Volume 41, Number 2 Spartanburg, South Carolina Winter 2008
Wofford Today
The quintessential Wofford family now owns the quintessential Wofford playhouse — a replica of Old Main.
www.wofford.edu
From the Archives C. C. Norton: Scrooge, but no Scrooge
W
hen alumni and friends of the college remember Dr. C. C. Norton, it’s likely that the image of Scrooge is the first thing that comes to mind. That’s not to accuse Norton of being miserly, but it’s in tribute to the dozens, or more precisely, hundreds of times that he performed his reading of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol.” However, simply remembering Norton for his annual presentation does not adequately reflect the many contributions he made to Wofford in his 40 years at the college. Clarence Clifford Norton earned degrees from Millsaps College in 1919 and Emory University in 1920 before taking his doctorate in sociology at the University of North Carolina in 1927. He joined the Wofford faculty in 1925 as professor of sociology and political science. In 1942, when Walter K. Greene became the college’s fifth president, he named Norton dean of the college. When the Methodist Conference placed Wofford and Columbia College under a joint administration, Norton became dean of administration at Wofford, serving as the campus’s chief administrator. At President Greene’s retirement, the trustees named Norton as acting president for the 1951-52 academic year. Norton returned to the classroom in 1953 as professor of sociology, holding that post until his retirement in 1966. Norton, who was known to students as either “Cutie” or “C-square,” was an active scholar. Among the several books he wrote are “The Democratic Party in Antebellum North Carolina,” “Enriching Family Life,” and “The Art of Caricature.” During his career, he pubC.C. Norton as Scrooge lished numerous articles in scholarly journals as well as in newspapers. In 1939, he traveled to South Africa, where he studied the cultures of some of the native tribes of southern Africa. He traveled to northern Europe to study the culture of Lapland, and also spent time studying in England and Scotland. Norton was active in the community as well. He studied Spartanburg’s health and housing problems in the 1930s, and community leaders used his survey to begin to address the area’s housing and health care shortages. For six years he held an appointment as a member of the South Carolina State Planning Board, an agency of state government responsible for economic development and research. Norton was also an active Rotarian, serving as a district governor in the late 1950s, and a Methodist minister. Norton’s talents extended to caracatures, and he had a regular cartoon, “Church Folks,” in the Spartanburg newspaper and in the South Carolina Methodist Advocate. He picked up being a caricaturist in high school and resumed the practice later in life. A caricature, Norton explained, exaggerated the subject’s distinguishing features rather
During his travels, Dr. C.C. Norton kept a meticulous journal and made numerous photographs. than providing a true representation of the subject. After his retirement from the college, he published two additional books of caricatures and cartoons. Norton began his “Christmas Carol” tradition in the 1920s by reading the book to his family. His first public presentation, which occurred shortly after he came to Spartanburg, was in 1926 at an evening service at Central Methodist Church. He began presenting it annually to the Wofford community in 1942. As word of his dramatic reading spread, Norton became a much sought-after speaker in local churches, schools and community groups. He would wind up presenting his reading some 15 to 20 times a season. By the 1960s, Norton’s presentation of “A Christmas Carol” had become one of the highlights of the Christmas season at Wofford. An announcement to the community of Norton’s upcoming campus recitation advised readers to arrive early, as seats in Leonard Auditorium would be at a premium. Rather than reading the entire book, Norton focused on Bob Cratchit’s family, using Dickens’ own condensed version to create his reading. Perhaps C. C. Norton’s greatest gift to Wofford was his versatility. His academic interests were broad, and they extended well beyond his classroom. He was a leader at the college, gave of his professional expertise to the community, and dabbled in creativity. When it came to giving of his talents, C. C. Norton was no Scrooge.
by Phillip Stone ’94
Correction: In the fall “From the Archives” column on the literary societies, the
photos of E. L. Culler and R. O. Lawton were reversed. Also, R. O. Lawton was incorrectly identified as T. O. Lawton, who was an earlier Calhoun Society president and first cousin of R. O. Lawton. Thanks to Anne Clardy for correcting the error.
In this issue...
From the cover: (Right) James and Houston, grandsons of Ann and Stewart Johnson ’67, look forward to spending time at grandma and grandpa’s house during Christmas. The Johnson’s six grandchildren (five shown on the cover with the Johnsons) have even more to look forward to this year. The Johnsons won the Old Main replica playhouse during the Terrier Ball live auction during Homecoming. The playhouse was designed, built and donated by Stewart ’74 and Steven ’81 Mungo of The Mungo Company in Irmo, S.C. In addition to the twin towers, the mini Old Main boasts working lights and an air-conditioning unit for summer months.
Winter 2008
WOFFORD TODAY... Wofford Web recognized by CASE, Wofford plants a tree and honors Roger Milliken...............4 Wofford ranks fifth nationally in study abroad percentage...............5 DEVELOPMENT... Bonner receives new laptop from Wofford graduates, IRA rollover benefits extended...............6 Helping a college student survive economic meltdown...............7 ON CAMPUS... New promotions and hires, celebrating John Pilley...............8 Meet the college’s Career Services team..............9 Homecoming 2008 and the Wofford Bookshelf........ 10-11 STUDENTS... Wofford students studying in China earn recognition, Catherine Raymer finds ways to get involved in Spartanburg.............12 Another busy fall on campus.............13 Homecoming, Family Weekend, Fall at Wofford, see photos on pages 10-11, 13, 29
Wofford Today
Volume 41, Number 2 • Winter 2008 Visit Wofford Today online at www.wofford.edu/WoffordToday
W
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.
ATHLETICS... Winter Quick Hits.............14
Doyle Boggs ’70, senior editor Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89 and Pat Smith, associate editors
Getting to know Wofford’s senior offensive line.............15
Brett Borden, Samie Clowney ’91, Sarah Cohen’88, Laura H. Corbin, Mary Frances Dassel ’09*, Janella Lane, Baker Maultsby ’92, Phillip Stone ’94, and Lisa Mincey Ware, contributors
See what they see — Terriers with cameras photograph the campus........ 16-17 For and About Alumni... including weddings, photos, notes and profiles of Wofford alumni........ 18-31 Maryville College honors Gibson................20
(* denotes Old Gold & Black staff member)
Brent Williamson, sports Photography by Mark Olencki ’75 Printed by Martin Printing Company Inc., Easley, SC Mailing address changes to: Alumni Office, Wofford College 429 N. Church St. Spartanburg, SC 29303-3663 call 864-597-4200; fax 864-597-4219 E-mail address: boggsdw@wofford.edu
Preston conferred title of dean of students, emeritus at Wofford................21 Fun photos from Family Weekend................29 Terriers with cameras, page 16-17
Remembering Larry McGehee................30
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. Fall 2008 • Wofford Today • 3
Wofford Today
for the most up-to-date news, check the Wofford Web site at www.wofford.edu
Wofford’s interactive campus map recognized in top 10 nationally
W
offord’s interactive map on its Web site, www.wofford. edu/map, was recognized in the October issue of CASE Currents magazine as one of the top 10 college virtual tours in the country. “We are always striving to make the user experience, especially for prospective and incoming first-year students, as friendly and as useful as possible,” says Kyle James ’03, Wofford’s Webmaster. “Interaction is very important, so whenever possible we have included video and photographs in the virtual tour, in addition to written descriptions of locations on our campus. We’re very proud to be included in CASE’s publication.” CASE Currents is published by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), the professional organization for advancement professionals at colleges, universities, independent elementary and secondary Webmaster Kyle schools, and education associates throughout James ’03 (top) the world. and assistant In the CASE Currents article “Virtually Webmaster Yours,” writers Brenda Foster and Jenny HoffBrian man tracked trends in college Web sites for the Jinwright are past eight years “to discover what online admisresponsible for sions audiences wanted to see in an institution’s the interactive virtual tour.” Using US News & World Report’s campus map. list of “America’s Best Colleges 2008,” the staff selected 100 institutions (73 private and 27 public) based on categories within that list. After exploring all 100 Web sites and taking the available tours, they narrowed the list to the top 10. They then invited 10 high school juniors and seniors to take the top 10 tours and share their thoughts.
’Roger Milliken Day’ observed Oct. 21 Arboretum dedication ceremony includes planting a new sequoia and unveiling revised guidebooks
W
offord inaugurated a new custom of observing “Roger Milliken Day” each year in mid-October with a ceremony on Oct. 21. The program included the dedication of a newly planted blue giant sequoia tree and the official designation and announcement of the “Roger Milliken Arboretum at Wofford College” by members of the college Board of Trustees. The event was held on the lawn of the Roger Milliken Science Center. “Roger Milliken Day” will be held each year in mid-October, around the time of Milliken’s Oct. 24 birthday. A new tree will be planted each year, adding to the arboretum. The event will serve to honor Milliken’s long service to the college as a member of the Board of Trustees and a valued leader in developing the campus as a national arboretum. Earlier this year, the board bestowed the title of trustee emeritus on Milliken, the first such designation by the college. He has served 48 years as a trustee. Milliken is chairman of Milliken & Co., a diversified international textile company based in Spartanburg. His interest in horticulture has been lifelong. In 1969, Trustees Joe Taylor ’80 (left) and John White ’69 Milliken & Co. initiated a program that talk near the blue giant sequoia following the college’s transformed its 650-acre headquarters and inaugural Roger Milliken Day observance. research campus from a peach orchard into a testing ground for identifying, cultivating and sharing information about “Noble Trees” – the best of the best for the next generation. Today, the ponds, trees and trails that make up the corporate grounds are open to the public at no charge. While on Wofford’s Board of Trustees, Milliken led the initiative to recapture the original 1854 vision of the campus by creating a cohesive arboretum to enhance the natural beauty of the Piedmont landscape and provide an outdoor classroom experience for students. Self-guided walking tours of the Roger Milliken Arboretum are available; printed guidebooks are available outside the Admission Office on campus. Since the 1990s, more than 5,000 trees representing 145 species, including new cultivars, have been planted on campus. Most of the trees and shrubs in the collection are identified with metal tags. In addition to a printed The college’s new portrait of Roger Milliken, copied walking tour guide of by James A. Fox from the original by Anthony Wills, the arboretum, audio of is complete and will hang in the lobby of the Roger the tours is available for Milliken Science Center. download to iPods and other MP3 players at www.wofford.edu/arboretum. (Left) View of the Roger Milliken Science Center through the arboretum this fall.
4 • Wofford Today • Winter 2008
“Open Doors” survey ranks Wofford at the top in studies abroad Students, faculty encouraged to become global citizens
W
hen Wofford student Regina Fuller ’09 first realized she would not be able to be at home when the United States elected its first African-American president, she was somewhat distraught. She had dreamed of that day, and that dream had included a long night of watching election returns on the TV, surrounded by her friends and family, and a final, jubilant celebration of that historic moment. Instead, Fuller spent Nov. 4, 2008, hundreds of miles away in a foreign country – the Dominican Republic – and her situation hit her hard. “… I would not share this moment with the people I wanted to share it with the most,” she wrote on her Wofford study abroad blog. “This realization made me sad ….” Her disappointment was replaced, though, by the praise and reception those from her host country gave to the new
Read about Fuller (right) and other student experiences while studying abroad on the Wofford Study Abroad blog at blogs. wofford.edu/study_ abroad. Read the blog of Jonathan Hufford, Wofford’s Presidential International Scholar, at blogs.wofford.edu/ presidential_scholar.
president-elect, and to her as a visiting “norteamericana.” “By the end of Wednesday, I was no longer sad that I was not in America or could not achieve my American election dream,” she wrote. “News anchors frequently commented that ’the world was watching’ during the election. For the first time in my life, I was part of this world watching and felt proud to claim my patria. Dreams are sweet, but reality is so much sweeter.” Fuller is one of the more than 250 Wofford students who will study abroad during the academic year, receiving credit toward their degrees; the Spartanburg student’s will be in government, Spanish and intercultural studies. The emphasis Wofford places on study abroad experience has earned the college a fifth-place ranking among the nation’s top baccalaureate institutions in the percentage of students receiving
credit for study abroad, according to Open Doors 2008, an annual report published by the Institute of International Education (IIE), released Nov. 17, 2008. Wofford has ranked among the top 10 consistently over the past 13 years. Other Southeastern institutions on the top 40 baccalaureate list include Centre College (4), Rhodes College (12), Washington and Lee University (17), Davidson College (26) and University of Richmond (33). Open Doors ranks institutions as baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate institutions. The rankings are based on number of undergraduates studying abroad and the number of degrees conferred, to get the estimated percentage of undergraduate participation in study abroad programs. “The aim of our study abroad initiatives is to generate new dimensions of knowledge, experience and understanding
within a global context,” says Dr. David S. Wood, academic dean of the college. Wofford has a number of programs that encourage and assist students wishing to study abroad, including scholarships and financial aid packages. Among those is the 21st Century Boarding Pass, in which more than $20,000 total is awarded to first-year students planning to study in intensive language immersion programs during the January Interim. The grant program began in 2007 to encourage the study of foreign languages. “Wofford attributes our success in study abroad participation to an intensive ongoing orientation program that includes thorough advising and various workshops and events,” says Amy Lancaster ’01, assistant dean for international programs and academic administration. “We encourage students to set intercultural, linguistic, academic, and other personal goals to maximize their experience. We also stress reflection as part of the process, so students are regularly consider-
ing what they are learning while working toward a common goal of global citizenship.” For the first time in Wofford’s history, students will be studying on all seven continents during the January Interim, including an independent project of two students who will study in Antarctica. Not only are Wofford students encouraged to study abroad, but thanks to college benefactor Roger Milliken, chairman of the international textile firm of Milliken & Co., based in Spartanburg, faculty members also are supported in their efforts to gain a world view. Milliken has pledged $400,000 for Wofford faculty to participate in the Milliken Faculty Development Seminars Abroad. Thirteen faculty and staff members will participate in 2009 in the first year of the five-year program, taking them to Buenos Aires, Argentina, for “Creating Citizens in the Americas” under the auspices of the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES). The group will prepare on campus during the first week of the January Interim, then travel from Jan. 11 through 24; they will present on their studies upon their return. Future seminar locations will include Shanghai, China; and Granada, Spain/Rabat, Morocco.
by Laura H. Corbin
Alison Clarke ’07 studied abroad in Zimbabwe and Zlatin Gamishev ’08 studied in Amsterdam.
Winter 2008 • Wofford Today • 5
Development Update IRA Rollover Extended! In appreciation for divine intervention: Charitable Donate up to $100,000 to Wofford College from your IRA without incurring income tax Bruce and Harris donate laptop on the withdrawal for Wofford Bonner Scholar T
he recently enacted Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 extends the provision of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 allowing individuals over age 70.5 to make charitable transfers up to $100,000 without incurring taxable income on those distributions. The extension is retroactive, applying to both the 2008 and 2009 tax years.
A
burglar broke into and robbed Austin Bruce’s home just before his first year at Wofford. Among the items stolen were several old Tandy 1000s. “Because we had replacement value on our insurance, I got a new one,” says Bruce, who attended Wofford as a Bonner Scholar. “I never would have been able to afford a computer without that and having the computer really helped me out a lot.” So started a series of odd events, shared experiences and fortunate coincidences that ultimately connected Bruce ’98 to Ashley Harris ’96. The most recent result of that connection culminated in Bonner Scholar Moe Kelli ’10 receiving a new Dell laptop with the fastest processor and biggest hard-drive available. Kelli, a student-athlete on the Wofford’s men’s soccer team, says the laptop helps during travel to and from the 10 to 12 away games or tournaments each year. “I had an old computer, but the battery didn’t work so I couldn’t use it when the team played away,” says Kelli. “I was having a hard time keeping up with my academic work.” Kelli, who volunteers at the Spartanburg Children’s Shelter, also uses the laptop to write his required “reflections” on his Bonner experiences. He says having the laptop makes juggling his academic, volunteer and athletic commitments possible. “We are thrilled about the gift of a laptop that Ashley and Austin have offered,” says the Rev. Lyn Pace ’99, director of service learning and assistant chaplain at Wofford. “I’ve known Ashley and Austin since I was a student at Wofford, and I can tell you that a Bonner Scholar could not be any luckier than to be associated with them… and they will be better off knowing Moe Kelli.” Bruce and Harris met as Wofford students during a cheerleading camp. Bruce says he joined the squad to hang out with girls. Harris had coveted the mascot’s job for several years before it became available. They became 6 • Wofford Today • Winter 2008
The following limitations and restrictions apply: • The individual for whose benefit the plan is maintained must have attained the age of 70.5 or older by the date of the contribution. • Qualified charitable distributions may not exceed $100,000 in any taxable year (2008 and 2009). • Qualified distributions must be made on the donor’s behalf directly to Wofford College by the plan trustee/administrator.
(Left to right) Kelli, Harris and Bruce during the laptop presentation. fast friends during that camp, and even after Harris graduated, their paths kept crossing. In 2000, Harris, who was working forensics with the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED), needed a specific type of database software that cost $60,000, but the money wasn’t in the department’s budget. He picked up the phone and called Bruce, a computer specialist for QS/1 Network Solutions Group. Bruce developed the software Harris needed and discovered that others were willing to pay for the database as well. Bruce and Harris formalized their software development partnership and soon added felling trees, demolishing houses, porch remodeling, and most recently, constructing and installing concrete countertops to their business. “In 2000 we started a company so we could play,” says Harris. They reinvested all of their profits back into the business, which means that they could keep purchasing bigger and more powerful chainsaws, computers and “other kinds of toys.” Harris, who serves as lieutenant over the forensics lab for the Spartanburg County Sherrif ’s Office, and Bruce, who works a data base manager for Recycle South, admit that their joint business ran a negative balance for the first five years. “Now that we’re making money, and since we weren’t used to making money, we decided to give our profits to places or causes important to us,” says Bruce, who
suggested the laptop for a Bonner Scholar at Wofford. Both regular Annual Fund contributors, Bruce and Harris also contribute to the endowed scholarship fund at Wofford named for Harris’ father. “We have both experienced divine intervention,” says Harris. “Donating the laptop, along with a really cool backpack to carry it in and a check to Moe so he could buy software, is our way of acknowledging that and showing our gratitude.”
• Qualified distributions may be excluded from the donor’s gross taxable income; however, no charitable contribution deduction is available for federal income tax purposes. • Distributions may be counted toward the donor’s annual Minimum Required Distribution. • Gifts from retirement accounts other than traditional IRA or ROTH IRA accounts are not eligible. • Distributions are not subject to the “ceilings” on contribution deductions (50 percent of adjusted gross income for cash, 30 percent of AGI for long-term capital gains property). If you were considering contributing your IRA account to Wofford through your estate plan, or if the taxability of excessive IRA withdrawals has been a hindrance, this is the year to make an outright gift by taking advantage of this unique opportunity.
by Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89
For additional information, contact: Smith Patterson ’67, director of gift planning, 864-597-4196, pattersonds@wofford.edu.
The Campaign for Wofford Major Funding Priorities
Goal
Total
(as of 10/31/08)
$25,000,000 $30,000,000 $500,000
$9,896,961 $34,015,042 $24,929
$10,000,000 $9,000,000
$8,009,402 $7,619,957 $129,873
$10,000,000
$15,840,327
$5,000,000
$325,928
7,200,000 $1,500,000 $1,800,000 $5,000,000
$5,993,993 $619,125 $1,025,860 $1,368,730 $5,000,000 $10,504,927
Designation Pending
$3,265,178
Permanent Endowment (student & faculty support) Endowed faculty professorships/chairs (25) Endowed scholarships Novel Experience program
Annual Fund Support
Unrestricted Annual Fund Terrier Club Friends of the Library
Enrichment Funds for Academic & Campus Programs
Interim Program, Bonner Scholars Program, Success Initiative, Vocational Discernment & Pre-Ministerial Program, Learning Communities, Creative Writing Concentration
Other
New program for business leadership, Conference Center, Alumni College (program funding, endowment and facility support), etc.
Facility Needs
Restoration & renovation of Old Main Endowed maintenance fund for Old Main Renovation of Andrews Field House/offices Baseball stadium/field project Residence hall Other facilities
TOTAL
$105,000,000
$103,640,232
From Wall Street to Campus Drive Wofford students feeling effects of credit crisis and how alumni and friends can help
I
f, as the cliché goes, the credit crisis has traveled from Wall Street to Main Street, it might soon travel to Campus Drive as well. The educational loan industry is starting to feel the credit squeeze as students scramble to keep tuition bills covered. According to Director of Financial Aid Kay Walton, the economic crisis has caused many private lenders to tighten eligibility requirements for new borrowers. Walton says that most students requiring additional loans this year already have been funded, but she warns that next academic year might prove more difficult. “We have been advised that students will see increased interest rates for these loans beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year,” says Walton, who also warns that certain types of loans might not be available next semester. “The South Carolina Student Loan Corporation is suspending their private loan program beginning Jan. 1, 2009. This will impact students requiring private loan funds for the spring 2009 term,” she says. While private loans might be scarce, Walton maintains that federal loans will still be available next year. “Our current lenders feel that they will have sufficient funding to cover all federal student loans, these include both the subsidized Stafford and the unsubsidized loans for the upcoming 2009-2010 academic year,” she says.
What can students do?
According to Walton, there are some steps students can take to alleviate their fears about securing loans. Since credit checks are pulled on both the student borrower and the parent co-signer, Walton stresses the need to keep a clean credit history. “Private loans require borrowers to be ’credit worthy,’ so it would behoove students to check their credit history periodically so that any errors or derogatory comments could be addressed prior to submitting an application for private loan assistance,” she says. If students are worried about securing loans for next year, Walton advises them to start early. “Plan ahead,” she says. “If you have questions or concerns, please use the Financial Aid Office as a resource for funding options and alternatives, additional outside scholarships or questions about changes in your family’s financial situation.”
What can the college do?
The college’s financial aid office plans to mitigate the crisis next year by adding additional lenders as well as providing lender workshops and counseling for both students and parents. The college also will continue to serve as a good steward of all financial resources. According to Senior Vice President for Development Marion Peavey ’65, even though the endowment has suffered during the current economic recession, “Wofford remains a good buy compared to peer institutions. Our office will continue to support the college’s mission by raising the Annual Fund and endowment dollars necessary to make a Wofford education possible for deserving students.”
What can alumni and friends do?
According to Lisa De Freitas ’88, director of Annual Giving at Wofford, the economic crisis not only affects the ability of students to secure student loans and the expendable income generated from the endowment, the crisis also affects giving. “Falling stock prices eliminate the tax advantages of giving appreciated securities,” says De Freitas. “Also higher gas and food prices coupled with the poor housing market and fears of lay-offs reduce the amount of discretionary income for most people.” Participation is the key to helping Wofford students. “All gifts, regardless of size, make an important statement about Wofford,” says De Freitas. “It shows that alumni and friends of the college have confidence in Wofford to provide exemplary educational opportunities. I believe that people will continue to give to organizations like Wofford, organizations with vision and the ability to change the world.” Wofford’s gift year ends on Dec. 31. To ensure that Wofford maintains a high participation percentage and to help current Wofford students who may struggle for the next few years to fund their education, the college urges alumni and friends to honor pledges (even if in part) and/or make an outright gift before the end of the year.
by Mary Frances Dassel ’09 and Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89
Wofford’s Annual Fund comparison of giving, 2007 vs. 2008 (through Oct. 31)
2007
2008
Difference
Number of Gifts Dollars
2697 $1,663,045
2511 $1,637,134
(186) ($25,911)
Gifts+Pledges Dollars
4,696 $2,145,728
4,409 $2,117,720
(287) ($28,008)
Panel of Wofford professors discusses economic meltdown
A
merica’s historic economic crisis has affected financial institutions and our government, so it was only fitting that faculty members in economics, finance, history and government convened Nov. 11 in Leonard Auditorium to discuss the situation before an audience of students, visitors and fellow faculty members. Dr. Frank Machovec, professor of economics, addressed the banking aspect of the crisis, saying that people in the banking field have warned of this situation for 10 years. He said changes in regulations made in 1992 overturned 50 years of sound loan standards in the industry, and it was only a matter of time before it came back to haunt everyone involved. Following Machovec, Dr. Philip Swicegood, associate professor of finance, got a laugh when he began by saying “That’s the good news….” Swicegood likened the financial markets to a heart patient, one that is experiencing chest pains, shortness of breath and a tingling feeling in his or her arms. He said Wall Street put itself in this position with an unhealthy diet, and the clogged arteries are a result of poor decision making across the board in the finance industry. He provided a glimmer of hope by saying that while we may not know exactly what to do to fix the problem, we know what not to do. He pointed out that even if the markets do recover, they need to maintain a healthy diet from here forward. Dr. Mark Byrnes, associate professor of history, said that while everyone is comparing the current situation to the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression of the 1930s, a more applicable comparison might be the Panic of 1907. In that situation, financier J.P. Morgan stepped in and was influential in turning things around. Intervention prevented a depression in that case. Byrnes pointed out that in the crash of 1987 stocks lost 33 percent of their value. So far this year they have lost 39 percent. But in 1929, stocks lost a whopping 90 percent of their value. Finally, Dr. John Farrenkopf, associate professor of government, commented on the effect of the crisis on world markets, and vice versa. He made the point that the Euro, the highly successful currency now used by many European countries, has never been put to a test before this crisis. He also pointed out the negative impact of the global crisis on China’s growth and Japan’s recovery from a 10-year tailspin that ended in 2003.
by Brett Borden
Winter 2008 • Wofford Today • 7
Wofford names Gabbert vice president for communications and marketing College announces additional promotions and appointments
D
ouglas C. Gabbert has been named vice president for communications and marketing at Wofford. Gabbert is a 33-year veteran of the marketing and advertising business, having begun his career at the J. Walter Thompson Co. in Chicago, where he worked on such brands as Sears, Gillette, Sara Lee and Kimberly Clark. He begins his duties at Wofford effective Jan. 1, 2009. Most recently, Gabbert was vice president of Meridian Chiles marketing and advertising firm in Lexington, Ky. A native of Lexington, Gabbert brings to Wofford expertise to develop comprehensive integrated marketing and communications programs to further the mission of the college. Gabbert He received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree in advertising from the University of Illinois, where he was a Marsteller Scholar, provided by Burson-Marsteller Agency, one of the largest and most prestigious public relations firms in New York City. Gabbert and his wife, Mae Mae, have three children, adult twin daughters Pattie and Carolyn, and a son, Douglas, who is a firstyear student at Wofford. In addtion, this fall the college announced the following promotions and new employees: • Kris Neely ’02 has been promoted to executive director of the college’s Success Initiative. • Amy Hernandez has been promoted to associate director of the Success Initiative. • Marianna Taylor has been promoted to assistant director of the Success Initiative. • Carolyn Sparks joins the college as assistant director of financial aid. • Crystal Crawford has been hired as an administrative assistant in the college’s admission office. • Betsy Claire Neely has been promoted to assistant director of health services. • Franklin Pettit has been hired as a programmer/analyst for information management. • Dexter McCarter joins the college’s information technology staff as Oracle administrator.
Friends and colleagues attended a celebration for John Pilley on Nov. 14 in the psychology suite of the Roger Milliken Science Center.
Celebrating John Pilley
H
is nickname is Merlin, and his magical effect on those around him on the Wofford campus is why Dr. John Pilley’s colleagues and friends decided to honor him during a reception in November. “We’re celebrating his many years of affecting student’s lives,” says Dr. Alliston Reid ’75, a professor in Wofford’s psychology department and a former Pilley student. Reid recently submitted an article for publication with Pilley for the journal Animal Cognition. It is based on Pilley’s work with his border collie Chaser. “It’s really amazing what the dog can do,” says Reid. “John is able to do a tremendous amount with Chaser. The dog can distinguish between proper nouns and common nouns that represent categories, adverbs, adjectives, verbs, and many different things. He has demonstrated that very, very well with physical tests and so forth.” The dog has learned more than 1,000 different words in the past three plus years. “Most of us think that humans are the only animals on Earth who can talk and communicate,” adds Reid. “But of course humans must have evolved to have these abilities from their precursors. So there must be some kind of modules in the brains of animals that are language related. So the question is, ’What sort of cognitive processes do animals have that are similar to ours?’ Of course, ours allow us to have extensive language abilities.” Pilley turned 80 this summer but remains active in the Wofford community. He continues to work with the volleyball team, still socializes with psychology staff and students, and even attended the recent Wofford vs. Appalachian State football game in Boone, N.C. His work with Reid is potentially important to the scientific community. “The research paper isn’t about seeing how many words a dog can learn,” Reid explains. “It’s actually very good science where Dr. Pilley is looking at the ways in which children and lower animals share certain cognitive processes for language acquisition. “It’s a major paper. I’m just so proud that he has done this.” by Brett Borden
Pilley and Chaser
8 • Wofford Today • Winter 2008
Meet Wofford’s Career Services Team
S
cott Cochran ’88 beams with excitement. He just knows that liberal arts students – Wofford students! – are gaining the skills and intellectual curiosity to succeed in all types of business settings. And he’s nearly busting at the seams to let employers – from corporate America to small business owners — know it. Cochran has recently joined Wofford’s student affairs staff as director of career services. He had worked 20 years in the corporate world, most recently with UPS Capital, where he was quickly moving up the executive ladder. Cochran says his most rewarding experiences had been in developing teams of staff members and conducting internal leadership and career development programs. He’d also hired many new employees over the years. When the opportunity to come back to Wofford arose, he knew it would mean a financial sacrifice, but Cochran considered it the chance of a lifetime. “I did not dislike what I was doing,” Cochran says. “But when I stepped back and really looked at what I wanted to be doing, this was such an exciting opportunity.” Cochran is spending much of his time reaching out to prospective employers. He visits companies where he has a foothold and shares the Wofford story, while inviting employers and graduate schools to campus to meet with students. If the budget doesn’t allow for air travel and plush hotels, he’ll hop in a college rental, drive
five hours and return home that night. And he’s making in-roads. “We’re getting a lot of interest from companies that we haven’t had interest from before,” Cochran says. Meanwhile, Cochran’s office has created an online service called “Network Gold” to facilitate discussion, information sharing, and job tips among members of the Wofford alumni community. An important part of Cochran’s job, of course, is working to prepare Wofford students to make career choices and then pursue job openings. While he’s a strong believer in the liberal arts education, Cochran knows that many college students have general ideas about vocational interests, but not a clear sense of career opportunities and goals. Even many seniors, ready to make initial career moves, are intimidated by the thought of their first job interview. Others may lack an appropriate resume. For those students, the career services staff offers workshops on creating a resume and help with interview techniques. Staff members take students, one-on-one, through mock interviews according to career areas. Even for alumni off campus, Cochran’s office can provide videotaped practice interviews through an online service. As Cochran explains it, “in five years, I want recruiters to say, ‘In terms of being prepared for life after college, Wofford students are better prepared than anyone else we have ever seen.’ A quality education is the core, and
Wofford students are getting that. Our job in Career Services is to teach them how to leverage it. We try to teach how to operate in a professional environment.” For students not on the cusp of graduation, Cochran and his staff of three work hard to get students thinking ahead. He uses the analogy of an ATM: Some students arrive at his office as if they expect to put their (Top) Wofford’s Career Services Team (left to right) Jennifer Almond Dillenger ’07, Scott Cochran ’88, Kay Vipperman and Millicent Lann. card in a machine and have a job offer (Bottom) Students gained information at the Career Services graduate school interest pop out. fair in the Great Oaks Hall. “Students have to start early, and increasingly important in higher reorganized Career Services. With they have to want it,” he says. education, says Roberta Hurley an MBA from Duke UniverIn the few months he’s been sity and 20 years of corporate on campus, Cochran has reached Bigger ’81, Wofford’s dean of students. experience, Scott brings energy, out to faculty members, offer“In our parents’ generation, enthusiasm, and expertise to assist ing to work with their majors on relevant career awareness and career services did not exist,” she Wofford students as they begin the career development cycle.” development. He has given talks says. “The world has changed, and students need to learn how to For his part, Cochran, father at alumni events, on-campus find a job after they’ve discovered of six children, has faith in the Greek organizations, and Woftheir passions and vocational right combination of hard work, ford’s Success Initiative. And he interests.” preparation, and a Wofford encourages students to pursue From a purely competitive education. meaningful summer jobs, volunstandpoint, it’s important for “It is a reduced job pool out teer experience, and internship there right now,” he acknowledgopportunities. Along with profes- Wofford students to have access to the kinds of services provided es. “But there are a lot of comsors and other staff members on at other colleges. With Cochran panies hiring. And if we’re better campus, Cochran’s office works to help students find internships, onboard, Bigger believes Wofford prepared, there is always someone graduates have a real advantage: hiring.” especially during summers and by Baker Maultsby ’92 “He has been the perfect director Interim. As a trend, career services are to replace Darrin Goss ’93, who Winter 2008 • Wofford Today • 9
(Right) Jimmy Gordon ’52 (left) and Joe Pate ’51 reminisce at the 50 Year Club Reunion.
The children of Thom ’96 and Perry ’96 Henson, Mark ’91 and Amy ’94 Mezger, and Brian ’95 and Emily ’95 Rawlinson are ready to watch the Terriers play.
(Below) Wofford students took shifts during Homecoming week to work on a house for Habitat for Humanity.
Anne Dunlap (left) and Beverly Skinner (right) with Young Alumna Award recipient Monique McDowell ’92.
(Left to right) Les Howard ’56, Pat Hardin, Regi Thackson ’56 and Tom Hardin ’56 enjoy the Kappa Sigma reunion during Homecoming. Susan Cole (left) and Sloan Fleming catch up with classmates at the Class of 1998 reunion.
10 • Wofford Today • Winter 2008
From the Class of 1988 reunion: (left to right) Rick Arce ’88, Meri Eubanks Lynch ’88, Kevin Lynch ’87, Anja Barefoot and Walt Barefoot ’88.
Dozens of alumni and friends participated on Saturday, Oct. 11, as the college honored Dr. Dan Maultsby ’61 (left) and Dr. Larry McGehee by naming two housing units in the Wofford Village in their honor. President Benjamin Dunlap is shown on the right. The trustees adopted the naming policy for the Village to further recognize distinguished teachers and administrators who have named endowed scholarship funds in their honor. Sadly, only a few days after this ceremony was held, Dr. McGehee died suddenly at his home in Spartanburg on Oct. 25, 2008. A necrology may be found on page 30.
New releases The Wofford bookshelf
by Doyle Boggs ’70 Stars Fell on Spartanburg Hub City Writer’s Project
W
hat happens
when Hollywood celebrities, big-time sports figures, and national politicians make their way to a Southern city known for its cotton mills, chili cheeseburgers, and Baptist churches? “Stars Fell on Spartanburg,” the newest publication of the Hub City Writer’s Project explores this theme. The stories are told through personal essay, oral history, and, to spice it up, poetry, fiction, and song. Pop culture meets local history and creative writing in an entertaining, illustrated volume that has something for everyone. In addition to editors Betsy Wakefield Teter and Jeremy L.C.
Jones, many of the 50 contributors have Wofford connections. Among them are Peter Cooper ’93, Olivia Heffner Fortson ’87, Ed Y. Hall, Dr. Marion Peter Holt ’49, Jim Hudgens, John Lane ’77, Jessica Miller ’09, Dr. Kirk Neely, Dr. Phillip Stone ’94, James Talley, Dr. Gerald Thurmond, Dr. Deno Trakas, and Winnie Walsh. This book is available for sale at many locations in Spartanburg, or orders may be placed on the Hub City Web Site at www.hubcity.org.
Historical Dictionary of Existentialism Scarecrow Press, Inc.
D
r. Stephen Michelman, associate professor of philosophy, is the author of the Historical Dictionary of Existentialism. Published by the Scarecrow Press, Inc., the book is the 82nd volume in a standard reference series on religions, philosophies and movements.
John Lane ’77 signs copies of his work during the faculty and alumni book signing event during Homecoming.
Existentialism, which flourished first in Germany in the 1920s and 1930s, is the philosophy of human existance. Later, the term gained currency in France as a label for the philosophy of Jean-Paul Sartre. The 408-page book includes a chronology, an introductory essay, and an extensive bibliography as well as cross-referenced dictionary entries. This book may be ordered on-line at www.scarecrowpress.com.
Revels wins 2009 Beacon Society Award
C
ongratulations to Dr. Tracey Revels, the winner of the 2009 Beacon Society Award in recognition of of her “outstanding work in introducing young people to Sherlock Holmes.” The award certificate (and a oneyear subscription to the Baker Street Journal) will be presented in New York on Jan. 9. Revels, chair of the department of history, often explores the Sherlock Holmes “canon” with Wofford students, both in first-year humanities seminars, and in January Interim projects. The Beacon Society strives to “keep green the memory of the master,” and is a scion society of the Baker Street Irregulars. Winter 2008 • Wofford Today • 11
Wofford students published in Beijing University journal W
Raymer enjoys a life of activism as a college student and future citizen leader
students
offord has developed a tradition of sending some of America’s brightest young minds overseas to experience other atherine Raymer ’11 is cultures and expand their horithe ideal college student. zons. That tradition is exempliShe has a dedication to fied by some of professor Li community and a well thoughtQing Kinnison’s students, who out plan for her future... and she’s recently have been published in only a sophomore. a journal produced by Beijing Raymer, a native of Statesville, University in China. N.C., says she chose to attend “This is one of the top two Wofford because she liked the universities of China,” says a liberal arts college environment. proud Kinnison. “Each of them It has been the perfect place for wrote about their impressions Raymer to get involved in social of the places they visited in justice organizations as well as China.” the environmental organization The four students published Upstate Forever. were Paul Wood ’08 (Chinese “I like staying busy,” she says. and computer science), Corey “I saw a lot of opportunity here to Gibson ’08 (biology), Jeff Gurhelp out. Lyn Pace ’93 (associate ganus ’09 (Chinese) and Jeremy chaplain and director of service Peters ’10 (undeclared). Wood learning) told me about Upstate and Gibson, now Wofford Forever. Samie Clowney ’01 (digraduates, were among the rector of multicultural affairs) and first Wofford students to go to Lyn invited me to get involved in China. other areas. I just saw a lot of opWood wrote about an elportunity and have kind of fallen ementary school and kindergarinto it that way.” ten he visited in China where She says she yearned to get children learn both Chinese involved with such organizations and English. He is back in in high school but didn’t necessarChina now. ily have the time. Gibson talked about his “I pretty much played sports visit to an animal preservation year round, so I never got a farm, and how unhappy the chance to do anything, but I animals looked without enough wanted to,” says Raymer. “Comroom to roam or food to eat. ing here, where I’m not playing Peters has learned Chinese, French, Spanish and is currently sports, has given me more time studying Russian. He wrote about what and opporhe ate along his journey, as well as seeing tunity to do Beijing Man, which is considered one of other things.” the oldest human skulls ever found. Clowney Gurganus, meanwhile, impressed with speaks his knowledge of the Chinese language. glowingly “Jeff’s writing is much more complicatof Raymer’s ed,” says Kinnison. “It’s very impressive that passion. all four of these non-Chinese speakers can “I know write Chinese so well. I’m very pleased to that she is see all four of my students writing. I think particularly they have pushed themselves really hard to interested write. There are many foreign students at in LGBT Beijing University, and not all of their writ(Lesbian, Gay, Emily Phillips ’09 and Spenser Smith ’09 ings were selected.” Bisexual and by Brett Borden (center), who have been studying in China Transsexual) for the semester, enjoyed a Wofford reunion issues on camwith Presidential International Scholar pus,” he says Jonathan Hufford ’10 (left) and Paul Wood “She actually ’08, one of the journal writers. was a panelist
Terriers earn computer programming award
A
team of four Wofford students finished second in the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges Southeastern (CCSC-SE) Programming Contest. The team members are Shay Ellison ’09 (computer science), Manan Gupta ’10 (computer science and chemistry), Brad Neff ’09 (computer science), and Stephen Strickland ’09 (physics and mathematics). Dr. Dave Sykes, associate professor of computer science, serves as the coach for the team. "The team solved all seven problems and beat many strong teams,” says Dr. Angela Shiflet, chair of computer science. “Their achievement represents a great deal of hard work over the years, problem-solving skills, intelligence, calmness under pressure and teamwork. We are thrilled with their impressive finish.” 12 • Wofford Today • Winter 2008
C
Raymer in downtown Spartanburg
issue they found important, on campus or off campus, in terms of social justice,” says Clowney. “She and the group have decided that they want to develop a non-profit here in Spartanburg that will address the issue of children in the community placed at risk. “She’s very passionate about issues, but also very quiet and thoughtful, which I think is a trait that’s very helpful to the group.” Helpful is just one of many platitudes placed on Raymer by Shelley Robbins, project coordinator at Upstate Forever. “Catherine basically came to us last year and said ’I think what you do is interesting. Can I help?’” says Robbins. “She has been coming to our office to do whatever we need her to do every week since. “She’s not doing glamorous work, either. A lot of what we for the symposium that Wofford hosted last have her do is help manage our archives... newspaper files and year. She gave a very passionate things like that where we clip position about being an openly everything that pertains to us or gay individual on campus.” just general environmental issues. That inspired Clowney to She helps us maintain those files help get her further involved in but also helps at volunteer events other things. when we need extra help. She’s “I tapped Catherine to be a terrific.” part of a group called Catalyst Robbins says Raymer’s mathat Lyn Pace and I formed because we wanted to give a small turity is what separates her from group of students an opportunity others. “I’ve been impressed with to work together on whatever
Wofford students in general,” says Robbins. “But I’d say Catherine’s attitude is unusual for someone her age. Especially her ability to stick with it. At any point with us she could have said ’My schedule is too full,’ but she never has. She’s a joy to have around. And her post graduate plans should make Wofford proud. How many sophomores have their act together enough to think that far ahead?” Raymer, a biology and Spanish major, describes those plans. “On my Interim this January, I’m going to Oaxaca, Mexico, to work in a clinic,” she says. “It’s kind of along the lines of what I want to do for my profession. I’d like to go to med school after Wofford and then go to South and Central America and work there. There’s a greater need in those developing countries. Here in America we have a system set up that can at least partially help people, but in some of those countries the governments don’t provide anything, really, so there’s much more of a dire need there. Robbins says she expects Raymer to accomplish every goal she has set for herself. “She’s consistent and does whatever needs to be done,” says Robbins. “She’s incredible.”
by Brett Borden
campus tours • theatre productions • concerts • outdoor classes • veterans day parade • twin towers halloween carnival • study abroad interest fairs
Winter 2008 • Wofford Today • 13
ATHLETICS student-athletes
Winter Quick Hits Fall Sports Update
With the weather getting colder, it signals that the fall sports have come to a close at Wofford. Men’s Soccer showed great improvement under first year head coach Ralph Polson. The team posted an overall record of 6-13 and 2-5 in the Southern Conference. The two conference wins came over Furman and the College of Charleston. It was the first time Wofford had defeated the Paladins since 1982. The two conference wins also were the most since 1999. Wilson Hood ’11 led the team with five goals. Joey Taylor ’09 and Thomas Hunter ’10 both had two shutouts in goal. Women’s Soccer finished the season 3-11-5 in Amy Kiah’s 10th season as head coach. The Terriers had eight games go to overtime, the most in college history. Cassie Rex ’10 led the team with three goals and three assists, while Maggie McLaughlin ’12 added three goals. In net, Katie McChesney ’11 posted two shutouts on the season. Volleyball ended the campaign with a 16-17 overall record and a 6-12 mark in the SoCon. Coach Corey Helle’s squad included four seniors: Brittany Thompson ’09, Liz Sheets ’09, Carolyn Rivers ’09 and Lindsey Richardson ’09. All made their marks in the record books. Cross Country was under the direction of Bryan Jackson in his first season as head coach. Wofford hosted the Southern Conference Championships at the Milliken Research Park in November. The Wofford men’s and women’s cross country teams placed in the 11th and 14 • Wofford Today • Winter 2008
12th spots, respectively. The Terriers were represented by Josh Shumaker ’09, Mavrick Harris ’12 and Tommy Weber ’09 for the men and Pearce Tapp ’11 and Caroline Burdette ’12 for the women at the NCAA Southeast Regional meet.
Academic Honors
In addition to their performances on the field, several Terriers have been recognized as “CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine” Academic All-District for their accomplishments in the classroom. Nick Schuermann ’10 (men’s soccer) has been named to the second team. He started all 19 games this season on defense and scored two goals, which was tied for second on the team. He also had one assist. Schuermann is majoring in biology. Carolyn Rivers ’09 also has been named second team. She has played in 123 out of a possible 124 sets for the Terrier volleyball team this season. Rivers is a double major in biology and chemistry. It marked the first time since 1997, when Meredith Knox ’99 was selected, that a Wofford volleyball player was represented on the Academic All-District Team. Ben Quick ’09 (football) earned first team honors. Quick, a native of San Diego, Calif., has started every game this season at left tackle. He was named to the Preseason All-Southern Conference first team. The offensive line has been a key factor in the success of the Terriers’ offense, which is first in the nation in rushing and second in the nation in total offense. He is majoring in finance.
Graduation Success Rate
Eight of 13 Wofford teams posted a score of 100, the highest score available, when the NCAA
Stanley Porter ’89 and his wife, Jennifer, at the Ninth Annual Terrier Ball. This year, the event raised $95,000 during Homecoming for student-athlete scholarships. released its Graduation Success Rate statistics for all Division I insitutions this fall. Wofford teams that had a score of 100 included women’s cross country/track, women’s golf, men’s golf, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, men’s tennis, women’s tennis and volleyball. Wofford’s football team posted a score of 97, the highest among schools playing football in the conference. Nationally, the most recent GSR data show that 79 percent of freshmen student-athletes who entered college in 2001 earned their four-year degrees. The average Graduation Success Rate for the last four graduating classes is 78 percent. At Wofford, all 13 teams were above the national average of 79 percent.
For more information and complete statistics on GSR and Federal Graduation Rates, please visit www.ncaa.org.
Preseason Women’s Basketball Honors
Wofford was represented by Liz Miller ’09 and Mahagony Williams ’11 on the Preseason All-Southern Conference Team that was announced in October. Wofford and Western Carolina were the only teams with two student-athletes on the preseason team. Miller of State College, Pa., was named to the All-Southern Conference Tournament second team last season. She ended the season leading the team in 10 of 18 statistical categories and averaged 11.6 points per game as a junior, which was fifth
in the conference. Williams of Little Rock, Ark., was last season’s Southern Conference Freshman of the Year and named to the AllFreshman team. She averaged 8.2 points per game last season and added 6.5 rebounds per game.
Website Updates
The Wofford Athletics Web site (athletics.wofford.edu) has added more new features this fall. In addition to broadcasting live events on TerrierVision, a partnership with YouTube has been launched providing a place for fans to watch each week’s “Inside Wofford Football” television show along with other highlight videos. A photo store also has been added that offers a great place to purchase team and action photos of various Wofford teams.
T
On the front LINEs
hese guys protected the quarterback and cleared the way for a Terrier wingbone offense that rushed for thousands of yards this season. They’re the Wofford offensive line, and included in the group this year are four seniors – Derek Wooten, Brent Owen, Ben Miller and Ben Quick. Combined they started more than 80 games. During the season the offensive line was a vital part of the the Terrier rushing offense that was ranked first in the nation. The line also allowed fewer sacks than any other team in all of NCAA Division I football. “The best way to describe the offensive lines that we have had for many years, especially this one, is unsung hero,” says Mike Ayers, head coach. “You never hear their names, except when something bad happens. They have been a tremendous group, and quite frankly they have been the driving force behind the success that we have had with our offense.” Derek Wooten was the only fifth year senior on the offensive line. A native of Rock Hill, S.C., he was also the only married player on the squad. He and his wife, Melissa, were married in July. “It was huge for him to come back,” says Eric Nash’02, offensive line coach. “It would have been easy for him to ride off into the sunset with the conference championship. He was not the only guy who came back that is a big player for us this year. He knew that he had another real good year in him, and we were glad he came back. He was a great leader on the field and does well in the classroom too.” “At first it was a tough decision to come back,” says Wooten. “I was not sure because I was getting married and wondered if I wanted to come back and play again. After a couple of months praying about it, I knew I had to come back and be a part of this team one more time.” Wooten anchored the right side of the line at tackle with his 6-6, 303 pound frame. Defenders had a hard time getting around the corner to get pressure on the quarterback. It also helped open up gaps for the running backs. “Without us the holes would not have been there for them to run,” says Wooten. “They did a great job on their own making the cuts or being fast, since we’re not. We enjoyed opening up those holes and making sure they could score as much as possible.” Ben Miller lined up next to Wooten on the right side at guard. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Miller was known to most on campus by his nickname, Slab. He picked up the
moniker his freshman year when Coach Nash said he was standing off to the side not doing anything, like a slab of meat. He has gotten so used to the name, he answers to it more than his real name. The nickname shows some of the offensive line’s personality. “When we had to be serious and get down to business we were very good at that,” says Miller. “But at the same time we could stay loose and have a good time. We were always hanging out together and having a good time. Over the years we have developed a chemistry where we just read each other and know what the others are thinking. Friday night a lot of people are out having fun and partying, and we have a game, so a lot of the time we would just hole up in someone’s room together and play video games and make fun of each other.” On the other side of the line, Ben Quick was the left tackle. A native of San Diego, Calif., Quick traveled across the country to join the Terriers. He was also one of the quietest guys on the line, rarely showing emotion on the field or in the meeting room. “I could not tell you how Quick was feeling very often,” says Nash. “He was so emotionless as far as showing it. Over the years I have tried to learn the little things to get a gauge on him.” Quick, however, admits that he’s probably “not as quiet as everyone thinks” he is. Brent Owen was a key reserve for the offensive line at any position. In addition to his work on the offensive line, he is chair of the Wofford Honor Council this year. In this role, he oversees the student judicial system on campus. “I decided on Wofford because of the academics and Coach Ayers,” says Owen. “Those were the two biggest things. I had offers closer to home, but this was the best academically. Plus I wanted to win, because I lost a lot of games in high school. I am from Dallas, which is a big city and this is nothing like that. The culture is a lot different, but I enjoy it. It is more laid back than the hustle and bustle of Dallas.” Owens says that serving on the Honor Council is a “totally different realm.... You have to be serious all the time and talk to the dean. It has been interesting and a nice additional extra-curricular activity. Even though I’m in charge of the Honor Council, the time commitment for football was overwhelmingly more.” One thing all four seniors agree on is that the offensive line position might be the most difficult to learn at Wofford. “The offense was very tough to learn,” says Owen. “It was nothing like what we ran in high school and a lot more plays.” Quick agrees. “This offense was the toughest that I have ever seen. The plays switch, and what we did on each
play switched from play to play based on where the defense lined up. If one guy moved over, the whole play might be switched up for the whole offensive line. So it was pretty tough to learn.” While the system might have been hard to learn, it helped that the offensive line posted what might have been the highest grade point average among the team’s position groups. “You had to have your head on straight,” says Miller. “You had to not only be able to grasp the concepts, but also to think on the fly. If they were shifting or picking you, then you had to know what to do in every situation. You were not going to find many dim-witted offensive linemen here at Wofford.” If you have not figured it out yet, the offensive line is also the most entertaining position group on the team. Their sense of humor and personality was rarely hidden and always a little off-center. From Miller taking shots of ketchup and hot sauce at a rookie talent show, to the annual O-Line T-shirts and Pat Illig being made fun of for just being huge, nothing is out of bounds when the guys get together. “I think we are all funny in our own way,” says Miller. “We all have a good time, and it goes back to the fact that no one is spared. Everyone has their thing. The fat jokes are out since we are all fat, but Clark and Vick we make fun of for being country. I get made fun of for being a Bengals fan, we make fun of Pat because he is freakishly big, his feet especially. It goes around and is pretty equal.” Now that the season has ended, the four seniors will go their separate ways. Owen will be getting married in June and going to law school. Quick may go to law school as well. Wooten plans to work in the ministry. Miller wants to get into coaching as a graduate assistant. Whatever they do, they always will take pride in the role that they have played in the Terriers success over the past four years. by Brent Williamson
(Left to right) Derek Wooten, Brent Owen, Ben Quick and Ben Miller. These linemen were part of an exceptional class of 20 seniors, including eight All-SoCon selections. As Wofford Today went to press, the Terriers’ 2008 football season came to a heartbreaking end with a 38-35 defeat in a firstround playoff game at James Madison, the top seed in the 16-team playoff field. Wofford finished the season with a 9-3 record and a second place finish in the Southern Conference.
Winter 2008 • Wofford Today • 15
Leaf, by Sarah Kana ’11
Wofford’s digital photography class — captured slices of fall on campus, from the leaves and lights of Main Building to students jumping, studying and playing. Professional photographer Mike Corbin taught the class. Enjoy these photos of life at Wofford, then visit the class’s flickr page to view more (www.flickr.com/photos/31445016@N07/).
(Above) Shoe, by Hayes Modlin ’10
(Left) Corner Kick, by Jessie Davis ’10
(Right) Halloween, by Will Prosser ’09
(Left) Untitled, by Jessie Davis ’10
(Left) Untitled, by Kate Dempsey ’09
(Below) Untitled, by Robert Harris ’09
(Above) Glendale, by Sarah Kana ’11
Wofford Jumps!, by Hayes Modlin ’10
Untitled, by J. D. Tolbert ’09
Keeping inTouch 1940
The Rev. Ken Bedenbaugh lives in
Greer, S.C., with his daughter, Sylvia, and her husband, Bailey. Bedenbaugh, who retired from the ministry in 1980, was featured in the November issue of the United Methodist Advocate. The article focused on Bedenbaugh’s memories as a World War II chaplain.
1942
It was nice to hear from Thomas B. Horton Jr. who lives with his wife, Dot, in the Springfield Place retirement community in Newberry, S.C. Horton wrote, “I still keep up on news of Wofford but do not attend all football games and other events as I formerly did. I am proud of my Wofford background and promote Wofford at every opportunity!”
1953
Dr. Ted R. Morton received the Herbert Hucks Jr. individual award at the 2008 South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in June. Morton is a commissioner of the Cokesbury Historical and Recreational Commission, and is the state chaplain for the Sons of the American Revolution. Morton and his wife, Henrietta, live in Greenwood, S.C.
About
&
For Alumni
Wofford Today / Wofford College / Volume 41, Number 2 / Spartanburg, South Carolina / Winter 2008 The Wildflowers and
Plant Communities of the Pisgah National Forest
In September, Dr. Doug Rayner, professor of biology and co-author of A Guide to the Wildflowers of South Carolina, led a Wofford continuing education tour of the diverse scenery of the Pisgah National Forest of Western North Carolina. The group spent the day identifying plants, snapping photos of the gorgeous Blue Ridge mountain scenery, and enjoying the company of Wofford alumni and friends. Thanks to Dick Carr for sending these photos.
1954
Dr. Melvin Medlock and Dr. Mack Poole ’55 of Spartanburg celebrated 45 years of practicing medicine together in August 2008. They were honored by the Mary Black Health System and were presented with 1947 collector’s stamps commemorating the 100th anniversary of the American Medical Association. Both say that they still enjoy practicing medicine, and they haven’t made plans to retire.
1959 50th Reunion, Homecoming 2009 Class Chair, William N. Bradford Jr. Cmdr. (Ret.) Martin Banks was honored as public relations officer of the year at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s 70th Annual International Convention in Nashville in July. Martin and his wife, Nancy, enjoyed the series of performances and high stakes competition among 8,500 barbershop singers from around the world. A 25year member, Martin sings bass with the Alexandria (Va.) Harmonizers, a chorus of 80 men with a winning tradition of 15 international medals, including four first-place finishes.
1961 Reunion, Homecoming 2011 Class Chair, Richard L. Robinson We had a nice note from Lewis A. Lynch Sr. who wrote, “As a young boy growing up around Spartan Mills, almost within the shadow of Old Main, I thought one day, ‘I’m going to school there.’ Sure enough, it happened, and I’ve always loved and
18 • Wofford Today • Fall 2008
appreciated the need and mission of traveled this past summer to Alaska, Wofford.” Lynch and his wife, Leslie, Washington, California, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. They also took part live in Spartanburg. in a mission trip to Santo Domingo, Ecuador, to help on the construction 1963 of a Methodist church, school and Reunion, Homecoming 2013 parsonage. Class Chair, Andrew C. English Dr. Preston Beattie and his wife, Susie, are in the process of renovating the 1965 home they purchased near Hartsville, Reunion, Homecoming 2015 We had a nice note from Dan MontS.C. Constructed about 1935, their home was originally a hunting camp. gomery, living in Kawasaki, Japan, It was made into a home in the 50s and with his wife, Kiyoko. Dan discovered added to in the 60s. An unusual feature this year that he could get all Wofford is that it is surrounded on three sides football games on radio and some games by water! Beattie says, “We feel very via live streaming on the Internet. “I privileged that we were selected by the have to get up at three or four in the morning to catch the games, but I have owners to buy the property.” heard or seen all of them so far this year. I really enjoy seeing the gold and black 1964 Terriers on the field. They have a very Reunion, Homecoming 2014 enthusiastic fan here in Japan.” Class Chair, Charles W. Saunders Jr. Walter J. Wallace and his wife, Kathy, live in Deatsville, Ala. They
1966 Reunion, Homecoming 2016 Class Chair, J. Hayne Culler Sr. Hayne Culler Sr., and his wife, Sally, live in Orangeburg, S.C. Culler is serving his second term as president of the country club of Orangeburg and is also president of the Corsair Men’s Club. Dave Thorpe and his wife, Helenjo, are proud parents of their daughter,
Katherine (Katie) Rose Thorpe ’09. Dave wrote us that Katie and, Mike Combest ’08, are headed for Shanghai, China, to teach English. The Thorpes live in Solana Beach, Calif.
1967
Living in Huntersville, N.C., John E. Adams Jr. serves as chairman of the board for the Ada Jenkins Center Community Center in Davidson.
1968 Reunion, Homecoming 2018 Class Chair, Ronald G. Bruce David M. Bates and his wife, Brenda, live in Glenville, N.C. Bates received recognition from the Highlands (N.C.) Plateau Audubon Society and Audubon North Carolina in recognition of his leadership of the Jackson-Macon Conservation Alliance, a local environmental organization, and his individual efforts in preserving the hemlock forests on the Highlands-Cashiers plateau.
Reunion, Homecoming 2017 1969 Class Chair, Hubbard McDonald Jr. Gary Bethard and his wife, Dana, 40th Reunion, Homecoming 2009 have moved from Fairfax, Va., to Hamp- Class Chair, Richard L. Myers A. Kennedy Dawson wrote us that ton Hall, Bluffton, S.C. he retired in January 2008 from the of-
fice of chief counsel, Internal Revenue Service, where he worked as an attorney for more than 30 years. Dawson and his wife, Janet, live in Greensboro, N.C. Dr. David Huston and his wife, Marilyn, live in Houston, Texas. He is vice dean of the College of Medicine at Texas A&M Health Science CenterHouston and director of the Center for Clinical and Translational Science. Living in Lexington, S.C., Don Parker is a high school broadcast production teacher with Lexington School District 1. Tom Thrailkill and his wife, Linda, live in Huntsville, Ala. The couple has operated Independent Personnel for 25 years for the search and recruitment of engineers, scientists and technology managers.
are lots of Wofford alumni on her side of the family, including her grandfather, J.M. Friday, who attended Wofford in the 1870s, her father, Wofford Carlisle Fridy ’18, and two brothers. Peter’s father, the Rev. John V. Murray, received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Wofford in 1971. Peter continues to teach history at Methodist University in Fayetteville, N.C. Tony Smith retired in May 2008 from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as senior special agent. He is now a law enforcement specialist/instructor with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Charleston, S.C. Tony and his wife, Jane, celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary in September. The couple lives in Summerville, S.C.
1971
1976
Reunion, Homecoming 2011 Class Chair, Kenneth E. Smith John Fort and his wife, Beth, live in Greenville, S.C. Fort is president and owner of First Commercial Realty. Will Lemon is project manager/ estimator for Campbell Tile Co., in the Greenville, S.C. office. Lemon and his wife, Sally, live in Spartanburg. Hunter Quick and his wife, Leslie, live in Charlotte, N.C. Quick is an attorney with the law firm of Quick, Widis & Nalibotsky, PLLC.
Reunion, Homecoming 2012 Class Chair, Allen S. Guignard Community Bank & Trust of Gainesville, Fla., announced the appointment of Mike Whitmire as executive vice president on Aug. 20, 2008. Whitmire lives in Gainesville with his wife, Becky. Their son, John Thomas Whitmire ’08, graduated from Wofford in August.
Reunion, Homecoming 2016 Class Chair, John W. Gandy The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind Board of Commissioners announced in October the election of Cindy Smith Holland as chairman of the board. Holland has served on the board since 1993 and is part owner of Dottie’s Toffie. She and her husband, Robert, live in Spartanburg. G. Jackson Hughes was one of four Upstate business people honored by the Greenville Tech Foundation at its 10th Annual Entrepreneurs Forum Gala on Sept. 24, 2008. Hughes is president of Hughes Commercial Property Inc., a real estate development, brokerage and property management firm. Greenville Tech honors local entrepreneurs for success in business each year. Living in Memphis, Tenn., C. Yorke Lawson is a partner in the real estate development firm of CGI & Partners Inc.
1973
1977
1972
Reunion, Homecoming 2013 Class Chair, E. George McCoin Jr.
The Rev. Michael McDonald and his wife, Nancy, live in Campobello, S.C. McDonald served as a United Methodist minister from 1972-1978. He has been self-employed since leaving the ministry and now owns the chemical sales firm of Michael’s LLC Inc. Dr. Bradley Williams is an ophthalmologist at Southern Eye Associates located in Greer, S.C. Williams and his wife, Sharon, live in Greenville, S.C.
1974 Reunion, Homecoming 2014 Class Chair, Jerry L. Calvert The Latta Rotary Club named Walt Brown as citizen of the year in October 2008. Brown is director of First Bancorp and lives in Latta, S.C., with his wife, Susan. The Rev. Reggie Rowell and his wife, Denise, live in North Charleston, S.C. Rowell is the minister at Aldersgate United Methodist Church.
1975 Reunion, Homecoming 2015 Class Chair, John O. Moore Our sympathies go out to Peter Murray on the passing of his mother, Sara Murray Purser, who died Sept. 30 in Decatur, Ga. Peter wrote us that there
Seminar in Orbit Participants in this year’s continuing education Orbiting Seminar X enjoyed visiting historical sites of interest in South Carolina’s Greenwood and Abbeville Counties Sept. 25-26. Here the local guide, Ernest Prewett ’59, shares the story of Tabernacle Cemetery near Cokesbury, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in August 2008. Originally sited on land owned by George Connor (1759-1827), Tabernacle church and cemetery served a large Methodist community and reflected typical burial customs of the 19th century South. Today, there remain 132 marked graves, including the final resting places of noteworthy educators and clergymen as well as several highranking Confederate officers.
Reunion, Homecoming 2017 Class Chair, C. Stan Sewell Jr. Dr. Ben Treen is a physician dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology and Laser Center in Piedmont, S.C. Treen and his family live in Greenville, S.C.
1978 Homecoming 2018 Class Chair, Richard Krapfel Johnny Leazer lives in Gaffney, S.C., with his wife, Dell. Leazer is controller for the contracting company Waldrop Inc. Congratulations to Armando Llorente, one of 20 individuals to be chosen by the “Boston Business Journal” and “El Planeta” for their inaugural list of “20 on the Move” — a compilation of top Hispanic business executives making an impact in Boston. Llorente is director of human resources for Thermo Fisher Scientific. He lives in Atkinson, N.H., with his wife, Lauren.
1979 30th Reunion, Homecoming 2009 Class Chair, Wade E. Ballard The Childhood League Center, an early education center for children with special needs and their families in Columbus, Ohio, announced in September the appointment of Marty Richards as development director. He
Adding another link to the Wofford-Middlebury Connection John Wood ’08 (left) became the most recent graduate to make the Middlebury Wofford Connection. Above, he holds the banner of fame with Dr. Ana Maria Wiseman (right) and Terrence Crouch ’98. According to Wood, “Middlebury was an intense academic experience and a cognitive feast of engagement. The living arrangement combined with the language pledge was incredibly conducive to speaking my pledged language, German. Another great thing about Middlebury for me was that I experienced every single activity in tandem with my professors. We took every meal together, played tennis, went to concerts or enjoyed a coffee together. I never once had the feeling that I might be intruding on the professors’ time, or that they might be intruding on my time, because that is what they were there to do. It was their passion, and they broadcast that passion to every student in the program.”
Winter 2008 • Wofford Today • 19
Photos from the dedication of Gerald W. and Rachel P. Gibson Hall. (Below) The Gibsons express their thanks. (Right) The Gibsons with Maryville College Board of Directors Chair Dr. Dorsey D. “Dan” Ellis Jr. during the ribbon cutting.
came to the center from his role as assistant vice president for endowed and planned giving for the United Way of Central Ohio. Richards lives in Columbus.
1980
Gibson Hall honors its namesake’s commitment to sustaining the liberal arts
D
life to a truly effective, liberal arts, tions to that endeavor.” r. Gerald Gibson Since Gibson’s arrival at total learning experience.” ’59, 10th president Maryville in 1993, enrollment Gibson’s background in Naming the final planned of Maryville (Tenn.) has increased by 55 percent and education is far-reaching. He residence hall for the Gibsons College, and his wife, Rachel, the endowment has tripled. The moved from Saluda County to were honored during Maryville’s college is just completing its most seemed a fitting tribute to board Spartanburg County at the age Homecoming in October with ambitious capital campaign ever. members. Gibson was less of 10 when his father became certain. the dedication of the Gerald W. Given these accomplishments, the principal of Pauline-Glenn “It was an unexpected and and Rachel P. Gibson Hall, the some may be surprised that GibSprings School, a post the elder college’s newest residence hall. son is most proud of “getting the overwhelming honor,” he acGibson held from 1948 until The $8 million, 53,000-square(physical) campus back in shape.” knowledges of learning the news 1976. When Gerald Gibson foot building is the latest in an Dorms as well as other struc- this fall. The board had raised the graduated from Wofford in 1959 impressive list of recent construc- tures were old and damaged when topic at its executive session at with a chemistry degree, he a retreat last April. When board tion and renovation projects at Gibson arrived. He felt strongly enrolled in graduate school at the the 190-year-old college. that if students had inviting, com- chairman Dr. Dan Ellis told University of Tennessee. Gibson Hall is the seventh fortable residences, they would be him of their suggestion, Gibson “I entered grad school with new construction completed more vested in the experience and dismissed the idea, noting with the intention of going into reamusement that he was “neither during Gibson’s 15-year tenure. would take better care of their search, but somewhere along the retired nor dead.” By late sumAn eighth building, a civic arts own accommodations. During line I decided I wouldn’t be happy center, is under construction. Ad- the residence hall dedication cer- mer, the board had forged ahead. anywhere other than on a college ditionally, four existing buildings emony, Vice President and Dean At the dedication, Ellis honored campus.” “Gerald’s transformative and have been acquired by the college, of Students Vandy Kemp noted, Gibson earned his Ph.D. in moral leadership” and “Rachel’s and numerous buildings have “Dr. Gibson has always believed chemistry from UT in 1963. support and many quiet contribu- He served in the Army for a few undergone major renovations. in the importance of residence Gibson Hall houses years before he took his first At the Gibson Hall dedication: Sitting (l-r) Rachel Gibson (holding 148 upperclassmen in suite teaching job at the Colgranddaughter Alex Yalove), Gerald Gibson, granddaughter Maddie Yalove. arrangements. The building lege of Charleston in 1965. Standing (l-r) daughter Laura Gibson, daughter-in-law Amanda Smeltzer reflects the college’s move He became the chemistry Gibson, son Paul Gibson, daughter Holly Gibson Yalove and son-in-law toward sustainability, as it department chair in 1967, Jay Yalove. includes features such as and in 1982, he became aslow-flow showers and toilets sociate provost. Gibson was and compact fluorescent named vice president and light bulbs, just to name dean of Roanoke College a few. The hall has been 1984. designated as a wellness hall; The impression he residents agree to be alcomade on the Maryville hol-, drug- and tobacco-free. search committee more While several Maryville than 15 years ago is a testiCollege campus buildmony to his undergraduate ings are named for past and professional liberal arts presidents, Gibson Hall careers. is only the second to be “He quickly conveyed named for a president and that he did not think he his wife. Ralph Waldo and knew everything,” recalls Margaret Bell Lloyd Hall, Ellis. “But he exhibited a which mirrors Gibson Hall profound understanding across a courtyard, was the of and commitment to the first. Rachel Gibson, who liberal arts.” by Sarah Ross Cohen ’88 has a degree in secondary with assistance from education from the College the Maryville College of Charleston, maintains an Communications Office active presence around the campus and in the community. 20 • Wofford Today • Winter 2008
Reunion, Homecoming 2010 Class Chair, Paul Kountz Jr. Bob Coleman is director of 3f North America, located in Newberry, S.C. The firm manufactures wholesale industrial tape. Coleman and his family live in Prosperity, S.C. Congratulations to the Rev. Steve Dickey and his wife, Phyllis, who celebrated 28 years of marriage in 2008. Dickey is a chaplain with Corporate Chaplains of America. The couple lives in Anderson, S.C. Mary Black Health System announced in September the addition of Doug Smith to its board of trustees. Smith, former speaker pro tempore of the South Carolina House of Representatives, is a partner with the Johnson, Smith, Hibbard and Wildman Law firm. He lives in Spartanburg with his wife, Alison, and daughters, Cameron and Anna Douglas. Jim Switzer has joined the Spartanburg branch of Morgan Stanley as senior vice president. Switzer and his wife, Betsy, live in Spartanburg.
1982 Reunion, Homecoming 2012 Class Chair, Madison Dye Jr. Timothy Matthews lives with his family in Valrico, Fla. Matthews is firm manager for the CPA firm of Hanna, Lemar & Morris.
1983 Reunion, Homecoming 2013 Class Chair, W. Scott Gantt Living in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Danny Baxley is a realtor with Century 21. Continuous Learning Group Inc. announced in October 2008 the appointment of Charles Carnes as a partner within the consultancy. The company is a worldwide leader of behavior-based strategy execution and performance improvement consulting. Carnes has been associated with the company for 13 years. He lives in Charlotte, N.C., with his wife, Ellen, and daughter, Morgan.
Lt. Cmdr. (Ret.) Ellis D. Colvin
became a student at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University in August 2008. Colvin is enrolled in its one year, accelerated master of strategic studies program. While at NDU, Ellis is specializing in the field of biotechnology and will participate in national and international exchange programs. Colvin lives in Behesda, Md., with his family. Congratulations to Dr. John Greinwald, promoted to the rank of associate professor of otolaryngology and pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati Department of Pediatrics. He also continues to direct the auditory genetics laboratory at Children’s Hospital Cincinnati where he is developing a gene chip to better diagnose the causes of hearing loss
in children. Greinwald recently retired from the Navy Reserve at the rank of commander after completing 20 years of active service. Greinwald, his wife, Karen, and children, Emily, Christian, Natalia and Vladimir, enjoy yearly mission trips to Mexico.
The Rev. Mickey Shealy, his wife, Denise Whitt Shealy, and their children, Keri, Whitt and Philip, live in Dalton, Ga. Shealy is senior pastor for First Presbyterian Church in Dalton, and Denise is a mortgage broker for Sun Trust.
1984
1988
Reunion, Homecoming 2014 Class Chair, Kenneth Kirkpatrick Our apologies to Stephen Edwards and his family. In the last issue of Wofford Today, we incorrectly referred to his daughter, O’Neill, as his son. William Floyd, an employment and labor attorney in Nexsen Pruet’s Columbia office, will serve on the 2008-09 board of directors of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Floyd lives in Lexington, S.C., with his wife, Ellen. Dr. Bill Hammill, his wife, Cam, and sons Ben and Kyle, live in Charlottesville, Va. Hammill is director of all heart and vascular programs at Martha Jefferson Hospital and a practicing pediatric cardiologist. Their son, Will Hammill ’09, is a senior at Wofford and his brother, Bruce, is a sophomore at Virginia Tech. The Rev. Wayne Terry and his wife, Joye, live in Gilbert, S.C. Terry recently accepted the position of associate executive director of the multiplication team for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Susan Thornton is a systems analyst with Florida Power and Light. She lives in North Palm Beach, Fla., with her husband, Frank Russo and their children, Matthew (8) and Marina (15).
1985 Reunion, Homecoming 2015 Class Chair, Timothy Madden It was nice to hear from Dr. Layne McDaniel, who lives in Boone, N.C., with her husband, Tony Carey, and daughter, Ketchel. McDaniel is on the faculty at Appalachian State University, where she teaches history.
1986 Reunion, Homecoming 2016 Class Chair, Brand Stille Living in Nashotah, Wisc., Dagnall Free is in his second year at Nashotah House Episcopal Seminary, in preparation for a call to the ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church, the Diocese of South Carolina. Free and his wife, Sallie, have two children, Emma and William. Joe Lambert and his family live in Orange City, Fla. Lambert is vice president of Ever Bank located in Winter Park, Fla. John Matthews is specialty district sales manager for Abbott Laboratories Inc. Matthews lives in Tampa, Fla., with his wife, Regina, and children, Katie and Jack. Director of technical services for the Spartanburg Water System, Rebecca West was installed in October 2008 as president of the Water Environment Federation. The 75-year-old, not-for-profit organization has about 60,000 members around the world, and focuses on technical and educational issues involving water. West lives in Taylors, S.C.
Reunion, Homecoming 2018 Class Chair, C. Lane Glaze Living in Durham, N.C., Drew Vermillion is a money manager for Hatteras Capital.
1989 20th Reunion, Homecoming 2009 Class Chair, Michael R. Sullivan Working as a senior territory sales manager for Merge Healthcare, Britt Becknell lives in Spartanburg, S.C. Mark Bundy has joined All American Construction Co., as project coordinator and estimator. Bundy lives in Alpharetta, Ga., with his wife, Elizabeth, and children, Elizabeth (3) and William (5). Garrett Oakes Hall, his wife, Shelley, and two daughters, Gabrielle (13) and Taylor (10), live in Charlotte, N.C. The family recently relocated from Hawaii, where they had lived for 13 years. Hall is national sales manager for NCS Plus Inc., an accounts receivable management firm. Scarlett Tanner Hester and her husband, Wayne, announce the birth of their son, Zachary Curtis Hester, Nov. 11, 2007. Zachary joins big sister Samantha (3). The family lives in Longs, S.C. Stanley E. Porter is the managing director of Deloitte Consulting LLP’s Greater Washington, D.C. practice. Porter counsels global energy concerns in matters regarding strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, enterprise governance and finance operations improvements. He lives in Chevy Chase, Md., with his wife, Jennifer, and two daughters. Jeffrey Reeves has been chosen to participate in Leadership South Carolina’s class of 2009. Now in its 30th year, the program accepts approximately 50 participants a year who have demonstrated a commitment to their community and strive to reach a higher level of service to the Palmetto State. Reeves lives in Lexington, S.C., and is senior vice president for Wachovia Bank. He also has been named to the board of directors of the Lexington Medical Center Foundation and will serve a two-year term. Dr. Eva Smith lives in Spartanburg and is an assistant professor at Brevard College in Brevard, N.C. Living in Charleston, S.C., Grant Tate is associated with Halpern’s Steak and Seafood.
1990 Reunion, Homecoming 2010 Class Chair, Scott W. Cashion A senior technical analyst for Progress Energy, Tom Barnett evaluates and recommends new technology for the company. Barnett, his wife, Robin, and children, Thomas and Katie, live in Cary, N.C.
Trustees honor Preston with dean of students, emeritus title
I
n the spring, the Wofford Board of Trustees honored Mike Preston ’63 with dean of students, emeritus, status. Students from the 1970s, ’80s and early ’90s remember Preston’s unflappable approach to student problems. Preston once likened his philosophy of managing student life to teaching a child to bake cookies. “It’s easier to say ’get out of my way,’ but it’s better for them if they do it for themselves,” he says. “I made sure the important stuff got done, and that they didn’t get hurt, but I stayed out of their way.” Roberta Bigger ’81, who worked in Preston’s office as a student and later succeeded Preston as dean after he suffered major heart problems, credits Preston with ensuring the success of co-education at Wofford. “He hired Sharon Dunn, the first female assistant dean of students, and made sure we knew that his door was always open,” says Bigger, who was in the first class of women to both study and live on campus in the late 1970s. “If a student had a problem, Dean Preston would stop everything. He always put students who needed assistance first.” Bigger recalls that Preston handled judicial matters swiftly and empowered students to lead. He often attended student events and never sat down during a football game. “As a student I always wondered why,” says Bigger. “Now as dean of students I realize that standing on the fence during football games at Snyder Field allowed him to be open to students in a non-obtrusive way.” Preston still tries to attend as many Wofford football games as possible. He likes bringing his grandchildren and, although he can no longer stand on the fence at Gibbs Stadium, he finds ways to remain accessible. Sharing stories is one of those ways, and Preston still tells the best stories — playing golf with Sam Snead, watching a friend shoot a hole in his boat when a Copperhead fell in (yes, the boat sank, not sure what happened to the snake), falling off an Irish thoroughbred named Whoa GD and lying in the snow for three hours until someone found him. Matter of fact, Preston probably has more stories than he has leaves on the 40 acres of mountain property he owns just outside of Brevard, N.C. When Preston bought the property in 1989, he still worked at Wofford full-time as the dean of students and commuted back and forth many days. The three-hour round-trip drive caused lots of raised eyebrows and questions. “Every time someone asked why, I said because when I get here I feel like I’m on vacation,” says Preston. Since leaving Wofford, Preston has turned his vacation spot into a working farm. He spends his days mending fences, hauling hay and remodeling the house. It was built as a split-log cabin in the 1800s, was added to in 1916 after a massive flood in Western, North Carolina, and was extended again after the Prestons bought it. The Prestons also stay busy caring for 19 cats (only one hold-over from their years on campus), five dogs and three horses. Preston helped foal the youngest horse, Blaze, a Belgian that stands better than 17 hands and steals Preston’s hat when he’s working on the barn or in the pasture. “Before we had horses, I used to complain bitterly about how much money we spent feeding Jane’s cats and dogs,” says Preston, referring to his wife, Jane, who served as director of the Spartanburg Humane Society and adopted any stray campus animal when they lived in Spartanburg. “Now I don’t say a word.”
by Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89
Winter 2008 • Wofford Today • 21
Alumni & friends in the news McElveen featured in “Living in South Carolina” magazine
J
ason McElveen ’08 was featured in the October issue of Laurens Electric’s Living in South Carolina magazine as the “emperor of sauce.” An article on “Palmetto State gifts” reads that McElveen “applied lessons learned from his Wofford College small business management class to launch a business with a zing.” The article also goes on the say that McElveen received expert advice from fellow Wofford graduates and entrepreneurs John Bauknight ’89 and Nick Wildrick ’90 on his way to starting Small Dog LLC, maker of Native Tongue Gourmet Sauces. People can purchase McElveen’s Japanese Pink Sauce, an all-natural product with no preservatives, at the Fresh Market in Spartanburg, Whole Foods in Greenville and Mount Pleasant, and now in some Piggly Wiggly locations. For more information on McElveen and Native Tongue Japanese Pink Sauce, visit nativetonguesauces.com.
Powell inducted into Legal Services Organization Alumni Hall of Fame
T
he 12th Legal Services Organization (12th LSO), in recognition of its 50th Anniversary as a United States Army Reserve Command, inducted its first honorees into the 12th LSO Alumni Hall of Fame. Brig. Gen. Eugene Powell ’62, deputy commander, Joint Services Detachment, S.C. Military Department, was its first officer inductee. Col. Daniel Shearouse (left), clerk of the South Carolina Supreme Court and former commander of the 12th LSO, presented the award to Powell. Powell served as a colonel and the commander of the 12th Military Law Center (now the 12th LSO) from 1986 – 1990. U.S. Army Forces Command awarded Powell the Legion of Merit for his services as commander. (Photo by John Powell)
Talbert appointed to South Carolina commission on higher education
I
n October, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford announced the appointment of Charles L. “Chuck” Talbert ’79, CPA, as the newest commissioner to the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. The commission serves as the state’s coordinating board for public higher education. Talbert has been a shareholder/ director of McAbee Talbert Halliday & Co. in Spartanburg since 1981. He also is active as vice chairman of the National Uniform CPA Examination Review Board, the board of directors for Spartanburg Regional Hospital for Restorative Care, and with other church Talbert and community volunteer interests.
Cochran makes elite list of nation’s best cancer liaison physicians
D
r. Robert Cochran ’74, a surgeon at Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, is among only 55 doctors in the country to receive the Cancer Liaison Physician Outstanding Performance Award. The listing represents Cochran’s commitment to improving cancer care with an eye towards continually honing the already-world-class program at the Gibbs Cancer Center. The 55 physicians given the Cancer Liaison Physician Outstanding PerCochran formance Award were selected among 1,600 doctors represented in the Commission on Cancer’s national network.
22 • Wofford Today • Winter 2008
Davidson receives Archambault Award
Sulton joins Ford & Harrison as a partner
Comer named CFO and executive VP
d Davidson ’78 received the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists (ASCP) Archambault Award during the Senior Care Pharmacy ’07 Annual Meeting and Exhibition. The award was created in honor of George F. Archambault, considered the “father of consultant pharmacy,” and given in recogntion of outstanding contributions to consultant and senior care pharmacy. Davidson, a noted researches who is widely published, serves as ASCP’s representative to the National Transitions of Care Coalition. He maintains an active practice as a consultant pharmacist as a partner of Insight Therapeutics in Norfolk, Va. He is assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Glennan Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he also sits on the Institutional Review Board. In addition, Davidson has served as editor-in-chief of ASCP’s peer-reviewed journal, The Consultant Pharmacist, for the past 10 years. His crowning achievement is the acceptance of the journal by the National Library of Medicine as an indexed journal in MEDLINE.
aniel T. Sulton ’95 has joined the national labor and employment law firm of Ford & Harrison as partner in the firm’s Spartanburg office. Sulton is a former assistant federal counsel for SCANA Corp., a Fortune 500 energy company with operations in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. Sulton has joined Ford & Harrison’s Employee Benefits Group and will concentrate his practice on representing management in employee benefits and executive compensation matters with an emphasis on the establishment and maintenance of welfare, pension and executive compensation plans. Sulton also will provide proactive counseling to clients and defense of cases involving employment laws and government inquiries. While at SCANA, he advised management on a broad range of benefits and compensation matters. He also drafted employment agreements, severance agreements, nondisclosure agreements and third-party professional services agreements. He also assisted SCANA in its successful implementation of an on-site pharmacy and wellness program.
merican Specialty Health (ASH), a leading national health improvement organization based in San Diego, Calif., recently named William (Bill) M. Comer Jr. ’75 chief financial officer and executive vice president. As CFO, Bill is responsible for the management and oversight of all financial matters for ASH. Comer brings to ASH more than 25 years of accounting, finance and general management experience. Prior to joining ASH, Comer was vice president, audit and corporate compliance officer for Valeant Pharmaceuticals International. In this role, he was responsible on a global basis for managing Valeant’s internal audits, assuring compliance with internal controls requirements, monitoring and reporting on financial and non-financial regulatory compliance matters, promoting ethical standards, and performing special investigations. Comer also had served as CFO of Valeant’s publiclyheld research and development subsidiary, where he managed its accounting and financial operations, participated in the initial implementation of several multimillion dollar global clinical trials, and started and managed a distributions company in Southeast Asia.
E
D
A
Andy Beeson and his wife, Holly, announce the birth of their son, Wilton Andrew “Drew” Beeson Jr., Sept. 10, 2008. The family lives in Lexington, S.C. Elliott DeMerell lives in Charleston, S.C. DeMerell is director of development for the Gibbes Museum of Art. Dr. Lang Foster and his wife, Gretchen, announce the birth of their son, Conrad Foster, Oct. 17, 2008. He joins big sister Caroline (1), and big brothers Rodman (3) and Lang (5). The family lives in Anderson, S.C. Foster also is preparing for the December 2008 opening of Foster Orthodontics. Katrina Huggins Grier and her husband, Cal, announce the birth of their daughter, Emmery Ruth Grier, June 24, 2008. Emmery is named for her great aunt, Ruth Lesesne. She joins big brother Charlie (8), and big sister Callahan (3). The family lives in Duluth, Ga. It was nice to hear from Dawn Samuels Rockey, living in Cantonment, Fla., with her husband, John, and daughters, Callie (5) and Katie (7). Rockey works with elementary school children as a prevention counselor with the Community Drug and Alcohol Counsel. Living in Columbia, S.C., Houston Smith is a corporate pilot for SCANA, an electric and natural gas company with operations in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. Carolina Athletic Management Agency, the largest NFL representation agency in the Carolinas, is owned by Joel Turner. Turner has been certified since 1999 by the National Football League Player Association. He lives in North Myrtle Beach, S.C. Maj. Stephen Waldrop and his wife, Tracy, announce the birth of their son, W. Alexander Waldrop, May 19, 2008. Stephen is currently deployed in Iraq, where he is assigned to the 50th Infantry Brigade/JASG-C. The family lives in Fayetteville, Ga.
Juli-Ann Waddell: Growing a healthier lifestyle
A
t age 41, Juli-Ann Lee Waddell ’89, a wife, mother, volunteer and designer, decided she wanted to learn how to be a farmer. “If you had told me 18 months ago that I’d be doing this, I’d have thought you were crazy,” says Waddell, who cheerfully admits that her previous attempts at gardening yielded a single cherry tomato. In June, Waddell, along with her son, Mac (12), and daughter, Annie (10), moved 1,200 miles from Dothan, Ala., her hometown and residence for the past 16 years, to Athol, Mass., where Waddell enrolled in the Adult Practical Training Program at the Farm School. For the next year, she’ll learn many of the skills needed for managing an organic farm, while teaching her children to take a risk in order to follow their dreams.
Lucy Strausbaugh Woodhouse
lives in Greenville, S.C. She became director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Furman University in June 2008. Russell Wright and his wife, Birley Hedgepath Wright ’93, live in Columbia, S.C. Russell maintains a thriving massage therapy practice in addition to selling advertising with the Columbia Star. They have two children, Perry Lynn (9) and Baylis (5).
1991 Reunion, Homecoming 2011 Class Chair, Leslee Houck Page Crawford Investment Council Inc. announced the addition of Geoffrey DeLong as senior vice president of fixed income research and management. DeLong lives in Atlanta, Ga., with his wife, Dorsey, and children, Mary, Harrison and Sims. Meredith Swittenberg Greene, her husband, Mitchell, and sons, Scottie and Charlie, live in Easley, S.C. Greene is employed as a physical therapist. Allen Morris is a financial advisor with Banc of America Investments. He lives in Boiling Springs, S.C.
Juli-Ann and her children, Annie and Mac, at an apple farm in New Hampshire near their new home.
Waddell is writing a blog to chronicle their adventure for friends and family left behind, including her husband, Stokes ’90. In her often humorous and sometimes poignant entries, she is frank about the turmoil in her life that brought her to farm school. Seven years ago, Waddell’s life was literally making her sick. Days spent running from carpools to volunteer commitments to meetings with distributors for the high-end children’s bedding she designed and manufactured were taking a heavy toll: she was plagued by chronic sinus infections, allergies, fatigue, insomnia and depression. When her health became so bad that she was tested for multiple sclerosis, she began to wonder whether stress and food might be the cause of her symptoms. “I stopped drinking artificial sweeteners and my MS symptoms cleared up in five days,” she says. She also eliminated trans fats and processed foods and began eating organically grown (chemical-free) vegetables. “I started reclaiming my health that I had destroyed through my lifestyle and diet.” She bought a share in a local community-supported agriculture farm (CSA) that entitled her family to regular deliveries of seasonal organic produce. “It changed the way we ate; it changed our connection with our food, and I knew that the farm was something special,” she recalls. In 2005, Waddell enrolled, along with her sister, Jeni, in the New York Citybased Institute for Integrated Nutrition, where she received a degree in holistic health counseling. The sisters created Green Light, a food and lifestyle consulting company through which they offer individual and group counseling, cooking classes and healthyliving workshops. As her expertise in consuming and cooking healthier food grew, so did her interest in food production. The next step
became clear after she read an article about a woman who left her job as a CPA to enroll in the Farm School. She sold her bedding business in August 2007, and with her husband’s support, she applied to the practical farm training program and was accepted. The couple decided it was best for Stokes to remain behind to manage his commercial and industrial plumbing business, but both believed the move was an opportunity for their children to learn a valuable lesson in effecting change. “Americans spend more on health care than other industrialized countries, and yet we’re sadder and sicker than we’ve ever been,” says Waddell. “I have experienced the effect of eliminating chemicals from my diet and believe in the healing power of good quality food in our bodies. I also am passionate about supporting the small farmer who grows food mindfully and with sustainable farming practices. It’s important for us all to be connected to our food — to know where it comes from — that’s something we have lost in just a few generations in this country. It’s also critical that we each take some responsibility to respect and nurture the earth so that our great-great-grandchildren will be able to enjoy the same pleasures we do.” After spending the summer adjusting to their new surroundings in Massachusetts, mother and children began school in the fall. Waddell’s program started on Oct. 1, toward the end of the harvest season. The farm is a working CSA with 150 members, and she’s enjoyed seeing the other side of harvesting and packaging produce for delivery to shareholders. “I feel like a farmer. We move the cows and sheep, drive horses, take care of the chickens. We’ve learned to milk a cow, drive a tractor, use a chain saw, take a soil sample, use power tools, make yogurt and cheese, and preserve food. There will also be a poultryslaughtering class, and we’ll learn sheep-shearing. It’s really an all-encompassing program that teaches not only farming but how to live more sustainably.” The days are long and likely to get even longer during the spring planting season, Waddell says, but they’re noticeably different from the frenzied, hectic days of her past. “It’s rewarding to work really hard and come home exhausted. Every day I feel like I’ve done something ‘real.’ It’s a different kind of tired than what I’ve expe-
rienced before; I sleep better now than I ever have.” Waddell’s children have been drawn into farm life as well. Mac attends the Chicken Coop School, a program for seventhand eighth-graders located on the farm. The children share a lunchroom with the adult students, and Waddell frequently eats with her son. A couple of days each week, the Chicken Coop students work on the farm. “I’ll be washing parsnips and Mac is there, chatting away and helping us pack the boxes and get them ready. It’s a really great experience for both of us.” Annie attends fourth grade at The Village School in Royalston, about 15 minutes away. “They have a garden day each week, and at the end of the harvest they cook the vegetables, and those kids chow down on them like they’re the greatest things they’ve ever eaten. They’re not just teaching math and literature and science; they’re giving them life skills.” Stokes flies up for visits as often as possible. “We miss him. He’s been incredibly supportive of what we’re doing because this is bigger than just picking up and moving to Massachusetts for a year,” says Waddell. “I think it shows a lot of integrity for him to let me move away with his kids.” When the program ends in September 2009, Waddell isn’t sure what will be next. She toys with the idea of starting her own small farm or perhaps assisting conventional farmers convert to organic methods. “At the very least, I’ll be able to leave here and grow my own foods,” she adds. But for her, the journey itself is as important, if not more so, than its final destination. “It sounds corny, but my mantra is ‘be the change you want to see in the world.’ My kids and I are having this great life experience because I believe that their generation is going to be called to fix the things that we’ve messed up. And I’m still educating myself so that I can educate others to make even small changes in their lives, because if we all do a little, then big changes happen.” Read more about Juli-Ann, Stokes, Mac and Annie in their blog: http://ouryearonthefarm. blogspot.com.
by Lisa Mincey Ware
Winter 2008 • Wofford Today • 23
Living in Bennettsville, S.C., with his wife, Jan, and children, Jacob and John, Ellis O’Tuel is a financial advisor with Edward Jones. Nick Skenteris, part owner and manager of the Carolina Drive-In, was profiled in the Charleston Post and Courier on Aug. 31. Skenteris began working in the restaurant as a teenager, continued part-time during his days as a Wofford student and gradually inherited the top job. He lives with his wife, Pat Maurides Skenteris, in Greenville, S.C. Living in Atlanta, Ga., Erin Arynne Mitchell Watson is vice president, large corporate and institutional marketing manager, at SunTrust Banks Inc. In this role, Watson leads the marketing plan development and execution for corporate and investment banking.
1992
Martin turns hobby (and a conversation on a plane) into big business
T
he next time you are traveling and the person seated next to you asks a seemingly innocuous question, pay attention. It could change your life. Just ask Kevin Martin ’90, who was traveling home to Chicago on a flight from Houston. He was working in sales and marketing for General Mills, in the Similac and Yoplait divisions, when he boarded the plane for home. “I was feeling a little low about the job,” he says. “I sat down on the plane, got an upgrade to first class and ordered some scotch. The silver haired gentleman sitting next to me said, ’You look kind of young to be drinking scotch.’ I kind of looked at him and thought, ’Who the heck are you?’” Just 27 at the time, Martin and his friends had been to a number of scotch tastings. It was a hobby of sorts, something they all just enjoyed learning about. “Ironically, I had a quarterly publication called The Malt Advocate in my briefcase,” says Martin. “I pulled it out and showed it to this guy. I’m showing him all these brands I have tried and telling him what a big scotch fan I am. The guy’s jaw drops, and he starts looking at me funny. “He says, ’I work for Scheiffelin and Somerset. We own Johnny Walker and about 20 different brands of single malts.’ For the next four hours, waiting on the tarmac and then flying to Chicago, we drank scotch and talked about it. He had just approved a head count in his office for a regional marketing director, and within two weeks I was working for the guy.” From there, Martin’s career took off not unlike that plane. He went on to be brand manager and then senior brand manager with Johnny Walker. He went on to sell several other name brands, and now he’s a partner in his own company, Leblon Cachaca (check out the company Web site, www.liveloveleblon.com). That conversation that changed the course of his life may have been chance, but his education at Wofford helped him seal the deal. Martin, a finance major, says the college prepared him not just for grad school at the University of South Carolina, but for success in life as well. “Being in sales, you have to have an appreciation for every type of personality,” he says. “Being able to connect with people is critical, as is being well versed in religion and philosophy and literature, and being able to speak to different cultures. “If you go to engineering school and get a job in engineering, you’re dealing with engineers all your life. It’s tough to go out in the real world because you’re fairly limited. Having a liberal arts background is perfect for sales and marketing because you can apply that breadth of knowledge to every consumer base.” Including the consumer sitting next to you on a plane, who just also might become your boss.
by Brett Borden
24 • Wofford Today • Winter 2008
Reunion, Homecoming 2012 Class Chair, Nikki Palmeri Chunn Will Britt and his wife, Kathryn, announce the birth of their daughter, Rachel Elizabeth Britt, Oct. 23, 2008. She joins big brother Adam (2), and big sister Emma (5). The family lives in Columbia, S.C. Tradd Rosebrock and his wife, Julie, announce the birth of their daughter, Callie Grace Rosebrock, May 30, 2008. She joins big brother Andrew (2). The family lives in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Lori Burson Subosits and her husband, Steve, live in Forest, Va., with their sons, Jacob (5) and James (8). Lori is a stay-at-home mom. Steve works for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
1993 Reunion, Homecoming 2013 Class Chair, Sarah Copeland Sawicki Benjamin Fleming and his wife, Mame Musselwhite Fleming ’94, live in Asheville, N.C., with their son, Sam (6). Mame graduated from the Raleigh School of Nurse Anesthesia in August and passed her board certification exam as a CCRNA in September. She works for Asheville Anesthesia Associates and practices at Mission Hospitals. Benjamin is currently working as the ‘primary parent on duty.’ Chris Story and his wife, Jessalyn Wynn Story, announce the birth of their son, Wynn Christopher Story, Oct. 28, 2008. Jessalyn is the director of community partnerships and coordinator of the Bonner Scholars program at Wofford. Chris is an assistant county administrator for Spartanburg County. The family lives in Spartanburg, S.C. Davis Weddle was named assistant district attorney for Harnett County in August 2008. He was formerly assistant district attorney in Sampson County. Weddle and his wife, Shirley, live in Clinton, N.C.
1994 Reunion, Homecoming 2014 Class Chair, Alicia Nunamaker Truesdail Spartanburg Methodist College announced the appointment of Reid Austin as professor of English. He lives in Greer, S.C. Laurie Johnson Free and her husband, Linn, live in Buford, Ga. They have two children, Laney (1) and Logan (3).
Namibia, in November, where Emily is a political counselor at the U.S. Embassy. They invite Wofford friends and family to come and visit. Living in Jamaica Plain, Ma., Dr. Nicole Redmond is clinical fellow and associate physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Julie Pigg Schmidler and her husband, Ray, announce the birth of their daughter, Katarina Oliva “Kate” Schmidler, Aug. 22, 2008. The family lives in Huntington Beach, Calif. Azim Surka and his wife, Lucy Adams Surka, announce the birth of their daughter, Margaret Camille “Millie” Surka, Nov. 9, 2008. She joins big sister Lilla (1). The family lives in Greenville, S.C. Ashley DeYoung Tuck and her husband, Neil, announce the birth of their sons, Jackson Christopher Tuck and Beason William Tuck, July 14, 2008. The family lives in Greenville, S.C. Jay Unger is a real estate agent 1995 with Carolina One Real Estate in the Reunion, Homecoming 2015 Charleston, S.C., office. Unger, his Class Chair, Brandie Yancey Lorenz Living in Greenville, S.C., with his wife, Elizabeth, and son, Henry, live wife, Erica, Will Gillespie is a sales con- in Mount Pleasant, S.C. sultant with Steve White VW Audi. Wallace Patrick and his wife, 1997 Lindsay Harrell Patrick ’99, live in Reunion, Homecoming 2017 Spartanburg with their two children, Class Chair, Beth Mangham Guerrero Kristin Burris lives in Greenwood, Jack and Caroline. Lindsay recently joined Coldwell Banker Caine, and S.C., where she is deputy director of the Wallace is an account manager for Sexual Trauma & Counseling Center. Spence Cumming and his wife, Systemtec Inc. Brian Rawlinson was named direc- Beth, announce the birth of their tor of network services at Wofford in daughter, Landyn Elizabeth Cumming, August. Rawlinson and his wife, Emily Aug. 8, 2008. Spence is co-owner of Smith Rawlinson, live in Spartan- DIPLY LLC, a custom curved plyburg with their sons, Zachary (3) and wood manufacturer. The family lives in Hickory, N.C. Nicholas (6). Shelley Haddock Dempsey, her A financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, Joel Skivington lives in West husband, Scott, and children, Aiden Palm Beach, Fla., with his wife, Cassie, and Cooper, live in Columbia, S.C. and children, Jolie (5) and Gage (7). Dempsey is director of external relations David Teague and his wife, Heather, and education for the University of announce the birth of their son, Maddox South Carolina Alumni Association. Rueban Garrow is division planSanger Teague. He joins big brother Conner (2). The family lives in Charles- ning manager for Ecolab Inc., a leading ton, S.C., where David holds a manage- provider of cleaning, food safety and ment position with International Public health protection products and services. Works, a full service engineering and Garrow lives in High Point, N.C., with his wife, Wendy, and son, Noah (1). construction firm. A sixth-grade teacher at League Reu Pletcher Thomas and her husband, Ryan, announce the birth of their Academy, Jamie Johnson Harvey, lives son, Matthew Grady Thomas, Sept. 17, in Greenville, S.C., with her husband, 2008. He joins big sister Abigail (2). The Denison, and children Emma (7) and Noah (5). The family moved to Greenfamily lives in Elkin, N.C. ville from Georgia after purchasing a Subway franchise. 1996 Dr. Jeffrey Johns completed a sevenReunion, Homecoming 2016 year commitment in the U.S. Air Force Class Chair, Curt L. Nichols Jr. It was nice to hear from Christi in June. He and his wife, Carmelita, Brown, who lives in Durham, N.C., live in Berkeley, Calif. Johns practices with her husband, Dr. Kelan Brown psychiatry in Oakland and works part’00. Christi is director of divinity pro- time at the City of Berkeley Mental Health Clinic. grams at Duke Divinity School. BB&T Wealth Management named Becky McLeod Connelly and her husband, Paul, announce the birth of James Plaster wealth management their daughter, Mary Kate Connelly, advisor for Asheville and western North Aug. 21, 2008. She joins big brother Carolina on Aug. 14. Plaster lives in Tipton (2). The family lives in Mount Atlanta, Ga., with his wife, Elizabeth. The Rev. Thomas Smith and his Pleasant, S.C. Grady Epps lives in Anderson, S.C., wife, Ellen Burriss Smith, live in Sparwhere he is an investigator with the tanburg with their children, Kirksey (2) and Harper (4). Thomas is minister of Anderson City Police Department. Emily Plumb and her husband, New Beginnings United Methodist Kevin Hernandez, announce the Church in Boiling Springs, S.C., and birth of their daughter, Ainsley Claire Ellen is a stay-at-home mom. David Suber resides in Rock Hill, Hernandez, Sept. 2, 2008. The family S.C. Suber teaches English and theory moved from Dulles, Va., to Windhoek,
Ginny Stout Hairston and her husband, Forrest, announce the birth of their daughter, Mary Kathryn Hairston, Sept. 26, 2008. The family lives in Columbia, S.C., where Ginny is territory manager with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals in the vaccines division. Living in Las Vegas, Nev., with her husband, Paul, Christine Mozoski Hinshaw is senior safety compliance advisor to the Nevada Power Co. Caroline wrote to us that she and her husband purchased their first home, which has a mountain in the backyard with several hiking trails that they use often. She also sends a hello to all her Zeta sisters and is grateful for all the time they shared at Wofford. Jason Womick and his wife, Alicia, live in Spartanburg. Womick was named assistant vice president for information management and institutional research at Wofford in August 2008.
of knowledge in Rock Hill School Wilkins, June 4, 2008. The family lives in Greenville, S.C. District 3. Dr. Mark Wimberly and his wife, Ashley Grubbs Wimberly, live in 1998 Summerville, S.C. Mark is a physician Reunion, Homecoming 2018 at Trident Anesthesia and Ashley is a Class Chair, Casey B. Moore Renee Cline Lane and her husband, pharmacist at CVS Pharmacy. Miles Lane ’99, announce the birth of their son, Elliott Allen Lane, Oct. 2000 25, 2008. The family lives in Boiling Reunion, Homecoming 2010 Class Chair, Andy Hoefer Jr. Springs, S.C. Deborah Boyce is a benefits speLiving in Charleston, S.C., Josh Martin is self employed as a town cialist for Ceridian, a business services company. Boyce lives in St. Petersburg, planner. Dr. Rob Nieders and his wife, Dr. Fla. Will Brumbach and Heather GalAllison Farence Nieders, have settled in Lexington, S.C., with sons Owen (4) lagher Brumbach live in Columbia, and Evan (1). Rob is a pediatric dentist S.C. Will is an attorney with the law with Palmetto Smiles in Lexington and firm of Littler Mendelson, and Heather is in sales at Bayer Diagnostics. Allison is a pharmacist. Living in Charleston, S.C., Scotty Alison Smith Speight lives in Bel Air, Md. She is program supervisor at Morrow Buff is an instructor and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Cen- director of junior doctors of health ter, where she supervises a methadone at the Medical University of South Carolina. substance abuse treatment program. Ward Burgess is a graduate research Living in Charlotte, N.C., with her husband, Alexander, Mayleng Streett assistant at Clemson University, and is Watson is an attorney with the law firm working on his Ph.D. in chemical engineering. Burgess lives in Spartanburg. of McGuireWoods LLP. Dr. Kyle Hadden and his wife, Sarah Cobb Whittaker and her husband, Harrison, announce the birth Dr. Alison Ulrich Hadden , live of their daughter, Anna Ross Whit- in Coventry, Conn., with their son, taker, May 22, 2008. The family lives Hayes. Kyle is an assistant professor of medicinal chemistry at the University in Huntersville, N.C. of Connecticut, and Alison will be practicing dentistry near Hartford after 1999 the new year. 10th Reunion, Homecoming 2009 Brantli Grubbs McMillan and her Class Chair, Zackery O. Atkinson Spartanburg parks and recreation husband, Ross, announce the birth of employee Markishia Blair was one of their son, W. Ross McMillan III, Aug. 15 graduates of the 2008 Focus and 20, 2008. The family lives in Mount Leadership class. She and her fellow Pleasant, S.C. Angela Jae Miller and her husband, graduates were honored at a banquet Brenden Mehaffey, announce the birth on Aug. 16, 2008. Charles Clementson and his wife, of their daughter, Charlotte Claire Dr. Blair Wetmore Clementson ’02, Mehaffey, Aug. 21, 2008. The family live in Albuquerque, N.M. Charles is lives in Pasadena, Calif. Emily Pittman Reed is a sales asan account manager for U.S. Bank and Blair is a physician at the University of sociate with Human Scale, a leading manufacturer of ergonomic products New Mexico. Jennifer Jones Hallenbeck and for the office. Reed and her husband, her husband, Brad Hallenbeck ’02, Samuel, live in Los Angelos, Calif. Living in Kents Hill, Maine, with his announce the birth of their daughter, Ellie Neal Hallenbeck, Aug. 4, 2008. wife, Amanda, Will Rhem is a teacher at Kents Hill School. The family lives in Spartanburg. John Sozzi lives in Charlotte, N.C., Erin Williams Maughon and her husband, Heath, announce the birth with his wife, Kathryn, and daughter, of their daughter, Mackenzie Erin Sarah. Sozzi is a mortgage consultant Maughon, July 22, 2008. The family with Prime Solutions. Russell Swift and his wife, Dr. lives in Moore, S.C. Dr. Ben McIntyre and his wife, Catherine Baker Swift ’02, live in Sherry, live in Charlottesville, Va. They Winston Salem, N.C. Russell is assistant have two children, Mary Katherine (1) vice president for TriStone Community Bank. and Calvin (3). We received a nice note from Joe Gretchen Getty Page and her husband, Brock Page ’00, live in Easley, Werner, living in Nashville, Tenn., S.C., with their children, Jordan and with his wife, Jessie. Werner is an asGetty. Gretchen is a human resource sistant attorney general in the antitrust analyst for the Georgia Department of division of the Tennessee Attorney Human Resources, and Brock is a farm General’s Office. manager for Greenbrier Farms. Gina Shaw Perry and her husband, 2001 Tim, announce the birth of their daugh- Reunion, Homecoming 2011 ter, Ava Grace Perry, July 13, 2008. The Class Chair, Jenna Sheheen Bridges Allen Bridgers works for the busifamily lives in Fletcher, N.C., where Gina is a school psychologist with Hen- ness development branch of McCrory derson public schools and Tim is the Construction in Columbia, S.C., and associate head baseball coach/recruiting his wife, Jenna Sheheen Bridgers is associated with the Department of coordinator at UNC Asheville. Robert Whitley Wilkins and his Social Security. Adam Buckner and his wife, Kelwife, Stephanie Rowell Wilkins ’02, announce the birth of twins, Clary lie Nakatsu Buckner, announce the Elizabeth Wilkins and Robert Whitley birth of their daughter, Abigail Reese
Buckner, July 22, 2008. She joins big brother Noah (1). The family lives in Greenville, S.C. Dana Bruce lives in Columbia, S.C. Bruce is the executive director of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Jason Burr was named director of information management at Wofford in August 2008. Burr lives in Greer, S.C. South Carolina Bank and Trust of the Piedmont announced in September 2008 the addition of Catherine Hicklin Faircloth as mortgage loan originator. Faircloth serves as vice president of the Junior Welfare League and is vice chair of the Come See Me Board. She lives in Rock Hill, S.C., with her husband, Freddy, and daughter, Rose. Elizabeth Blalock Fletcher and her husband, Michael, announce the birth of their daughter, Allene Blalock Fletcher, Aug. 29, 2008. The family lives in Greenville, S.C. Carolina Tootle Hayden and her husband, Sean Hayden ’02, announce the birth of their son, Luke Carter Hayden, June 4, 2008. The family lives in Nashville, Tenn. Dr. Frampton Henderson is a physician at Northwoods Family Practice in North Charleston, S.C. Henderson lives in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Natalie Flood Jones and her husband, Phillip Evan Jones ’02, announce the birth of twin boys, Davis Benjamin Jones and Fisher Hamilton Jones, April 29, 2008. The family lives in Greenville, S.C. Craig Melvin was chosen as one of 12 men and women who will be featured on the 2009 AT&T South Carolina African-American History Calendar. Melvin lives in Washington, D.C., where he is the weekend anchor and reporter for WRC-TV. Javiere Norris was featured in the August 2008 edition of the Greenville Magazine as a member of the Class of 2008 Greenville First Best and Brightest 35 and Under. Norris practices law in Mauldin, S.C. Living in Columbia, S.C., Nathan Coker Reid is associated with Palmetto Health. Practicing anesthesiology at a New York medical center, Dr. Ellen Rhame lives in New York, N.Y. Working as an assistant public defender with the Beaufort County Public Defender’s Office, Helen R. Roper lives in Beaufort, S.C. Roper was previously an associate attorney at the law office of Jim Brown P.A. Kelly Ruddock lives in Raleigh, N.C., where she is a realtor for Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors.
2002 Reunion, Homecoming 2012 Class Chair, L. Yorke Gerrald Gale Living in Springfield, Va., Jaime Belford is security coordinator for BAE Systems. Ben Foster is a senior associate with the general management consulting firm of ScottMadden Inc. Foster lives in Lithia Springs, Ga. Lori King lives in Mount Pleasant, S.C, and is an associate with the law firm of Trask and Howell, LLC. Julie Stanley Stowe and her hus-
Littlejohn lives liberally educated life
J
ust seven years out of college, Jilvonnie Littlejohn ’01 has been a primary example of what a Wofford education can provide its students. Littlejohn has used the lessons she learned both in and out of the classroom to find a successful niche in not only her career, but also in the Greenville, S.C. community in which she lives. Her bachelor's degree in intercultural studies for business led to a masters in business administration degree. Now she is a senior accountant of Mexican operations for World Acceptance Corporation in Greenville. The company has 50 locations in Mexico, where they provide consumer finance loans. As a student at Wofford, Littlejohn spent one year at the Universidad de Sevilla in Seville, Spain, where she studied cross-cultural communications, translation and conversation. She says that experience was a godsend to her, especially now. “I had the basics (of the Spanish language),” says Littlejohn, who not only is fluent in Spanish but speaks basic Japanese. “I had the core and the structure from my time at Wofford, but to actually live and be immersed in the culture is where I really picked up the language.” It’s just one part of what has led to her rapid rise in her field. The other? Her knowledge of many subjects, provided to her by her liberal arts education. “We don’t live in a singly focused world,” says Littlejohn. “It has many different facets, and you have to deal with so many different types of people with different personalities and interests. A liberal arts education helps you deal with a broad spectrum of people and subjects. It gives you a basic knowledge with which to communicate, whether it’s history or sociology or the sciences or math or business. You get an overall view of how all these things come together. It helped me in the business world and in networking as well.” Littlejohn isn’t just a success story in the business world, though. She does her alma mater proud in her community. She’s actively involved in the Greenville Chamber of Commerce affiliate PULSE, the American Red Cross, United Way Young Philanthropists, HOPE worldwide, the Greenville Forward Diversity Task Force, and the Greenville Forward Young Professional Task Force Why so many? “I got the bug for community service during my time at Wofford,” she says. “I was a Bonner Scholar. I spent 10 hours plus each week volunteering in the Spartanburg community. Once you start doing that it becomes a part of your life, and when I graduated I didn’t want to lose that part of my life.”
by Brett Borden
Winter 2008 • Wofford Today • 25
Alabama native’s blog brings Wofford to the Heart of Dixie
A
lumni and friends living in Alabama have a friend in Anthony Leigh ’99. The Montgomery resident and Sheffield, Ala., native is the creator of “Alabama Terriers,” a blog about all things Wofford. “I wanted to provide something that would help all of us stay in some kind of better touch with each other,” says Leigh. “We have only 280 living alumni among 4 million people in Alabama, and it’s tough to have an active club or organization that meets regularly.” Leigh, who serves the state of Alabama as deputy treasurer and is also a member of Wofford’s Alumni Executive Council, estimates he spends an hour or two each month working on his blog. In nearly 80 entries written since beginning the project in March, he’s introduced readers to some of the 24 current Wofford students hailing from his home state, including firstyear students Patrick Craig ’12 and Trey Taunton ’12, Montgomery residents and graduates of Trinity Presbyterian School, and Philips Leach ’10, a finance major, soccer player and Birmingham native. “One of my other goals for the blog is to help stop the brain drain in Alabama,” Leigh says. “Every year, so many of our best and brightest go off to the Harvards, Princetons, and Woffords of the world. If we can provide them with networking opportunities and connections back home in Alabama, we’ll have a greater chance of keeping them here after graduation.” To further that end, Leigh’s efforts extend beyond cyberspace. In August, he traveled to Birmingham to attend a Wofford-sponsored send-off party for new students. During Homecoming in October, he hosted a reception at Wofford for current students, where he
was able to meet many of the students profiled in his blog. “Alabama Terriers” also has helped Leigh reconnect with past Wofford friends. In June, he profiled Stacy Wright Turner ’00 and her husband, B.J. ’01, both of whom were born in South Carolina but now live and work in Huntsville. In August, he alerted readers to a news story featuring Dr. Darby Hiller McElderry ’93, founder of a free medical clinic located near Birmingham (see related articles this page). “My ultimate goal would be to profile all 280 alumni in Alabama,” Leigh says. “There’s a special connection among Wofford people, and the same can be said about people from Alabama. It’s great to be a Terrier, and it’s great to be a Terrier in Alabama!” Read Leigh’s blog at http:// alabamaterriers.blogspot.com.
Alabama physician opens free medical clinic
I
n August, Leigh posted an entry about Darby Hiller McElderry ’93, a pediatrician and one of the founders of the Community of Hope Health Clinic, a free medical clinic in the Birmingham area. The clinic, which opened Oct.16, provides primary and preventive care for uninsured residents in impoverished suburbs of the Shelby County portion of Birmingham. One of 16 free medical clinics in Alabama, it is completely staffed by more than 100 volunteer doctors, nurses, pharmacists and social workers, as well as community and church volunteers who handle everything from patient processing to stocking supplies to greeting patients.
McElderry (right) and other community volunteers helped found the free Community of Hope Health Clinic in Pelham, Ala., near Birmingham.
26 • Wofford Today • Winter 2008
Anthony Leigh ’99 invited Wofford students and staff from Alabama to join him for a reception during Homecoming. Left to right are: Alex Blumenthal ’09, Caitlin Walton ’11, Philip Long ’11, Fran Battles ’10, Patrick Craig ’12, Lisa Harrison De Freitas ’88, Leigh, Courtney Walls ’12, Jennifer Fisher ’12 and Clark Powell ’09. McElderry, a native of Sumter, S.C., who has lived in Birmingham with her husband and children for five years, modeled the clinic after similar organizations that she has visited. “It was a group effort,” she says. “I felt a calling from God at the same time the United Way, a local hospital (Shelby Baptist Medical Center), and another community organization were all beginning to try to organize a clinic. We all found out about each other’s efforts and came together to form the steering committee that became the CHHC.” The clinic serves 20 patients on Thursdays evenings, but the operating hours and patient capacity are expected to increase as more funding becomes available, says McElderry. “The community has been absolutely amazing. Now that the word is out and about, the support is pouring in from churches and doctors and businesses.” In addition to maintaining her busy pediatric practice, McElderry chairs the clinic’s board of directors and also works as a “gofer” during its open hours, checking on the physicians, nurses and patients to make sure they have what they need. “Our patients will use the clinic in the same way that insured patients schedule an appointment with a doctor,” she says. “Now our patients will be healthier overall, instead of waiting until their problem is so acute that they’re forced to go to
an emergency room for care.” To learn more, visit www. communityofhopeclinic.org or call 205-476-4007.
my students understand some of the concepts.” Turner’s husband, B.J. ’01, a native of Greenville, S.C., is a veterinarian with Aviagen Inc., a Huntsville-based poultry research and development firm. Both travel frequently: B.J. visits South and Central America to troubleshoot and treat problems with chicken houses, and Turner, eing featured in Leigh’s blog who speaks fluent Chinese, visits last June helped reconnect Taiwan as often as possible to Stacy Wright brush up on Turner ’00 her language with not only and culture Leigh but skills. Her another fordissertation mer Wofford studies the friend. influence “My forof Chinese mer sorority language and sister, Mary literature on Jacque CarAmerican roll ’98, was modern B.J. and Stacy Wright Turner also featured poetry. that month. “I think We reconnected through Aneventually I would love to teach thony’s blog and now occasionChinese,” says the multitalented ally correspond,” says Turner. Turner. “It’s a bourgeoning field. Turner, a native of Anderson, And honestly, I just love the S.C., and a former Fulbright language.” Scholar, is currently working Although it’s tough for as an adjunct English teacher Turner to speculate on where at the University of Alabama at life might take the couple once Huntsville while completing her she completes her doctorate and doctorate in American literature faces a tight job market, they at the University of Georgia. hope to stay in Alabama. While at Wofford, she com“We love living in Huntspleted dual degrees in chemistry ville; it has all the amenities one and English. could ask for along with a large “I use the chemistry in my international population and a teaching,” says Turner, whose small-town feel. Though we truly students are mostly business and miss our families and friends engineering majors. “I find that back in South Carolina, for now, using words like ‘formulas’ and we’re not going anywhere.” ‘theories’ instead of ‘lens’ helps by Lisa Mincey Ware
South Carolina natives call Alabama home
B
band, Patrick Stowe, announce the birth of their son, George Howell Stowe, April 11, 2008. The family lives in Richmond, Va. Jennifer Imfeld Strain and her husband, Butler Strain ’03, live in Tallahassee, Fla. Butler works for IDEXX Laboratories as a diagnostic practice consultant, and Jennifer teaches fourth-grade at Maclay School.
2003 Reunion, Homecoming 2013 Class Chair, Tracy A. Howard Kelly Moore Bowers is an eightgrade earth science teacher at LugoffElgin Middle School. This is her first teaching position. Kelly lives in Camden, S.C., with her husband, Ryan, and daughters, Allie (1) and Whitney (3) Jenni Lister is enrolled at Vanderbilt University, Peabody College of Education, where she is studying for her master’s degree in education. She lives in Nashville, Tenn. Sowell Gray Stepp & Laffite LLC announced the addition of Michael Montgomery as an associate in September 2008. Montgomery previously clerked for the Honorable Costa M. Pleicones ’65, associate justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court. He lives in Cayce, S.C., with his wife, Beth. Living in Columbia, S.C., Jesse Ashe Smith is a commercial relationship manager for First Citizens Bank. Erica Wooten Woodward and her husband, Dixon, live in Charleston, S.C. Erica teaches English at Charleston Collegiate School and also serves as assistant to the head of the school.
2004 Reunion, Homecoming 2014 Class Chair, Fred A. Byers
Dr. Margaret Shreve Angle received a doctorate of chiropractic from Sherman College of Chiropractic in 2008. Angle lives with her husband, Lee, in Boiling Springs, S.C. Ashley Borders and her son, Isaac Phillips (4), reside in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where Ashley works as a wardrobe stylist and prop master for films and television commercials filmed in the Middle East. She also has started a jewelry design and manufacturing firm with Lauren Ravagnani, a fellow American also living in Dubai. Matt Davis and his wife, Tiffany, live in Clinton, S.C. Davis is owner of a State Farm agency in Clinton, and Tiffany teaches at Eastside Elementary School. Living in Columbia, S.C., Hugh DuBose is an attorney with the U.S. Air Force. DuBose graduated from the University of South Carolina Law School in 2007. Dr. Matt Ferguson and his wife, Lisa Marie Ackerman Ferguson, live in Columbia, S.C. Lisa Marie is a kindergarten teacher at Joseph Keels Elementary School in Richland School District Two. Congratulations to Dr. Nichole Hruban who graduated from Indiana University School of Optometry in 2008. Hruban is currently practicing
in the Indianapolis area. She lives in Carmel, Ind. A dermatology resident at the University of Arkansas Medical Science Center, Dr. Kristen Addis James lives in Little Rock, Ark., with her husband, Brian. Working as an academic staff assistant at Saint Petersburg College Corporate Training, Robert Mohr manages materials and class needs, including class creation and working with instructors. Mohr lives in St. Petersburg, Fla. Hayes Stanton accepted the position of associate attorney with the law firm of Harris and Leonard, P.A., in August 2008. Stanton lies in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Dr. Sean Whelan received his medical degree in May from the Medical University of South Carolina. Whelan is currently in the general surgery residency program at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Living in Lexington, S.C., with his wife, Meredith, Brooks Yarborough is business unit leader for Michelin North America.
2005 Reunion, Homecoming 2014 Class Chair, Ryan M. Walker Living in Norman, Okla., Andre Caldwell is an assistant United States attorney. He works as a federal prosecutor in the violent crimes division. Robert Cranford lives in Columbia, S.C., where he director of marketing for Specialty Concrete Products. Living in Louisville, Ky., Ellen Diebold is a marketing analyst with Humana. We had a nice note from Brian Greene, who lives in Thornton, N.J., where he is enrolled as a graduate student at Cornell University. Greene’s research work, that he conducted in South Carolina on salamanders, was published in a scientific paper in October in the Journal of Freshwater Biology. Greene offers his thanks to all who worked with him in the field and those that offered moral support. Andy Halligan lives in Mobile, Ala., where he works for the Spartanburg-based industrial and multi-family real estate development firm of Johnson Development Associates Inc. The certified public accounting firm of WebsterRogers announced the promotion of Kayce Hughes to senior accountant in September. Hughes lives in Charleston, S.C. Chuck Lewis and his wife, Maggie Sanders Lewis ’06, live in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Maggie is a speechlanguage pathologist for Restore Therapy Services, where she works with adults in skilled-nursing facilities. Chuck is a teacher at Andrews High School. Living in El Paso, Texas, Bailey Neill is an assistant in the development department of Hospice El Paso. Neill is also pursuing a master’s degree in political science at the University of Texas El Paso.
1995 William Davis Gillespie married Erica Paige Maxwell, Oct. 4, 2008. The couple resides in Greenville, S.C. He is a sales consultant with Steve White VW/Audi of Greenville. She is a staff accountant at Mical E. Embler, C.P.A., P.A.
1996 Jason Michael Ardito married Wendi Reed, May 3, 2008. TheY live in Johnson City, Tenn. He is vice president for trust and investment services at First Tennessee Bank. Ryan Lewis Beasley married Sarah Pelter O’Hanlan, Oct. 25, 2008. The couple lives in Greenville, S.C. He an attorney with Price, Ashmore & Beasley P.A. in Greenville. She is associated with Sealevel Systems Inc.
Currie Kristen Gossett married Prosser DeVane Carnegie II, Oct. 4, 2008. The couple will live in Hannover, Germany. He received his doctorate in physical chemistry and accepted a position with Continental AG in Hannover. She received her M.B.A. from The Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. Christopher James Kandl married Martinique Marie Coval, June 28, 2008. They reside in Charleston, S.C. He is a student at the University of South Carolina College of Medicine. She is an attorney at Kobrovsky Law Offices.
Kathleen Grace Sobczyk married Lance Derrick Player ’07, June 7, 2008. They live in Greenville, S.C. He is a portfolio specialist at Sun Trust and she is an investment banking analyst. Caroline LaRoche Turnage married Ian Scott Butterbaugh, Aug. 2, 2008. The couple resides in Overland Park, Kan. She is teaches upper school mathematics at The Pembroke Hill School in Kansas City Mo. He is pursing a M.S. in general psychology at Avila University and is employed by Avila University and Mission Repair in Olathe, Kan.
2004
Jennifer Brooke Almond married Anthony J. Dillenger, Sept. 20, 2008. They live in Gaffney, S.C. She is the assistant director of career services, and he is an assistant baseball coach at Wofford. James Lawson Morgan married Rebecca Lynn Siegert ’08, Aug. 9, 2008. The couple resides in Durham, N.C.
Kristian Peter Gusmer married Bethany Anne Yoder, Aug. 16, 2008. They reside in St. Paul, Minn. He is a C.P.A. for PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P. She is pursuing a master’s degree in mathematics from The University of Texas at Austin.
Adam Holman Perrow married Stacey Meagan Williamson, Nov. 1, 2008. The couple lives in Charlotte, N.C. He is a history teacher at East Gaston High School in Mt. Holly, N.C. She is an account executive with Corder Philips in Charlotte. Wendy Michelle Rohr married Jeffrey Scott Henry, May 3, 2008. They live in Greer, S.C. She is a tennis pro at the Sport Club Greenville.
2002
2005
2000
Dr. Charles Thomas Bobo married Lydia Goforth Pharr, Oct. 4, 2008. The couple lives in Marietta, Ga. He practices dentistry in Georgia.
Amy Elizabeth Jordan married Philip Andrew Ladd, Aug. 9, 2008. They reside in Greenville, S.C. She is a receptionist at Haywood Road Animal Hospital.
2003
2006
Dr. Matthew William Borders married Lauren Michele DeLoach, May 3, 2008. They reside in Shelby, N.C. She is a dental hygienist for Drs. Huitt and Borders Family Dentistry and Haston County Health Services. He is a dentist in private practice with Dr. Douglas C. Huitt. Mary Kate Dula married Joshua Aaron Skinner, Oct. 12, 2008. The couple lives in Charleston, S.C. She is registered nurse at Roper Hospital. He is associated with Meadors Construction of Charleston.
Tessa Brianne Clever married Jamie Culbreath, Aug. 18, 2008. The couple lives in Durham, N.C. She is associated with LabCorp Laboratory Corporation of America as a cytogenetic technician. He serves in the U.S. Army Patricia “Trish” Lorraine Makres married Jeremy Douglas Churchwell, July 5, 2008. They reside in Nashville, Tenn. She is a first grade teacher and Jeremy attends law school and is a clerk for the 4th Circuit Court Judge in Nashville.
2007
2008 Matthew Tyler Davis married Margaret Kirby Shelley, Oct. 11, 2008. They live in Moore, S.C. He is a financial reporting analyst with First National Bank of the South in Spartanburg. She is an inside sales representative for Synnex Corporation of Greenville. Rachel Leigh Hyatt married Craig Allan Engle, July 12, 2008. The couple resides in Charleston, S.C. She attends the Medical University of South Carolina where she is pursuing a master’s degree in speech pathology. He is associated with Elliott Davis L.L.P., and attends the College of Charleston where he is working on his master’s degree in accounting.
Sarah Elizabeth Whitener ’08 married Ryan Andrew Fisher, June 21, 2008. They live in Lawrenceville, Ga. She is an accountant for Rhodes, Young, Black & Duncan in Duluth.
Winter 2008 • Wofford Today • 27
(Right) Dale Padgett and George Page, fathers of Wofford football players, show off their Terrier helmets at the Wofford vs. University of South Carolina pre-game event in Columbia. (Below) Terrier fans gather at the Wofford vs. USC pre-game event in September.
Visit alumni.wofford.edu for more information about these and other upcoming alumni events: Jan. 24...........Wofford vs. Davidson Pre-Game event, Davidson, N.C. Feb. 5...................................Senior 100 Days Party, Wofford Campus March 6 - 8..................... Basketball Tournament, Chattanooga, Tenn. March 20 - 21.................................Alumni Executive Council Meeting April 5............................... Easter EggStravaganza, Wofford Campus April 17 - 18.................................... Parents Advisory Council Meeting May 16 - 17........ Class of 1959 50th Class Reunion, Commencement Aug. 27 .......................................Pickin & Shuckin, Spartanburg, S.C. Sept. 4 or 5 . ........ Wofford vs. South Florida Pre-game event, Tampa Oct. 2 - 4..........................................................Homecoming Weekend Oct. 30- Nov. 1........................................................... Family Weekend Nov. 7........... Wofford vs. Citadel Post-Game event, Charleston, S.C. Nov. 21........... Wofford vs. Furman Pre-Game event, Greenville, S.C.
Wofford is coming to your town in 2009: Columbia, S.C. • Charleston, S.C. • Thermal Belt, N.C. Charlotte, N.C. • Greenville, S.C. • Atlanta, Ga. Washington D.C. • Myrtle Beach, S.C. • Orangeburg, S.C. Chicago, Ill. • Greensboro, N.C. • Houston, Texas Winston Salem, N.C. • New York, N.Y. Birmingham, Ala. • Rock Hill, S.C. If you are interested in hosting any of these events, please contact Debbi Thompson, director of alumni & parents programs, at 864-597-4208 or thompsondn@wofford.edu.
A picture of Family Weekend Family Weekend now rivals Homecoming as the “must attend” event of the fall. With opportunities for families to enjoy the campus, visit with their college student, watch football and volleyball games, and talk with college leaders, it offers something for everyone.
(Above) More than 750 people attended the Puttin’ On The Dog party at the Village.
(Above) Chairman of Wofford’s Board of Trustees Tommy Brittain ’75 talked with the families of senior college students at a reception on Friday afternoon.
(Above) The McNair family at the Family Weekend luncheon before the football game vs. The Citadel. (Left) This year, United Methodist Fun (UMF) Day was included in the weekend bringing even more people to campus for a beautiful and exciting day.
Remembering Dr. Larry T. McGehee “
The ideal college is Mark Hopkins on one end of a log and a student on the other.” President James Garfield used this famous remark to characterize his own mentor at Williams College in the mid-19th century. At Wofford, many would substitute the name Larry McGehee for the educator at the other end of the log. Dr. McGehee, professor of religion and a vice president of the college from 1982 until his retirement in 2005, died at his home in Spartanburg on Oct. 25. He was 72 years old. Larry’s long and distinguished career involved work at a number of institutions, but his basic theme always was cultivating a passion for the liberal arts, one student at a time. As he did so, he reached out in a unique way to faculty peers, to higher education associates, and to trustees and benefactors. After he completed his doctoral studies as a Danforth Fellow at Yale University in 1969, Larry came a senior administrator at the University of Alabama from 1966 through 1971. He worked tirelessly to develop the academic program, to interpret it to various constituencies public and private, and to raise the funds necessary to implement it. From Alabama, he went to the University of Tennessee,
Copeland Rhea works for the Spartanburg-based Johnson Development Associates Inc. as a market leader. Rhea lives in Washington, D.C. Kristin Sams has joined Hester, Moor and Tucker as an associate attorney. Sams lives in Nashville, N.C. Living in Greenville, S.C., Allison Cook Walkenhorst teaches honors global studies and leadership in the Greenville County School District. She also leads the student government association. Catherine Wilkinson lives in Surfside Beach, S.C. She works as a dental assistant at Murrells Inlet Denistry.
2006 Reunion, Homecoming 2016 Class Chair, Hadley Green Living in Moore, S.C., with her husband, Mark, Angela Berry Anderson is a staff accountant with Exopack LLC. Chris Barlow works at BB&T as a certified mortgage loan officer. He lives in Charleston, S.C. Charles Fitzhenry is a graduate student at Clemson University working on a degree in real estate development. During the summer of 2008, he worked at Kiawah Development Partners on a 2400-acre master planned resort.
30 • Wofford Today • Winter 2008
McGehee where he was named chancellor of the Martin campus, then an emerging institution. After a highly successful tenure there that brought him numerous honors and many lasting friendships, he moved on to the UT central administration in Knoxville. By 1982, Larry was well established as one of the nation’s emerging leaders in higher education. He was persuaded by President Joe Lesesne to come to Wofford to articulate a new vision and create a new sense of urgency for a venerable college then threatened by marginal financial resources. Larry knew he could not meet these challenges by himself, of course. However, he used the possibility of a building grant from the F.W. Olin Foundation to build the consen-
Miriam Hahn lives in Columbia and is a graduate student in theater at the University of South Carolina. Living in Columbia, S.C., Gabby Linder is a graduate student at the Medical University of South Carolina. Matthew Lufburrow is a real estate agent with the firm of Ben Farmer Realty. Lufburrow lives in Savannah, Ga. Julius Richardson is an intern with the Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments in North Charleston, S.C. He lives in Kingstree, S.C. Suzanne Webb received her bachelor of science in nursing degree from USC Upstate in 2008. Webb works as a registered nurse in the labor and delivery unit at PalmettoHealth. She lives in Columbia, S.C. The Spartanburg Young Professionals named Lewis White member of the month in October. White is associated with W. Lewis White Co. Inc., a residential/commercial sales and development firm. The young professionals group is composed of active social and civic-minded young aduls committed to making the Spartanburg area a better place to live, work, and play. Meredith Wilkes lives in Charlotte, N.C. Wilkes is associated with Wells Fargo Bank.
sus and energy to create the college’s 1987 Masterplan, perhaps the pivotal event in Wofford’s modern history. A grant for the Franklin W. Olin Building and increased national recognition followed soon thereafter. Larry also built a large following for himself and for Wofford College through a popular newspaper column, Southern Seen. As most contemporary bloggers will agree, one of the most difficult challenges in writing is to create content in tightly restricted format that casual readers will return to, week-in and week-out. Dr. McGehee did this job so well that the University of Tennessee Press printed an anthology of the best of Southern Seen in 2005. This little paperback is a fascinating collection of musings on the past and present. In his later years at Wofford, Larry continued to work effectively in the areas of marketing and college relations, but his real love was a course he taught in American religion, which had some focus on the South. One’s journey with Larry was not so much about learning facts, but to understand how human beings relate to the sacred in all its forms, accommodating such thinking into a personal philosophy of life. Primarily, he went about that one-on-one, much
as Mark Hopkins had done a century before. As President Dunlap said in his statement announcing Dr. McGehee’s death to the Wofford community, “if Saint Paul was right about faith, hope and love, Larry not only excelled in all three departments, but he agreed that love was the one that
2007
accounting firm of McGladrey & Pullen. She lives in Charlotte, N.C.
Reunion, Homecoming 2017 Class Chair, Hunter L. Miller Janet Adams teaches French at Crestwood High School in Sumter, S.C. Adams and other new teachers were guests at the Third Annual New Teacher’s Reception in August 2008, sponsored by the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce. She lives in Dalzell, S.C. Chris Atkinson lives in Charlotte, N.C. He is associated with Trade Street Consulting LLC. Living in Spartanburg, S.C., with his wife, Jennifer, Matthew Campbell is a software developer for QS/1. The couple have one son, Ryan (1). Ty Colpini is an analyst with the development firm Edens & Avant. Colpini lives in Columbia, S.C. Living in Washington, D.C., Thomas Kay is a facilities assistant with Greenpeace. John P. Linton Jr. is in his second year of law school at the University of South Carolina School of Law. Linton was selected this year to become a member of the American Bar Association Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Journal. He lives in Columbia, S.C. Jenny Weurding is a staff audit associate for the national certified public
mattered most. He loved his family, he loved the South and he loved Wofford College. Only his students over the past decade can truly say how much he loved those he met in the classroom, but nothing could have pleased him more than their decision to create a scholarship at Wofford in his name.”
by Doyle Boggs ’70
A Few Words by Larry T. McGehee May 14, 1972, University of Alabama Commencement Address (selected by Time magazine as address of the year in 1972)
Mr. President, friends, venerable graduates, vulnerable administrators I can’t thank you adequately for asking me to say a few words here today
Rage: Age and education give you authority, citizenship the responsibility
to rage against mediocrity and injustice in your society, more especially in yourselves, lest you lose your life on an altar of ethical neutrality or find your soul eroded by gentle raindrops of moral detachment. Heed Dylan Thomas: “Do not go gentle into that good night / Rage, rage, against the dying of the light.”
Reason: More things are wrought by reason than this world dreams of.
Wherefore make reason the nuclear weapon in your arsenal of rage, and by its use convince others of your integrity, if not of your rightness. The hand that cradles the rock, the heart that heeds not the hand, the head, must not rule this world.
Read: Bury yourself in good books, and read them often. Too soon the minister will bury you and read for you. Develop a thirst for printer’s ink, and quench it by reading. For from books flows the fountain of youth found by few. Laugh: He who cannot laugh at himself always appears ridiculous. Linger: Everything has its season, time will wait for what’s worthwhile.
Heed the south Alabama philosopher. Pause to pick some flowers along the way.
Love: Love is the most un-natural human emotion. Although we have
learned to transplant the human heart, we have not learned to transform it. Commit an unnatural act. Love one another.
2008 Reunion, Homecoming 2018 Class Chair, S. Nathan Madigan Jr. A graduate student in the physician assistant program at Trevecca University, Georgeanna Awkerman lives in Nashville, Tenn. Robyn DuRant wrote us that she is working as a marketing and sales representative. She lives in Columbia, S.C. Amanda Elton lives in Greer, S.C. She works for the packaging technology firm, Hayssen Sandiacre. Living in Washington, D.C., Laine Evans worked for the McCain-Palin 2008 campaign. Brian Ford lives in Greenwood, S.C., and is a plant accountant with Milliken & Co. at the facility in Abbeville, S.C. Elizabeth Heinz lives in Charleston, S.C., and is associated with The Citidel Writing and Learning Center. Living in Greer, S.C., Amanda Kilbourne is director of the Wofford on Call center. Kelsi Rae Koenig teaches science at Chapman High School in Inman, S.C. She lives in Spartanburg.
Jamie McClain lives in Charleston, S.C., and is a graduate student at the Medical University of South Carolina. Working as a data analyst for the healthcare benefits software provider, Benefitfocus, Brittaney Mosman lives in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Ann Pope lives in Columbia, S.C. She recently joined the real estate firm of Smythe Real Estate brokers. Living in Mount Pleasant, S.C., Lash Springs is a graduate student at the Medical University of South Carolina. Andrew Stubbs and his wife, Laura Lynn Williams Stubbs, live in Ivy, Va. Andrew works for Boar’s Head Inn & Sports Club, and Laura Lynn works for McLean Faulconer Real Estate. Matt Watts works as an interim associate youth director at Myers Park United Methodist Church. He lives in Charlotte, N.C. Mary Wheeler lives in Lexington, Ky., where she is pursuing her doctorate of pharmacy degree at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy.
DEATHS 1931
Loryea Lee Boyd, Oct. 1, 2008,
Allendale, S.C. Mr. Boyd, known to everyone in Allendale as “L.L.,” was 98 years old at the time of his death. He was a retired merchant and insurance agent who throughout his life was active as a community organizer and volunteer. Mr. Boyd served as a public school trustee and town councilman, and was a charter member and past president of the Allendale Lions Club. He was a member and lay leader at Swallow Savannah United Methodist Church.
1937
Brig. Gen. (ret.) Peter Richard Moody, Aug. 16, 2008, Fayetteville, N.C. Dr. Moody was one of Wofford’s outstanding graduates of his generation. He was a highly decorated Army Air Corps officer in World War II and then earned a Ph.D. in English at Cambridge University in England. He was a charter member of the faculty and later a vice president of the Air Force Academy. After his military retirement, Dr. Moody moved on to Eastern Illinois University as its provost. Dr. Moody’s funeral, with full military honors, was planned for Arlington National Cemetery.
1939
Nicholas Calhoun Black Jr., Sept. 20, 2008, Richmond, Va. Mr. Black was a retired insurance executive. The family requested that memorials be made to Wofford.
1942
Russell Webb Sammeth Jr., May
15, 2008, Seneca, S.C. A U.S. Army veteran, Mr. Sammeth owned a local drug store for many years. He was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church.
1943
Ralph Tanenbaum, Sept. 5, 2008, Alpharetta, Ga. Mr. Tanenbaum, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, lived for many years in Spartanburg, where he was the owner of “Tanny’s,” and a leader at the Temple B’Nai Israel.
1946
Dr. Eugene Preston Rutledge,
Oct. 20, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska. The recipient of an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Wofford in 1971, Dr. Rutledge worked on the Manhattan Project at Oak Ridge, Tenn., in the late 1940s. There, he was credited with an essential discovery related to changing a solid uranium compound into a gaseous one and did important research related to nuclear power plants for submarines. He continued to work as an energy scientist and author, advocating the continued development of nuclear energy and working to develop the natural resources of Alaska. His books included two studies of Prudhoe Bay in Alaska, and “Hiroshima Bomb to Grand Peace.”
1947
1951
1966
1, 2008, Anderson, S.C. A veteran of World War II, Dr. Royster earned his Doctor of Education degree at the University of Maryland. During his career, he was a public school teacher, coach, principal and senior administrator for more than 40 years. From 1966 through 1983, he was the successful and highly respected superintendent of Anderson District 5 schools. He also was a leader in the American Association of School Administrators, and he remains the only South Carolinian to have served as its president. He was active in the Rotary Club and in St. Johns United Methodist Church.
19, 2008, Elloree, S.C. Mr. Gasque owned and operated a family cotton farm and a farm supply company, as well as serving for 49 years as a bank director in Orangeburg County. In 1998, after becoming semi-retired, he was a leader in the development of the Elloree Heritage Museum. He also chaired the board of deacons at the First Baptist Church of Elloree and was a long-time trustee of the Orangeburg Regional Hospital. For 56 years, he was active in the local Lions Club. Edward Wesley Teal Sr., Sept. 9, 2008, Winnsboro, S.C. After serving in the Korean conflict, Mr. Teal entered the Medical University of South Carolina where he received the Lehr and Fink Gold Medal. He was the owner of the Economy Drug Store in Winnsboro from which he retired in 1993. Mr. Teal served as a member of the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Board, the Richard Winn Academy Board of Trustees and received the Civitan of the Year Award in 1965. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church in Winnsboro.
22, 2008, Charleston, S.C. An attorney who had retired from the firm of Clawson and Staubes, LLC, Mr. Staubes was a graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law. He was a retired lieutenant colonel in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, U.S. Army Reserve. A past president of both the Charleston Association of the Blind and the Charleston Sertoma Club, he was a member of several social organizations in the city as well as the Second Presbyterian Church. The family suggested memorials to the Chris and Robbie Staubes Endowed Scholarship Fund at Wofford.
Dr. William B. Royster, Sept.
1948
The Rev. J. Louis Fowke, Sept.
11, 2008, Columbia, S.C. Mr. Fowke was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He and his wife, Connie, were leaders in the veteran’s community at Wofford. Graduate studies led to his ordination as a deacon and elder in the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, where he was an active minister for 43 years. He worked in a series of churches and conference assignments, serving for 17 years as director of childcare at Epworth Children’s home. William P. Mabry, Nov. 2, 2008, Union, S.C. Mr. Mabry’s college career at Wofford was interrupted by service in World War II, where he served as an infantry staff sergeant in the Sicilian and Italian campaigns. His awards and decorations included the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf cluster. Mr. Mabry had a 40-year career as a teacher, coach and principal at several schools. He also was a Rotarian and a lay leader at Grace United Methodist Church. Edward P. Pittman, Nov. 2, 2008, Charlotte, N.C. After serving with the 101st Airborne Division during World War II, Mr. Pittman completed his degree at Wofford. He was associated with Swift & Co. in Charlotte and retired from the North Carolina Commission for the Blind. He was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and the Hickory Grove Lions Club. The Rev. Eben Taylor, Oct. 23, 2008, Laurens, S.C. Dr. Taylor was a United Methodist pastor who was especially respected for his work in Civil Rights and social justice, receiving honorary degrees from both Claflin University and Wofford. Dr. Taylor served in the U.S. Army as an infantryman during World War II and was admitted to the South Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church in 1953. He was a member of numerous conference committees and boards and served two terms on the national General Commission of Religion and Race. He also served on a committee that accomplished the merger of segregated United Methodist Conferences in South Carolina and was a founding member of the Alston Wilkes Society.
Edward Everett Gasque Jr., Oct.
1952
Everett Shultz, Oct. 16, 2008, Beaufort, S.C. Formerly a resident of Spartanburg, Mr. Shultz was a retired plant manager with Whitney Yarn Mill, a division of Spartan Mills. He was a member of Green Street Baptist Church, a Mason, and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.
1955
Lewis Thomas Wells, Sept. 9, 2008, North Augusta, S.C. After graduation from Wofford, Mr. Wells taught English in Chile for the Methodist Mission Board. He then settled in Pennsylvania, where he completed his graduate studies in social work. He enjoyed a 37-year career in this field, primarily with the Children’s Heart Hospital of Philadelphia. In retirement, he returned to South Carolina. He was a member and pastoral assistant at the First United Methodist Church of Germantown as well as a number of professional associations.
1957
Carter Robertson Chamblee, Aug. 15, 2008, Berkeley, Calif. Mr. Chamblee taught English literature at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and had lived in Berkeley since 1974.
1961
The Rev. William Sidney McInnis, Jan. 24, 2008, Bennettsville, S.C.
1963
Gene Autry Merritt, Oct. 12, 2007, Greer, S.C. Mr. Merritt was a retired employee of Fluor Daniel, a U.S. Navy veteran and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Christopher B. Staubes Jr., Oct.
1972
Larry Arthur Moore, Jan. 25, 2008, Duncan, S.C. Mr. Moore was the part-owner and photographer at Moore Photography, where he had worked professionally since 1973.
1980
The Rev. Ricky Dale Gosnell, March 4, 2007, Canton, N.C. Having earned a doctoral degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Gosnell served as pastor at a number of Baptist churches, most recently the First Baptist Church of Canton.
Friends
Dr. John T. Doby, Nov. 1, 2008, Corbin, Ky. Dr. Doby was professor of sociology and anthropology at Wofford from 1950 through 1957. Later, he was the chair of the department of sociology at Emory University. He was an advisor to the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, N.J., and a past president of the Southern Sociology Association from 1968 through 1970. While living in Atlanta, Ga., he was a member of Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church.
Wofford mourns Phillips
W
illiam P. “Bill” Phillips ’55, former trustee and life-long Wofford benefactor, died on Sept. 23, 2008 in Fountain Inn, S.C. after a heroic struggle with cancer.
Phillips was one of several Wofford graduates who became executives with Spartan Food Systems, a company founded by Charles Bradshaw ’59 and Jerry Richardson ’59. This team operated Quincy’s Steakhouses and franchises of Hardee’s Restaurants and was a legendary South Carolina business success story of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. After retirement, Phillips settled in Fountain Inn with his wife of 52 years, Mary Ann Reeves Phillips. He was active at Trinity United Methodist Church and supported a number of charitable organizations in the community. Phillips All three of Bill Phillips’ children are Wofford graduates, Shawn Phillips ’80, Ashley Phillips Case ’85, and Kelly Phillips Willingham ’91. Mr. Phillips had seven grandchildren and a great-grandson. The family suggested memorials to the William P. Phillips Family Scholarship Fund at Wofford.
Wofford’s official Boston Terrier passes
T
he official Wofford terrier mascot, “Blitz,” passed away on Oct. 9 during surgery to remove an abdominal mass. She was 9 years old. Her real name was Ka-dee; “Blitz” was a stage name used while she was on duty at Wofford events. Ka-dee was a pure bred Boston Terrier owned by Chris and Jean Williams of Spartanburg. She began as the official terrier mascot on Sept. 6, 2003 in a win over South Carolina State. She did not miss a home game for six seasons with her last game coming ironically on Sept, 6, 2008 — a victory over Charleston Southern. At the conclusion of her fourth season as the mascot (2006), she was awarded an honorary varsity letter by the Athletics Department. In all, the Terrier football team had a 30-10 record in games where she roamed the sidelines. Ka-dee did not attend every road game over the years, but did travel to The Citadel, Furman, Western Carolina, North Carolina State, South Carolina and even Delaware for the 2003 I-AA semifinal game. She also visited with Spartanburg area elementary school children in January 2007 as part of the “Tour of the Terrier” a project of the Wofford Sports Marketing Interim class that year. Winter 2008 • Wofford Today • 31
Wofford Today
Postmaster: Send PS 3579 to Wofford College 429 N. Church Street Spartanburg, SC 29303-3663
Quintessential... A Wofford Education
10 9 8 7 6
Don’t let the ball drop this holiday season… get your gift to Wofford before the year ends on Dec. 31! To make a gift to Wofford’s Annual Fund, return your contribution in the enclosed envelope, call 864-597-4191 or log on to the college’s secure Web site at www.wofford.edu. Thank you for your generosity and support of Wofford students.