It always starts with a vision and the ability to rally others around that vision. Moreno had both. “ONE rated us at number 11 last year, so I didn’t see why we couldn’t be number one if enough good people made human rights their personal issue,” he says. “And four phenomenal people did become involved in leadership roles – Jessica Grantham, Sarah Moore, Christine Shelton and Chris Allen. They had great ideas and gave up some sleepless nights to bring it all together.” Moreno and Co. thought outside the box. They employed a strategy that stressed a balance of activities and focused on laying a strong foundation for ONE Campus Challenge’s future on the campus. They turned

Wofford’s relatively small student body size into an advantage and created partnerships that will keep ONE’s message alive at Wofford long after they have graduated. Facing monster campuses like the University of Michigan, with its enrollment of 41,000 students, they knew they’d never be able to compete in petition signatures. So they ran two advocacy initiatives around the Global Food Security Act and the Foreign Assistance Act. By running those two petitions, the Wofford team doubled its impact, bringing in nearly 400 signatures on each petition. ONE at Wofford also joined forces with other campus organizations, departments and official ONE partners. They worked with the biology department to run one promotion. They tied in with the sports marketing team to promote ONE at several sporting events. They collaborated with other groups and in general reached out to students of all faiths with a ONE Sabbath event demonstrating the importance of giving regardless of religious background. When it was over, Wofford won the contest and earned a free concert by the band Vampire Weekend on its campus. “Vampire Weekend was awesome,” says Moreno. “They were really good guys who seemed delighted to play in the Carolinas. It was their first concert in this part of the South.” Moreno is already in close contact with Peace Corps volunteer Alex Schaefer ’06 (aosinafrica@blogspot.com), and hopes for a similar assignment in Africa after graduation. This summer, he has been chosen as one of five ONE campus leaders to travel to Kenya on a week-long seminar. From ONE’s Web site: “The trip is meant to demonstrate to the five dedicated students how their tireless mobilization and advocacy work in the U.S. translates to real, positive change on the ground in Africa. They will take what they learn abroad and use it to motivate and mobilize their fellow students in the fight against global poverty and preventable diseases in next year’s ONE Campus Challenge.” “I have always wanted to go to Africa, and I am sure that I will experience a lot and learn a lot when I am in Kenya this summer,” says Moreno. “I hope to find the personal connection between the statistics you read and the canned stories you hear from NGOs (non-government organizations), and bring it all back home to share with other college students. I understand that the situation there is really indescribable, but I hope to try to make others understand.” by Brett Borden

Summer 2009 • Wofford Today • 9

student-athletes

Bosscars offer red carpet recognition

he Wofford Athletics Department, in conjunction with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), hosted the second annual Bosscars awards ceremony for student-athletes on April 30. The red carpet affair mimics that of ESPN’s “ESPY Awards,” in which student-athletes and coaches nominate persons for select categories. Nominees are then narrowed down to five finalists and the final winner is chosen. Pam Stone, comedian and actress from the hit television series “Coach,” emceed the event that included dinner, awards and entertainment. Mike Ayers and the Short Haired Dogs (composed of other Wofford coaches), did a karaoke version of “Come a Little Bit Closer” to go along with student-athlete filmed videos.

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS Male & Female StudentAthlete of the Year Dane Romero ’09 (football) Shanna Hughes ’10 (volleyball) Male & Female Rookie of the Year Konstantine Diamaduros ’12 (baseball) Sarah Hurt ’12 (women’s golf )

Support Staff Member of the Year Lisa Cherry (athletics marketing assistant) Tyson Thompson (athletics media relations asst.) Coach of the Year Lee Hanning (football) Funniest Moment “Bootie Shot” Haskins Howerton ’09 (men’s soccer)

Male & Female Breakout Performance Tinus van Wyk ’10 (men’s tennis) Jordon Rawl ’10 (rifle)

Most Pivotal Moment Wilson Hood ’11 vs. Furman — Men’s Soccer Michael Gilmartin ’10 vs. Furman — Baseball

William Stanley Hoole Award (highest GPA) Carolyn Rivers ’09 (basketball)

TEAM AWARDS

Comeback Player of the Year Nick Schuermann ’10 (men’s soccer) Best Motivator Marcus Jackson ’09 (men’s basketball)

Most outstanding team

Football Best team comeback

Men’s Tennis Overall Season Sportsmanship

Football

Coach Mike Ayers and the football coaching staff held its second Football 101 Clinic on May 1. Nearly 100 women spent the day learning the Xs and Os of the Wofford football program, discovering weight-training and fitness techniques, and practicing drills on the field in Gibbs Stadium.

Summer ’09 Quick Hits Men’s tennis earns ITA award

The Wofford men’s and Alabama women’s tennis teams were honored as March’s recipients of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Team Sportsmanship Award. The ITA National Team Sportsmanship Award is a monthly award that goes to one men’s and one women’s team that has exemplified outstanding sportsmanship, character and ethical conduct in the true spirit of competition and collegiate tennis. While Coach Rod Ray and the Wofford tennis program are highly respected in their region for their character and fair play, the actions provided to USC Upstate by the Wofford staff in a time of need went well beyond the call of duty. Four days prior to the USC Upstate Fall Tennis Tournament, Spartans Head Coach Alessandro De Marzo had a family emergency that required him to return to his home in Lima, Peru. De Marzo turned to Ray and his team, who took over the men’s half of the tournament with no hesitation and hosted and supervised the two-day event on Wofford’s courts.

Football coaches clinic

(Above) Junior Salters ’10 and Kate Dempsey ’09 present the award for Best Motivator during the Bosscars. (Right) At the preBosscars party, graduating studentathletes met college supporters who sponsored their first year’s membership in the Terrier Club. Shown are Matt Estep ’09 and his father talking with his sponsor Grady Stewart ’50. 10 • Wofford Today • Summer 2009

The Wofford football coaching staff hosted the fourth annual national coaching clinic in March. More than 350 high school coaches from around the nation were on the Wofford campus learning the offense and defense currently used by the Terriers. High school football coaches from 13 states and Canada, representing a total of 71 schools, took part in the clinic. “This whole clinic is not just a quick overview of what we do – we are digging deep and giving them everything that we have,” says Head Coach Mike Ayers. “The great thing is that it affords us a chance to get a lot of high school coaches on campus that normally would not see our campus.” The three-day clinic included a special teams meeting, offensive and defensive overviews and break-out

groups by position, the wingbone/gun option offense with a focus on triple option, midline option, and the playaction passing game, the 3-4 defense with emphasis on stunts and blitzes and split and post coverages. The clinic ended with the coaches watching the Terriers’ first scrimmage of spring practice in Gibbs Stadium.

NCAA announces APR results

Wofford’s athletics programs received strong scores in the latest Academic Progress Rate (APR) results released by the NCAA in May. Overall, 17 of the 18 sports offered at Wofford were above the Division I average for all institutions. Every Division I sports team calculates its APR each academic year based on the eligibility, retention and graduation of scholarship studentathletes. Teams that score below 925 on their four-year rate and have a student leave school academically ineligible can lose up to 10 percent of their scholarships through immediate penalties. All Wofford teams scored well above the 925 mark, and eight Wofford teams earned praise from the NCAA in April for their latest APR scores. Recognized were men’s tennis, women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s indoor track and men’s and women’s outdoor track. All eight of these sports posted a score of 1000. The most recent APR scores are multi-year rates based on the scores from the 2004-05, 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08 academic years.

Travel with the Terriers, Football 2009

Visit athletics.wofford.edu or call 864-597-4090 for more information about traveling with the Terriers to see the South Florida game on Sept. 5 and the Wisconsin game on Sept. 19.

by Brent Williamson

Six professors, two staff members retire

ix professors and two members of the professional staff retired at the end of the academic year. Retiring faculty are Dr. Philip N. Racine, the William R. Kenan Professor of History; Dr. Dennis M. Dooley, professor of English; Dr. Susan C. Griswold, professor of Spanish; Philip S. Keenan, associate professor of accounting; Dr. Nancy Mandlove, professor of Spanish; and Dr. Stephen C. Perry, professor of finance and accounting. Janice Poole, assistant to the president, and Joyce Blackwell, an administrative assistant for faculty, also retired. Racine recently was named the 2008-09 Faculty Member of the Year by the Wofford Campus Union. While teaching courses on the American South, the American Civil War, and the Salem Witchcraft episode, he wrote several books and contributed chapters to others, reviewed historical journals and wrote numerous articles. Racine chaired the department of history from 1990 to 2008. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College and

Retiring faculty Dr. Stephen Perry and Philip Keenan

President Benjamin B. Dunlap thanks (left to right) Dr. Susan Griswold, Dr. Nancy Mandlove and Dr. Philip Racine for their service to the college. for the Humanities Fellowship-in-Residence at New York University and was the recipient of two Fulbright-Hays Seminar awards. She is a graduate of Hanover College, received her master’s degree from Emory University, and her Ph.D. from the University of New Mexico. Perry, a graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology, began teaching at Wofford in 2003. Retired from U.S. Army, he received his master’s degree from Harvard Business School in 1968. Perry served in executive positions in a number of corporations, including as president of Toledo Scale Corp., later Mettler-Toledo. He received his Ph.D. from The George Washington University, where he also taught. Poole began working in the President’s Office in 1983, serving as assistant to then-President Joe Lesesne and President Benjamin B. Dunlap. She assisted in coordinating the three an-

nual meetings of the Board of Trustees, the faculty-staff retreats and numerous other events hosted by the president. Joyce Blackwell retired in May after serving two stints on the Wofford staff. The first began in the fall of 1967, when she was hired by the late Dean of Students Frank Logan ’41. After a time away, she returned to the college in 1977, when she worked as secretary to the campus minister, the Rev. Donald J. Welch, and then as secretary to Dr. Tom Thoroughman, who was director of the humanities program. She has also served as secretary to the foreign language department, assisted students in the career resource center, and most recently has been a secretary in the Daniel Building. She still plans to work occasionally when needed. She and her husband, Ray, live in Roebuck, S.C.

Faculty Updates

received his master’s degree and Ph.D. from Emory University. Dooley came to Wofford in 1969 after completing his graduate work at Vanderbilt University. His teaching specialties have been 19th and 20th century American literature, Southern literature and modern Irish literature. He started the Wofford Writers Series in 1982 and served as its director until 2000. He will be remembered for his pioneering Interim travel program to Ireland. Dooley served as chair of the department of English from 1993 to 2000, and was college marshal from 1984 to 2000. As a summa cum laude, Woodrow Wilson Fellow and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro in 1968, Griswold followed the completion of her bachelor’s degree with two years of study in Spain as a Fulbright Scholar. She completed her Ph.D. at Vanderbilt University. She taught and served as dean of the Spanish School at Middlebury College and Indiana University-Bloomington. Griswold came to Wofford in August 1980 as chair of the department of foreign languages. Keenan, who has been at Wofford for 28 years, is a graduate of Michigan State University and received his MBA from the University of Michigan. He spent four years as commander of a Titan II ICBM unit in the U.S. Air Force. He also taught at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. Mandlove was coordinator of the Latin American and Caribbean Studies program at Wofford. She received the Philip Covington Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Humanities and Social Sciences in 2005. She held faculty positions at Converse College and Westminster College. She received a National Endowment

by Brett Borden

Swicegood appointed Fulbright U.S. Scholar

r. Philip Swicegood, associate professor of finance, has been appointed as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar, and he will spend the spring 2010 semester at the University of Split in Split, Croatia. While there for the five-month appointment, Swicegood will be conducting joint research with his Croatian academic colleagues, teaching undergraduate and graduate finance classes, and assisting with business curriculum development. Swicegood holds a Ph.D. in finance from Florida State University, an MBA in finance from the University of Texas-Austin, and bachelor of science degrees in finance and philosophy from Liberty University. He founded and directs The Broad River Group LLC, a real estate investment firm, and has worked in the banking industry as an analyst for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and has served as a Swicegood business consultant for companies in the U.S., Russia, uring Commencement, President Benjamin B. Dunlap presented the Roger China, Vietnam, and Poland. Milliken Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Science to Dr. Stacey The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to “increase mutual Hettes, associate professor of biology (above right), and the Philip Covington understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Humanities and Social Sciences to Dr. Li Qing Kinnison, assistant professor of Chinese studies (above left). countries.” The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program sends approximately 1,100 American scholars and professionals per year to approximately 125 countries.

Faculty honored with teaching awards

by Laura H. Corbin

Summer 2009 • Wofford Today • 11

Commencement 2009:

Celebrating success, ho

(Above) Dr. G. R. Davis, professor of biology and faculty marshal, encourages new graduates as he ushers them into the world. (Right) President Benjamin B. Dunlap stands with Mary Mildred and Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award winners during Commencement. Left to right are: Joecelle Allen, Achini Bandara ’09, Matt Low ’09 and Dr. Charles P. Teague.

(Left) Lucy Quinn (director of academic advising), President Dunlap, and Gary McCraw ’77 (associate professor and director of music) distribute diplomas to the 270 new Wofford College graduates.

onoring tradition

Commencement honors graduates and community servants

offord conducted its 155th Commencement Exercises on May 17, 2009. The class of 2009 numbered 270 new graduates with bachelor’s degrees and four recipients of honorary doctoral degrees. Wofford conferred honorary degrees on U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-S.C.); Spartanburg Mayor William Barnet III; Dr. Henry W. Gibson ’60, founder of the Carolina Honduras Health Foundation and physician from Barnwell, S.C.; and Charlotte cardiac surgery pioneer and philanthropist Dr. Francis Robicsek. The college also presented its prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Awards to Matt Low ’09 and to Dr. Charles P. Teague, retiring president of Spartanburg Methodist College. Recipients of the Mary Mildred Sullivan Awards were Achini Bandara ’09 and Joecelle A. Allen, executive director of the Citizen Scholar Program in Spartanburg County. Three seniors were recognized as Honor Graduates, the graduating senior with the highest GPA; all three had perfect 4.0 GPAs. They were Mary Frances Dassel ’09, William Matthew Lane ’09, and Katherine A. King ’09. Dassel will attend law school at the University of Virginia, while King will attend law school at Wake Forest University on a full scholarship. Lane will be part of the BB&T Leadership Development Program. A student achieving a perfect 4.0 GPA in his or her Wofford College career had happened only three times in the past decade, until this year.

Barnet Joy, pride, relief, anxiety... the Class of 2009 shows a mix of emotions as they walk through the campus gates for their first time as graduates.

Clyburn

Gibson

Robicsek

Perkins-Prothro Chaplain and Professor of Religion Ron Robinson ’78 offered a baccalaureate blessing to graduates of the classes of 2009 and 1959 during Commencement weekend.

Summer 2009 • Wofford Today • 13

Keeping inTouch

About

For Alumni

1947

Our best wishes go to Dr. John W. “Bill” Blanton, who lives in Charleston, S.C. Blanton’s wife, Ann, suffers from Alzheimer’s disease and is in the Sandpiper Nursing and Rehab Center. Blanton wrote to us that he is able to spend a part of each day with her and asks that we keep them in our prayers.

Wofford Today / Wofford College / Volume 42, Number 4  /  Spartanburg, South Carolina  /  Summer 2009

1948

It was nice to hear from the Rev. Herbert “Chester” Childers is a retired banker. He C. Floyd. Floyd is a retired minister of the also helps his son, Bryan Childers ’97, an

South Carolina United Methodist Confer- attorney in Greenville, with financial and ence. He and his wife live in Spartanburg. business development activity. James and his wife, Toni, enjoy traveling and spending time in Litchfield Beach, S.C. 1950 Dr. Lloyd Hayes is a practicing managCongratulations to Bob Prevatte, who ing partner of the Lung Center located in celebrated his 84th birthday on April 18, Greer, S.C. Hayes will be assisted in the 2009. Prevatte is a decorated World War II clinic by Dr. Edward "Bert" Knight ’73. Marine and a South Carolina Hall of Fame Currently located in temporary offices, the high school football coach. He and his wife, center will move to Greer Memorial Hospital Marie, live in Gaffney, S.C. later this year. Dr. Harold Jablon and his wife, Irene, live 1952 in Columbia, S.C. Jablon works part-time Spartanburg Methodist College honored at Small Smiles Dental Clinic. The couple Dr. George Fields with the Service Award also is happy to announce that they recently of the Year during its alumni weekend in became grandparents! March 2009. Fields served as president of the college for 21 years and also taught religion 1967 for 25 years. He currently is director of the Reunion, Homecoming 2017 Military Heritage Program of the Palmetto Class Chair, Hubbard W. McDonald Jr. Conservation Foundation. Fields and his Attorney Ron Bonds and his wife, Susan, wife, Mildred, live in Spartanburg. live in Isle of Palms, S.C. Bonds is associated with Attorneys for Medical Help in 1957 Charleston, S.C. It was nice to hear from Dr. Leon E. W. A. “Billy” Hinson has been named to Thompson, who is retired and lives in the 24-member Pee Dee Land Trust board of Abbeville, S.C., with his wife, Patricia. directors. Hinson, a fifth-generation cotton Thompson wrote that he is actively involved farmer, is a member of many community in Main Street United Methodist Church organizations. He lives with his wife, Ella, and in some community activities. in Bennettsville, S.C. The Charleston School of Law announced the addition of C. Roland Jones to 1959 its board of advisors in March 2009. Jones 50th Reunion, Commencement 2009 is a partner in the Spartanburg law firm of Class Chair, William N. Bradford Jr. Marvin O’Neal, a retired chemistry Jones & Hendrix, P.A. He and his wife, teacher, lives in Bluffton, S.C., with his Charlene, live in Spartanburg. Bob Meek is administrative director for wife, Shirley. Wallace Sink and his wife, Betty, live Armstrong Law Offices, with locations in in Newport News, Va. Sink is an attorney Hickory and Raleigh, N.C. Meek lives in and commissioner of accounts for the city Hickory, N.C., with his wife, Nancy. Milton P. Moore is owner and chief of Hampton, Va. executive officer of The Employer Group Inc., a human resources and financial services 1965 company. Moore and his wife, Jean, live in Reunion, Homecoming 2015 It was nice to hear from Tommy Abbott, Columbia, S.C. Living in Houston, Texas, with his wife, living in Conway, S.C., with his wife, Jean. Frank Satterfield is associated with Denise, He wrote us that he retired in 2008 after practicing law for 24 years and being a family the commercial real estate services firm court judge for 12 years. Abbott is looking NorthMarq. Dr. Tom Tolbert and his wife, Judith forward to having time to enjoy hobbies and interests, and visiting with children Klasen Tolbert ’77, live in Fort Mill, S.C. Tom is retired and Judith is owner of Tolbert and grandchildren. Todd Heldreth and his wife, Carolyn, Accounting Services. Charlie Williams is senior vice president live in Manning, S.C. Heldreth is an adfor Wachovia bank at its location in Florministrator with Clarendon School District Two. The couple has 12 grandchildren and ence, S.C. Williams and his wife, Susan, live in Florence. one great- granddaughter.

Dan Montgomery and his wife, Kiyoko, live in Kawasaki, Japan. Montgomery taught history until his retirement in August 2008. He wrote to us that he is a big Wofford sports supporter and listens to Wofford games via the Internet.

1968

Reunion, Homecoming 2018 Class Chair, Ronald G. Bruce John Anthony and his wife, Erin, live in Liberty, S.C. Anthony is president and chief executive officer for Cornerstone National Bank in Easley, S.C. 1966 An attorney with the law firm of Fowler Reunion, Homecoming 2016 and Fowler, Art Fowler lives in Johnson City, Class Chair, J. Hayne Culler Sr. Living in Greenville, S.C., James W. Tenn., with his wife, Jenny.

14 • Wofford Today • Summer 2009

Jane and Mike Preston surrounded by their children (Beth Preston Williams ’86 and Angela Preston Gruebmeyer ’88) and grandchildren.

Preston family returns to Wofford

arly this spring, Dean of Students Roberta Bigger ’81 invited faculty, staff, students and alumni to a reception honoring Dean of Students Emeritus Mike Preston ’63. Preston served the college as dean of students during the 1970s, 80s and early 90s. Bigger inherited the Carlisle-Wallace House after the Prestons moved to Brevard, N.C., and welcomed Preston and his family back during the event to honor Preston’s new emeritus status. Preston’s legacy as dean of students includes helping aclimate the first group of women residential students and empowering students of the era to take greater leadership of the student judicial system. (Left to right) Dean of Students Roberta Hurley Bigger ’81 with Preston and his granddaughter, Grace.

(Left) Dorothy and Coke Goodwin ’59 enjoy a dance during the reunion. Goodwin, who was selected as a Time-Warner star teacher three times and has served as a principal and superintendent of schools, finds himself back in the classroom as a teacher at Camden (S.C.) High School.

(Left) Shirley and Dr. Coty Fishburne ’59 (Rock Hill, S.C.), and Joe Lewis ’59 (Florence, S.C.) and Jill Hieden. Both Fishburne and Lewis went on to the Medical College of Virginia after graduating from Wofford, and both became dentists.

Class of 1959 celebrates 50th reunion; honored by college during Commencement

(Clockwise from above seal) Public school educators, Dr. Joe Davis ’59 and Bennie Bishop ’59, walk to Commencement ceremonies. Dr. Camille Bethea ’91, faculty marshal, leads the guests of honor — the Class of 1959 — to Commencement. Classmates wear their commemorative medals at their 50th Class reunion.

Summer 2009 • Wofford Today • 15

Major General Anderson returns to campus; inspires ROTC students I

n May 1979, Rodney Anderson was one of 15 Wofford seniors who pinned on the gold bar of an Army second lieutenant during the annual Commissioning Ceremonies of the Southern Guards ROTC Battalion. This spring, 30 years later, Anderson returned to Leonard Auditorium to address the newest Army officers. This time, he wore the two silver stars of a major general. He recently had left a post as an assistant division commander in the 82nd Airborne, moving on with a promotion to the Pentagon as director of force management in the Headquarters, Department of the Army. It is a demanding and important assignment that involves managing the rotational requirements for a force that is stressed by difficult situations in both Iraq and Afghanistan. “One thing that I have learned from traveling from trouble spot to trouble spot around the world is that Americans are very blessed by every standard of measurement,” Anderson told the cadets. “But we also know that freedom and opportunities are not free. Volunteers like you who raise their hands and take the oath are paying the price. Thank you.” Anderson outlined some of the challenges that the new lieutenants will face as Army officers. “The next decades will be a time of persistent conflicts, friction and violence. To respond, the Army not only must fight when necessary, but it also must work with U.S. AID and the international community to carry out complex asMaj. Gen. Rodney Anderson ’79 with Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Joe Lesesne, signments related to interpresident emeritus of Wofford. following the annual Commissioning national stability and nation ceremonies of the Southern Guards Battalion at Wofford. building — building roads, schools and clinics, for example. “It may take a generation or more to mark such missions as accomplished, but the course we are following is the necessary and proper one. I am convinced that you are well equipped to succeed, because your college experience has combined leadership training in ROTC with a foundation in the liberal arts that helps you understand complicated situations and solve problems.” Before he spoke to the guests and attended the commissioning reception, Anderson reflected on his career in the military. Coming from the small town of Elloree, S.C., Anderson says his mother convinced him to accept a major academic scholarship and come to Wofford. “While the African-American community in Elloree was certainly supportive and nurturing to its young people, I had had few opportunities to learn much about the larger world,” he said. “Wofford bridged that gap for me. Some great teachers, such as Sgt. Maj. Kaiser Thomas and the late John Harrington, taught more than their textbooks — they spoke of making connections and relating to others. The transition from Wofford to being an Army officer was basically seamless for me.” by Doyle Boggs ’70

Jeff Hall is a field engineer for the Fortune 500 firm, Fluor Corp. Hall and his wife, Ronda, live in Dumfries, Va. Joel LeBlanc lives with his wife, Kelli, in Greenville, S.C.

1969

40th Reunion, Homecoming 2009 Class Chair, Richard L. Myers Philip Covington and his wife, Nadia, live in Berlin, Germany. Covington is a retired foreign services officer. Dr. Gene Grace is a dentist in Beaufort, S.C., where he lives with his wife, Beth. Our best wishes to Tim Remaley, who had both knees replaced within the span of a year. He wrote “Both (knees) are doing fine and I’m ready to go again.” Remaley lives in Duncan, S.C., with his wife, Monte.

1976

Reunion, Homecoming 2016 Class Chair, John W. Gandy Frank Miller and his wife, Carol, live in Savannah, Ga. Miller is a construction inspector with the City of Savannah.

1977

Reunion, Homecoming 2017 Class Chair, C. Stan Sewell Jr. Lauris Martin Eek lives in Vienna, Va. 1970 Eek is a contracting officer for the United Reunion, Homecoming 2010 States Marshals Service. Class Chair, Arthur W. Rich Donnie Hayes and his wife, Cynthia, live The Rev. Gerald “Gee” Alexander lives in in Dillon, S.C. Hayes is pursuing graduate Jacksonville, Fla., with his wife, Kimberly. studies at St. Andrews Seminary. Alexander is associate priest at All Saints Episcopal Church in Jacksonville. 1978 Reunion, Homecoming 2018 Class Chair, Richard W. Krapfel Reunion, Homecoming 2011 Living in Mobile, Ala., Joe “Buzz” Carl Class Chair, Kenneth E. Smith Jordan is an attorney with the law firm Ross The Rev. John Faris and his wife, Deb- Jordan & Gray P.C. bie, live in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Faris retired in 2008 as chief financial officer of the 1979 Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware 30th Reunion, Homecoming 2009 and is now executive director of the Long Class Chair, Wade E. Ballard Bay Symphony in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Rebecca Compton and her husband, Tom Leclair and his wife, Lucy, live in Ross, live in Beaufort, S.C. Compton is Columbia, S.C. Leclair is senior resource a librarian/media specialist for Port Royal attorney for the Children’s Law Center, Uni- Elementary School in Port Royal, S.C. versity of South Carolina School of Law. Dr. J. Marvin McBride is senior vice

1971

1973

Reunion, Homecoming 2013 Class Chair, E. George McCoin Jr. Living in Spartanburg, James Cheek is an attorney in the Public Defender’s Office. Cheek was inducted into Community Weavers in February 2009 as part of Black History Month. Community Weavers is a program that highlights the contributions of black leaders. Steve Fulmer and his wife, Debra, live in Columbia, S.C. Fulmer is associated with the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office. Dr. Edward “Bert” Knight and his wife, Ruth, live in Spartanburg. Knight is a pulmonary/critical care specialist for the Greenville Hospital System Lung Center. Their daughter, Charlotte Covington Knight, is a member of the class of 2010.

president and chief medical officer for the health care management firm Inspiris Inc. McBride lives in Raleigh, N.C., with his wife, Ann.

1980

Reunion, Homecoming 2010 Class Chair, Paul D. Kountz Jr. Burgess “Buck” Harmon and his wife, Dianne, live in Manning, S.C. Harmon is petroleum market manager for Tucker Oil Co. in Columbia, S.C. Jack Jackson is editor for No Moss KK, a Japanese-to-English translation firm specializing in financial publications. Jackson and his wife, Nancy, live in Huntersville, N.C. A financial advisor for Smith Barney, Robert Jones lives in Santa Fe, N.M., with his wife, Anne. Living in Palatka, Fla., Joe Pickens is president of St. Johns River Community 1974 College. Reunion, Homecoming 2014 Matt Rauschenbach lives in WashingClass Chair, Jerry L. Calvert ton, N.C., and is chief financial officer Vernon Hyman and his wife, Denise, for the city. live in Aiken, S.C. Hyman is associated with the Washington Division of URS, an 1982 engineering, construction and technical Reunion, Homecoming 2012 services organization. Class Chair, J. Madison Dye Jr. The Rev. Dr. Robert Winburn was Leah DesChamps Leonhardt, a thirdguest minister at Ehrhardt Baptist Church grade teacher at Buffalo Elementary School in Bamberg, S.C., for the church’s 100th in Union, S.C., was named the school’s anniversary celebration. Winburn is pas- Teacher of the Year for 2008-09. Leah’s tor of Spring Valley Baptist Church in husband, Kenneth Leonhardt, is a supervisor Columbia, S.C. He and his wife, Linda, for BMW of North America. The couple live in Elgin, S.C. lives in Union, S.C.

1975

Reunion, Homecoming 2015 Class Chair, John O. Moore

The Honorable Richard B. Abernethy

16 • Wofford Today • Summer 2009

In April 2009 The Gibbes Museum of Art in Charleston, S.C., announced that Janet Wells Scarborough has been hired as director of finance and administration. She will provide operational guidance as well as financial forecasting and management. Scarborough and her husband, George, live in Charleston.

lives in Gastonia, N.C. Abernethy is a district court judge. The Rev. Dr. Paul Greeley and his wife, Sharon, live in Mount Pleasant, S.C. John Riddick is senior vice president of Tidelands Bank in Bluffton, S.C. Riddick and his wife, Debra, live in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

1983

Reunion, Homecoming 2013 Class Chair, W. Scott Gantt Russell Cook is president of the business consulting firm 4e Ventures LLC. Cook and his wife, Gloria, live in Chapin, S.C. Beverly Jones lives in Spartanburg. Jones is senior assistant public defender of the Seventh Judicial Circuit for Spartanburg County.

Dr. Karl Kelley and his wife, Dr. Robin Kelley, live in Springfield, Tenn. Kelley, a physician with Family Practice Medicine, recently became a governor of the American Academy of Disaster Medicine. The academy was founded in 2004 to promote the science and art of disaster health care.

1984

Reunion, Homecoming 2014 Class Chair, Kenneth M. Kirkpatrick Jake Jennings and his wife, Ellen, live in Columbia, S.C. Jennings is director of risk control for Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services and is serving a threeyear term as a board member for the South Carolina Occupational Safety Council. Glen Padgett was named head football coach at Concord High School on March 30, 2009. He had been a teacher and head football coach since 2002 at North Mecklenburg High School. Padgett and his wife, Julia, live in Concord, N.C. Jay Peay, the 2009 Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Chairman, was profiled in The Clinton Chronicle on April 15. Peay, is partner in the accounting firm of SwaimBrown and serves as director of its Clinton office. He and his wife, Donna, live in Clinton, S.C. Living in Benson, N.C., Greg Spigner is a certified lighting consultant for the American Lighting Association. Timothy Wade is a self-employed sales agent for State Farm Insurance. He lives in Union, S.C. J. Calhoun Watson, a partner in the Columbia, S.C., law firm of Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffitte, was installed as a member of the South Carolina Bar Board of Governors on May 14, 2009. The South Carolina Bar is dedicated to advancing justice, professionalism and understanding of the law. Watson lives with his family in Columbia, S.C. Wade Wessler is a sales engineer for the electronics firm ifm Efector Inc. Wessler and his wife, Sibyl, live in Charlotte, N.C., with their four children.

1985

Reunion, Homecoming 2015 Class Chair, Timothy E. Madden Earl Chatto is senior vice president of business banking at Community One Bank in Hickory, N.C. Chatto and his wife, Sheila, live in Hickory with their children, Christopher and Melissa. Collins & Lacy P.C. announced in March 2009 that Gray Culbreath has been chosen to receive the Gold Compleat Lawyer Award from the University of South Carolina School of Law. The award recognizes outstanding civic and professional accomplishments for alumni. Culbreath, his wife, Virginia, and their children live in Columbia, S.C. Tim Hampton and his wife, Patty, live in Roswell, Ga. Hampton is an environmental scientist for Integrated Laboratory Systems. The couple has twins, Miles and Francis (9). Heidi Faber Kerns is assistant controller with the National Educational Telecommunications Association in Columbia, S.C. She also has been elected president of the Carolinas Council of the Institute of Management Accountants for 2009-2010. Kerns and her daughter, Allison, live in Cherokee Springs, S.C.

1986

Reunion, Homecoming 2016 Class Chair, Brand R. Stille Michael Richard Bell and his wife, Mary Morton Bell ’92, live in Columbia, S.C. Michael is president of Rossini USA and Mary is district human resource leader of the Carolinas for Trane Commercial Systems. The couple has a son, Peyton (8).

David Hulse is senior vice president of Southeast Middle Market Banking for Bank of America. Hulse, his wife, Jean, and son, Matthew (10), live in Tallahassee, Fla.

1987

Reunion, Homecoming 2017 Brian Adams, a partner in the law firm of Van Hoy, Reutlinger, Adams & Dunn, has been listed in Business North Carolina magazine’s 2009 Legal Elite in the area of employment law. Adams lives in Charlotte, N.C., with his wife, Meg, and sons, Charles (10) and George (12). The Rev. David Brannock has been appointed to Trinity United Methodist Church in Greenville, Tenn. Serving in the Holston Conference, Brannock and his wife, Mary Ethel, enjoy keeping up with Wofford news. The couple has a daughter, Molly Kate (15). Living in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., Sherrie Watson Rogers is a sales agent for Premier Resorts at Barefoot Resort in Myrtle Beach. Rogers and her husband, Danny, have a daughter, Rachel (3).

1988

Reunion, Homecoming 2018 Class Chair, C. Lane Glaze Living in Greenville, S.C., William Stevens Brown is a partner/attorney with the law firm of Nelson, Mullins, Riley & Scarborough. Brown and his wife, Lauren, have four children. Angela McElveen Floyd was profiled as part of Women’s History Month by the Lake City News & Post. Floyd has worked as a pharmacist for CVS Pharmacy in Lake City, S.C., since 1993. She and her husband, Woody, live in Olanta, S.C. The couple has three children. Dr. David Fitzpatrick and his wife, Kelly, live in Goose Creek, S.C. Fitzpatrick is a physician at St. George Family Practice. The couple has four children. David Luke and his wife, Leslie, live in Greer, S.C. Luke is managing director for the investment firm of Morgan Keegan at its Greenville location. The couple has two children, Matt (12) and David (14).

1989

20th Class Reunion, Homecoming 2009 Class Chair, Michael R. Sullivan Nelson Huggins and his wife, Celeste LeGette Huggins ’91, live in Charleston, S.C. Nelson owns the plumbing company Rooter Man and was featured in the April issue of Cleaner, a national magazine for residential, municipal and industrial cleaning contractors. Celeste is an account technician with the Charleston City Treasurer’s Office. The couple has three children.

1990

Reunion, Homecoming 2010 Class Chair, Scott W. Cashion Sonya Covil Robinson and her husband, Lt. Col. Scott Robinson ’92, live in Jacksonville, Ark. Scott received his promotion to lieutenant colonel in the United States Air Force on Jan. 1, 2009. Sonya and Scott have four children, Toby, Shelby, Nick and Jacob.

1992

Reunion, Homecoming 2012 Class Chair, Nicholle Palmieri Chunn Scott Richter is a structured risk associate with General Electric Capital Corp. He and his wife, Karen, live in Phoenix, Ariz., with their two children. Jay Traywick and his wife, Marianne Marye Traywick, live in Birmingham, Ala. Jay works in transport operations for Norfolk Southern Railway and Marianne is a stay-athome mom. The couple has four sons.

West brings global perspective to Wofford

ebecca West ’86, president of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), an international organization of water quality professionals headquartered in Alexandria, Va., spoke at Wofford on April 23 to Dr. Caroline Cunningham’s global seminar. West brought with her news from the World Water Forum in Istanbul, a conference that she helped organize. Director of technical services for Spartanburg Water, West is responsible for a division of 11 reclaimed water facilities and three drinking water facilities as well as their associated collection and distribution systems, biosolids and residuals management, and three drinking water reservoirs. A WEF member since 1990, she has served on the Biosolids and Residuals Management Committee, International Coordinating Committee, Government Affairs Committee, and as chair of the Public Communications and Outreach Committee. In addition, West helped develop a biosolids training school in South Carolina and established a state certification program for biosolids and water residual management operators. She is the recipient of WEF’s prestigious Arthur Sidney Bedell Award and WEASC’s Select Society of Sanitary Sludge Shovelers.

Wilson receives SCICU Excellence in Teaching Award

r. Carol Wilson ’81, professor of English, received an Excellence in Teaching award presented by South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Inc. this spring. Wilson earned her master’s degree and the Ph.D. in English literature from the University of South Carolina. She returned to teach at Wofford in 1984. Each of the 20 member institutions of the SCICU consortium selects one faculty member each year to receive the award, which includes a professional development stipend for the professor. Each recipient is chosen by his or her institution according to rigorous criteria. The most important characteristic of the nominees is their demonstration of the highest standards in teaching methods that encourage students to strive for excellence in their studies and pursuits. Wilson credits both her colleagues at Wofford and her students with honing her teaching skills. “I work with extraordinary teachers who have been models to me,” says Wilson. “I work with colleagues whom I can trust. They want me to do well.” She also says that students encourage her and share their insights. All work to improve her classes. SCICU was established in 1953 with the primary mission of promoting independent higher education in South Carolina. SCICU seeks to advance independent higher education through fundraising, scholarships, research, and by facilitating collaborative activities among the 20 member institutions, which educate nearly 33,000 students each year. For additional information about SCICU, visit www.scicu.org. Summer 2009 • Wofford Today • 17

Hiott goes back in time to produce experimental photography

1993

ack hunched, head tucked beneath the eggs that he uses to make the coating for his opaque cloth shielding his camera and albumen photographic paper. He actually wet plate glass negative… no, it’s not gets around in a horse-drawn wagon.” Mathew Brady photographing the Battle of From sun up to sun down each day, Gettysburg almost 150 years ago. Instead, lugCoffer taught Hiott the chemistry of the ging equipment around the countryside and process. Now comfortable capturing wet using early photographic techniques to capture plate images for art shows and sale, Hiott modern images is Wofford’s Bryan Hiott ’88. finds himself among the less than 1 percent During the past year, Hiott, a digital and of photographers who use the wet plate colfilm photographer and photography teacher at lodion method. According to Hiott, most are the Parson’s School of Design in New York, has fine art photographers, academics or Civil joined the handful of people around the country War reenactors. producing wet plate collodion photography. After Hiott sets up his dark box (big Not exactly a technique being taught in colenough to hold the top half of his body), leges and universities across the country, Hiott and camera, shooting each image takes about had to seek “alternative” places (and people) to five minutes. He also can work in the studio Bryan Hiott learn this both old-fashioned and experimental with compact UV lights to simulate direct type of photography. sunlight. For example, a year ago Hiott spent a week “This type of photography is definitely camping out on the farm of John Coffer in upstate New York. not what I would call commercial work, but it does sell,” says Hiott. “Coffer is a sort of modern pioneer,” says Hiott. “He lives on a farm “It sells because it’s one of a kind and because it looks completely in a log cabin completely off the grid. He raises hens that produce the different from anything else.” Digital has overtaken so much of photography that even traditional black and white or color darkroom photography is considered Hiott’s reproduction 19th alternative. century E. & H. T. Anthony “I have a foot in both worlds, and it’s interesting how the evolution tailboard camera (darker on the of digital photography is really creating problems for us,” says Hiott. left). The lens on the camera is “The means of capturing and archiving digital photography that we a brass barrel Dallmeyer Rapid use today may be obsolete in 10 to 20 years. Digital images have to be Rectilinear patented in 1867. migrated, moved, just to be assured that they can be preserved.” In contrast, according to Hiott, the relatively primitive technology for wet plate photography has not changed since 1851, but the To see Hiott’s glass plate or tintype images are still around, and they’ll easily be around another 150 to photography, visit www.bryanbiott.com. 200 years. “Digital photography is convenient and fast, and I love the ease,” He’s also on Facebook. says Hiott. “It has made photography really accessible. Wet plate To learn more about the wet plate collodion process, photography requires that the photographer slow down and be more try Youtube: deliberate. It’s hands-on and producing each plate pulls in history, chemistry and photography. I love the process and look of this type http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/WPC/wpc.html of image.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyf8fQOdvDs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd57u_M04PY

Hiott’s portable darkbox (pegged pine wood box with an English chestnut stain)

by Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89

(Left) portrait of John Coffer (1/4 plate ambrotype, glass positive, 3.25” x 4.25”)

Reunion, Homecoming 2013 Class Chair, Sarah Copeland Sawicki Elise Rogers Collins and her husband, Dr. Christopher Collins, live in Greenwood, S.C. Elise is a part-time teacher for Greenwood School District 50 and a stay-at-home mom for their children Dawsey, Emma and Lily. Christopher has a dental practice in Greenwood. Living in Anderson, S.C., Jay Harris is director of operations of computing and information technology at Clemson University. It was nice to hear from Jennifer Higdon Lucas who lives in Mackenheim, Switzerland, with her husband, Jean-Baptiste. The couple has kept their home in Alsace, France, and they return for visits with their three children during school holidays. Cyndy Smith Turnipseed and her husband, Jeff, live in Columbia, S.C. Turnipseed is assistant to the director of the South Carolina Council for Economic Development, a division of the South Carolina Department of Commerce. The couple has two children, Madeline and Sam. Ben Waldrop and his wife, Aimee, live in Greenville, S.C. Waldrop is coowner of Century Printing & Packaging Inc., and is responsible for sales and administration. The couple has two children, Abbey (5) and Ian (7).

1994

Reunion, Homecoming 2014 Class Chair, Alicia N. Truesdail Greg Downs is a financial services representative for MetLife. Downs and his wife, Randa, live in Columbia, S.C. The couple has two children, Alexander and Aeryn. Living in Alexandria, Va., James Jones is homeland security deputy chief for the United States Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Anna Palmer is a psychological examiner for Greene Valley Developmental Center in Greenville, Tenn. Palmer and her husband, Tony Davis, have a daughter, Cassey Davis (12). The family lives in Erwin, Tenn. Living in Spartanburg, S.C., Lisa McTeer Vandys is branch vice president of Carolina Foothills Federal Credit Union.

1995

(Above) metronome at adagio (1/4 plate alumitype, 3.25” x 4.25”) exposure time: 1 min. 45 sec. under compact UV light bulbs (Left) tractor (1/4 plate alumitype, 3.25” x 4.25”)

18 • Wofford Today • Summer 2009

Reunion, Homecoming 2015 Class Chair, Brandie Yancey Lorenz Heather Burow Caruso lives in Columbia, S.C., with her husband, Thomas. Caruso is an attorney with the law firm of Merritt, Flebott, Wilson, Webb & Caruso PLLC. Huntersville, N.C., county commissioner Charles Jeter was profiled in the April 12, 2009, edition of The Charlotte Observer. Jeter rejoined the band Green Vegas, of which he was an original member when the band first formed in 1998. He and his wife, Jennifer, live in Huntersville with their three children. Bill Robinson Jr. lives in Spartanburg with his wife, Camille. The couple has two children, Ashli and Brendon. Robinson is a partner in the certified public accounting firm of Gosnell Menard & Brooks. Ann Silverberg Williamson and her husband, Tyler, live in Baton Rouge, La. Williamson is vice president of public policy and director of the Louisiana Budget Project with the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations. The couple has three children.

New releases The Wofford bookshelf Thy wonders displayed • Africa University

Ab Abercrombie, G.R. Davis, Terry Ferguson ’75 and Chris Hope. “Thy Wonders Displayed Africa University.” Africa University Press, 2009.

“Thy Wonders Displayed Africa University” describes the geological, biological and human landscapes of a church-related university that spans 1,500 acres in eastern Zimbabwe. In this unique campus viewbook, readers will find almost 200 color photographs of mountains, croplands, wildlife, sunrises, plants and people. Discover also how four American scientists would confront — in small but potentially significant ways — the winds of change that are blowing across southern Africa. From the foreword by Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey: “I thought I knew the University, and in a way I did — its main campus, dormitory and classroom and activity buildings, library, administrative offices, and the chapel. This book, however, introduced me to a much larger understanding of the campus — its geological landscape, its wildlife, and its farm... The lovingly crafted text is complemented by a striking collection of photographs that bring the campus alive with their witness to the goodness, wonder, and beauty of the place.” Copies of the hardcover book will be available for purchase in

1996

Reunion, Homecoming 2016 Class Chair, Curt L. Nichols Jr. Mark B. Alexander and his wife, Taunya, live in Centerville, Ga. The couple recently traveled to Fiji, Australia and New Zealand. Alexander is chief financial officer for Innovative Therapy Concepts in Danville, Ga. Living in Missouri City, Texas, Clary Groen is vice president of real estate for Francesca’s Collections Inc. Groen and his wife, Amy, have three children. Living in York Haven, Pa., Megan Huff is an associate with the law firm of Nestico, Druby and Hildebrand. Julie Sharpton Price and her husband, Brian, live in Greenville, S.C. Price is an attorney with the Tollison Law Firm. Marcus Veazey lives in Atlanta, Ga., with his wife, Emily. Veazey is vice president of Dutko Worldwide, a government affairs strategy and management firm. The couple has a daughter, Marjorie (1).

1997

Reunion, Homecoming 2017 Class Chair, Beth Mangham Guerrero Robert Martin and his wife, Stephanie Hyman Martin, live in Greenville, S.C. Robert is vice president of investments real estate for TIC Properties and Stephanie is

by Doyle Boggs ’70 Commission. He will leave that post at the end of his term on JuneThy30. He plans to join the govwonders displayed ernment relations firm of Alcalde Africa University & Fay in Arlington, Va.

American Broadcasters in Service to the Third Reich” (1991); and “Airmen without Portfolio: U.S. Mercenaries in Civil War Spain” (1997).

John Carver Edwards ’64. “Orville’s Aviators: Outstanding Alumni of the Wright Flying School, 19101916.” McFarland & Co., Inc., 2009.

Thomas Moore Craig. “Upcountry South Carolina Goes to War.” University of South Carolina Press, 2009.

$20.00

Thy wonders displayed • Africa University describes the geological, biological, and human landscapes of a church-related university that spans 1500 acres in eastern Zimbabwe. In this unique campus viewbook you will find almost 200 color photographs of mountains, croplands, wildlife, sunrises, plants, and people. Also, you will discover how four American scientists would confront — in small but potentially significant ways — the winds of change that are blowing across southern Africa. From the Foreword by Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey: “I thought I knew the University, and in a way I did — its main campus, dormitory and classroom and activity buildings, library, administrative offices, and the chapel. This book, however, introduced me to a much larger understanding of the campus — its geological landscape, its wildlife, and its farm... The lovingly crafted text is complemented by a striking collection of photographs that bring the campus alive with their witness to the goodness, wonder, and beauty of the place.”

A retired history teacher and school administrator, a former Dr. John Carver Edwards ’64, legislator, an active community volunteer in Spartanburg County, Thy wonders displayed who served as the university archivist at the University of Geor- and a good friend of Wofford gia before his retirement in 2000, College, Tom Moore Craig has follows the lives of six of the 113 collected and edited a valuable set of letters exchanged by members July in the Wofford bookstore or and is available at Amazon.com, graduates of a of the Anderson by contacting the Africa Univer- and at several other sites on the flying school in and Moore famisity Development Office in Nash- Internet. Dayton, Ohio, lies from 1835 ville, Tenn. at 615-340-7439. Creel divides his time between opened by the to 1860. The inWashington, D.C., and Double Wright Brothformation in this Hal J. Creel Jr. ’79. “Do Old Dog Farm in the Blue Ridge ers in the early book is not only Mountains. Although the book days of aviation Dogs Dream?” Thornton interesting from is about a special senior dog, the as they were River Press, 2008. the perspective late Chester, Creel now shares his building a multiA tender and humorous mustof Spartanburg mountain home with two yellow faced business have book for the dog lover, “Do history, but also labs, Hank and Rufus, as well as based on the Old Dogs Dream?” is a colleccontributes to goats, turkeys, ducks and chicktechniques used tion of poems, photographs and the larger story of ens. The author is donating all to build and fly illustrations about the canine Southern families profits from the sale of this book their successful geriatric set. The both in Civil War to the rescue and aircraft at Kitty book has been combat and on care of old dogs. Hawk, N.C., in endorsed by the the home front. In his profes1903. Humane Society of Some of this context is provided sional life, Creel is A skilled practitioner of the United States by an introduction by Dr. Melissa an attorney. Since the art of collective biography, (HSUS) and the Williams, George Dean Johnson 1994, he has served Edwards has written three previAmerican Society Jr. Professor of History at Conthree terms as com- ous books: “Patriots in Pinstripe: for the Prevenverse College. missioners of the Men of the National Security tion of Cruelty to Federal Maritime League” (1981); “Berlin Calling: Animals (ASPCA)

Africa University

5/12/09 1:10:52 PM

Gordon Farley and his wife, Diane a mathematics teacher at Wade Hampton High School. The couple has two children, Slider Farley ’05, live in Columbia, S.C. Gordon is a teacher of Spanish at Dutch Louise (3) and Bo (5). Fork Elementary School in Irmo, S.C., and Diane is an accountant for the Mental Illness 1998 Recovery Center in Columbia. Reunion, Homecoming 2018 Jennifer Jones Hallenbeck and her Class Chair, Casey B. Moore Brad Hallenbeck ’02, live in Sparhusband, Govan T. “Van” Myers III was named a partner at Blackwell, Trimnal Myers law firm tanburg, S.C. Jennifer is a special education in January 2009. He also is a board member teacher for Spartanburg School District Two, of the Lancaster County Community Foun- and Brad works in the construction industry. dation. Myers lives in Fort Mill, S.C., with The couple has a daughter, Ellie. Living on Johns Island, S. C., Meredith his wife, Cecilia, and son, Christian. Knox is a pharmacist at the Medical UniLiving in Bel Air, Md., Alison Speight is project coordinator for the H.O.P.E. versity of South Carolina. Brian Nash and his wife, Jaime, live in program. In this position Speight will be creating a jail diversion program for dual Inman, S.C. Nash is director of business diagnosed individuals to reduce recidivism development for Spartanburg’s Economic among inmates currently within the jail Futures Group that is affiliated with the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce. system. Amy Hooper White and her husband, Marshall, live in Dallas, Texas. White is an 1999 account supervisor for the marketing firm 10th Reunion, Homecoming 2009 of GMR Marketing LLC. Class Chair, Zack O. Atkinson Scott Yaniszewski and his wife, Dr. Living in Albuquerque, N.M., Charles Valerie Opala Yaniszewski, live in Fort Clementson is assistant vice president and Mill, S.C. Scott is principal owner of trust officer for Bank of the West. His Trade Street Consulting LLC, a staffing wife, Dr. Blair Wetmore Clementson, is and consulting firm. Valerie is a dentist in a resident physician at the University of Lancaster, S.C. The couple has two sons, New Mexico. Austin and Tucker.

2000

Reunion, Homecoming 2010 Class Chair, Anthony D. Hoefer Jr. Meg Audette-Nikolic and her husband Ivan, have relocated to Washington, D.C., after 2.5 years in Sierra Leone, West Africa. Meg will continue working with World Visiion, now in the child development and protection division, and Ivan will begini working on an LLM degree at American University in the fall. Emily Pittman Reed lives in Los Angeles, Calif., and is business development and marketing manager for Pacific Hardwood. She is married to Sam Reed ’02. Kelly Hutchison Woodruff and her husband, Luke Woodruff ’01, live in Anderson, S.C. Luke is branch manager of Carolina First Bank in Anderson and Kelly is director of children’s ministries for Clemson United Methodist Church. The couple has one son, Owen. Joe Werner and his wife, Jessie, live in Pegram, Tenn. Werner is assistant attorney general in the antitrust division for the State of Tennessee.

katsu Buckner, live in Greenville, S.C., with their children, Noah and Abigail. Adam is a territory specialty representative with Pfizer Inc., and Kellie is a therapist at Sherbondy Psychiatric Services. Jil Littlejohn lives in Greenville, S.C. Littlejohn became executive director of the YWCA of Greenville in March 2009. Living in Spartanburg, Andrew Molinaro is an IT technician for Limestone College and a member of the Spartanburg Young Professionals. Kathryn Ritter is an attorney with Woods, Fuller, Shultz & Smith. Ritter specializes in business organizations and transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and intellectual property. Ritter lives in Sioux Falls, S.C. Living in Greenwood, S.C., the Rev. Mark Wesley Rogers-Berry is resident chaplain at Self Regional Healthcare. Mackie Walker lives in Arden, N.C. He is a sales representative for Eli Lilly & Co.

2002

Reunion, Homecoming 2012 Class Chair, L. Yorke Gerrald Brooke Joye Anthony lives in Mount 2001 Pleasant, S.C., with her husband, Will. Reunion, Homecoming 2011 Anthony is a physician’s assistant with Class Chair, Jenna Sheheen Bridgers Adam Buckner and his wife, Kellie Na- Palmetto Primary Care Physicians.

Summer 2009 • Wofford Today • 19

Upcoming Events Check alumni.wofford.edu for the most current alumni dates and registration information. July 12..........................New England Area Alumni Pre-game event, Boston Red Sox Aug. 27............................ Pickin’ & Shuckin’ Spartanburg gathering, Wofford Campus Sept. 4.............................................Wofford Gathering, Tampa, Fla. Sept. 5............... Wofford vs. South Florida Pre-game event, Tampa Sept. 19............... Wofford vs. Wisconsin Pre-game event, Madison Oct. 2-4............................Homecoming Weekend, Wofford Campus Oct. 30-Nov. 1............................ Family Weekend, Wofford Campus Nov. 7.......... Wofford vs. The Citadel Post-Game event, Charleston Nov. 21.................Wofford vs. Furman Pre-Game event, Greenville Dec. 2-5.........................................Ben Wofford Books Holiday Sale

Lindsay Webster, friend of Wofford, and her children enjoy the Easter EggStravaganza in April. Close to 1,200 people attended the event and found more than 6,000 eggs.

(Above) The Barefoot family — Walt ’88, Anja, Joshua and Lydia enjoyed Wofford Family Fun Day at Carowinds. (Right) Joey Coughenour ’88 lets his son, William, drive during Wofford Family Fun Day at Carowinds on May 9. To see more Carowinds photos, visit alumni.wofford.edu.

(Above and right) Dr. Doug Rayner, professor of biology, led another successful Wofford continuing education wildflower tour this spring. 20 • Wofford Today • Summer 2009

Dr. Brad Campbell and his wife, Holly, live in Charleston, S.C. Campbell is a physician at the Medical University of South Carolina. David Partin and his wife, Gretchen, live in Camden, S.C. Partin is an insurance agent with Gibson & Associates Inc. Congratulations to Jessica Ridgill on being chosen as conference coach of the year in her first year as women’s head basketball coach at Erskine College. Ridgill lives in Anderson, S.C.

2005

2003

2006

Reunion, Homecoming 2013 Class Chair, Tracy A. Howard Ryan Allen and his wife, Buffy, live in Jackson, Wyo. Allen is an assistant golf professional at 3 Creek Ranch Golf Club. Chris Elsken and his wife, Julie, live in Augusta, Ga. Elsken works for the United States Navy. Living in Greensboro, N.C., Jordan Fleming is a project manager for CDI Builders. Amber Roby Goodpaster and her husband, Isaac Goodpaster, live in Mount Sterling, Ky. Amber is chief financial officer at Clark Regional Medical Center. The couple has two children, Kyle and Kaylee. I think he went by Isaac when he was here Living in Salisbury, N.C., Addie Laurie Setzer Reamer is a stay-at-home mom. Reamer and her husband, Richard, have a daughter, Eleanor (1).

2004

Reunion, Homecoming 2014 Class Chair, Fred A. Byers II

Katherine Haltiwanger is the council membership director for the Republican Governors Association in Washington, D.C. She lives in Arlington, Va. Elizabeth Hipp lives in Houston, Texas, and is a public relations specialist at Texas Children’s Hospital. Hipp also volunteers with Caring Critters, an organization that arranges therapy dogs to visit patients at Texas Children’s Hopsital. Living in Brunswick, Md., Patrick Kay is executive director for the Brunswick Main Street Program. As director, Kay oversees and directs all downtown efforts for revitalization in Brunswick. Living in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Jason Mengel is a financial planner with Smith Tax Advisory Group. John P. Moore is the owner of Moore Capital LLC. He lives in Inman, S.C. Living in Durham, N.C., Jason Sholtz is the owner of two restaurants, the James Joyce Irish Pub and Alivias Durham Bistro. Both establishments are located on Main Street in Durham.

Reunion, Homecoming 2015 Class Chair, Ryan M. Waller Chris Findley lives in Houston, Texas. Findley graduated from Rice University in April 2009 with a master’s degree in business administration. Claude T. Prevost has joined the law firm of Collins & Lacy P.C. as an associate attorney. He will focus in the area of commercial litigation, constructions, and premises liability. Prevost lives in Columbia, S.C.

Reunion, Homecoming 2016 Class Chair, Hadley E. Green Alex Schaefer joined the Peace Corps in 2008 and is living in Mbumbuni, a small town outside of Nairobi, Kenya. The Wofford community is invited to read about Alex’s experiences through his blog at http://aosinafrica. blogspot.com.

2007

Reunion, Homecoming 2017 Class Chair, Hunter L. Miller Living in Greenville, S.C., Jeni Kleckley is a manager/buyer for the women’s clothing store Monkee’s of the Westend. The National Bank of South Carolina (NBSC) announced in March 2009 the promotion of Jeffrey P. Muthig to administrative officer. Muthig lives in Columbia, S.C.

2008

Reunion, Homecoming 2018 Class Chair, Nathan Madigan Crystal Burnette lives in Durham, N.C., where she is a research assistant at Duke University Medical Center. Living in Charleston, S.C., Sarah Hite is a teller with the South Carolina Federal Credit Union. Kelsi Koenig was named girls basketball coach for Chapman High School in April 2009. A first-year assistant coach during the 2008-09 season, she ran practices and coached two games in the absence of the head coach. Koenig lives in Spartanburg. Living in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Elizabeth “Mackie” Steadman is a research coordinator for the Medical University of South Carolina. Valerie Tyndall lives in Charleston, S.C., where she has been accepted into the graduate program at the University of South Carolina for the fall 2009 semester. She will be enrolled in the master’s of social work program. Living in Smyrna, S.C., Porter Whitesides is member services representative for York Electric Cooperative.

NOTICE TO RECENT GRADUATES: Graduating seniors have a lot of things to think about, and chances are that health insurance isn't on the top of the list. You may find yourself with a need for temporary health insurance coverage. The Wofford College Parents Advisory Council sponsors GradMed Short Term Medical to help you fill your coverage gap and help protect you and your bank account from large expenses due to an accident or unexpected illness. Coverage can start the day after receipt of your application. To get more information, call the plan administrator at 1-800-922-1245. GradMed is not available in all states. Some provisions, benefits, exclusions or limitations may vary depending on your state of residence. Depending on state, coverage is underwritten and issued by Fidelity Security Life Insurance Company or Time Insurance Company.

Wofford Weddings 1968

2002

Ronald G. Howard married Susan Whitehurst. The couple lives in Brevard, N.C. He is retired from Milliken & Co., and together they have nine grandchildren.

Janie Catherine Bruce married Robert Benjamin Moody, May 9, 2009. The couple resides in Columbia, S.C. She is a 2nd year internal medicine resident at Palmetto Health Richland. He is associated with State Farm Insurance.

1980 William Burr Weatherly married Sidney Elizabeth Quarles, March 14, 2009. The couple lives in Birmingham, Ala. He is associated with AmSouth Bank in Birmingham.

1994 Dr. James Frederick Huiet III married Nancy Hansford Brown, Jan. 10, 2009. The couple lives in Charleston, S.C. He is an internist at the V.A. Medical Center. She is associated with Christian World Adoption.

1997 Bryan Hunter Gibson married Amy Katherine Pendergrass, April 18, 2009. They reside in Greenville, S.C. He is associated with Easlan Capital, and she is associated with Michelin Americas Co.

1998 Takuya Honda married Maiko, Dec. 11, 2008. The couple lives in Nagoya-City, Japan. He is the general manager of Eve Co. LTD in Nagoya.

1999 John Warren Floyd married Nealie Littlejohn, Feb. 7, 2009. The couple lives in Spartanburg.

2001 Brantley Evans McConkey married Sarah Read Burbank ’04, March 28, 2009. The couple lives in Charlotte, N.C. She is associated with JCBUrban Co., and he is associated with SaussyBurbank.

David Andrew Partin married Gretchen Meade Botts, March 21, 2009. They reside in Camden, S.C. He is a group and individual health insurance agent for Gibson Associates, and she is an insurance agent with AAA Carolinas.

2003 Jenkins Burckhardt Meyer married Jessica Christine Johnson ’04, Feb. 28, 2009. The couple lives in Charlotte, N.C. She is a commercial real estate lender with Wells Fargo Bank. He is a community banker with Regions Bank.

2004 Frances Reaves Clark married Robert Neal Pinson, April 4, 2009. They reside in Greenwood, S.C. She is a sales representative with Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, and he is a sales representative with Poly Pharmaceuticals. Kathryn Fae Dail married Stephen Kyle Agee, May 16, 2009. The couple lives in Rock Hill, S.C. She received her Doctorate of Pharmacy from the University of South Carolina and is associated with WalMart Pharmacy. He is an associate of the law firm of James C. Hardin III PLLC in Rock Hill. Hugh Hammond DuBose III married Erin Michele Hoke, Feb. 28, 2009. They live in Destin, Fla. They are both graduates of the University of South Carolina School of Law. He is a first lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps. Melissa Danielle Foster married Kirkland Buist Stiling, Aug. 23, 2008. The couple lives in Hanahan, S.C. She is an optometrist.

Bryan Patrick Kelley married Sarah Elizabeth Scott, May 2, 2009. They reside in Spartanburg. He is associated with the Seventh Circuit Solicitor’s Office in Spartanburg. She is associated with the Atlantic Corp. in Duncan, S.C.

2005 Aja Mauren Russell married Maurice Duncan, March 7, 2009. The couple lives in Stockbridge, Ga. She received her master’s in marriage and family therapy in 2009 from Richmont Graduate University. Matthew Ryan Switzer married Lindsey Nicole Couch, March 31, 2009. They live in Roebuck, S.C. He is associated with QS/1 Data Systems, and she is associated with MedAssist Inc. at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.

2006 Patricia Jean Frantz married Simon Peter Serrano, March 14, 2009. They reside in Jacksonville, Fla. She is a neurological and orthopedic sales consultant and technician with Dynasplint Systems Inc. He attends Florida Coastal School of Law and anticipates receiving his juris doctorate degree in May 2009. Jayne Alyssa Wilmot married Jonathan Robert Koehler, March 28, 2009. The couple lives in Columbia, S.C. She is a physician assistant at Palmetto Family Medicine, and he is a healthcare consultant with Premier Inc.

2008 James Thomas Fogartie married Marie Elizabeth Harrison, Feb. 21, 2009. The couple lives in Morgantown, W. Va. He plans to attend law school at West Virginia University this fall. She is a chemist at Mylan in Morgantown.

Births 1994

1997

Kimberly Moore Martin and her husband, Bill, of Beaufort, S.C., announce the birth of William “Liam” D. Martin IV, Dec. 20, 2008. Dr. Dana Ray and his wife, Patrice, of Greer, S.C., announce the birth of Brandon Alexander Ray, Dec. 19, 2008.

Blue Pittman and his wife, Julie, of Rutherfordton, N.C., announce the birth of Mia Abella Pittman and Sophie Alexa Pittman, March 13, 2009.

1996 Paige Mulkey Cizon and her husband, Aaron, of Greenville, S.C., announce the birth of Eliot Paige Cizon, Nov. 8, 2008. Our apologies for incorrectly stating in the spring issue of Wofford Today that the couple had welcomed a son. Darby Sexton Kelley and her husband, Patrick Kelley, of Columbia, S.C., announce the birth of Grayson Bates Kelley, Nov. 12, 2008. Jennifer “Jenni” Brickhouse Mauran and her husband, Rafe, of Spartanburg, announce the birth of Sophie Hutchins Mauran, April 28, 2009. Marvin O’Neal and his wife, Amanda Walton O’Neal ’97, of Patchogue, N.Y., announce the birth of Walton Rhoad O’Neal, Dec. 5, 2008. Troy Yarborough and his wife, Stacey Ward Yarborough ’98, of Spartanburg, announce the birth of Lucy Palmer Yarborough, Feb. 26, 2009.

1999 Tim Hilton and his wife, Cara, of Hoboken, S.C., announce the birth of Baxter Myles Hilton, Dec. 15, 2008. Ben Renfrow and his wife, Jocelyn, of Greenville, S.C., announce the birth of Hampton Grey Renfrow, Feb. 9, 2009. Brent Williams and his wife, Penn Page Williams, of Greenville, S.C., announce the birth of Robert “Carter” Williams, March 2, 2009.

2001 Allen Bridgers and his wife, Jenna Sheheen Bridgers, of Columbia, S.C., announce the birth of William Allen Bridgers Jr., March 24, 2009. Alex Duvall and his wife, Claire Essex Duvall ’02, of Georgetown, S.C., announce the birth of Lydia Claire Duvall, Nov. 28, 2008. Allison Land Stevens and her husband, Craig, of Sumter, S.C., announce the birth of Avery Land Stevens, Nov. 12, 2008. Our apologies for announcing the birth of a son in the spring issue of Wofford Today.

Laura Sams Wansley and her husband, Dave Wansley ’02, of Davidson, N.C., announce the birth of John David “Tripp” Wansley III, May 5, 2009.

2002 Meghan McAdams Davis and her husband, Chad, of Boiling Springs, S.C., announce the birth of Harper Leigh Davis, January 12, 2009. Lisa Cameron McMillan and Dr. S.Lucas McMillan, of Simpsonville, S.C., announce the birth of William Cameron McMillan, on May 19, 2009 (exactly seven years to the day after they graduated from Wofford).

2004 Kelly Turner Harvey and her husband, Jay Harvey ’07, of Spartanburg, announce the birth of Hudson James Harvey, Dec. 21, 2008. Jennifer Clyburn McMaster and her husband, Donald, announce the birth of their son, Donald Douglas McMaster III, March 4, 2009. The family lives in Ridgeway, S.C.

2005 Jeffrey Tarr and his wife, Danielle, of Mooresville, N.C., announce the birth of Kendall Elizabeth Tarr, March 17, 2009.

Summer 2009 • Wofford Today • 21

Former Wofford tennis player excels on sandy court B

rett Johnson ’05 made his mark on the courts while a tennis player at Wofford, and now he is making his mark in the sand playing the relatively new sport of beach tennis. “Brett was a good player for us,” says Head Coach Rod Ray. “He worked his way from the middle of the lineup to number two singles by his senior year. Beach tennis is a great accomplishment for him.” Beach tennis combines regular tennis with two-man beach volleyball. Players use a lighter ball and each team only has one opportunity to return the ball. The court, however, is similar to a beach volleyball court. Players score points by hitting a winner or forcing an opponent error. Johnson learned about beach tennis from his good friend and current doubles partner, Mike Edison. “He was playing a tournament in Miami and was in need of a doubles partner,” says Johnson. “At the time, I was living in Daytona Beach, and it sounded like fun so I decided to try it out.” The duo advanced to the quarterfinals in that first tournament and decided to continue playing together for the remainder of the season. The team was named the most dedicated team and best new team on tour. “At that point I knew that this was an opportunity for me to make a name for myself in a sport that I think is going to be a great success,” says Johnson. “There are a lot of people who compete in all of the tour stops throughout the year. Although most of the tournament competitors are local, the best teams consider the sport a profession.” Johnson and his doubles partner take every tour stop seriously, an attitude that vaulted them to the number one ranking on the tour in 2008. Reaching that number one ranking, however, has not come easy. “During our offseason we train very hard in the gym to get stronger because of the toughness of moving in the sand,” says Johnson. According to Johnson, beach tennis rankings are based on points. The further a team advances in a tournament the more ranking points they receive. Johnson and Edison won two tournaments and finished no lower than the semi-finals in every tournament of the 2008 season. Beach Tennis USA, in its fifth season, is somewhat similar to that of the ATP Tour in which competitors travel around the nation playing at different venues in multiple cities. For more information on the Beach USA Tour and to see how Johnson and Edison fare, check out www.beachtennisusa.net.

Brent Johnson ’05

by Tyson Thompson

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22 • Wofford Today • Summer 2009

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DEATHS 1938

1949

1956

2009, Bennettsville, S.C. Mr. Hubbard retired from the U.S. Civil Service and had also worked as a real estate broker. A Navy veteran of World War II, he was a member of Thomas Memorial Baptist Church.

2009, Spartanburg, S.C. Mr. Beach was a Spartanburg business executive who owned several different heavy equipment and chemical firms over the years. He was involved over the years in civic organizations, was a Mason and a Shriner, and was a former steward at Trinity United Methodist Church. Marvin E. Harrison, April 5, 2009, Inman, S.C. Mr. Harrison, known to his friends as “Pop,” was a retired professor of foreign languages and a community activist who devoted many hours of service to Spartanburg’s T.O.T.A.L. ministries and Victory Outreach Ministries.

Archdale, N.C. While coaching football at Randleman High School, Mr. Gregory led his teams to three consecutive state championships in the early 1980s. He received many awards during his coaching career and was inducted into the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2007. After teaching and coaching for more than 30 years, he retired in 1985 and became a Realtor in High Point. He was a member of the Green Street Baptist Church.

Woodrow Wilson Hubbard, April 26,

1939

Dr. John Lovelace Gunter, May 4, 2009, Columbia, S.C. Dr. Gunter earned his D.D.S. degree at the Medical College of Virginia, and then served in the Navy in World War II as a ship’s medical officer. For more than 50 years, he practiced restorative dentistry in Columbia. He served in leadership roles for the L.D. Pankey Institute of Advanced Dental Practice, the South Carolina Dental Association, and the state Board of Dental Examiners. He was also well known for his love of horses, farming and the outdoors.

1940

Franklin Nathaniel Rhoad, Feb. 27, 2009, Bluffton, S.C. A veteran of World War II, Mr. Rhoad retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force Reserve. He was employed for 30 years in the Mill Technical Division of Union Bag (Camp) Corp. in Savannah, Ga. He was active as a Boy Scout leader and sang tenor with United Methodist Church choirs in Savannah and Bluffton.

1942

Haskell Jefferson Hiers Jr., March 24, 2009, Columbia, S.C. Mr. Hiers served with the 80th Infantry Division during World War II, earning the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. After the war, he worked with the Veterans Administration Regional Office for 40 years. He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and the American Legion. As a member of the Five Points Kiwanis Club, he delivered meals and served in the soup kitchen for many years. Thomas Bertram Horton Jr., Feb. 23, 2009, Newberry, S.C. Mr. Horton was an accountant and computer service manager until he retired from the South Carolina Electric and Gas Co. in 1985. He was a lay leader in the United Methodist Church and supported Wofford throughout his life. Mr. Horton was a veteran of World War II, serving as an engineer in the building of the Alcon Highway in British Columbia and Alaska. William S. Minter Jr., May 4, 2009, Columbia, S.C. Mr. Minter spent his career in the life insurance industry, retiring as executive vice president of Siebels Bruce. During that time, he achieved a number of professional distinctions. He was later chairman of the board of Carolina Properties and was active in several investment partnerships. Mr. Minter was a former chairman of the board of deacons at Kilbourne Park Baptist Church and served his church in a variety of positions. For many years, Mr. Minter was one of Wofford’s most supportive alumni in the South Carolina Midlands, and his family suggested memorials to the college.

1943

Dr. Harry Lewis Harvin Jr., March 5,

2009, Durham, N.C. Dr. Harvin completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in history at Duke University, teaching at Columbia College (1951-1960) and then at St. Andrews Presbyterian College (19601984). During World War II, he served in Italy with the 36th Infantry Division.

Orin W. “Billy” Beach, March 27,

1950

Melvin Frank Bagwell, April 5, 2009, Spartanburg, S.C. For 35 years until he retired, Mr. Bagwell was associated with Dupont Corp. Mr. Bagwell was a former flight instructor and a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He was a member of Roebuck Baptist Church.

1951

Charles Davidson Robinson, April 21, 2009, Marietta, Ga. Mr. Robinson retired as a credit manager from Shell Oil Co. after 35 years of service. An active member of the Historical Society of Atlanta, Mr. Robinson a member of the First Baptist Church of Union, S.C. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Merchant Marine. James Perry Thorne, Oct. 31, 2008, Chesnee, S.C. Mr. Thorne was the owner of Thorne Farm Equipment and a member of Chesnee First Baptist Church. Dr. James Charles Thrower, May 6, 2009, Charleston, S.C. After graduation from Wofford, Dr. Thrower served in the U.S. Army for two years and then studied at the Medical University of South Carolina. From 1962 through 1992, he was engaged in the private practice of anesthesiology at Roper and St. Francis Hospitals. He also was a volunteer instructor in the department of anesthesiology at MUSC. After retirement, he worked several years in occupation and physical medicine. Dr. Thrower was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Charleston.

1952

The Rev. John Willis Davenport, April 27, 2009, Greenville, S.C. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, Mr. Davenport was a retired minister in the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. He served a number of churches and was instrumental in the founding of St. John UMC in Greenville and Lee Road UMC in Taylors. He was a member of Salem UMC in Greenville. Maj. (Ret.) Louis John Mancuso, Dec. 15, 2008, Dover, Del. For 30 years, Mr. Mancuso served in the U.S. Air Force, seeing action in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. After his military career ended, he worked for the Division of Revenue, State of Delaware. As a duplicate bridge player, he was a gold life master, and he was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church.

1954 Solomon Macturious “Mac” Canaday

Jr., April 23, 2009, Charleston, S.C. Mr. Canaday was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He then began a business career, first as a cotton merchant and then as a stockbroker with J.C. Bradford & Co. He was member of the Country Club of Charleston, the Charleston Yacht Club and the St. Andrews Society.

Charles Ray Gregory, April 25, 2009,

1959

Robert Perry Jones, April 10, 2009, Atlanta, Ga. A native of Spartanburg County, Mr. Jones served as mayor of the town of Pacolet even before graduating from Wofford. He enjoyed a successful business career, and after taking an early retirement, he devoted his time to teaching and the Roswell Photographic Society.

1961

Barnee Copeland Baxter, March 5, 2009, Augusta, Ga. Mr. Baxter was a graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law, where he served as president of the Demosthenian Literary Society. For 44 years, he practiced law in Augusta, where he was a member of St. Paul Episcopal Church and the Beech Island Agricultural Club.

1962 Capt. (USN, Ret.) Carroll Dean Brown, April 14, 2009, Columbia, S.C.

Commissioned through Officer Candidate School, Mr. Brown served in a series of command assignments with the Navy, both at sea and on shore. He was awarded with Legion of Merit with gold star, the Meritorious Service Medal, and campaign ribbons for Vietnam service. Donald Edward Flynn, May 8, 2009, Blacksburg, S.C. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Mr. Flynn was owner and CEO of a marketing firm.

1963

William D. Brown Jr., April 28, 2009, Spartanburg, S.C. Mr. Brown was the owner of Personnel Solutions, Inc. He was a member of Glenn Springs Presbyterian Church. Roy Neil Varn, April 11, 2009, Port Charlotte, Fla. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Varn was a vice president of the Sunrise Community of Miami, Fla. For 21 years, he also worked with the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services in a variety of assignments.

1970

Charles Martin Rhode Jr., Dec. 29, 2009, Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Rhode earned an M.B.A. degree from Vanderbilt University and was a successful business executive. He served in senior management positions in a number of companies as well as president and CEO of Rhodeway Systems.

1973

Jesse Blaton Eudy Jr., April 16, 2009, West Columbia, S.C. Mr. Eudy was a businessman associated with Eudy Sales, Inc. A former president of the Congaree Rapid Soccer Association, he was the first varsity girl’s soccer coach at Brooklyn Cayce High School.

William Edward Hunter, April 18, 2009, Spartanburg, S.C. Mr. Hunter was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. Charles Starling Vassy, Jan. 18, 2009, Knoxville, Tenn.

1974

Dennis Ryan Jones, March 16, 2009, Spartanburg, S.C. Mr. Jones was a retired sales representative who had lived in Myrtle Beach for a number of years.

1975

John “Shell” Rochelle Regan, Feb. 25, 2009, St. Augustine, Fla. For 23 years, Mr. Regan was an insurance agent and community leader in St. Augustine. He was president of the Hastings Rotary Club and a member of the Covenant Presbyterian Church.

1978

Robert Lee Evans, March 11, 2009, Sumter, S.C. Mr. Evans died after a sevenyear battle with colon cancer. He was well known in South Carolina journalism as managing editor of the Sumter Daily Item, a newspaper he joined as a sports writer in 1978. A former Terrier baseball player, he coached American Legion baseball in Sumter.

1980

Dr. Kevin Dale Ballard, May 4, 2009, Upper Black Eddy, Pa. Dr. Ballard earned his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from the Medical University of South Carolina. He served as director of analysis and toxicology at National Medical Services, Willow Grove, Pa.

1983

Brooks Roy Burdette, May 13, 2009, New York, N.Y. While working in his law office, Mr. Burdette died suddenly, apparently from aortic dissection. A native of Hogansville, Ga., Mr. Burdette attended Wofford College as a Charles E. Daniel Scholar. He received the prestigious Harry S Truman Scholarship, a Congressional award made to approximately 100 college juniors planning careers in public service. He continued his education at the Harvard Law School, where he graduated with honors. He became a partner and civil litigator in the New York law firm of Schulte, Roth and Zabel, LLP. The family has requested contributions for the Democracy Prep Charter School, New York, N.Y.

1984 Robert “Robbie” Campbell Johnson Jr., Feb. 23, 2009, Mount Pleasant, S.C.

Mr. Johnson died after a courageous battle with cancer. At the time of his death, he was the CEO of the family insurance firm, Johnson & Johnson. He was active in a number of professional and conservation organizations as well as St. Philip’s Episcopal Church in Charleston.

2007

Eric Leon Marshall, April 22, 2009, Augusta, Ga. Mr. Marshall suddenly collapsed and died while playing basketball in his hometown. He had accepted a position as an assistant coach at Greenbriar High School for the next academic year. “Eric Marshall leaves behind a legacy of selflessness, love and passion in everything he pursued,” said Wofford head basketball coach Mike Young. “I will forever remember him for how he lived his life off the floor. He was a very good and hard working student, a model citizen, and an active and engaged member of our college community. He loved and admired his beautiful wife, Tanya George Marshall ’07, and his two young sons. We all lost someone special.”

Friends

Barbara Jean “Jeannie” Hanning, May 8, 2009, Spartanburg, S.C. Mrs. Hanning was the wife of Lee Hanning, assistant football coach at Wofford. She was the former co-owner of the Little Cricket Art Needlework Shop and a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Spartanburg. The family requested memorials to the Barbara Jean and Lee Hanning Endowed Scholarship recently established at Wofford to support student-athletes on the women’s golf team. Elizabeth Perkins Prothro, May 22, 2009, Wichita Falls, Tex. Mrs. Prothro was a lifetime philanthropist known for her generous support of the United Methodist Church and higher education, including Wofford, Midwestern State University, and her alma mater, Southern Methodist University. In 1938, she married the late Charles Nelson Prothro of Wichita Falls, and Wofford Trustee Pat Prothro ’96 is one of her 14 grandchildren. Through its foundation, the family made a major gift to endow a faculty position at Wofford, the Perkins-Prothro Chaplain and Professor of Religion, which is now held by Dr. Ron Robinson ’78. Serving on the MSU Board of Regents and the SMU Board of Governors, Mrs. Prothro also was on the executive board of Perkins School of Theology at SMU. Her interest in religion generated an important collection of Bibles and biblical writings that span eight centuries and are now housed at SMU. Other philanthropic interests included the Wichita Falls Museum and Art Center, of which she was a founding member, and River Bend Nature Center, which houses the Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Pavilion. Harriet Owen Wallace, April 28, 2009, Charlotte, N.C. Mrs. Wallace’s late husband was Dr. Robert Marden Wallace, a son of the late Dr. David Duncan Wallace (class of 1894), a noted South Carolina historian and a member of the Wofford faculty from 1899 until he retired in 1947. We were notified of Mrs. Wallace’s death by Emerson Bell ’70.

1986

Deneen Nicholls Bridges, April 14, 2009, Moore, S.C. Mrs. Bridges was a summa cum laude graduate in economics and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After a nine-year career in human resources, she devoted her time to her husband and two sons as well as to community projects and her small business, the Village Collection. She had battled lung cancer over her last years.

Summer 2009 • Wofford Today • 23

Wofford Today

Quintessential... A Wofford Education

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