College of Charleston Magazine Summer 2024

College of Charleston Magazine
Protecting the
Holy City
Madison Lee ’22 is one of 10 alumni at the Preservation Society of Charleston.
Summer 2024
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Contents
College of Charleston Magazine

SUMMER 2024 Volume XXVIII, Issue 2

Editor
Tom Cunneff
Art Director
Jennifer Hitchcock ’97
Managing Editor
George Johnson
Associate Editor
Alicia Lutz ’98
Photography
Mike Ledford
Catie Cleveland
Contributors
Kip Bulwinkle ’04
Zeniya Cooley
Darcie Goodwin
Stephanie Hunt
Erika Legendre
Margaret Loftus
Andrew Miller
Reese Moore
Justin Morris
Erin Perkins ’08 (M.P.A.)
Bo Petersen
Mike Robertson
Amy Stockwell
Kathleen Trejo Tello
Copy Editor
Maureen Schlangen
Alumni Relations
Ann Pryor ’83
Brianna Sabacinski ’16
Vice President of the Office of Marketing and Communications
Ron Menchaca ’98

Contact us at
magazine@cofc.edu or 843.953.6462
On the Web
Mailing Address
ATTN: College of Charleston Magazine
College of Charleston
Office of Marketing and Communications
Charleston, SC 29424-0001
College of Charleston Magazine is published twice a year by the Office of University Communications. With each printing, approximately 72,000 copies are mailed to keep alumni, families of currently enrolled students, and friends informed about and connected to the College. Diverse views appear in these pages and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editor or the official policies of the College.
College of Charleston Magazine Fund Advertisement
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  • Guardians at the Gate
    28 Staffed by graduates from the College’s historic preservation program, the Preservation Society of Charleston has been fighting to safeguard the city’s historic architecture and protect it from overzealous developers for more than 100 years.
  • The Pursuit of Happiness
    38 As part of the College’s First Year Experience program, 15 students went to Denmark to study what makes the Danes so successful at happiness and sustainability while also forging friendships with one another.
  • SOLDIERING ON
    46 One of the top-ranked schools for veterans, the College has been a welcoming place for Connor Knight to readjust to civilian life following combat missions as an infantry member in the Army Airborne.
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LETTER FROM PRESIDENT ANDREW T. HSU

Engineering a New Future

Two new schools will help students stay competitive in an ever-changing world, but their liberal arts training will prepare them to be leaders.
The world is not like it was in years past. In fact, every day brings something new. Today is vastly different than yesterday. Many of these changes are brought on by advances in technology, which have a ripple effect throughout the marketplace and in our everyday lives.

These shifts, seismic in scale, are having an impact on what students want to learn and which degrees they wish to pursue in college. Our role as a university is to respond to that kind of demand and put forward an education that is relevant and helps our graduates be competitive in this ever-changing new world. Many well-known liberal arts universities have responded by establishing schools of engineering over the years, including Harvard, Dartmouth, William & Mary, Swarthmore, Bucknell and Smith.

Savana Kate Schwanda poses next to robotic arm in industrial environment.
Systems engineering major Savana Kate Schwanda interning at REI Automation.

| photo by Mike Ledford |
To that end, this spring, the College of Charleston created two new academic schools to better focus our science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) efforts: the School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics and the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences.

The School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics will be made up of the departments of engineering, computer science and mathematics. The needs of these disciplines in the applied sciences are aligned with one another and will benefit from their close organizational proximity within the new structure. This new framework will also make it easier for the school to seek out local, regional and statewide industry partners to engage them in faculty and student projects and internship opportunities. 

Since 2019, the College has introduced three new engineering degree programs – systems engineering, electrical engineering and computer engineering. These new programs were created with the help of our local industry partners. South Carolina’s workforce demands are far outpacing the number of graduates being produced in those fields, so the College of Charleston has an opportunity to not only help fill those gaps, but train and produce engineers with a liberal arts perspective, meaning they will have strong communication, critical thinking and cultural literacy skills than their peers coming out of similar programs at other universities. 

Our background in the liberal arts instills in our STEM students a much broader perspective.
The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences will be composed of the departments of biology, chemistry and biochemistry; geology and environmental geosciences; and physics and astronomy. These disciplines put a premium on the life sciences and lab experience and position their students for placement in prestigious graduate programs and top-tier jobs. 

In my personal experience from a variety of public and private colleges, I believe that College of Charleston STEM majors are unlike science students at other universities. Our background in the liberal arts instills in them a much broader perspective and a wider range of understanding, making them more adaptable and flexible in our fast-changing world.   

Many colleges and universities do an excellent job of positioning their STEM students for their first job. We do that, too, of course, while we are also preparing our graduates to become leaders in their fields and careers. Engineers define acceleration as “the rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time.”

At the College of Charleston, we believe that our liberal arts–trained STEM graduates in these two new schools possess an X factor that will help them to accelerate sooner, faster and longer, taking them to even greater heights. 

Andrew T. Hsu signature

AROUND THE CISTERN

cistern crossed natural fit women engineers five questions

Paper Chase

White jackets, ivory dresses and red roses. The Cistern, Randolph Hall and Porter’s Lodge. And hugs. Lots of hugs. And tears. The tossing of diplomas. These are just some of the iconic sights and traditions of spring commencement at the College of Charleston.
| photo by Mike Ledford |
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AROUND THE CISTERN

that’s a wrap!

Over two beautiful days in May, the College celebrated its newest graduates during three commencement ceremonies.
A man in a white tuxedo, looking elegant and sophisticated holding diploma.
A diverse group of individuals strolling around a beautiful fountain, enjoying each other's company.
Woman in white dress holding bouquet with arm extended.
A man in a graduation cap and gown waving to the crowd at a graduation ceremony.
Two women smiling and posing for a selfie with their cell phones.
A group of people capturing moments with their cell phones, creating lasting memories together and cheering.
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Class of 2024
by the Numbers

1,494
Graduates
42
States and territories (including Washington, D.C.) represented
21
Countries represented (in addition to U.S.)
121
School of the Arts graduates
380
School of Business graduates
75
School of Education graduates
131
School of Health Sciences graduates
470
School of Humanities and Social Sciences graduates
70
School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs graduates
265
School of Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering graduates
79
Master’s degree and graduate certificate graduates
16
Students graduating with top honors
A diverse group of individuals in white and yellow commencement dress, posing for a picture.
Smiling woman in graduation attire, celebrating her achievement.
Graduates in caps and gowns posing on building steps, celebrating their academic achievements.
A woman in a graduation gown embraces a dog, celebrating their special bond amidst the joyous occasion.
A graduate in a white dress stands confidently before a gathered crowd, radiating elegance and joy.
Four graduates in white tuxedos posing together, with one wearing large shoes.
A man in a graduation robe and tie receiving diploma.
| photos by Catie Cleveland and Mike Ledford |
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AROUND THE CISTERN
Rebecca Starkey smiling for photo with open drawer of bones in front of her
| photo by Catie Cleveland |

dinomite hire

How’s this for a full-circle moment? Rebecca Starkey ’23, the new collections and outreach coordinator at the College’s Mace Brown Museum of Natural History, attended the College with help from the Paleontology Scholarship, which is partially funded through donations to the museum. Starkey is also the first person to graduate with a geology degree and paleontology concentration. Her museum duties include cataloging incoming specimens, public outreach and revamping exhibits.

“Our collections have never been more organized, and our engagement with local schools has skyrocketed since Rebecca was hired,” says the museum’s curator, paleontology Professor Scott Persons. “As a student, she showed an extraordinary passion and dedication to the work. The museum and the College are lucky to have her.”

HOUSE OF TUTOR

This year marks quite the milestone for the Center for Student Learning: For 50 years, the center has provided students a one-stop shop for academic success, employing students to provide peer-education experiences in its various support programs, including its drop-in tutoring labs (math, Spanish, writing, science, business and computer science), group studies, one-on-one coaching, supplemental instruction, academic coaching and study skills workshops.

The CSL was established in 1974 to provide academic support for students while also promoting student leadership and development through peer education. Since then, the center has continued to evolve: Now with 150 student employees, the center supported 3,415 students, totaling 18,256 visits in the 2023-24 academic year.

“While our services have changed over the decades based on the changing needs of students, our end goal is always student success and graduation,” says CSL director Lindy Coleman.

Two students controlling yellow boston dynamics robot

seeing is believing

In April, the College hosted the South Carolina Young Women in Engineering Leadership Conference for high school students seeking to pursue an engineering or computing degree in college and aspiring to become leaders in the engineering or computing industry. Thirteen female students from across the state attended the daylong event, where CofC engineering students and faculty demonstrated their projects and talked about their successes in the field, and top female engineers provided guidance and pro tips on how to succeed in the engineering and computing fields. Designed for innovative thinkers with a love for STEM, the conference gave the high school students the opportunity to see and hear from other women who have made their dreams a reality.

Left (l-r): High school student Mia Kosciuskoon and systems engineering major Sydney Pearson with Boston Dynamics’ robot Spot during a campus visit.

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AROUND THE CISTERN

Five Questions for Diane Alvarez

Director of Diversity Education and Training
Diane Alvarez holding a bouquet of butterflies and smiling
| photo by Catie Cleveland |

Tell us about your work in K-9 search and rescue. What was your favorite part of that work?
As a member of Florida Task Force IV, my favorite aspects of work were the 1) friendships I had with other K-9 handlers, 2) traveling nationally to training sites and climbing collapsed structures, 3) working toward a moment in time in which lives needed to be saved, and, of course, 4) the love of a Labrador: their sense of humor, intelligence and the ability to shake off things that didn’t always go as planned but still forge onward.

You also had a career in paramedicine. Tell us about that. What kinds of skills did you take away from that?
I was a 911 paramedic in Orlando with Orange County Fire and Rescue Department from 2011 to 2014. I can honestly say that my compassion and empathy for others grew over the years, as well as my admiration for those who trusted a higher power would work through me. Aside from medical skills, I also learned how to be an active listener; the importance of empathy; how to protect others who are vulnerable; to acknowledge the bravery of those asking for help; and understanding the fragility of life. I hope these skills never leave me.

What kind of person/personality do you need to be in this kind of crisis-centric position?
Well, you cannot be a sympathetic vomiter, suffer from motion sickness, have a vasovagal syncope trigger or freak out while conducting a trauma assessment and you find brain matter on your hands. Paramedics must be problem solvers, able to thrive in organized chaos and bring calmness to any situation. Moreover, it requires emotional and cultural intelligence – the ethics of caring even if the patient is the shooter or has a huge swastika tattoo on their chest and hates every aspect of who I am, aside from my skills to save their life.

What are you most excited about in your new position at the College?
I look forward to overseeing the design, development and implementation of campuswide education and training initiatives across a broad range of diversity, equity and inclusion topics to support a compassionate college community.

What is one thing that we could all do to make the world a better place?
The field of diversity encourages us to critically examine our society; reflect; and reimagine how we can show respect, compassion, and understanding of others and their experiences. Such practices help us to become positive change agents in a global world. – Alicia Lutz ’98

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AROUND THE CISTERN
aerial view of people attending the Albert Simons Center soft opening event
| photo by Catie Cleveland |

State of the Arts

The School of the Arts held a soft opening of the highly anticipated Albert Simons Center for the Arts in early May. Built in the 1970s to accommodate 800 students, the facility was serving five times that before renovations began in summer 2022. When students return for fall semester, they will have 99,000 square feet of classroom and performance space. Theatre majors will have a new two-story black box theater; revamped dressing room spaces; and state-of-the-art costume shop, scene shop and theater design studio. Studio arts majors get a new sculpture, printmaking and drawing studio, as well as a digital lab and gallery; music majors will have a new recording studio and new practice rooms. Other highlights incude new seminar classrooms, updated and enlarged classroom spaces, updated technological systems and new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

LIFE ACADEMIC

music ambassadors flying faculty born to teach

Medical marvel

The South Carolina Research Authority presented astrophysics Professor Joe Carson the Applied Researcher of the Year award in April. Carson is the founder of Pensievision, which incorporates technology from space telescopes to create the world’s first low-cost, hand-held 3D imaging device to address the third-most common cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death in women in developing countries – cervical cancer. “I am thankful and honored,” says Carson.
| photo by Kip Carson Photography |
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LIFE ACADEMIC

Music With a Message

Renowned musicians at the College, Volodymyr Vynnytsky and Natalia Khoma help strengthen the bond between their two countries – the United States and Ukraine – during a 2024 tour.
IN FEBRUARY 2020, ONE MONTH BEFORE the world shut down due to COVID-19, Volodymyr Vynnytsky, professor of piano and director of chamber music, and Natalia Khoma, professor of cello, were the featured soloists for the Ukrainian National Symphony Orchestra’s U.S. tour. As native Ukrainians, they were honored to be selected and enjoyed reconnecting with the members of the orchestra.
group photo of injured soldiers with Volodymyr Vynnytsky and Natalia Khoma
Volodymyr Vynnytsky and Natalia Khoma in Manassas, Va., with Ukrainian orchestra members and injured soldiers in the U.S. for treatment.
“The orchestra is like family,” says Vynnytsky, adding that, before the war with Russia broke out in February 2022, they would travel to Ukraine every year to conduct master classes, teach students and perform.

When offered to again join as the soloists with one of the finest orchestras in Europe for the February 2024 U.S. tour, Vynnytsky and Khoma immediately said yes. This time, however, the married couple knew they had a bigger role to play – as ambassadors. They realized they needed the U.S. audience to feel the hope and drive of the Ukrainian people who are struggling to save their culture and country.

“We should not forget what is happening in Ukraine,” says Khoma, who, together with her husband, has performed benefit concerts for Ukraine. “Every day, we watch the news with a heavy heart. The sadness has taken a toll on us, but we have to be united in efforts toward liberation. Ukrainians need support to win the war.”

For Khoma, music serves as a way to unite.

“Music is a means of communicating without words, which is very powerful,” she says. “It has healing properties and can convey hope and love, something that is very important for people.”

On the tour, during an interview on GBH public radio in Boston, the duo conveyed a powerful message through a piece Vynnytsky composed, “Wartime Tango.” The emotive, penetrating score gripped the hearts of listeners, just like the concertos performed on the tour.

“We were limited in what concertos we could play because the orchestra was smaller this time,” says Vynnytsky, noting that getting to the U.S. was much more challenging because the airport in Kyiv is closed. “Still, we were able to deliver honesty. It was a sold-out tour with many pieces that brought crowds to their feet and to call for encores.”

black and white photo of Volodymyr Vynnytsky and Natalia Khoma
At Helzberg Hall in Kansas City, Mo.
Adds Khoma: “Music offers a refuge to share Ukraine’s deep and beautiful culture, something we convey through our performances.”

Performances that began for the duo in 1991: Although both Vynnytsky and Khoma were born and raised in Lviv, Ukraine, and both studied at the Moscow Conservatory, it took a performance in New York City in 1991 for them to meet.

Their common history gave them an immediate connection, but it was when they played – Vynnytsky on piano and Khoma on cello – that they truly felt the connection.

When they performed in South Africa, an audience member told them that when they play, they communicate on a different level. It was then they realized they had something truly special – the soloists are soulmates.

“Sometimes it happens,” says Vynnytsky.

For nearly 20 years, they have been sharing their passion and knowledge with students at the College. Students have come from all over the world to learn from them.

“When you teach, you share your heart and soul,” says Vynnytsky. “It is so gratifying to see our students deliver their spirit when they perform.”

Just like their teachers. – Darcie Goodwin

| GBH/Boston Public Radio |
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LIFE ACADEMIC

Totally Classic

With four books to her credit in seven years, Associate Professor of Classics Jen Gerrish can bake almost as well as she can write and teach.
The 2022 winner of the Dean’s Excellence Award in Research, Associate Professor Jen Gerrish is considered one of the best teachers in the classics department, if not the College. An expert on Roman history and historiography, she has published three books on the topic, with a fourth due out next year.

“It was clear from the day she got here that Jen would be a star, and she has more than fulfilled expectations,” says department chair Andrew Alwine. “The range and interdisciplinary flexibility of Jen’s teaching is somewhat mind-boggling.”

But there’s another, sweeter reason that makes her such a popular professor: the tasty cookies she regularly brings to classes and the classics suite. The frosted pastries often have a Roman theme to them, too, especially when she makes them for her annual Ides of March cookie party in the Cistern Yard attended by students past and present.

“I don’t have kids, but I imagine this is what you feel like on Christmas Day watching them opening presents,” says Gerrish. “That’s how I feel when I look at these generations of students, and they’re all there because they love Julius Caesar and they love cookies.”

And they love her, too. “She is much beloved – and not just for her amazing cookies,” says Alwine. “Jen is a team player, always haunting the halls of Randolph with cheer and concern for others. She is a great colleague who contributes substantially to the wider life of the department and College.”

Professor Jen Gerrish posing next to a glass display case of artifacts
| photo by Catie Cleveland |
She’s an integral part, in other words, of one of the largest undergraduate classics programs in the country, with more students studying Greek and Latin than any peer institution. Gerrish teaches courses in both programs.

“Classics is the greatest stories ever told,” says Gerrish, when asked what she loves about it. “The Trojan War, Julius Caesar: These are just such rich stories that give us this window into these amazing cultures of the past. It’s challenging, but you’re taking part in an intellectual tradition that has unfolded continuously for 2,000 years.”

Gerrish’s research focuses on the end of the Roman Republic and how a constitutional government with checks and balances designed to prevent autocracy fell apart after 450 years.

“There are lessons we can take from that,” she says. “All sides can agree that it’s a great privilege that we have this representative democracy that we can all participate in. But the Romans took that for granted, and then they lost it.”

The classics were all Greek to Gerrish growing up on the coast in Rockland, Maine. It wasn’t until her sophomore year at Vassar College, where she earned an A.B. in ancient societies in 2005, that she first became interested.

“I took an ancient Greek history class just to fill a requirement and fell in love with it,” she says, adding that the long Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta fascinated her. “One of the reasons that Athens loses the war is because they sort of fall prey to partisan infighting. There is so much at stake with Sparta threatening to wipe them out of existence, but they cannot get it together to save themselves.”

After earning a doctorate in classical studies at the University of Pennsylvania in 2012, she taught at Temple University for three years before landing at CofC, where classics is the oldest major.

“It’s really cool to know that I’m part of this legacy that thousands of students have studied in Randolph Hall,” she says. – Tom Cunneff

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Life Academic

Literary Pursuits

CofC faculty are experts in their fields, as these new books from three of them attest.
cover of Sexual Violence and Amercian Slavery: The Making of a Rape Culture in the Antebellum South by Shannon Eaves

Sexual Violence and American Slavery: The Making of a Rape Culture in the Antebellum South

by Shannon Eaves

Shannon Eaves didn’t opt for easy material. The associate professor of history has spent more than a decade researching accounts of rape and sexual violence against enslaved women – women like her great-great-great grandmother, who gave birth to Eaves’ great-great grandfather after being impregnated by her former owner. In her new book, she explores how a culture of violence was cultivated, nurtured and transmitted generationally.

“A culture, by general definition, shares a set of expectations,” she says. “People have an understanding of how they are expected to behave, but these prescriptions are not innate. Slave owners were taught to be violent in this way. The result was a cultural landscape that both enslaved people and their enslavers had to learn to navigate.”

This research, as one might expect, has been emotionally taxing. “I had to find ways to decompress and step away, to borrow some of the strength that I know these enslaved women had to have,” says the Columbia, S.C., native who hopes to inspire and enlighten CofC students, incorporating what she’s learned about sexual violence “as the physical embodiment of this system of exploitation” in her classes and in her involvement in the Center for the Study of Slavery in Charleston. “We consider how rape and sexual violence is used to exert power and control over Black communities in the post-Civil War era, through Reconstruction and beyond. What may have started during slavery continues to be a tool.”

That tool cuts both ways, Eaves acknowledges, making the intersections of race, power, violence, class and gender inherently complex and interesting. Humans are entangled with each other, she points out.

“Systems of oppression also ensnare the oppressor,” Eaves notes. “Sadly, there’s no happy ending, no moment of redemption, but that’s the human condition. History is not comfortable, but nor is the present often comfortable, so why should history be?” – Stephanie Hunt

cover of An Unholy Rebellion, Killing the Gods by Sharonah Esther Fredrick

Sharonah Esther Fredrick, instructor of Hispanic studies – An Unholy Rebellion, Killing the Gods is the first comprehensive comparison of two of the greatest epics of the Indigenous peoples of Latin America: the Popul Vuh of the Quiché Maya of Guatemala and the Huarochirí Manuscript of Peru’s lower Andean regions. The rebellious tone of both epics illuminates a heretofore overlooked aspect in Latin American Indigenous colonial writing: the sense of political injustice and spiritual sedition directed equally at European-imposed religious practice and at aspects of Indigenous belief. The link between spirituality and political upheaval in Native colonial writing has not been sufficiently explored until this work.

cover of Corporeal Readings of Cuban Literature and Art by Christina García

Christina M. García, assistant professor of Hispanic studies – Corporeal Readings of Cuban Literature and Art: The Body, the Inhuman, and Ecological Thinking looks at Cuban literature and art that challenges traditional assumptions about the body. Examining how writers and artists have depicted racial, gender and species differences throughout the past century, García identifies historical continuities in the way they have emphasized the shared materiality of bodies and shows how these works interact with ecologies of the human and nonhuman across diverse media, time periods and ideologies. García engages with Cuban cultural production at the intersection of assorted social issues.

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Life Academic

My Favorite Reads

A native of Nashville, Tenn., John Thomas III is an assistant professor of political science whose research interests are comparative racial politics with a focus on Latin America, democratization and international development. He started collecting Starbucks mugs in graduate school and now has a collection of more than 500, including the one he’s holding.

His reading list covers books from high school and college that not only were memorable then, but continue to teach him new lessons even now.

“A good book is timeless,” he says. “You can always come back to it, and – no matter how many times you read it – there is always something new.”

  1. No Longer at Ease, Chinua Achebe
  2. The Good Earth, Pearl Buck
  3. Seven Daughters and Seven Sons, Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy
  4. The Big Sleep, Raymond Chandler
  5. A Raisin in the Sun, Lorraine Hansberry
  6. Cotton Comes to Harlem, Chester Himes
  7. The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, James Weldon Johnson
  8. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Silver Chair, C.S. Lewis
  9. Destruction of Black Civilization, Chancellor Williams
  10. The Mis-Education of the Negro, Carter G. Woodson

(Honorable mention: the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at the top.)

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Life Academic

Balancing Act

For two faculty members, aerial arts improved not only their health, but, surprisingly, also their teaching.

When faculty Deanna Caveny and Lauren Hernandez-Rubio ’14 (M.S.) first found themselves hanging upside down in midair, they didn’t know what to expect. They certainly didn’t suspect that, suspended somewhere between athletics and the arts, they’d find an interplay of physics, anatomy, movement and performance – of strategy and creativity – that would provide both self-expression and professional perspective.

Those connections were grounded soon after they began studying aerial arts at Aerial Fit studio in Charleston.

“I was originally drawn to aerial arts because of its balance of strength and grace,” says Caveny, associate provost for faculty affairs and a mathematician. “As an academic, I live in my head. I wanted to become stronger physically, but I also wanted to find a little escape.”

Hernandez-Rubio knows the feeling: She was working on her dissertation when she joined her first aerial class several years ago.

“I needed a break,” says the adjunct biology faculty member. “I thought this would be a great new form of exercise, and it has been. Practicing and performing aerial arts has become an important part of my life, both as a source of personal fulfillment and as an avenue for creative self-expression.”

Hernandez-Rubio swears that she didn’t have the strength for one pull-up when she first started with Aerial Fit: hard to believe, considering the control, poise and grace she shows as she moves inside, outside and around her aerial apparatus of choice – the lyra, aka aerial hoop.

While there are four main types of apparatuses at the studio – lyras/hoops, silks, trapezes and slings – there are dozens to choose from, including supplemental apparatuses like ropes, chairs and umbrellas. Each apparatus is rigged onto the I beams 25 feet above the ground – and each is professionally installed and engineered for circus arts.

Regardless of the apparatus they’re using, aerial arts performers must quickly develop a keen grasp on what their bodies are doing – which gives them greater control.

Lauren Hernandez-Rubio sits in a lifted aerial hoop smiling, Deanna Caveny, a smiling woman with dark blonde hair, wearing a turquiose sports bra and leggings, stands on a large mat beside her, holding the aerial hoop with one hand

(l-r): Hernandez-Rubio and Caveny find strength and grace in the aerial arts.

| photos by Heather Moran |
“I’ve definitely seen a difference – not just in the fluidity of my moves and the strength of my upper body, but in how attentive I am to movement,” says Caveny. “It really connects your mind and body in a different way because you have to always be aware of how every bit of your body is positioned and engaged – and also be thinking a few steps ahead: What do I need to do next in order to transition to my next pose?”

Body awareness is especially important in aerial silks, where knots, aka wraps, in the fabric are used to both secure the performers and propel them into their next move. The idea is to move seamlessly from one wrap to another without getting stuck. And getting unstuck takes a lot of strategy.

“It makes me think about the way we learn in general – how we create a beginner’s mind and get unstuck. That’s key in a lot of learning,” says Caveny. “It has shown me a lot of ways I’ve never learned before – listening to the instructors, watching and translating their instructions from your brain to your body. It has made me a richer learner.”

Hernandez-Rubio agrees: “I love that it has taught me a new way to learn. Aerial arts appeals to the analytical part of my brain. It translates well to our mission as educators, too.”

And this is where both Hernandez-Rubio and Caveny have seen the most crossover between the aerial studio and their College classrooms.

“There’s a lot of interplay between my work as a teacher and being a student here at the studio,” says Caveny. “I’m getting to experience learning and teaching in new ways, which informs how I teach others.”

Hernandez-Rubio encourages people to give aerial arts a try. “To me, training aerial arts supports the idea of lifelong learning,” she says. “It feels great achieving something I never considered a possibility. If I can do it, you can do it.”

And, if you do, warns Caveny, while occasional silk burns (“fabric kisses”) are to be expected, you should also “be prepared to get hooked and inspired.” – Alicia Lutz ’98

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LIFE ACADEMIC

WORK IN PROGRESS

Trying to find new ways to engage students requires reflection, flexibility and openness for Sociology Professor Heath Hoffmann.

Heath Hoffmann was an undergraduate sociology major at Western Washington University when his professor and mentor had asked for a volunteer to facilitate the class discussion around a book, and Hoffmann raised his hand.

After class, his professor pulled him aside: “You were born for this. You should be a professor.”

“That was really the first time I felt validated,” says Hoffmann. “That was a very pivotal moment for me – not just him believing in me, but that feeling of trying to figure out how to engage students in discussion. So that was a great experience for me and was what set me on this path.”

That path led him to the College, where he’s been teaching sociology since 2003. And he’s been trying to find new ways to engage students ever since – something, he says, that requires continuous reflection, flexibility and openness.

“It’s really a selfish thing of just trying to keep things interesting – I need to do something different to make it unique so that it feels fresh and so my energy is bringing the students in along with me,” says the 2023 Distinguished Teaching Award recipient. “If I’m bored with it, the students aren’t going to be engaged.”

To be fair, Hoffmann’s classes cover some pretty engaging topics: alcohol and drug use, prison and prisoners, crime and deviance – all issues that are multifaceted and therefore hard to exhaust.

half body photo of Heath Hoffman
| photo by Reese Moore |

“Deviance was really always something that was just fascinating to me, in part because we have all these rules and all these penalties – whether they’re formal legal sanctions or informal sanctions, like people ostracizing you or criticizing you, or informal punishments like being grounded – yet we still do things that are illegal or antisocial,” he says. “Even serial killers follow the rules most of the time, so even people who are the most antisocial follow a lot of rules. I just think that’s interesting.”

It’s not just the subject matter that resonates with his students; it’s Hoffmann’s approach to relating sociology to the real world in a way that gets students thinking differently.

“I don’t really care if students remember factoids from my classes, but I want them to carry with them that sort of ability to think critically about the world,” says Hoffmann, who also wants his students to come away with compassionate empathy. “Empathy is actually one of the course objectives in most of my classes – to be able to walk in the shoes of others, you don’t have to agree with them, but you’re able to see the world through the eyes of other people and to understand where they came from and how they ended up where they are.”

Hoffmann is always willing to help – and not just his students. He is also an invaluable resource for his colleagues when it comes to teaching online courses, something he has been doing since 2013. In fact, in January Hoffmann was named the College’s inaugural faculty development online education coordinator. The goal of the position is critical: to enhance the quality of online education at the College and continuously keep things fresh, engaging and innovative.

It is, and always will be, a work in progress – just like everything else in life, says Hoffmann, who just wants to keep improving – both in his teaching so that he can better engage his students and facilitate their learning and growth, and in his personal life so that he can better himself.

“I just think there’s experience that gives you some wisdom if you’re willing to reflect on it and learn,” he says. “I would like to reach that place of sort of Zen and peacefulness and wisdom that comes with age.” – Alicia Lutz ’98

Making the Grade

foggy bottom intern genealogy discovery voice activation

OLD SCHOOL

Rising senior biology major Alexis Parker is taking ancient Greek in the oldest continuously taught-in classroom in North America: Randolph Hall, room 301A, which has been a classroom since the building opened in 1830. There are older classrooms at William and Mary, Harvard, etc., but they have been converted to administrative or multiuse spaces and then converted back to classrooms, says classics chair Andrew Alwine. “Students have been learning Greek and Latin in there for nearly 200 years,” says Alwine, noting its bicentennial is only six years away.
| photo by Catie Cleveland |
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MAKING THE GRADE
side profile of Syd Jackson looking out a window
| photos by Catie Cleveland |

Diplomatic Maneuver

Having interned at the U.S. Department of State, rising senior Syd Jackson has her sights set on a career in the foreign service.
On a beautiful day last fall, Syd Jackson found herself standing on the South Lawn of the White House amidst all the pomp and circumstance that an official state visit has to offer. Trumpets blared and flags fluttered as a big black SUV pulled up beneath the pillared portico.

Jackson watched in awe as President Joe Biden, wearing his trademark aviators, and first lady Jill Biden welcomed Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his partner, Jodie Haydon. The two leaders then stepped up to a lectern to make remarks to the 4,000 attendees about the two countries’ enduring alliance.

“To hear the military band and get to see President Biden and the first lady was amazing because it was my first time ever going to the White House,” says Jackson, a rising senior double majoring in international studies and political science. “It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime memory.”

The White House visit came about through a paid, two-and-a-half-month internship she did at the U.S. Department of State last fall – the first CofC student to land the coveted opportunity.

Serving in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs at the Harry S. Truman Federal Building, Jackson supported State Department officers, from the assistant secretary to country desk officers. Many of her duties were press-related – media monitoring on different topics and drafting press guidance for the daily briefs – but she also escorted foreign dignitaries visiting the State Department.

“I learned so much,” she says. “Seeing diplomacy in action every single day was eye-opening. I didn’t realize all the different jobs and tracks there are. And I was treated like a full-fledged colleague, not just an intern.”

As a member of the International Scholars Program at the College – a joint initiative between the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs and the Honors College – Jackson was well-prepared for the position.

“Syd is the epitome of our International Scholars,” says Albert Thibault, a retired foreign service officer who is her LCWA Advisory Board mentor. “At our first meeting, I immediately took note of her scholarly focus. Syd described her immersion in Chinese language study, not just at the College, but starting as a young girl in Rock Hill, S.C. How many can say that?”

half body black and white photo of Syd Jackson smiling
“I learned so much. Seeing diplomacy in action every single day was eye-opening. I didn’t realize all the different jobs and tracks there are.” – Syd Jackson
Jackson started studying Chinese in the fifth grade because she loved the teacher. Other dedicated teachers furthered her knowledge not only of the Mandarin language, but of Chinese culture. In 11th grade, her Chinese instructor encouraged her to use her language ability diplomatically.

When it came time to go to university, Jackson wasn’t interested in the College at first because she didn’t want to follow in her sister’s footsteps.

“We’ve gone to school together our whole lives,” says Jackson, whose sister Jennie Jackson ’23 is now in medical school at the University of South Carolina. “I wanted this to be my own adventure. But she assured me, ‘The International Studies Program here is really great.’”

A meeting with Bryan Ganaway, associate dean of the Honors College and director of its International Scholars Program, helped seal the deal, as did receiving four scholarships, including the Colonial and S.C. Fellows scholarships.

“I’m nothing but ecstatic about my decision,” she says. “My sister was right – it truly has been my own experience. And, honestly, I can’t see myself being anywhere else.”

Jackson and Thibault meet regularly at the campus Starbucks, and she made it clear early on of her ambition to become an international lawyer, foreign service officer and, ultimately, a U.S. ambassador.

“She does not think small,” says Thibault, who was the deputy chief of mission at the U.S. embassies in Nepal, Saudi Arabia and India, as well as the U.S. consul general in Lahore, Pakistan. “Her college courses, language study and research projects are part of a long-range strategy aimed at joining the State Department. More than many students, she has a very specific career goal and, equally important in my view, a strategy to achieve it.”

Her studies abroad in Vieques, Puerto Rico, and Chiang Mai, Thailand, were important steps in that process, as was the State Department internship, of course.

“Keeping in contact with her (during the internship), it became very clear to me that this was no résumé-dressing employment experience,” says Thibault. “Syd was very well-suited to do this, given her writing skills, grasp of policy, her global outlook, self-confidence and very positive personality – all of which are necessary for an effective diplomat representing our country. I have little doubt that Syd will achieve her ambition.” – Tom Cunneff

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MAKING THE GRADE
Ben Gonzalez standing beside screens displaying business analytics
| photo by Catie Cleveland |

Career Express

One of the most desirable degrees in hand, data science graduate Ben Gonzalez ’24 pursues his dreams in the fintech market with AmEx.
Data science continues to be one of the fastest-growing industries in the country and one of the most sought-after degrees. The College recognized the need early on and established the first undergraduate data science program in the country in 2005. Today, students in the program are consistently graduating with full-time job offers from companies like American Express and Boeing.

One of those students is Ben Gonzalez ’24, who just completed his degree in data science with a concentration in business analytics.

“Companies thrive on innovation, and Ben Gonzalez, an inventive student leader, consistently inspires us with visionary ideas for the future of finance (fintech) in the era of AI,” says Lancie Affonso ’96 (M.S. ’08), instructor in the Department of Computer Science and the School of Business, Honors College Faculty Fellow and director of the Entrepreneurship Living-Learning Community. “This is evident in the thesis for his yearlong interdisciplinary bachelor’s essay at the Honors College. I’m confident that Ben will continue to merge his technical expertise in machine learning and AI, his intrapreneurial mindset and his interdisciplinary liberal arts education to both disrupt and propel the growth of the fintech market.”

Gonzalez was offered a full-time position at American Express after working as a strategy and analytics intern on the company’s credit risk team last summer. He credits Affonso for giving him a push to join the School of Business Investment Program, the student-run asset portfolio where he met Andre Limon ’22, who works at American Express and who mentored him throughout the interview process. He also credits Jody Bell ’23 and Anthony Spinella ’23, former co-directors of the investment program, with helping him develop the leadership skills to become the managing director of the program.

“The people in the program changed the course of my college career,” says Gonzalez. “The interpersonal and technical skills I developed in the investment program helped me succeed in my internship at American Express. I am excited to enter the financial services industry and want to become a chartered financial analyst with the goal of being a leader in the financial services industry.”

Gonzalez’s dreams of being a leader in financial services can be traced back to his early years at the College when he enrolled in Data Science 101. Something just clicked.

“The thing I love about data science is that it doesn’t stand alone,” he says. “It’s solving problems using computer science, math and algorithmic thinking. I’ve had the opportunity to develop interdisciplinary data science skills as a student in the Honors College that include competing in the USC National Big Data Health Science Student Case Competition. Two other Honors students and I were able to compete against undergraduate and graduate students from across the country and were the only undergraduate team to place as finalists.”

Gonzalez wants to inspire students to follow a similar path and take advantage of the vast resources offered at the College to propel students into careers in financial services and fintech.

That’s money in the bank. – Amy Stockwell

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MAKING THE GRADE

BRANCHING OUT

A DNA test prompted Darius Brown’s journey that resulted in a book by the professional studies student about his enormous family tree.

WHEN DARIUS BROWN GOT HIS DNA TEST results that stated he was 96% African, he thought it was a fluke.

According to research, the typical African American has a genetic makeup of approximately 80% to 85% African ancestry, and those numbers could vary depending where in the U.S. their family stems from. Brown’s high percentage blew him away. Two more confirmation tests convinced him to begin a deep dive into his ancestry.

Seven years and nearly 11,000 relatives on his family tree later, he recently published his family’s story in his debut book, At the Feet of the Elders: A Journey Into a Lowcountry Family History. The book exemplifies the importance of preserving stories passed down from generations.

“When I was growing up, I could always remember being around my elders listening to their conversations about family history,” says Brown, a native of Beaufort, S.C. “The title conveys I was sitting before them and soaking up all the knowledge and oral history they received from their elders.”

Genealogy began as a hobby for Brown but soon became a career. A few years into researching his family, he started working as a genetic genealogist and research assistant at the International African American Museum in Charleston. In time, he’d uncovered so much about his ancestors that he didn’t want to keep it to himself. So he decided to write a book.

Portrait photograph close-up outdoor view of Darius Brown standing and smiling in a white t-shirt consisted of square patterns plus he is wearing a chrome-colored necklace as he poses on a concrete walkway path nearby some small tiny grassy hilltops, bushes, tall palm trees, and a big building structure behind him
| photo by Catie Cleveland |

Working full time, researching and writing became a balancing act for Brown. Despite his packed schedule, he enrolled in the College’s flexible online Bachelor of Professional Studies program.

“It’s a pretty cool degree,” says Brown, adding that researching enslaved Africans is hard but not impossible. “You have to be the person willing to do the work.”

He’s done the work. He’s now traced his family back to the colonial period and reconstructed the enslaved populations at the Old Fort, Otaheite, Blue Mud and Blake plantations. His work has impacted others, too.

“Now (other) people get to benefit,” he says. “Not only was I looking for my family, but I’ve found other people’s ancestors.”

While unearthing his roots, remarkable discoveries confirmed the once unbelievable stories he’d grown up hearing. His ancestor Fortune fought in the American Revolutionary War, while others worked with Harriet Tubman to free more than 700 enslaved people in Beaufort during the Combahee Ferry Raid.

At the IAAM, Brown leads Genealogy 101 sessions several times a week. When people ask him where to start tracing their lineage, he always tells them to begin with themselves and move back in time. However, he cautions that the process can be slow.

“Some people think they can research their family in a couple of days and find all the answers,” he says. “It’s not like that. It takes perseverance.”

It also means staying the course when discovering uncomfortable truths. Brown wants African Americans to become more comfortable knowing their family histories. Seeing your relatives marked as property in estate inventories and bills of sale can be harrowing, but it’s about perception. It shows their strength.

“Don’t be ashamed of what our ancestors went through,” he says. “Embrace it.” – Erika LeGendre

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MAKING THE GRADE

GUIDING LIGHT

Giving a voice to first-generation students like herself, Molly Moloney ’24 started a club to help others navigate the mystery of campus life.

THE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE CAN BE TOUGH for many students. There’s the copious amount of coursework, the fear of not fitting in and the challenge of juggling multiple commitments. These challenges are often magnified for first-generation college students, who may also struggle to navigate the campus resources available to them.

It’s that last issue, in particular, that prompted Molly Moloney ’24 to cofound the First Generation Students of CofC. The club, which held its first meeting in February, aims to foster community among first-generation students and connect them with first-generation staff and other essential resources.

When Moloney and club cofounder Katie Hughes, now a sophomore majoring in environmental and sustainability studies, connected last year, they recognized that first-generation students often encounter a “hidden curriculum” of unspoken rules, practices and procedures. This tacit curriculum can include a college’s dizzying number of resources.

“We both realized that CofC had so many resources available, but it’s hard to even begin to identify them,” says Moloney. “A big part of being a first-generation student is not knowing how to navigate these spaces, so helping with that makes a big difference.”

Of course, Moloney herself hadn’t always known about the state of first-generation student support at the College and what additional services were needed. It was a data visualization and storytelling class she took with Lancie Affonso ’96 (M.S. ’08) during her sophomore year that sparked her interest in the first-generation community.

“He sort of put the seed in my mind,” says Moloney. “He made me realize that there’s actually a whole community of people out there who have this shared experience.”

Portrait photograph close-up outdoor view of first generation students of CofC cofounders Katie Hughes (left) and Molly Moloney as they are both listening to another guy in a black polo top shirt speaking as all of them are at a wooden table
First Generation Students of CofC cofounders Katie Hughes (left) and Molly Moloney.

| photo by Catie Cleveland |

Moloney has watched her idea to help the first-generation community morph into not just a club with more than 50 members, but a Bonner Leader capstone project that will be accessible through an online hub. For the project, Moloney filmed a 20-minute documentary about the experiences of first-generation students at the College, which she hopes conveys the importance of education.

“My only hope is that people will see that education is impactful, that everybody deserves access to education and resources that would help them navigate education,” says the Charles T. Brown Endowed Scholarship recipient.

Moloney’s accomplishments and experiences certainly tout the merits of education. As a Bonner Leader, she received an annual scholarship in exchange for weekly service with a community partner. The program allowed the Myrtle Beach, S.C., native to intern with Charleston Waterkeeper, an environmental nonprofit focused on protecting local waterways, where she spearheaded an event campaign called the Public Access Takeover.

With degrees in Hispanic studies and public health, Moloney is taking a gap year before returning to school to either pursue a master’s degree in public health or complete a dual program in environmental and sustainability studies and public administration.

Whatever her path, Affonso will be cheering her on.

“She’s got an exciting career ahead of her,” he says. “My hopes are that she will continue to follow her passions and then fight for those who did not have a voice in many ways, which she’s done very effectively.” – Zeniya Cooley

Teamwork

time management record setter dual threat

Slam Dunk

Chris Mack, one of 19 coaches in college basketball history to lead their team to a No. 1 ranking within the first two years at their school, has agreed to a five-year contract as the new men’s basketball head coach. Mack, whose teams, such as Louisville and Xavier, have participated in the NCAA Tournament in nine of his 12 seasons as a head coach, returns to coaching collegiate basketball after a two-year hiatus. His 259 victories were the 12th most amassed by a coach in their first 11 seasons. “Cougar Nation is going to get my absolute best,” says Mack. “I’m humbled and honored to be your coach.”
| photo by Mike Ledford |
Josh Keifer, Naylee Cortes and Caroline Berg in their athletic uniforms
(l-r): Josh Keifer, Naylee Cortes and Caroline Berg have different athletic talents, but all excel at time-management.

| photo by Mike Ledford |
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TEAMWORK

Controlled Chaos

Using support programs and resisting the urge to hit the snooze button are crucial to the success of these three student-athletes.
The alarm goes off at 6 a.m. as Caroline Berg searches through the darkness of her bedroom to find the phone. Berg opens one eye, looks at the time and thinks about hitting the snooze button for a few extra minutes of sleep. It’s so tempting to just roll over and forget about the schedule ahead of her for the day.

Sleep can wait. This is what the Northville, Mich., native signed up for when she decided to attend the College and ride for the equestrian team. She says she couldn’t do it without the support system she’s found in both her team and the Honors College.

Still, the demands of being a student-athlete at a Division I school can be a grind: the early mornings, the six-days-a-week practices, the weight training, the team-building exercises, the travel and the competitions.

And that doesn’t even include the classes, the studying and the papers due during a normal week. “There are some days when you just want to stay in bed,” says the rising senior.

A political science major with a part-time job to boot, Berg makes a quick breakfast of yogurt and eggs, pours herself an iced latte and then heads out to her car for the 45-minute drive to the team’s stables in Huger, S.C.

“In the winter, I usually get to the stables about the time the sun rises,” she says. “Sometimes, it’s still dark when we start to ride.”

Josh Keifer’s day begins in a similar fashion: trying to beat the traffic from downtown Charleston to Mount Pleasant for his morning run with the cross country team.

“I push myself to get out of bed because I know what’ll happen if I hit the snooze button,” says the Fort Worth, Texas, native.

Between coursework, practices and games, Naylee Cortes, a rising junior guard on the women’s basketball team, figures she spends between 50 and 60 hours a week in her capacity as a student-athlete. It’s like having two full-time jobs.

Days can become a blur of classes, practices and stops at Starbucks for a quick hit of caffeine. During the season it’s pure mayhem, but Cortes wouldn’t have it any other way; she thrives in the chaos.

“If I weren’t as busy as I am, I wouldn’t know what to do,” she says. “I’d probably get bored very quickly.”

Berg, Keifer and Cortes have become experts at juggling and balancing the life of a student-athlete. They have to be good at chaos. There is no choice but to find a way to succeed on and off the field so they can give themselves and their teams the best possible chance of winning.

“If you are failing to plan, then you are planning to fail.” – Naylee Cortes
Time management is crucial to survival. To keep up with her busy schedule, Cortes has three daily planners to outline her day, week and month. Her agenda can become so hectic that she has each day mapped out, written down minute by minute.

“If you are failing to plan, then you are planning to fail,” says the political science major from Bogotá, Colombia.

Each night before her head hits the pillow, Cortes will take a quick look at her planner to see what’s on the horizon for the following day. Sometimes, when she finally drifts off to sleep, she dreams she has lost one of her three planners.

“It’s really a nightmare,” she says. “I would freak out if something happened to my planner – it’s so important for keeping up with what my day is going to be.”

All three student-athletes say a social life is crucial for their mental health and overall success.

“You have to make time for yourself and your friends,” says Keifer, a rising senior, who is double majoring in computer science and exercise science. “There must be a balance in your life. It’s important to make friends outside of the team.”

Most of the student-athletes at the College are far from home, which means they might not have the in-person support of their families. That’s why they create their own support systems with their teammates and coaches.

Spending hours each day together and traveling hundreds of miles across the country creates an unbreakable bond, which helps keep them going during those long hours of practice and studying.

“I didn’t know anyone on the team when I got here, but they have become my extended family,” says Keifer.

All three agree that they would not be as successful as they have been without the help from the College’s academic support services.

The Athletics Department offers a “Paws to Claws” summer program to help incoming student-athletes navigate their way during their first year of college. Student-Athlete 101, a non-credit 10-week fall seminar, is another transitional support program.

“The most successful student-athletes are organized and have good time-management skills,” says Kate Tiller ’07, senior associate athletics director for student-athlete success. “Because they are organized, they are not distracted by outside noise and can concentrate on being a student-athlete.” – Andrew Miller

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TEAMWORK

LIFE IN THE FAST LANE

After going from cheerleader to race leader, Kaitlynn Bailey ’24 set three records during her college career on the track and field team.

KAITLYNN BAILEY ’24 KNOWS THE REAL secret to her success. It is not just the hard work, training and perseverance that helped her to shatter several school records in track and field during her four years at the College of Charleston. She says it comes down to two words: lucky socks.

“I’m very superstitious,” confesses Bailey. “All through high school and up to my freshman year here, I wore the same pair of socks. I had to wear socks under them because they were covered in holes.”

Sadly, those socks are gone, but her school records remain.

Portrait close-up outdoor photograph view of Kaitlynn Bailey smiling in her dark maroon/white colored College of Charleston track and field attire posing in a kneel down position like if she was getting ready to sprint on the track on a clear sunny day out on the track behind the numeral 5
| photo by Reese Moore |
During her career on the track and field team at the College, Bailey set school records in the indoor 60-meter (7.69), the indoor 200-meter (24.31) and the outdoor 100 meter (11.70) races. She ranks third overall in the indoor 55-meter and the indoor 400-meter. You can also find her name in the record books as part of the distance medley relay that broke the indoor school record and got a bronze medal at the Coastal Athletic Association Championships.

“When I first got here, my goal was to break one record,” says Bailey. “I felt like once I broke the first record, it clicked in my head that I’m capable of continuing to break them.”

In a way, you can thank Bailey’s father for these records being broken. Growing up in Piedmont, S.C., Bailey never participated in track, gravitating toward cheer instead. One day, her father, thinking that Bailey may be good at track, met privately with the school track coach for a talk.

“He didn’t exactly go behind my back, but my dad contacted the track coach and asked if I could have a tryout,” she says with a laugh. “I decided to give it a try. Once I realized I was good at it, I started to like it. I ended up quitting cheer right after that and haven’t looked back.”

Two notable races come to mind during her time at the College. The first was breaking her first school record in the indoor 60-meter in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The second was being part of the distance medley relay team that won the bronze medal in New York.

“I always wanted a medal from the conference championships,” she says. “Being able to stand on the podium was definitely memorable for me.”

Now that her college career has ended, Bailey, who majored in biology, is on a different track. Degree in hand, she plans to apply to dental school at the Medical University of South Carolina and attend the school in 2025. In the meantime, she hopes to to gain experience by working in a dental office.

“She helped to change the dynamic and culture of our sprints/jumps group,” says coach Michael Tornifolio. “But I will always remember her more for who she is as a person.”

Bailey plans to keep on running but just for fun now, not something that requires her to worry about her finishing time. “I have no desire to run any race that I have to think about.”

Especially without her socks. – Mike Robertson

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TEAMWORK
Landscape close-up outdoor photograph view of Cole Mathis in the center middle in his dark maroon/white colored College of Charleston baseball uniform excited with his mouth open as his baseball teammates nearby wearing the same uniforms/gear cheer him on in delight on a overcast cloudy day in what appears to be at a baseball field setting area
| photo by Maxwell Vittorio |

DIAMOND PROSPECT

A dual threat at the plate and on the mound, Cole Mathis could be the highest-drafted baseball player in school history.

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON BASEBALL Coach Chad Holbrook knew there was something a little different about Cole Mathis. Even as a freshman, Mathis had this quiet confidence about him. There was nothing flashy or verbose about Mathis’ demeanor; he wasn’t going to flip his bat to show up the pitcher after he smacked one of his towering home runs at the Patriots Point Sports Complex.

“Cole is one of the top two right-handed hitters I’ve been around,” says Holbrook, the CAA Coach of the Year who has been a collegiate coach for nearly three decades. “The other was (Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman) Christian Walker, and he’s hitting 30-plus home runs a season in the Major Leagues.”

That’s not just hyperbole from Mathis’ head coach, either. The facts support Holbrook’s claim. Many professional baseball scouts have Mathis going in the first five rounds in July’s Major League Baseball draft. The Cataula, Ga., native could be the College’s highest-drafted player in program history – maybe even going in the first round – a first for the school (former New York Yankee Brett Gardner went in the third round in 2005).

“He’s that good,” Holbrook says.

As dominant as Mathis has been at the plate over his three seasons with the Cougars, he’s been just as effective on the mound. Mathis has been a two-way player since the day he stepped onto campus. In a breakout sophomore season in the spring of 2023, Mathis led the Cougars in batting average (.330), doubles (20), slugging (.575), walks (41) and runs (48).

With a fastball in the mid-90s mph, the All-American had a 5-1 record and a 3.45 ERA in 14 starts. Mathis’ father, Sammie, was a pitcher in the Cleveland Guardians minor league system.

“There are not many guys in college baseball who have the potential to dominate a game on the mound and at the plate,” says Holbrook. “Cole has the ability to win a game almost all by himself.”

His teammates call Mathis “Cole-Hei” – in honor of Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani – because of his dual threat status. It doesn’t matter to Mathis where he plays, just as long as he’s on the field.

“I love to hit, and I love to pitch,” says the mathematics major, who was sidelined with a sore elbow and didn’t pitch this past spring. “I think my future is probably as a position player. I know my father loves to see me pitch.”

A year ago, Mathis took that same attitude to the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, where the nation’s top college players gather for two months each summer.

“I didn’t think about the scouts,” says Mathis. “I just wanted to have fun, maybe hit one home run.”

Mathis did more than hit a single dinger. He dominated the league at the plate and on the mound. He was second in the league in home runs (11) and RBIs (42) and hit .318 with a wooden bat.

“Hitters don’t go up to Cape Cod and do what Cole did last summer,” says Holbrook. “It’s a hard place to hit. They’ve got wood bats, bad lights, the fog rolls in every day, so when you put up numbers like Cole did, it catches everyone’s attention, especially the scouts.” – Andrew Miller

woman holding the door open at The Preservation Society of Charleston

Guardians
at the Gate

Staffed by graduates from the College’s historic preservation program, the Preservation Society of Charleston has been fighting to safeguard the city’s historic architectural treasures and protect it from overzealous developers for more than 100 years.

by Amy Stockwell

photography by Reese Moore
Charleston is hot.
And we’re not talking about the weather. It’s boom time in the Holy City, and developers from across the country want to elbow their way in and get in on the action. Just about any piece of property in downtown Charleston is valuable – even ones that flood regularly, such as in the medical district off Calhoun Street.

In June 2020, an Augusta, Ga., developer bought a 2.2-acre site on the south side of Calhoun Street for $12 million from the Medical University of South Carolina. A year later, they submitted a proposal for 295 Calhoun Street, a massive, eight-story mixed-use building of apartments, retail and parking, to the Board of Architectural Review (BAR). Following pushback from residents and advocates, the BAR denied the request based on the building’s inappropriate design. When little changed in a second submission, the BAR again rejected it for being far too tall and out of place given its sensitive location abutting historic Harleston Village neighborhood on Alberta Sottile Long Lake. The developer sued, questioning the BAR’s integrity and raising doubt about the city’s authority to oversee building in the historic district, which, if granted, could threaten the very essence of Charleston.

And there to stand up for Charleston, as it has for 100 years, was the Preservation Society of Charleston (PSC), including its team of graduates from the College’s Historic Preservation and Community Planning Program (HPCP). The society filed a motion to intervene in the case, and a judge granted it.

“What’s happening at 295 Calhoun St. is a great example of how our preservation work is about advocacy and being a voice for the community,” says Erin Minnigan Mehard ’13, the PSC’s director of preservation and planning. “The out-of-town project team put forth a design that was overly massive for the site, out of scale with the adjacent historic context and unrelated to Charleston’s unique character, yet included a request for an additional floor based on architectural merit. The judge recognized that we are an important player in the process by granting our request to intervene. This is a big deal for us to have a seat at the table to represent the concerns of Charleston residents.”

staff members at the Preservation Society of Charleston
(l-r): The staff at the Preservation Society of Charleston includes 10 alumni, including Erin Mehard ’13, Laurel Fay ’16, Virginia Swift ’19, Sam Spence ’08, Madison Lee ’22 and Anna-Catherine Alexander ’18.
It also illustrates the scope of the PSC’s work – that it’s not just about saving historic homes.

“As development pressures continue to grow, the Preservation Society remains actively engaged to not only protect historic structures, but to ensure new construction is compatible with our historic neighborhoods and commercial districts,” says Sam Spence ’08, director of public affairs at the PSC, adding that another timely example is the development of Union Pier. “It’s one of the projects we’ve heard the most about from our members and presents a huge opportunity for Charleston.”

The 65-acre site has been a working waterfront for centuries and includes at least five historical wharves where thousands of newly arrived enslaved Africans were bought and sold.

In recent years, the site has served as a cruise terminal and an offloading point for large cargo, such as cars produced upstate. The South Carolina Ports Authority, which owns the site, has been wanting to redevelop Union Pier since 1990 and expand the cruise-ship business, which the PSC has consistently opposed. In 2020, the ports authority hired Los Angeles–based Lowe Enterprises to create a master plan, while giving Lowe right of first refusal to purchase and develop the property. But the plan was incompatible with Charleston’s historic environment. Thanks to efforts by the PSC and others, the ports authority pivoted in 2023 to present a new planning process with the College’s Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center for Livable Communities at the helm. Another good sign: In March, the ports authority agreed to sell the site to local businessman and philanthropist Ben Navarro, who envisions “a neighborhood Charleston deserves.”

Boone Hall Plantation before renovation
Boone Hall Plantation after renovation
Carolopolis Award Winner
Before & After | Boone Hall Plantation
“Charlestonians made their voices heard that they’re eager for more public spaces and waterfront access at Union Pier,” says Spence. “The Preservation Society will keep thinking big picture, and we hope that future proposals for Union Pier make the most of the potential for this historic property.”

The sites at 295 Calhoun St. and Union Pier are obvious symbols of the large-scale development becoming more common in downtown Charleston. But just four blocks east of 295 Calhoun St. is a Smith Street home built on two 18th-century African American cemeteries that’s a great example of where Preservation Society’s day-to-day work operates in a more sensitive context, delving into the quiet complexities of Charleston’s long history.

In 2021, renovation work of the private home at 88 Smith Street was temporarily halted over concerns about the burial site. The PSC and archaeology experts, including R. Grant Gilmore III, director of the College’s HPCP Program, were engaged, and the city ultimately adopted a new gravesite protection ordinance that could prevent disturbances where burial sites are likely to be present. The challenge with this ordinance for developers and preservationists is that the locations of many these sites are often unknown.

“Charleston’s Black history has long been underrepresented and under-protected, and burial grounds are no exception,” says Anna-Catherine Alexander ’18, manager of preservation initiatives at the PSC. Alexander oversees the PSC’s research programs and supports advocacy efforts on issues and projects impacting Charleston’s historic built environment.

94 Sheppard St. before renovation
94 Sheppard St. after renovation
Carolopolis Award Winner
Before & After | 94 Sheppard St.
In response to the experience at 88 Smith St., the PSC sought and was awarded a grant from the National Park Service to support the Mapping Charleston’s Black Burial Grounds initiative, a community-led effort to produce a comprehensive inventory of Black burial grounds in the city. Community members were invited to share their knowledge of Black burial sites significant to their neighborhood and family histories to be included in the database.

“As Charleston grows and develops, Black burial sites are at greater risk,” says Alexander. “The Mapping Charleston’s Black Burial Grounds project is intended to strengthen community awareness of and protections for these sacred places.”

Preservation Stories

These examples are important reminders that not only is there no finish line in preservation work, but the scope of the work stretches across centuries. What began in 1920 as the Society for the Preservation of Old Dwellings, has evolved from its grassroots mission into a 4,200-person membership organization with a full-time staff that works to ensure that Charleston retains its livability and authenticity. The PSC works collaboratively in that mission with the local preservation community, including the Historic Charleston Foundation. The two organizations have their own unique approaches but often work in unison to uphold good preservation policy and practice. Staff members from each organization, for example, can frequently be found weighing in on proposals before the BAR, which oversees new construction, demolition and alteration requests in the downtown historic district.

Ten out of the 18 staff members at the PSC are College alumni whose passions for preservation began as undergrads in the HPCP Program.

Anna-Catherine Alexander typing on a keyboard at her desk
front of the PSC retail shop at 147 King St.
sign providing information about PSC’s<br />
birthplace
Virginia Swift headshot
spiral staircase inside at 20 South Battery St.
Erin Mehard headshot
Madison Lee headshot
Laurel Fay headshot
Anna-Catherine Alexander typing on a keyboard at her desk
Anna-Catherine Alexander ’18
front of the PSC retail shop at 147 King St.
the PSC retail shop at 147 King St.
Erin Mehard headshot
Erin Mehard ’13

| photo Justin Falk, Courtesy of the Preservation Society |
Madison Lee headshot
Madison Lee ’22

| photo Justin Falk, Courtesy of the Preservation Society |
Laurel Fay headshot
Laurel Fay ’16

| photo Justin Falk, Courtesy of the Preservation Society |
sign providing information about PSC’s birthplace
spiral staircase inside at 20 South Battery St.
the staircase inside 20 South Battery St., the PSC’s birthplace
Virginia Swift headshot
Virginia Swift ’18
(clockwise, from top left): Anna-Catherine Alexander ’18; the PSC retail shop at 147 King St.; Erin Mehard ’13; Madison Lee ’22; Laurel Fay ’16; the staircase inside 20 South Battery St., the PSC’s birthplace; and Virginia Swift ’18.

| photos right of 20 South Battery, Justin Falk, Courtesy of the Preservation Society |
“Everyone on staff has a preservation origin story,” laughs Virginia Swift ’19, PSC manager of programs, whose own origin story began in her childhood home. “I grew up in a historic 1881 John Chapman house in Hudson, Ohio, and, ironically, hated it when I was younger. Compared to the 1990s ‘McMansions’ my friends lived in, I was embarrassed by the squeaky, slanted floors and the old, inoperable door hardware of my family’s house.

“As karma would have it, I quickly fell in love with Charleston’s history and architecture after moving here for college,” she adds. “It’s funny how people change. The quirky historic features I hated in my childhood home are now the exciting details I adore working in and around old houses.”

Madison Lee ’22, the PSC’s community outreach coordinator, credits her father, a local carpenter, for her origin story. She has fond memories of riding around in his car to visit various historic downtown properties where he was working. “He always told me there was so much we could learn from the past and that historic buildings help teach those lessons,” she says.

She’s using the lessons she learned from her father in her day-to-day work. “Preservation is about the people, the culture and the livability of the city,” says Lee. “My job is to empower people by giving them the tools to maintain and uphold the distinctive character, quality of life and diverse neighborhoods that make our community unique.”

Lee isn’t talking about physical tools like a brush, trowel or sieve; she’s talking about educating people about the significance of their neighborhoods and helping them navigate complicated bureaucratic processes. Lee recently worked with a group of students from the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts, College of Charleston and Benedict College on an alternative spring break program in partnership with the International African American Museum and the Anson Street African Burial Grounds Project to document a local cemetery. After visiting at-risk burial sites citywide, participants learned to use ArcGIS Survey123 as a cemetery mapping tool and worked alongside descendants to document Brotherly Association Cemetery, an African American burial society cemetery founded in 1857.

Starlight Motor Inn before renovation
Starlight Motor Inn after renovation
Carolopolis Award Winner
Before & After | Starlight Motor Inn
“It was a great opportunity for students who weren’t studying preservation because they were able to see the importance of the field and how it’s applicable to their communities back home,” says Lee. “They ended up leaving the program with a different appreciation of burial sites and more in-depth understanding of cemetery preservation.”

It’s not too much of a stretch to imagine that one day, that alternative spring break experience might become one of those student’s preservation origin story.

The origin story of Laurel Fay ’16, preservation coordinator, dates back to her great-grandfather who worked on the original ceiling mural in Grand Central Terminal in New York City in 1913 and its restoration in 1944.

“Nearly 50 years later, my father’s cousin led the 1990 restoration of the mural,” says Fay. “My father commuted into the city at that time and, incredibly, didn’t realize it was his cousin up there on the scaffolding for months. This family legend has inspired my love of historic preservation, architecture and archiving.”

Many alumni start their journey with the PSC in the organization’s retail shop at 147 King St., including current retail associates Kendra Rodell ’19, Katherine Uptegrove ’24, Kerry Campion ’24 and rising senior Emily Carpenter. (The shop is stocked with wares from local artisans, with the proceeds benefiting the mission, not to mention the craft people, who collectively net close to $1 million each year.)

close up of a gate and rock wall

Preservation Starts at Home

The College is renowned for its beautiful, historic campus featuring classically designed homes and narrow brick walkways nestled beneath oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. Less obvious is the ceaseless effort required to preserve and protect these historic structures. John P. Morris, vice president of Facilities Management, says there are approximately 90 historic properties on campus with an average age of 167 years, but with the College’s regular investments, the average “revised age” is 30.5 years.

“In other words, the average age of buildings is adjusted based on the impact of recapitalization, which inherently extends the useful life of the building,” says Morris. “For example, after investing $5.75 million in 58 George, constructed in 1803, the building will now have a revised age of less than 5 years old. It really puts our efforts into perspective.”

But structural maintenance is just part of the preservation process, which also includes researching and writing stories about the people who lived there. Morris says the historic character of the College’s campus is part of the educational experience.

“You can learn many of the same subjects elsewhere but not with the same perspective,” says Morris. “The historic nature of our campus tells a story of our past and is etched in the memories of our alumni. It’s what inspires students to attend and helps to maintain a sense of place in their hearts. As stewards of this campus, we are tasked with the duty of preserving and maintaining our facilities, which we take very seriously.”

One great example of that is 14 Green Way. Research conducted on the house revealed that it was built in 1872 for A.O. Jones, an African American man who was a clerk of the South Carolina House of Representatives during Reconstruction. A student discovered Jones’ initials on the front door, verifying the hypothesis. If the door had not been saved, that piece of history would have been lost.

These buildings are a “living lab” for students in the College’s HPCP Program, the largest undergraduate program of its kind in the U.S. and one of the oldest. It’s also the only one combining historic preservation with community planning and urban design.

“We’re very proud that our program gives students the opportunity to be participants in activist preservation efforts with the Preservation Society of Charleston,” says R. Grant Gilmore III, director of HPCP. “It exemplifies the positive changemakers that we hope to create. HPCP students learn within the context of Charleston’s living laboratory.”

58 George St. and the future sight of the Edward J. Tuccio ’91 Student Success Center
After a $5.75 million renovation, 58 George St. will become the Edward J. Tuccio ’91 Student Success Center.
“I love history and architecture, and when I discovered preservation as a field, I was thrilled to be able to combine the two into a career,” says Campion. “HPCP expanded my view of preservation into so much more than beautiful buildings with quality materials and interesting stories. I now see historic preservation as an economic asset, a sustainable solution and essential to understanding and recognizing those who came before us.”

For her senior thesis, Campion researched 58 George Street, a historic property that the College acquired in the 1970s. Her research focused on Gibbes Elliott, one of the original owners, who was an early preservationist and philanthropist. Local architect and former CofC Professor of Art and Architecture Albert Simons contributed to the initial restoration of the property. The house was used for offices and classrooms, and at one time was the John M. Rivers Communication Museum. The home is still filled with an impressive collection of antique radios, televisions, phonographs, telephones, projectors and other items related to the history of the communications and broadcasting fields.

“HPCP expanded my view of preservation into so much more than beautiful buildings with quality materials and interesting stories. I now see historic preservation as an economic asset, a sustainable solution and essential to understanding and recognizing those who came before us.”

– Kerry Campion ’24
By the time Alexander was a student at the College, the building was closed. After an extensive restoration, 58 George St. will reopen as the Edward J. Tuccio ’91 Student Success Center and provide critical support to students and alumni for career development.

“Fifty-eight George Street is one of the earliest buildings on CofC’s campus, and the PSC is supportive of its much-needed rehabilitation,” says Alexander. “We also think the proposed addition is a successful example of contemporary, institutional design that respects its historic surroundings. At the BAR’s conceptual review, we provided constructive comments on design enhancements for the addition to allow it to engage as sensitively as possible with the circa 1803 building, and look forward to working with the College and its architect as the project progresses.”

Protecting History

Educating the public about the history of buildings like 58 George is one of the PSC’s longest initiatives. The PSC has erected over 150 historic markers in Charleston’s Old and Historic districts since its inception in the 1950s. The program began when the Charleston Historical Commission, a city-sponsored organization responsible for the marking of important public facilities, asked the PSC to assist in recognizing noteworthy private residences by installing historic markers. The purpose of the markers is to inform visitors and residents alike about the historical background of the city.

Living Lab

Ninety buildings at the College of Charleston were built before 1940, with several contributing to the Charleston Historic District or individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, a federal program that supports public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect the country’s historic and archeological resources. Here are the College’s 10 most historically significant buildings on campus.
  • Randolph Hall
  • Towell Library
  • Porter’s Lodge
  • President’s House
  • Sottile House
  • Sottile Theatre
  • Silcox Gymnasium
  • Blacklock House
  • Avery Research Center
  • 105 Wentworth St., Septima P. Clark birthplace
123 King St. before renovation
123 King St. after renovation
Carolopolis Award Winner
Before & After | 123 King St.
The Carolopolis Awards (combining the Latin word, Carolus, for Charles, as in King Charles II, and the Greek word for city, polis) similarly draw attention to noteworthy buildings. For 70 years, the coveted accolades have been honoring exceptional projects that protect the historic resources of Charleston. These prestigious awards can only be awarded to projects with significant undertakings in historic preservation, rehabilitation, restoration or new construction. In 2021, the College’s Sottile Theatre was awarded the interior Carolopolis Award, which recognizes excellence in interior preservation of historic, publicly accessible buildings in Charleston.

In recognizing the existential threat that climate change poses, the PSC is now awarding Carolopolis Awards for expertise in the raising of historic homes to prevent them from flooding – a huge concern lately for the PSC staff, not to mention the public.

“The next 10 years are about shifting focus to planning and zoning issues for coastal areas – keeping history above water and providing guidance on adaptation strategies for properties in flood-prone areas,” says Mehard.

close up of Carolopolis Award mounted on a building
In 2023, the National Trust for Historic Preservation awarded the PSC a grant to support the development of Climate Resilience Guidelines for Historic Properties in Charleston. The initial $10,000 grant is a vote of confidence from the National Trust, supplemented further by the PSC and other partners to ensure the project has the backing it needs to be impactful. The PSC is collaborating with the city and Clemson University on the project with the intent to empower residents to enhance their properties’ resilience by offering a range of practical and affordable solutions.

The Preservation Society of Charleston’s ongoing work demonstrates the importance of advocacy in the face of rapid development and shifting environmental conditions. Through education, advocacy and direct action, the PSC works to protect the city’s rich history with the help of dedicated alumni like Mehard, Spence, Alexander, Swift, Lee, Fay and others who found their passion for preservation in the College of Charleston’s living laboratory.

“The College of Charleston’s undergraduate preservation program has proven to be an effective training ground for professionals who think creatively about architectural and cultural preservation, and also passionate advocates for Charleston’s role in the national movement,” says Brian Turner, the society’s president and CEO. “We’re lucky so many HPCP grads return or stay in Charleston to work at the Preservation Society.”

The Pursuit of Happiness

When 15 students went to Denmark as part of the College’s First Year Experience program, they did more than study what makes the Danes so successful at happiness and sustainability; they also forged lasting friendships.
By Tom Cunneff | Photography by Mike Ledford
post-it notes with various things that make people happy written on them
Skyline of Copenhangen and Post-it note answers from the Happiness Museum.

What makes you happy?

That’s the question posed to visitors of the Happiness Museum in Copenhagen, Denmark, as they pass through a back alcove and hallway to the coat room. Hundreds of Post-it notes cover just about every inch of the intimate space.

The answers run the gamut – dogs, love, travel, friends, macaroons, nature, french fries – and bring knowing nods, laughter and conversation from the 15 first-year students from the College of Charleston getting a private tour during a spring break trip in March. Most grab a pad and pen and leave behind a happy thought. Madilyne Blanton writes down her boyfriend’s name; Kelsey Carper shares some thoughts on family; and Charlotte Vyge jots “Dublin,” her mom’s hometown that she travels to often to visit relatives.

“I would define happiness as something that is fulfilling and doesn’t drain you,” says Blanton, who’s from Camp Lejeune, N.C. “For me, personally, happiness provides me with energy and motivation.”

The nine-day trip was the culmination of two months of study of Denmark’s leading rank in happiness and sustainability. Taught by psychology professors Jen Wright and Lisa Ross, the new course is part of the College’s First Year Experience program, which is designed to help students transition to college and make connections. (The Center for International Education supported 87 students studying abroad over spring break on eight trips in Europe, Central America and Africa.)

“I wanted to emphasize to this age group in particular the importance of relationships over acquiring things,” says Ross, who also wanted the students to try to foster deeper connections as opposed to social media-based ones. “So the design of this course really did start with the happiness side of things, but we also wondered what else Denmark does that’s notable to bring in students interested in sustainability.”

Katie Callaghan and Chloe Glynn smiling and hugging while surrounded by other women
Lisa Ross and Jen Wright smiling for group photo with the travel troupe outside the museum
Left: Katie Callaghan and Chloe Glynn inside the museum. Right: Lisa Ross (left) and Jen Wright (rear right) with the travel troupe outside the museum.
Skylie Crecco standing with arms crossed while looking at wall covered in post-it notes
Skylie Crecco.
One of their first stops after arriving in the Danish capital was the Happiness Museum. While happiness can mean different things to different people, the Happiness Research Institute, which runs the museum, has made a science out of the subject. Located on a quaint, cobblestone side street, the museum, with its low ceilings and small rooms, has an appropriately cozy feel. Catarina Lachmund, a senior analyst at the institute, led the students on a worldwide tour of happiness, depicted by charts, graphs and exhibits. Not surprisingly, a big connection exists between contentment and meeting citizens’ needs, as well as with geography. The saddest countries are in Africa and Central and South Asia, the happiest in Europe and North America.

“It’s a very white-dominated space,” Lachmund points out on the World Happiness Map as the students listened attentively, no cellphones in sight.

Denmark is second behind Finland on the United Nations’ 2024 World Happiness Report’s ranking of countries. What makes the Danes so happy? In a word, hygge, Danish for well-being. The main textbook for the one-credit class is The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Living Well, by the institute’s CEO, Meik Wiking. He writes that hygge (pronounced HOO-ga) “is about an atmosphere and experience rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down.”

And candles. Lots of candles. No candles, no hygge. The average Dane burns more than 13 pounds of candle wax each year – almost twice that of runner-up Austria.

Perhaps candles are just a symbol of the warmth Danes feel about each other and their country because the foundation for their happiness is the quality of life. Although they pay some of the highest tax rates in the world (46% on average), most don’t seem to mind because the welfare state “turns our collective wealth into well-being,” Wiking writes. “We are not paying taxes, we are investing in our society.”

Characterized by an extensive social security system and a high degree of income equality, the Danish welfare model helps protect against extreme unhappiness by reducing risk, uncertainty and anxiety. Everyone has free and equal access to education and health care, regardless of their social and financial background. Other tax-funded benefits include paid parental leave and subsidized daycare, a housing allowance for renters, subsidized cultural activities and sports/social clubs, and eldercare. Happiness is not a solitary pursuit but rather a shared endeavor.

Bikes standing by themselves in outside courtyard in Copenhagen
Bikes are ubiquitous in Copenhagen.
Trust is also inherent in the Danish culture – in their government and each other. It’s common to see babies in strollers just hanging out by themselves while their moms or dads are inside a store. Should one of the children start to fuss, passersby pick up the comforting. Copenhagen is also one of the world’s best biking cities with wide, curb-separated lanes and dedicated traffic signals. Half of the people in Copenhagen use bikes for their daily commute come rain, sleet or snow, but few bother to lock them up outside the office or home.

When there was a problem with Wright’s credit card following dinner one night, the server told her she could come back tomorrow and pay. “She was just like, ‘I don’t know you from Adam, but, hey, I trust you to come back and pay later,’” recalls Wright, who dashed to an ATM to get cash to pay the bill. “I was just like, ‘Wow. That would never happen in the States.’”

And Carper became a bit fraught after realizing she’d left her money belt at a restaurant, but she needn’t have worried. “I expected it to be stolen or the contents missing,” she says, “but it was still there with everything in it.”

Burn and Turn

The Danes excel not only at personal well-being, but environmental well-being, too. The country has set a target of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050 and has made significant investments in wind power, biomass and energy-efficient technologies.

Perhaps the most impressive of those technologies is the Amager Bakke facility, which was next on the students’ itinerary. The most modern waste-to-energy plant in the world, the facility on the outskirts of Copenhagen has an iconic look with its triangular design, giant smokestack and hundreds of rectangle windows, which are designed to blow out in the event of an explosion. Typically, the roof would be designed to blow off, but since there’s a ski slope on top, that wasn’t a good idea. The plant doubles as a recreational destination, with a tree-lined hiking and running trail and a 280-foot climbing wall (the world’s tallest), in addition to the all-season ski run.

The green slope of CopenHill, as it’s also called, hides a silo that can hold more than 24,000 tons of trash, which is mixed by two 10-ton cranes to help it burn more cleanly after being dumped off. The facility converts 534,600 tons of municipal waste a year into enough energy to electrify 95,000 homes and heat 87,000. After a presentation on the plant’s history and technology and the country’s sustainability goals, the students donned yellow vests and orange hard hats for a tour, which started at the top of the plant on a catwalk 11 stories high known as the “the Star Wars bridge.” The heat from the furnaces and sour smell from the trash were noticeable as the huge system of tubes, boilers, turbines and ovens was visible below in the 441,000-square-foot facility. Equipment to filter the smoke takes up much of the interior.

As the group made its way down, the guide explained all the inner workings – at a temperature around 1,000 degrees Celsius, two kilns have the capacity to burn 25 to 42 tons of waste per hour, 90% of which is converted to high-pressure steam. The tour ended in the unloading hall, where dump trucks and trash haulers tip their waste directly into the 118-foot silo. Looking through a window in the crane operator’s office, the students were transfixed as they watched the giant cranes mix the waste and then lift 15 tons of trash with each grab to then be dropped into the firing funnels of the ovens.

outside view of Amager Bakke plant
students walking the Star Wars bridge inside of the Amager Bakke plant
guide explaining how steam is converted to heat and electricity
Clockwise, from top left: Amager Bakke plant, students walking the Star Wars bridge, guide explaining how steam is converted to heat and electricity.
The tour and the Danes’ ambitious environmental goals and action impressed the students. “A large part of my major is sustainability, so it was interesting to see what sustainable practices other countries have in comparison to the U.S.,” says Blanton, an environmental sciences and sustainability studies major. “The trip further inspired other sustainable practices I would like to explore in my career post-graduation, such as converting trash into energy.”

Their next stop, the island of Bornholm in the middle of the Baltic Sea, presented another chance to learn about the Danish commitment to sustainability. After an overnight ferry, the group got an up-close look at one of the most sustainable places on Earth. A national test zone for smart, renewable energy, the Bright Green Island gets 100% of its electricity and 80% of its heat from sun, wind and biomass energy generation. Plans call for it to be carbon neutral by next year.

“It’s such a special place,” says Ross, a bit in awe of its goal of zero waste. “But that’s something you can pull off a little more easily if you are a self-contained island with a relatively small population, except in the summertime when it explodes by eight or nine times.”

In addition to serendipitous interactions with locals about their sustainable way of life, the students also got to visit Hammershus castle on the northern tip of the island. Dating to the 12th century, it’s the largest castle ruin in Northern Europe.

Travel Rewards

After a swift ferry from Bornholm to Ystad, Sweden, the group spent the night in Malmo, Sweden, which they explored on their own before arriving back in Copenhagen the next day by train. The trip ended with a big Mediterranean buffet near the University of Copenhagen. By then it was clear to the students that their FYE trip to Denmark was as much about connecting with each other as it was learning about a new culture.

“My favorite part was getting to know new people in such a fun way,” says Vyge, a psychology major from Beaufort, S.C. “Our class got along so well, so quickly, and it was such a positive group of people to travel with.”

It wasn’t all hygge and no work, however. Each student had to interview three Danes about a topic of their choice, such as their health care system, the biking culture or work-life balance, for one of three papers they had to write for the class. And, as with most travel experiences, it was a journey of self-discovery, too.

“My favorite part about the course and trip was getting to know new people in such a fun way.”

– Charlotte Vyge
colorful buildings in front of water in Nyhavn
Elle Souders and Anneliese Pfeifer looking down at exhibit podium in the Glyptoteket art museum
Left: With its colorful buildings, Nyhavn is an iconic tourist stop. Right (l-r): Elle Souders and Anneliese Pfeifer at the Glyptoteket art museum.
Charlotte Vyge, Ang Arcidi, Vera Gorman and Madilyne Blanton smiling for group photo in front of the Nyhavn canal in Copenhagen
Charlotte Vyge, Ang Arcidi, Vera Gorman and Madilyne Blanton in front of the Nyhavn canal in Copenhagen.
“I learned how Danes maximize happiness in weather that is not necessarily enjoyable,” says Blanton. “They have a saying that ‘there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes.’ I also learned a lot about myself and the person that I want to be. I tried new foods, visited new places and spoke with locals, which was eye-opening.”

The contrast with how different Danish life is from American life really stood out to Vyge. “They seemed to center their life around the people and connections rather than work and money,” she notes. “You could definitely tell that there was a tight sense of community everywhere you went. Denmark is definitely not perfect in everything they do, but it was nice to be immersed in a different way of life that I can try to incorporate in mine.”

The trip went so well that Wright and Ross will offer it again next spring semester.

“These types of experiences are exactly the sorts of things that they need to begin to grow out of their comfort zone and begin to feel like the world is a bigger place and to try some things that are a little scary,” says Wright, the director of the FYE program. “There’s just so much benefit to doing trips like this, particularly to it being a first-year experience, because the students are more or less in the same cultural, social, emotional and academic space.

“One definite highlight is how well they traveled together,” she adds. “It can be challenging traveling with such a large group, especially students who are so young, many of them never having traveled like this before. But they were really good about sticking together. They took care of each other.”

The trip’s success was perhaps most evident to Wright and Ross upon returning to the classroom for the first time. The door to the classroom inside Maybank Hall was locked, so the students were all standing outside chatting and laughing like they hadn’t seen each other in months. New bonds were evident. Three of them grew close enough that they’ve decided to live together next fall.

“My favorite part of the trip was meeting and connecting with some of the people in my class,” says Blanton. “All of our experiences abroad really brought us close together, and I truly believe that it has given me some lifelong friends.”

And what could be happier than that?

Soldiering On

Soldiering On typography

By Bo Petersen

Photography by Justin Morris ’08

As one of the top-ranked schools for veterans, the College has been a welcoming place to readjust to civilian life for Connor Knight following military operations as an infantry member of the Army Airborne.
three dark green nautical stars

Connor Knight jaunts across the Cistern Yard in beach sandals, red beard and bandanna, looking too laid back to be your average sophomore.

He isn’t.

Nine years ago as part of a training excersise, Knight was under simulated attack on a mountaintop in the Balkans, part of a NATO force-protection and peacekeeping unit charged with securing the site for a communications outpost. The operation was one of a number the group conducted in the region, once ripped apart by sectarian conflicts.

A squad was down. Knight was an Army Airborne infantry private first class, an expert rifleman carrying an M4 carbine, a medical pack and an evac litter – a soft stretcher to carry casualties.

They got to the squad, got them medevaced and took on the gear they carried. For Knight that meant a machine gun, 400 rounds for it, a rocket launcher and the GPS tracker for it, as well as his own rifle and gear. All in all, his load weighed 350 pounds.

Now they had to fight back.

three dark green nautical stars

Knight is 30 years old. He talks with traces of a coastal Alabama dialect cut with the clipped cadences of a soldier. He has a self-deprecating laugh and an assured self-confidence. He’s studying archaeology and religion. The beach bum vibe is for real. On weekends he’s a surfing instructor for the Folly Beach–based Warrior Surf Foundation. He joined the foundation after hearing about it from some of “his” group – fellow veterans on the College of Charleston campus.

In 2018 he picked out the College from a brochure handed to him in Vicenza, Italy, as he transitioned out of the service. He was going down a list of the top 50 veteran-friendly schools. The College ranked No. 7. The idea of a beach town in the South appealed to a guy who grew up sailing in the Gulf of Mexico.

“I think I was supposed to land here, if that makes any sense,” says Knight.

The College has helped him readjust. The ocean, he says, heals. Asked about his military experience, he swallows hard and stares at nothing for a moment. He doesn’t want the story to dwell on that; he wants it to focus on what he’s found at the school, the foundation. He has veteran friends who took their own lives because they couldn’t cope with what they’d been through.

“At the time it (surfing) was the only thing that brought me joy. I treated it like a mission.”

– Connor Knight
| photo courtesy National Archives |
close shot of Connor Knight wearing face paint and dressed in fatigues while serving

Taking part in joint military exercises in Poland.

“I was almost one of them,” he says.

When Knight first stepped under the live oaks and Spanish moss of the Cistern Yard, he was more than a little lost. He’d spent the bulk of six years essentially on alert. Every step he took was part reconnaissance, his eyes scanning, reflexively tensed to respond to threat. That doesn’t just end, even at a place so serene as the College of Charleston campus.

“Every classroom, every hallway I walk down” he was still vigilant, he says. “Once you come back from an environment like, the rest of this stuff was distant, overwhelming.”

Before he got to the College, he was frazzled, abusing drugs and alcohol, living what he calls now “a toxic and unhealthy lifestyle.” A rage seethed inside him, he says – intense anger that he didn’t understand. Anything could trigger it.

“I was so full of hate,” he says. “It didn’t matter where I found myself. I didn’t know where it came from.”

For Knight, as for most veterans, transitioning back to everyday life was the hardest thing he’d ever done.

“You see all these young people who don’t have to worry about the things I had to worry about, and about the things my mind will – there are things it’s hard to let go of, certain awarenesses, certain things.”

With 228 veteran and military students this past semester, the College makes a point of providing paths for veterans struggling to transition – programs such as Veteran and Military Student Services, the Student Veterans Association, peer advisors and the Green Zone, which is a network to prepare faculty and staff to work with the student veterans and identify resources for them.

Along with those programs are veteran support in a region that has a military presence of all branches of service and a population of some 35,000 veterans in Charleston County alone – plus the quality of life in the Lowcountry that draws people from all over.

When Knight turned up in Lenny Lowe’s Survey of World Religions course, he had an anxious type of seriousness, Lowe says. He was asking profound, cultured questions from real-world experience and significance – big questions about meaning and values that you don’t expect to hear from students in an introductory course.

“He was a little frustrated, he told me,” says Lowe, assistant professor of religious studies. “He didn’t feel people were asking the right questions, the important questions.”

There’s an Army photo of Knight in the National Archives, snapped while he took part in joint military exercises in Poland after the Balkans. He’s not the friendly-eyed student who greets you in the Cistern Yard. His face is painted camouflage, his eyes steely and cold.

“Kill, kill, kill,” he says, only half-kidding when asked what he was thinking then. He pauses. “No. All right, let me rewind that.” He sits back, looks away and then talks about what the College and foundation have done for him.

The Warrior Surf Foundation is a strand in a web of groups in the Charleston area that make up a sort of co-op to provide support for veterans. It provides therapy sessions and meditative exercises such as yoga, but its key component is in the waves. More than 500 veterans have taken surfing lessons through the foundation, a dozen or more each weekend. As many as 40 or 50 will show up on good-weather weekends.

They find something in the surf that sheds the traumas, the troubles. It settles them.

“We have a saying,” Knight says: “Leave it on the beach.”

He had never surfed before he got together with the vets in the foundation. He took to it like he had fins. “At the time it was the only thing that brought me joy,” he says. “I treated it like a mission.” A few weeks in the breakers and he was instructing.

When he’s out there now working with another veteran, he looks like he’s at home. “Oh, man,” he says about the feeling he gets from it. “It’s a good place to be.”

three dark green nautical stars
His platoon in the Balkans moved in and made quick work of the armored vehicle that had launched the attack. But that battle wasn’t all of it for Knight. He served in a few dozen or so countries and took part in more than a few operations.

After he got out, trying to get his head back together while surfing with fellow veterans in Guatemala, he spotted smoke on the shore, and the training kicked in.

The Warrior Surf Foundation Group and the others came ashore sprinting and quickly put together a bucket brigade to douse the fire before the flames engulfed the entire village. They were settling in for the night afterward when they heard a crash. After a night of drinking at a nearby bar, a man sped off in his car, smashing into a tuktuk – a motorized rickshaw. The tuktuk driver was thrown to the ground with both legs snapped and his thigh gashed open bleeding.

People were screaming and crying. Knight raced to help, barefoot and in shorts. He packed the wound, tightened a tourniquet and, with another surfer, pulled an exposed leg bone back in, devising a splint with palm fronds and pieces of metal.

It just kicked in.

three dark green nautical stars

This is Knight’s second stint at the College, broken up by the COVID-19 years. He’s come a long way to find the peace he has. He is calmer now, and has more clarity, says Lowe. In a world that’s complicated and messy, his demeanor is: Here’s the problem; here are the ways I want to fix it.

“It’s become clear to me he has done some really hard work figuring out the person he wants to be in the world and what he wants the degree for,” adds Lowe. “His seriousness is precise now rather than frantic.”

The College, Knight says, “has helped me lock in on the kind of subjects that interest me, allowed me to explore things I might otherwise never have” – such as a religious studies minor to augment his majors in archaeology and anthropology. Grappling with lingering, unsolved mysteries fascinates him. Before, he was closed off from divinity, his own spirituality, he says.

“I have allowed myself to grow into the kind of person I would have liked to have been then and who I am proud to be now.”

Connor Knight lays on a surf board on a dark sand beach, speaking to a man kneeling beside him during a surf lesson at Folly Beach, S.C.

“The College has helped me lock in on the kind of subjects that interest me, allowed me to explore things I might otherwise never have.”

– Connor Knight
back view of Connor Knight wearing his wet suit at his waist and holding a surf board, a smile shows on the profile of a face as he walks out toward the ocean for a surf
distant view of Connor as he surfs a low wave
left side profile view of Connor Knight sitting on a bench and reading in the College of Charleston's Cistern Yard

Top, giving surf lessons to another veteran at Folly Beach, S.C. Above, heading to the waves, catching one and reading in the Cistern Yard.

That guy on campus with the sandals, bandanna and beach bum vibe is a service veteran who still serves, the son of a Green Beret, from a family with a military tradition. He’s proud of that, though not always so proud of the world that demanded it.

The Army taught him a lot about the world: “It opened my eyes to the kind of person I didn’t want to be and dialed in the kind of person I did want to be.”

His mornings start with exercise. He wears a wrist bracelet of tiny skulls his mom makes for family members who serve. It’s a memento mori, a reminder of the inevitability of death.

The community he found on campus and the sessions in the surf let vets talk about their problems and figure out ways to solve them.

“We equip ourselves with tools and philosophies that allow us to navigate reality a little more peacefully,” says Knight, who pulls from those philosophies to make sense of a world where people can be compassionate one moment and violent the next. “You can’t be human now and not have war in your blood.”

He’s still a warrior. That jaunt through the Cistern Yard was part recon, he acknowledged, to get a read on the person he was meeting and an unrelated student demonstration taking place nearby. As he sits to talk, dust blows in from construction across the street. He jumps to his feet to take stock of it.

The conditioning “may never go away. And that’s OK,” he says. “It’s the integration with one’s self. They’re like a shadow. You have got to learn to love the shadows. You’ve got to be ready in case it happens. The likelihood of it happening, sure, may be slim. But in my opinion, it’s better to be the guy on the ground responding than the one standing by not knowing what to do.”

He likes to come sit on a bench in the Cistern Yard between classes, quietly taking it all in. “This is my place where I go to decompress, take my shoes off. Get some dirt in my toes.”

IMPACT

Q&A in memoriam living on

THANK YOU!

The fifth annual CofC Day kicked off at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, with the theme of Give Back to Our Future. In a nod to the College’s founding in 1770, the day continued for 1,770 minutes, ending at 10 p.m. on March 14. The campus community marked the occasion with a celebration in the Cistern Yard that featured food trucks, games, music, a DeLorean and a drawing for three $500 scholarships. In addition, 950 people attended the 21 CofC Club celebrations held across the country. By the end, 2,161 donors had given $856,276 back to the future of the College of Charleston.
| photo by Mike Ledford |
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IMPACT
Jimmie Foster Jr. and Dan Frezza with the Cougar mascot
| photo by Catie Cleveland |

Q&A with …

Jimmie Foster Jr., vice president of enrollment planning (left), and Dan Frezza, chief advancement officer (right)

How has the College attracted so many more national applicants?

Foster: Out-of-state applications have increased by almost 300% since 2019. Over 24,000 students from outside South Carolina applied this year alone. At the center of that growth are five key strategies: 1) prioritize data, technology and research; 2) put recruitment staff on the ground in markets permanently; 3) branding that translates to the current market; 4) grow the recruitment funnel of prospective students earlier; and 5) join Common Application.

With admissions staff across the country, what recruitment challenges and opportunities arise?

Foster: Admissions has had two South Carolina–based regional staffers working in other parts of the state for a decade, which has built strong relationships with school counselors and prospective students alike. In 2019, we expanded our regional model. It now includes Washington, D.C.; Maryland; Virginia; Texas; and New Jersey. This summer we will expand to the greater New York City area. The Office of Admissions does a wonderful job of making sure these folks get to campus often to stay connected.

The College has experienced significant growth and a noticeable shift in selectivity. What has driven this transformation?

Foster: Having a significantly larger applicant pool gives the Office of Admissions more ways to shape the class each year. The spaces available in the first-year class remain the same each year, and as interest in the College grows, there is simply more competition for those limited spaces. That is especially true among out-of-state students where the applications have soared in recent years.

Those students soon become alumni. What is the College doing to foster a culture of engagement and philanthropy with alumni?

Frezza: A culture of both engagement and philanthropy sustained the College through centuries of wars, economic crises, recessions and pandemics. Although endowment totals contine to increase due to private support and thousands of alumni coming home annually, we must galvanize our efforts in support of this special place by strengthening lifelong ties between alumni and their alma mater. Our regional presence will drastically increase, and our investment in the engagement of our students and young alumni will lead to a brighter philanthropic future.

Why does alumni participation still hold significant importance?

Frezza: Investments made to one’s alma mater signify a robust and healthy university. While the national trend has shown a reduction of alumni participation at most universities, it’s a clear indicator of the healthiness of cultures at leading universities. A high percentage of alumni annually giving back sends a clear signal of the worthiness to all those wishing and willing to invest in this special place.

How does a culture of both engagement and philanthropy benefit the college?

Frezza: Investing in the College allows the College to invest in us. From students gaining experience through internships or access to education through scholarships to improving the experience of our alumni via alumni engagement programs, private support returns the experience threefold. Gifts of all sizes make a profound difference. We hope more alumni join the growing ranks of our more than 9,000 annual donors.

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IMPACT
Karen Linehan Mroz speaking into a microphone
A celebration of Mroz’s life will take place on campus on September 27. To contribute to the Karen Linehan Mroz Global Leaders Scholarship, click here or contact Brian Rowe at rowbp@cofc.edu.

| photo by Mike Ledford |

Mourning a Mentor

One of the College’s greatest champions, the late Karen Linehan Mroz impacted many lives while sharing her experiences and passions.
Perhaps few things today are more important than conflict prevention and resolution – which is why the passing of Karen Mroz in January has left such a big hole at the College.

With her late husband, John Edwin Mroz, Karen Mroz played an integral role in the creation and development of the EastWest Institute, an organization dedicated to convening dialogue and diplomacy. Thanks to Karen’s unique vision, the College of Charleston worked with the EastWest Institute to establish the John Edwin Mroz Global Leadership Institute. Since the institute’s launch in 2021, Karen made it her mission to ensure CofC students have the tools and experiences to be globally curious and grow as leaders.

Karen assumed positions on the institute’s steering committee and the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs’ Advisory Board. She also played an active role in the Mroz Institute’s EWI oral history project run by the Marlene and Nathan Addlestone Library.

“Karen was committed to continuing the legacy of her husband and the EastWest Institute here at the College of Charleston,” says Aimee Arias, dean of the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs. “She was passionate about ensuring that students get the skills they need to be engaged global citizens – to be able to address global issues through critical thinking, teamwork, problem solving and a deep understanding of international affairs.”

One of Karen’s greatest passions was mentoring students. She would regularly come to campus to meet with students one-on-one.

“Karen was interested in the professional development of students, and she invested her time to ensure they had the tools to succeed,” says Max Kovalov, an instructor of international studies and the Bennett Director of the Mroz Global Leadership Institute.

Adds Arias: “She was never more excited than when meeting with students. She really enjoyed hearing about their internships, other cocurricular activities and career aspirations, and she was one of the most requested mentors for our International Scholars.”

One such scholar is Sara Solan, an international studies and political science major, who received the Ketner Emerging Leaders Scholarship and the Swanson Family Scholarship.

“Karen saw me not just as a student but as a potential changemaker in the world,” says Solan. “While Karen is no longer physically with us, I am confident that her bright spirit and passion for helping others will continue to illuminate the path for the Mroz Institute and students at the School of Language, Cultures, and World Affairs. The mark that she leaves on us here truly shows how extraordinary she was. Karen made us feel valued, capable and important. We will strive to honor her memory by embodying the values that she exemplified.” – Darcie Goodwin

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Impact

Life Force Lives On

While few ever forgot Melissa Corbin Williams ’96 after meeting her, an endowed scholarship in her name will ensure her spirit lives on.
Melissa Corbin Williams ’96 smiling for portrait with curled hair in a blue silk long sleeve
| photo by Tim Willoughby |
Melissa Corbin Williams ’96 lived by the motto “work hard, play harder.” When she was diagnosed with cancer in 2011, she didn’t miss a beat. She continued operating her “first child,” A Charleston Bride, a wedding planning business she founded in 2001; raising her children; spending time with her husband; and having fun with friends.  

“She poured herself into her work, family and friends, and her advice, although often unsolicited and brutally honest, was always the best,” says Amanda K. Smith ’11, who began working with “Missy” in 2015 and now owns A Charleston Bride. “She didn’t let cancer define her; she talked about it as jumping over a hurdle — full speed ahead.” 

Williams, a business administration major, also made her alma mater a priority. On numerous occasions, she spoke with students about the hospitality industry and the rigors of event planning. She offered internships with A Charleston Bride and mentored dozens of interns, many of whom went on to careers in the hospitality industry.  

“She loved the College of Charleston,” says her mother, Margaux Corbin. “It’s where she got her start in life. As her business grew, so did her passion to educate people about how to do things right in the hospitality industry.”

To honor Williams’ life and her business success, Smith and Williams’ family created the Melissa Corbin Williams ’96 Endowed Scholarship for students studying hospitality and tourism management.  

“We wanted to do something so that she won’t be forgotten,” says Williams’ sister Leslie Lewis. “Once you met Missy, you never forgot her. Her confidence and beauty made her known, combined with her energy and passion. She brought a lot of joy to everyone who crossed her path.”

Abby Mummert speaking at school next to podium and table
Abby Mummert presenting at the School of Business Shark Tank competition
Adds her mother:

“We are happy that Missy will live on through the scholarship and hope the fund will grow so as many scholarships as possible can be offered. Missy received a scholarship from the College when she was a student. It meant a lot to her and gave her the incentive and desire to do for others.” 

For the first recipient, Abby Mummert, learning about Williams bolstered her confidence.  

“Seeing what a powerful woman Missy was let me know that I can do anything I put my mind to,” says Mummert, a hospitality and tourism management major and entrepreneurship minor.

Following Williams’ playbook, Mummert is exploring her personal growth within the food and beverage industry.  

“I want to push to find where I am comfortable and where I can be successful,” says Mummert, who won an award in the School of Business Shark Tank competition. Inspired by her grandfather who loves to cook but has dementia, she and her team created a cookbook holder with movable arms to point to where a person is in the process.  

“This scholarship has meant so much to me,” says Mummert. “The fact that Missy meant a lot to so many people made receiving the scholarship 10 times more impactful.”  

Williams inspired people to always do better, and her scholarship continues her legacy with students who share her passions. — Darcie Goodwin

Alumni Notebook

Class Notes breakouts Alumni Profiles Passages

pawsing for a selfie

More than 3,300 alumni, graduating students and guests enjoyed the 122nd Alumni Reception, now known as A Charleston Affair, on Saturday, May 4. The Fantasy Band kept everyone dancing under the oaks in Cistern Yard, while The Coppertones played classic hits in the Party at Peatsy’s. From bespoke sushi in Craig VIP to the new Frosé Garden by The Co-Op, a great time was had by all! Mark your calendar to join us next year: May 3, 2025.
| photo by Clifford Pate ’11 |
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Alumni Notebook
  • GOLD HIGHLIGHTED ALUMNI ARE RECENT DONORS TO THE COLLEGE
  • 1966

    Dan Moore released his second book on the Vietnam War, Whatever Cause We Have: Memoir of a Marine Forward Observer in the Vietnam War (McFarland, 2024). Moore earned a doctorate in history from the University of Pennsylvania and spent 33 years in the U.S. intelligence community. He served more than four years of active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps. He resides in McLean, Va., with his wife, Patricia.

  • 1972

    Vince Clark was named to Ingram’s magazine’s “50 Missourians You Should Know” list in 2023. Clark is the vice president of business development for Creative Planning, a wealth-management company in Overland Park, Kan., and resides in Kansas City, Mo.

  • Chuck Gordon retired after a 51-year media career, which included time in radio, television and cable. He resides in Birmingham, Ala.
  • 1979

    Bess Watson Kellett retired from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources after 15 years as a volunteer coordinator for the Botany Bay Plantation Wildlife Management Area on Edisto Island, S.C., where she resides.

  • Kathy Crocker Williams is the chief executive officer of Framatome, an international nuclear energy company. A spirited supporter of her alma mater, Williams serves on the College of Charleston Foundation Board and resides in Cornelius, N.C.
  • 1980

    Tom Kelecy is the director of the navigation and positioning systems department at the Aerospace Corp. Kelecy received his master’s in applied mathematics from the Colorado School of Mines in 1986 and his doctorate in aerospace engineering sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1990. He resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.

  • Mark Shiver is the communications liaison for the House Republican Caucus in the North Carolina General Assembly. He published a book in February, Streams of Life: Fresh Living Water for Life’s Desert Experiences, which is a collection of his late wife’s devotional journals during her four-year bout with cancer. He resides in Clayton, N.C.
  • 1981

    Phil Cromer (M.P.A.) was elected mayor of Beaufort, S.C., in December after serving on the City Council from 2014 until 2022. He resides in Beaufort with his wife of 41 years, Amelie.

  • 1982

    Charlene McCutcheon Grice is an ophthalmologist and ophthalmic surgeon with Carolina Cataract & Laser Center. She earned her medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1987 and completed her residency at the MUSC Storm Eye Institute in 1991. She and her husband, George, reside in Mt. Pleasant.

  • Meg Skow is an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Teacher Education at the College. She taught art in Dorchester School District 2 for nearly four decades, having spent the last 25 years at Rollings Middle School of the Arts.
  • 1983

    Steve Smith is the managing director of CBRE Inc.’s South Carolina office. In January, he was named to Greenville Business Magazine’s list of the “50 Most Influential” individuals in the region. He and his wife, Deborah, reside in Greenville, S.C.

  • Gary Thomas recently passed his 10-year American Board of Internal Medicine recertification for medical oncology. He received his medical degree from MUSC and did his residency in internal medicine at the Medical College of Georgia, where he was named chief resident. He completed his medical oncology fellowship at the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University. He has been in practice in the Lowcountry of South Carolina since 1993 and has been the medical director of South Carolina Cancer Specialists since 2001. He resides on Hilton Head Island, S.C.
  • 1984

    Frank Cornely received the South Carolina Bar Association’s 2023 Pro Bono Award in January. He is the chief judge of Sullivan’s Island, S.C., and the owner of the Cornely Law Firm. Cornely earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1987 and resides in Mt. Pleasant with his wife, Kathleen Parker Cornely ’84.

  • 1985

    Cat Peralta Edler is the assistant director of the Center for Disability Services at the College. She earned her master’s in special education from Hampton University in 2000 and her certificate in education administration and leadership from George Washington University in 2010. Edler resides in Charleston with her husband, Brad, and their son.

  • 1986

    Joseph Anderson is the new executive director of student health services at MUSC. He and his wife, Regina Hutto Anderson ‘87, reside on Daniel Island, S.C.

  • 1987

    Regina Hutto Anderson (see Joseph Anderson ’86)

  • Betsy Fanning (M.A.T. ’95) is the head of school at Trident Academy in Mt. Pleasant. She earned her master’s in school administration from The Citadel in 2002 and resides in Charleston with her husband, Jack.
  • Tania Toney-Parker (see Kent Parker ’89)
  • 1988

    Jim Bailey is a real estate broker associate at Carolina One Real Estate in Summerville, S.C.

  • 1989

    Dan Furlong is a vice president for program management at Juvena Therapeutics. He obtained his MBA from The Citadel in 1996 and his doctorate in health care administration in 2016 from MUSC, where he is an adjunct assistant professor. He resides in Charleston.

  • Kent Parker has published his first novel, Beneath the Draper Moon. The president of Parker Marine Contracting, he earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 1996 and resides in McClellanville, S.C., with his wife, Tania Toney-Parker ’87.
  • 1990

    Christine Killen Gray is the medical director at Carolina Health Centers Inc. She married David Gray in May 2023, and the couple resides in Cross Hill, S.C.

  • Kellie Nichols Swoyer retired after 32 years of teaching fourth grade in Dorchester School District 2 in South Carolina. She resides in Goose Creek, S.C.
  • 1991

    Scott Moody is the director of finance at Palmetto Care Connections. He earned a master’s in health administration from MUSC in 1993 and resides in Ruffin, S.C.

  • Amy Miller Parker is the owner and founder of Qigong with Amy. She earned a master’s in therapeutic recreation from the University of Tennessee and resides in Mt. Pleasant with her husband, Tom.
  • 1992

    Scott Sain, formerly of the band Plane Jane, is a DJ in the Charleston area. He resides on Johns Island, S.C.

  • Tracie Dana Sykes released her first book, All Before Six: Nostalgia and Me, a memoir about growing up in rural South Carolina, in November 2023. She is the sales manager of Charleston Gold and Diamond Exchange and also teaches art history at Charleston Southern University and Trident Technical College. She resides in Mt. Pleasant.
  • 1993

    Barbara Blitch Hunter is the broker-in-charge at Complete Real Estate. She married her husband, Joseph, in 2015, and the couple resides in Charleston.

  • Forest Mahan was named Chief Executive Officer of the Year for the Association of Community College Trustees’ southern region. He became the fifth president of Aiken Technical College in 2016 after earning a master’s in history in 1995 and a doctorate in higher education administration in 2008 from USC. He resides in Aiken, S.C.
  • 1994

    Scott Foxhall joined Auburn University in July as the director of player development for the university’s baseball program. In 2022, Foxhall helped coach Mississippi State to a College World Series championship and was subsequently recognized as CofC’s Alumnus of the Year. He resides in Waverly, Ala., with his wife, Laura, and two children.

  • Greg Rothschild is a psychotherapist who owns and operates River Counseling, which focuses primarily on men and couples, in Mt. Pleasant. He received his master’s in clinical counseling from The Citadel in 2022 and resides in Mt. Pleasant with his wife, Debbie, and their son.
  • 1995

    Gene Grygielko is the vice president of research operations and externalization at GSK. He earned his master’s in biotechnology from the University of Pennsylvania in 2003 and his executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology in 2022. He resides in Havertown, Pa., with his wife, Amy.

  • Marcie Walker Walters is celebrating her 29th year of teaching. She has taught at DuBose Middle School since 2002 and resides in Summerville, S.C., with her husband, Jason, and two daughters.
  • 1996

    Katherine Twombley, a professor with tenure in the pediatrics department at MUSC, published a book, First Do No Harm: A Physician’s Burnout and Mental Health Guidebook from Medical School to Retirement, in January. She earned her medical degree from MUSC in 2004 and resides in Mt. Pleasant.

  • Chad Vail, the work-based learning partnerships coordinator for the Charleston County School District for more than 10 years, was named the 2023 Brightpath Work-Based Learning Professional of the Year by the Association of Career and Technical Education. He resides in Mt. Pleasant with his wife, April.
  • 1997

    Brian Bailey is the CEO and chief investment officer for Oak Stone Advisory and resides in Dallas with his wife, Rebecca, and their son.

  • Beth Reines Gunter is the chief revenue officer and partial owner of Spry Digital in St. Louis. She and her husband, Tim, reside in Olivette, Mo., with their four children.
  • Melissa Merlau Johnson is the biologicals pipeline development leader at Indianapolis-based Corteva Agriscience. She earned her doctorate in chemistry from Northwestern University in 2001 and resides in Carmel, Ind., with her husband, Bob, and their two daughters.
  • 1998

    Mark Aroneck recently became a commercial airline pilot after practicing law for more than 15 years. While at the College, Aroneck took on the persona of CofC mascot Clyde the Cougar. He resides in Seattle with his wife, Anne, and their two children.

  • James Geiger (see Inmar Geiger ’05)
  • Ham Morrison had his business, the Starlight Motor Inn, featured in a travel article on CNN.com in August 2023. The Starlight Motor Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, and in 2022, it was remodeled and reimagined. Morrison resides in Charleston with his wife, Mimi.
  • MaryAnn Salvatierra Sewell is the vice president for strategic business development at Florida Technical College. She obtained her master’s in human resource development from Webster University in 2000 and plans to earn her doctorate in applied learning science from the University of Miami in 2025. Sewell resides in Sanford, Fla., with her husband, Mark, and their son.
  • Lourenza Greene Thumbtzen is the new delinquent tax collector for Dorchester County, S.C. She earned a second degree from the College, a bachelor’s in corporate communications, in 2006, and a paralegal certificate from Trident Technical College in 2010. She resides in Summerville, S.C.
  • 1999

    Canisha Martin Beck is a vice president and workplace giving account executive at Fidelity Investments. She resides in Taylors, S.C.

  • Stephanie Bibbs is a national representative for the American Federation of Teachers. She resides in Charlotte, N.C.
  • Jaime Vance Hayes is the director of communications and public information for McLeod Health. She resides in Dillon, S.C., with her husband, Todd, and their two children.
  • Olga McNally joined Tenet Healthcare in November as the clinical care coordinator for value-based programs. She earned her master’s in occupational therapy from Texas Woman’s University in 2003 and resides in Charleston.
  • 2000

    Kym Straughn Deer is the K-12 director of athletics for St. Anne Catholic School in Rock Hill, S.C. She earned her master’s in education with a concentration in sport administration from Wingate University in 2014 and resides in Charlotte, N.C., with her husband, R.C., and their two children.

  • Christine Gibbons is an assistant vice president and senior property facultative underwriter for Gen Re in New York City.
  • 2001

    Jeffrey Arnold joined the Duke University Health System as a cytopathologist and surgical pathologist in January. Arnold completed his master’s in clinical laboratory science at MUSC in 2005 and earned his medical degree from USC in 2010. He resides in Durham, N.C.

  • Fritz Brown is a portfolio manager at JWB Real Estate Cos. in Jacksonville, Fla.
  • Amanda Bunting Comen’s business, Social ABCs, was recognized as one of the three best public relations firms in Charleston Regional Business Journal’s 2023 reader rankings. Comen started the social media strategy company in 2019. She and her husband, Kyle Comen ’02 (M.A. ’10), reside in Charleston.
  • Jay Feinstein is the new partner for health care and life sciences at Heidrick & Struggles, a Dallas-based consulting firm. He earned his MBA from George Washington University in 2009 and resides in Dallas with his wife, Stacy, and two children.
  • Kyle Lourie is the new vice president of sales for Associated Luxury Hotels International’s south region. He previously was the company’s director of global sales for 16 years. Lourie resides in Roswell, Ga., with his wife, Heather, and two daughters.
  • 2002

    Kyle Comen (M.A. ’10) (see Amanda Bunting Comen ’01)

  • Ashley Nance has joined Parker Law Group in Hampton, S.C. A member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors, he resides in Florence, S.C., with his wife, Danielle, and their two children.
  • 2003

    Natasha Cobb Chatman (M.Ed. ’09) is the new chief impact officer at Trident United Way in South Carolina’s Tri-County region. She resides in Summerville, S.C.

  • Vanessa Held D’Ariano is a senior director of retail for the travel products company Away. She resides in Mount Vernon, N.Y., with her two sons.
  • Katie Landis Flynn is a success enablement partner at Peak Performers and resides in Savannah, Ga.
  • Brian Herrmann is the department head of the City of Lake Wales, Fla.’s growth management division. He and his wife, Cindy Vibar, previously lived in Crystal River, Fla.
  • Jason Loring is the new senior vice president, deputy chief legal officer and global head of privacy and data protection at Vialto Partners. He obtained his law degree from Wake Forest University in 2006 and resides in Atlanta with his wife, Julie, and their son.
  • Lindsey Slaby is the CEO of Sunday Dinner, a brand strategy consultancy. She resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.
  • 2004

    Mike Benton is an operations coordinator for DHL and resides in Chamblee, Ga., with his wife, La Tanisha.

  • Paul Bracewell is an administrative and systems sales operations manager for Monster Brewing Co. and resides in Fairview, N.C., with his wife, Misty, and daughter.
  • Alex Campbell (see Meredith Roy Campbell ’06)
  • Troy Lesesne (M.A. ’10) is the head coach of D.C. United. He played soccer at the College, where he got his start coaching before going on to stops with the Charleston Battery, the Charlotte Independence, New Mexico United and the New York Red Bulls.
  • Tom McCarty has been named to the 2023 Forbes “Top Financial Security Professionals Best-in-State” list for the third year in a row. He has been a New York Life agent for 19 years and is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He resides in Mt. Pleasant with his wife, Beth, and their three children.
  • Rachelle Olden has been named to Essence magazine’s inaugural “Power 40” list of the “Most Influential Power Players in Business” for 2023. Olden works for Google as a senior product marketing manager and lead of the Tech Equity Collective. After earning her bachelor’s in communication, she served with the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic and later worked for the U.N. World Food Programme in Liberia and for World Vision International in Costa Rica and El Salvador. She resides in Seattle.
  • Megan Burns Pontes received her doctorate in leadership studies with a focus on philanthropic leadership from the University of San Diego in August 2023. She is an assistant teaching professor at Arizona State University and resides in Phoenix with her husband, Matthew, and their daughter.
  • Cory Smith is the senior manager for field access and reimbursement at the pharmaceutical company AbbVie and resides in Atlanta.
  • Alicia Hatter Weir is the head of financial advisor experience research at Vanguard. Weir earned her master’s in technical communication from Georgia State University in 2007 and a doctorate in rhetoric, communication and information design from Clemson University in 2011. She resides in Acworth, Ga., with her husband, Kevin, and two children.
  • 2005

    Darren Dean is the vice president of sales at Lincoln Financial Distributors. He and his wife, Lindsey Earnhardt Dean ’06, reside in Roswell, Ga., with their three sons.

  • Inmar Geiger (M.Ed. ’17) is a teacher at Wando High School who resides in Mt. Pleasant with her husband, JAMES GEIGER ’98, and their two sons.
  • Nicholas Glover is the vice president and head of the Environmental Defense Fund’s Build to Zero business unit. He serves on the College’s Foundation Board and resides in Tampa, Fla., with his wife, Caitlin, and three children.
  • Joel Parker is the assistant director for student excellence at the University of Florida’s Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering. He earned his master’s in fine arts from Washington University in St. Louis in 2009 and resides in Gainesville, Fla.
  • Jennifer Barbarino Reagin is a real estate agent at Dickens Mitchener Residential Real Estate. She resides in Charlotte, N.C., with her husband, Matt.
  • Jennifer Kinzeler Williams is a shareholder at the law firm Saxton & Stump and a member of the firm’s business, corporate and tax; trusts and estates; and real estate groups. She works out of the Charleston office.
  • 2006

    Nathan Bray is a senior contracts analyst for Carnegie Mellon University and resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, Sara, and their daughter.

  • Meredith Roy Campbell is vice president for enrollment with Career Evolved. She is married to Alex Campbell ’04, and the couple resides in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with their two sons.
  • Lindsey Earnhardt Dean (see Darren Dean ’05)
  • Brittany Berlauk Falabella has been promoted to partner at Hirschler’s Richmond, Va., office. She earned a law degree from the University of Richmond and resides in Richmond with her husband, Paul.
  • David Guess is the content manager of Pinnacle Creative and resides in Florence, S.C., with his wife, Caitlin, and their two sons.
  • Rebecca Charlap Kelley was sworn in to a four-year term on the Southport, N.C., Board of Aldermen in December. She resides in Southport, N.C., with her son and daughter.
  • Carly Petracco is a senior policy adviser at Milieu Consulting. She earned a master’s in development economics from American University in 2008 and resides in Porto, Portugal.
  • 2007

    Tracy Borczyk Cullinan is director of marketing and development at Project Sanctuary. She and her husband welcomed a daughter in February. The family resides in Aiea, Hawaii.

  • Julie Dolan is an anchor at WDRB News. Dolan is an award-winning journalist with years of experience covering parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. She resides in Louisville, Ky., with her husband, Andy, and their three children.
  • Daniel Earnst is a vice president of sales at Petrichor and resides in Charlotte, N.C.
  • Justin Klunder is CEO of Gray Private Wealth. He first joined the Boston-area company in 2015 as an investment adviser and, before becoming CEO, served as chief investment officer.
  • Jamie Van Etten is a senior manager for quality control at Rion. She earned her doctorate in biological chemistry from the University of Michigan in 2013 and resides in St. Paul, Minn., with her wife, Kate, and their three children.
  • 2008

    Lizzie Bailey is director of development for Narrative 4. She completed the Mongol Derby, a 1,000-kilometer horse race on semi-feral horses across Mongolia, in August 2023 and resides in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., with her husband, Lee McColgan.

  • Donta’ Brown is the lead site coordinator for Communities in Schools of South Carolina. He earned an MBA from Strayer University in 2014 and resides in Ladson, S.C., with his wife, NeShonda McLaurin Brown ’10, and their two children.
  • Stephanie Fauvelle (see Jackie Hazlett ’15)
  • John Nail has been promoted to shareholder at Chamberlain Hrdlicka, a tax-focused law firm headquartered in Houston. He earned his law degree from Wake Forest University in 2014 and resides in Atlanta.
  • Michael Passarello was awarded the inaugural College of Charleston Geology Alumni Service Award in November 2023. He is a senior technical consultant and adviser in oil and gas for Esri. He earned his master’s in geological and earth sciences from the University of Texas at Austin in 2011 and resides in Summerville, S.C., with his wife, Kelly.
  • Brady Quirk-Garvan is one of four South Carolinians hired by President Joe Biden to lead his 2024 presidential campaign in the state. He was chair of the Charleston County Democratic Party for five years and resides in North Charleston with his wife, Angela, and their daughter.
  • Lauren Ashley Smalls is a learning specialist with the American School of Guatemala and resides in Williston, S.C.
  • Sean Wilson is an attorney and the owner of the Law Office of Sean M. Wilson. He is also an adjunct professor at the Charleston School of Law, where he earned his law degree in 2011. He resides in Charleston.
  • 2009

    Swen Harrington joined United Bank in December as a vice president and senior fiduciary wealth adviser. He graduated from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2019 with an MBA in finance and economics and resides in Charleston with his wife, Suzanne Wilson Harrington, and their son.

  • Casey Berry posing in vibrant floral dress holding bouquet
    Casey Berry ’09 opened The Paper Canopy, a stationery and craft supply store in Charleston, last August. “The Paper Canopy grew from a love of crafting, coupled with an introduction to the world of handmade and marbled papers during a semester abroad in Cortona, Italy,” she says. “The Paper Canopy encourages creative exploration and connection through workshops, curated tools and paper goods. Life is a little better when we slow down and add a little color!”
  • Jessica Fuller Manley is a vice president of sales for iHeartMedia and lives in Arden, N.C., with her husband, Weston.
  • Hilda Godley McChesney is a sexual assault prevention and response program analyst at the Commander, Navy Installations Command. She resides in Charleston with her husband, Matt, and daughter.
  • Greer Gunter Narowski is a licensed insurance producer with Hilton Head Insurance & Brokerage and resides in Charleston with her husband, Allan, and daughter.
  • Jordan Shealy is a board-certified general surgeon at UNC Rex Hospital who earned a medical degree from MUSC in 2016 and did his general surgery residency at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine. He resides outside of Raleigh, N.C., with his wife, CAROLINE HAMRICK SHEALY ’12.
  • Andrew Walden is a partner at Womble Bond Dickinson’s Charleston office. He earned his law degree from the Charleston School of Law in 2012 and resides in Mt. Pleasant.
  • 2010

    Ashley Baker Carter (M.A.) is a private wealth financial consultant with Vingi, Edwards & McCallum Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors in Charleston. She resides in Mt. Pleasant.

  • NeShonda McLaurin Brown (see Donta’ Brown ’08)
  • Madison Kelly DeFranco is a senior technical business development staff member for higher education with Amazon Web Services’ Just Walk Out technology. She and her husband, Thomas, reside in Washington, D.C., with their child.
  • Julianne Moffatt Lang is a school leader at Lowcountry Leadership Charter School. She was included in Charleston Regional Business Journal’s 2023 40 Under 40 class. She received her master’s in educational administration from Purdue University in 2014 and resides in Summerville, S.C.
  • GP McLeer was sworn in for his second term as mayor of Fountain Inn, S.C., in December. He and his wife, Taylor, reside in Fountain Inn with their daughter.
  • Neal Partrick is a senior national sales manager for Big Sky Resort. He and his wife, Amy, reside in Bozeman, Mont.
  • Joseph Rogers is a financial adviser for Northwestern Mutual and resides in Encinitas, Calif., with his wife, Nicole.
  • 2011

    Jade Lawson Fountain (M.P.A.) has been promoted to director of operations for The YoPro Know, a consulting company that specializes in increasing young professional recruitment and retention. She lives in Greenville, S.C., with her husband and two children.

  • Logan Suggs Harris is a registered respiratory therapist and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) specialist at MUSC. She and her husband, Raymond Harris ’21, reside in Ladson, S.C., with their two daughters.
  • Portrait close-up outdoor headshot photo view of Telba Cavero smiling in a dark blue denim jacket as she is posing seated down on a rock boulder nearby a pond setting area
    Telba Cavero ’11 starred as Abuela, the titular role in Mi Abuela, Queen of Nightmares, at The Tank theatre in New York City last fall. An actress, director and producer, she earned an HOLA award nomination for best character actress and a LATA award for her work in the play Quintuples in 2020.
  • Steven Holshouser is vice president of business development for North America for Proteros Biostructures, a biotechnology company based in Germany. He earned his doctorate in drug discovery and biomedical sciences from MUSC in 2018 and resides in Swampscott, Mass., with his wife, Sarah.
  • Don Squires Jr. (see Molly Morse Squires ’14)
  • Sims Tompkins is an orthodontist at his family’s practice, Tompkins Orthodontics, in Columbia, S.C. He earned his dental degree from MUSC in 2018 and resides in Columbia, S.C., with his wife, Pamela Chakides Tompkins, and their two children.
  • 2012

    Alexander Binaco is a teacher at St. David’s School in New York City. He earned a master’s in education from Northeastern University and resides in Brooklyn, N.Y., with his wife, Karina Chu.

  • Bridget Byrne (see Greg Odachowski ’13)
  • Nate Fulmer (see Diana Jones Fulmer ’14)
  • Rachel Lee is an associate attorney for Smith Robinson Law who also serves on the board of directors for the South Carolina Women Lawyers Association. She earned her law degree from the University of South Carolina in 2019 and resides in West Columbia, S.C.
  • Ricardo Robinson (M.Ed.) earned a doctorate in education systems improvement science from Clemson University. He is an assistant principal with the District of Columbia Public Schools, having earned a bachelor’s in elementary education from Benedict College in 2009 and his education specialist degree in educational administration and supervision from South Carolina State University in 2016. He resides in Washington, D.C.
  • Andria Rogers is the owner of Andria Barboné, a New York City jewelry store featuring handcrafted vintage and antique jewelry. She is married to Darren Boulton ’13, and the couple resides in New York.
  • Caroline Hamrick Shealy has written and published six romance novels, including her pentalogy, The Nerd Girls series. She resides outside of Raleigh, N.C., with her husband, Jordan Shealy ’09.
  • Alexandria Williams is an epidemiologist at Sciensano. She earned her master’s in public health, specializing in microbiology and emerging infectious disease, from George Washington University in 2015 and resides in Brussels.
  • 2013

    Rae McClane Aartun is a payroll manager for The Cliffs, which has seven private luxury communities in South Carolina and North Carolina. She and her husband, Aaron Aartun, reside in Pickens, S.C., with their two sons.

  • Jeff Aschieris earned an MBA from the University of Southern California in December. He is an assistant vice president and client adviser for the Whittier Trust Co., having earned his Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor designation in 2021. He and his wife, Maddie, reside in Newport Beach, Calif.
  • Darren Boulton (see Andria Rogers ’12)
  • Anna Cogswell is the new head of retreats and experiences for Hampton, a member network for entrepreneurs, founders and CEOs. She lives in New York City.
  • Rachel Davis Horton is a litigation associate at Wyche. She earned her law degree from Duke University in 2021 and resides in Greenville, S.C., with her husband, ANTHONY HORTON.
  • Marion Lake is a patient-aligned care team social worker for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and resides in Columbia, S.C.
  • Susan Luna-Hazlewood is director of the Crawford Alumni Center at Tennessee Technological University. She resides in Cookeville, Tenn., with her husband, Michael.
  • Greg Odachowski and Bridget Byrne ’12 are the co-founders of Holey City Bagels, which opened in Charleston in 2022. He is the founder and head baker, and she is the managing partner. Odachowski received a master’s in teaching from The Citadel in 2016, and Bryne received a law degree from the Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law in 2017. The couple resides in Charleston with their two children.
  • 2014

    Natalie Dougherty Cordina (see Brandon Cordina ’16)

  • Diana Jones Fulmer is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania who was given a $1.2 million transition award from Additional Ventures to help her start her own research lab. She earned a doctorate in biomedical sciences from MUSC in 2020 and resides in Philadelphia with her husband, Nate Fulmer ’12.
  • Kelsey Hodgson Hogan is the head softball coach at Shorter University and resides in Lindale, Ga., with her husband, Jarrod.
  • Matt Manoogian is a first vice president in CBRE’s Long Island, N.Y., office and resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.
  • Kevin Phillips was elected mayor of Port Royal, S.C., in November 2023. He obtained his law degree from the Charleston School of Law in 2017 and resides in Port Royal with his wife, Jenny.
  • Joey Pumilia is the founder of Therapy Actually, which offers psychotherapy telehealth services to teens and young adults. He became a licensed professional counselor associate in April 2023 and resides in Hanahan, S.C.
  • Blakeney Sitton is a dentist at Mundo Dentistry & Orthodontics in Fort Mill, S.C., and resides in Charlotte, N.C.
  • Shane Sue Smith was voted best lawyer in Charleston in 2023 by the Charleston City Paper. She earned her law degree from the Charleston School of Law in 2021 and resides in Charleston.
  • Molly Morse Squires is a seventh grade social studies teacher at Moultrie Middle School. She and her husband, Don Squires Jr. ’11, reside in Charleston with their son.
  • Jennifer Rosene Thayer is a director of sales for the northeast region of OneTrust. She and her husband, Michael, reside in Cary, N.C.
  • Tavish Van Skoik is an instructional designer at Syracuse University and resides in Syracuse, N.Y.
  • Casey Wadsworth was featured on the cover of the November 2023 issue of VIP Magazine. An OB-GYN at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, she completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at MUSC after earning her medical degree there in 2019. She resides in Hartsville, S.C.
  • 2015

    Kelsey De Porte is a freelance digital campaigns specialist who works with groups across Europe. She resides in Helsinki, Finland.

  • Travis Green is a pharmacist at Fort Carson for the U.S. Department of Defense. He earned his doctorate in pharmacy from Georgetown University in 2019 and resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.
  • Kaitlyn Hardwick is a senior audit manager for Johnson Lambert. She and her husband, Jake Rockefeller, reside in Baltimore.
  • Jackie Hazlett is a co-founder of Indigo Animal Outreach, a Daniel Island, S.C.-based animal welfare program she started with Stephanie Fauvelle ’08. Both women also serve on the board of the Animal Legislative Action League, a bipartisan organization whose mission is to improve animal welfare laws.
  • Alexandra Jones is creative services manager at Hero Bread and resides in Austin, Texas.
  • Sean Mahoney is a registered nurse and travel nurse for Host Healthcare and resides in Charleston.
  • Madison McGhee launched a podcast in May investigating the unsolved 2002 murder of her father, John. Ice Cold Case has been featured in People, E! News, Daily Mail and Access Hollywood, among other publications. She resides in Los Angeles.
  • Mackenzie Maples Reed (MBA ’16) is a high school science teacher in Milford, Del. She is married to Devon Reed, and the couple resides in Frederica, Del., with their daughter.
  • Victoria Thompson received a Top 20 to Watch award from the International Society for Technology in Education. CIO Look magazine also included her on its “Top 10 Visionary Leaders in Education” list. She earned a master’s in curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University in 2018 and resides in Winter Garden, Fla., with her spouse, Kourtney.
  • Akilah Worley is a registered nurse with Roper St. Francis Healthcare and resides in Ladson, S.C.
  • 2016

    Darren Callihan is a manager of brand and insights for Greystar and resides in Goose Creek, S.C.

  • Brandon Cordina is an operations manager at Shades of Charleston. In 2020, he cofounded Cordina Eyewear, which sells sunglasses and headwear. He married Natalie Dougherty Cordina ’14 in 2020, and the couple resides in Mt. Pleasant with their two children.
  • Angel Fross is a Spanish teacher for the Charleston County School District. She is studying educational leadership at The Citadel with plans to graduate with her master’s in 2024. She and her husband reside in Charleston.
  • Rose Hemphill is a researcher for the psychiatry department at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. She earned her master’s in social work from Boston University in 2020 and resides in Bellevue, Ky., with her husband, Benjamin.
  • Samantha Huddleston is a content marketing manager at Discovery Education and resides in Austin, Texas.
  • Trevor Jones earned a master’s in public administration from American University. He is a White House liaison for the General Services Administration in Washington, D.C.
  • Michael Schmidt is the owner and founder of Superfood Superhuman, a holistic nutrition health coaching program, and resides in San Diego.
  • Octavia Sims is an appraisal analyst with Valbridge Property Advisors’ Northern California office and resides in Hayward, Calif.
  • Warren Steele is a director of strategy at CVS Health and was one of 21 business leaders named to the 2023 class of Aspen Institute First Mover Fellows. He earned his master’s in public health, specializing in health policy, from Boston University in 2018 and resides in Charlotte, N.C., with his wife, Maria.
  • Jordan Trgovac is an area scout with the Carolina Panthers and resides in Mount Gilead, N.C.
  • 2017

    Meagan Dunham is a program manager and social worker at the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies and a Global Health Fellow with the Global Health Corps. She earned a master’s in clinical social work from the Catholic University of America in 2022 and resides in New Orleans.

  • Lauren Tomes Francis published her first children’s book, Tank Eats a French Fry. A sixth-grade teacher for Spartanburg District 7 in Spartanburg, S.C., she earned a master’s in early childhood and elementary education from Liberty University in 2019 and resides in Lyman, S.C., with her husband, Daniel.
  • Christian Jablonski is a manager of luxe partnership development with the NFL’s Houston Texans. He earned a master’s in sport management from Southern New Hampshire University in 2022 and resides in Houston.
  • Amanda Malool is a promotions team member for the New Jersey Devils professional hockey team. She obtained an NYU Fundamentals of Global Sports Management certificate through Yellowbrick. She earned her law degree from Rutgers in 2022 and resides in Scotch Plains, N.J.
  • Conor Moran is a senior account executive at Indeed and resides in New York City.
  • Savannah Mudwilder is the home care manager at Stay Duvet and resides in Mt. Pleasant.
  • Shanice Page is a cognitive performance specialist for the U.S. Army and earned a master’s in psychology from the University of Arizona in 2021. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in sports and performance psychology from the University of Arizona with plans to graduate in 2026. She resides in Fayetteville, N.C.
  • Kevin Shields is a commercial real estate broker for Belk Lucy. He married Kaley Katsanis ’18 in January, and the couple resides in Charleston.
  • Victoria Simpson is an assistant athletic trainer for the University of Missouri’s football team. She obtained a master’s in athletic training from USC in 2021 and resides in Columbia, Mo.
  • Kaitlin Burt Williams is a legislative assistant for the U.S. Senate and resides in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Bryan.
  • 2018

    Lindsay Adams is a middle school humanities adolescent teacher at James Simons Montessori and resides in North Charleston.

  • Rob Allen (M.S. ’19) is a vice president at Goldman Sachs and resides in New York City.
  • Rebecca Castro is a diplomatic and entertainment sales manager for the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. and resides in Washington, D.C.
  • Ashley Davis is a community planner for the U.S. Department of Defense. She earned master’s in law with a concentration in homeland security and crisis management from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2022 and resides in Parris Island, S.C.
  • Joey Ferrelli is director of auxiliary programs at Porter-Gaud School and resides in Charleston.
  • George Handy is a mid-market account executive at Salesforce in New York City.
  • Katie Hannah is an account director at Epsilon and resides in Charlotte, N.C.
  • Charles Hinnant is the founder of Rave Me Away, a live events safety technology company. He graduated from Georgetown University with a master’s in integrated marketing and communications in 2023 and resides in Norwalk, Conn.
  • Josh Hoff is the head women’s hockey coach for the King’s College Monarchs in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
  • Logan Johnson is an urban forestry planner for PlanIT Geo. He earned his master’s in urban resilience and sustainability from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023 and resides in Loveland, Colo.
  • Kaley Katsanis (see Kevin Shields ’17)
  • Izabella Nieves is an occupational health and safety registered nurse at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and resides in Denver.
  • Kate Power is a copywriter at Deutsch LA, a Los Angeles advertising agency. She earned her master’s in advertising from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2021 and resides in Santa Monica, Calif.
  • Temperance Russell is a development director at Coastal Carolina University. She earned her master’s in women’s studies from San Diego State University in 2020 and resides in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
  • Daniel Torres is a project manager at Great Southern Homes and resides in Greenville, S.C.
  • Allie Watters is the senior director of Wavelength Strategy and resides in Washington, D.C.
  • 2019

    Catherine Green Christian is the outreach and programming coordinator in the Office of Student Wellness and Well-being at the College of Charleston. She resides in Summerville, S.C.

  • Scotty Frantz is an associate manager of merchandising partnerships for the NBA. He earned his master’s in sport management from George Washington University in 2021 and resides in New York City.
  • Trevor Gibbs is a meteorologist for Action News Jax and resides in Jacksonville, Fla.
  • Tim Housand is a trainee analyst with Bravens Inc. He earned a master’s in integrated water resources management from the Cologne University of Applied Sciences in January and resides in Glen Burnie, Md.
  • Emmie Karolyi is a special assistant for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Secretary and resides in Washington, D.C.
  • Natalie Lennon is a health analytics specialist at Accenture Federal Services. She earned a master’s in behavioral, social and health education sciences from Emory University in 2021 and resides in Arlington, Va.
  • Grayson Lovelace is a scientist for General Atomics in San Diego. He is studying high energy density physics at the University of California San Diego with plans to graduate with his doctorate in 2028.
  • Sydney Moreano is a senior manager for brand strategy and consumer engagement for late night, live events and specials at NBCUniversal and resides in New York City.
  • Viveke Rai is a microbiology analyst at Nephron Pharmaceuticals. He obtained his master’s in biomolecular science from Lipscomb University in 2020 and resides in Orangeburg, S.C.
  • Meaghan Silsby is a director of development for the USS Yorktown Foundation in Charleston.
  • Ridge Welch was named Northwoods Middle School’s Teacher of the Year and resides in North Charleston.
  • 2020

    Adelaide Bates is a climate resilience manager at Furman University’s Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities and resides in Charleston.

  • Dylan Cooper is a law clerk at Dunlap, Bennett & Ludwig. He received his law degree from the Charleston School of Law and resides in Vienna, Va.
  • Allison Hansen is lead data scientist at Booz Allen Hamilton. She earned her master’s in data science from the University of Virginia in August 2022 and resides in Charleston.
  • Caroline Greenblatt Matthews is the middle school English department head at the Williams School. She earned her master’s in English and education from the University of Virginia in 2022 and resides in Charlottesville, Va., with her husband.
  • Jack Reich is a leasing performance and data manager at REV, The Multifamily Leasing Co. He resides in Houston.
  • Kendall Welch is the owner and founder of Kendall’s Kandles, a Charleston handmade candle company. She is pursuing her master’s in clinical mental health counseling from The Citadel and plans to graduate in 2026. She resides in Charleston.
  • Portrait close-up outdoor headshot photo view of Katie Stagliano smiling in a red t-shirt that shows a vegetables vector logo consisted of cabbage, broccoli, carrots, tomatoes and a Katie's Krops typographic uppercase logo etched on the red t-shirt as she also has a chrome-colored thin rectangular shaped necklace equipped around her as she stands underneath a tree that has green pears and leaves on it
    Katie Stagliano ’20 was named a 2023 Southerner of the Year by Southern Living magazine. She is the founder of Katie’s Krops, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to start and maintain vegetable gardens and donate the harvests to help feed people in need. She resides in Summerville, S.C.
  • 2021

    Stefanie Elling is a senior sales force developer at Capgemini and resides in Charleston.

  • Joshua Garcia (M.F.A.) is office manager and managing editor at Teachers & Writers Collaborative, a nonprofit organization that sends writers and other artists into schools. His debut poetry collection, Pentimento, was released by Black Lawrence Press in March 2024. He resides in Brooklyn, N.Y.
  • Emma Geraghty is a catering sales manager for Burgeon Hospitality Group and resides in Los Angeles.
  • Mary Elizabeth Griffin is a client associate with Vingi, Edwards & McCallum Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors and resides in Charleston.
  • Raymond Harris (see Logan Suggs Harris ’11)
  • Camisha Jones is a marketing specialist for Better Engineering and resides in Baltimore.
  • Lauren Lozano is an English teacher and softball program assistant at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, Calif., where she resides.
  • William McCann is a major gifts coordinator at City Harvest, a nonprofit based in Brooklyn, N.Y., that provides food for those in need. McCann resides in New York City.
  • Donovan Tate-Davis is a press assistant for the U.S. House of Representatives and resides in Washington, D.C.
  • Joe Velazquez is a field research analyst for CBRE and resides in Charleston.
  • 2022

    Victoria Carsten is a social work assistant at Pineville Community Hospital in Pineville, Ky., and is pursuing her master’s in social work at Winthrop University.

  • Kathlene Dorking is an administrative assistant to Sens. Sally Harrell and Sheikh Rahman in the Georgia General Assembly.
  • Hallie Hammond is a recreation coordinator with Campus Recreation Services at the College. She earned her master’s in sport management from The Citadel and resides in Charleston.
  • Cary Hobbs is the co-founder and lead media strategist of The Palm Social, a Charleston marketing firm that assists small businesses with social media. She resides in Charleston.
  • Kayla King (M.Ed.) is a kindergarten teacher with the Charleston County School District and resides in Charleston.
  • Adelaide Meny is a manager of patron programs at Carnegie Hall and resides in New York City.
  • 2023

    Kaiya Blank is an events coordinator for the Society of Women Engineers and resides in Charleston.

  • Marissa Dunbar (MBA) is an executive for the South Carolina Stingrays, the Lowcountry’s professional hockey team. Dunbar earned a bachelor’s in therapeutic recreation and recreational therapy from Aurora University in 2021 and resides in Charleston.
  • Hunter Haines is a talent acquisition coordinator for Volvo Cars’ Charleston plant and resides in Summerville, S.C.
  • Samantha Hirsh is a member communications manager for the Seabrook Island Club and resides in Charleston.
  • Delaney Lambert is a functional consultant for Oracle and resides in Austin, Texas.
  • Maggie McGuire is a public relations coordinator at b.good PR and resides in New York City.
  • Colin McKenzie is an account executive with the Charleston RiverDogs.
  • AC Pandos is a director of customer experience and affiliate partnerships at Debbie, a financial platform, and resides in New York City.
  • Ryan Smith is a real estate agent with NAI Charleston and resides in Charleston.

PASSAGES

  • Betty H. Dykes ’51
    March 16, 2024; Charleston, S.C.
  • Frances O. O’Leary ’51
    March 10, 2024; Charleston, S.C.
  • William T. Clowney ’59
    Feb. 10, 2024; Isle of Palms, S.C.
  • Marvin I. Oberman ’59
    March 21, 2024; Charleston, S.C.
  • Sandra H. Jones ’63
    Dec. 12, 2023; Sullivan’s Island, S.C.
  • Charlotte G. McCants ’66
    Jan. 25, 2024; Manassas, Va.
  • Brenda M. Stevens ’67
    March 14, 2024; Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
  • Joann L. Duncan ’72
    Dec. 25, 2023; Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
  • Nancy L. Morrow ’73
    Dec. 17, 2023; Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
  • Karen B. Jones ’74
    Feb. 23, 2024; Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
  • Susan M. Malecki ’78
    Jan. 14, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa
  • Catherine M. Burke ’80
    Feb. 22, 2024; Louisburg, N.C.
  • John H. Todd ’83
    Dec. 8, 2023; Spartanburg, S.C.
  • Jean E. Vance ’93
    Nov. 26, 2023; Greenville, S.C.
  • Alexey I. Bogomolov ’03
    Feb. 21, 2024; Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
  • Ida D. Mero ’04
    Feb. 9, 2024; Charleston, S.C.
  • Brian S. Moeller ’06
    March 31, 2024; Los Angeles, Calif.
  • David G. Priest ’09
    Jan. 10, 2024; McClellanville, S.C.
  • Zachary E. Lewis ’16
    March 31, 2024; Charleston, S.C.
  • Charles P. Darby ’01
    Honorary Degree

    Feb. 7, 2024; Charleston, S.C.
  • Lizzy Zito
    Student

    April 28, 2024; Simpsonville, S.C.
Portrait close-up headshot photograph view of Karen Burroughs smiling in bottom black dress slack trousers, red lipstick, a half dark maroon/half white colored long sweatshirt with a dark maroon/white colored neckerchief accessory around her that has various pattern symbols, has on gold wrist bracelet jewelry on her lower right arm wrist area plus a bronze colored thin watch on her lower left arm wrist area, and has on two bronze colored circular earrings while she is seated at nearby between the wall edge/ledge of a window inside presumably a home

ULTIMATE SCHOOL SPIRIT

The College lost one of its greatest cheerleaders, Karen Burroughs Jones ’74, in February. She loved everything about the College, which was evident from her presence at just about every event. Living by her motto, “Get involved, stay involved and give back,” Jones was the College’s consummate networker and ambassador. It was her job – but, more importantly, it was her passion.

A member of the Chi Omega Sorority, Jones graduated with a B.A. in psychology. Working in the Office of Alumni Affairs from 1991 to her retirement in 2022, Jones recruited excellent alumni leaders to serve on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and worked tirelessly with the board on its strategic plan, scholarship program and Alumni Awards Gala. For her contributions, the Alumni Association Board established in 2017 the Karen Burroughs Jones ’74 Alumni Scholarship.

“Karen’s commitment to making a positive impact on all her endeavors at the College is a guiding light for our generation as we look to contribute to initiatives aimed at making the world a better place,” says Liam Sallee ’24, the latest scholarship recipient. “I am thankful not only for [the scholarship’s] support, but its message and association with someone who dedicated their life to service, giving back to others and the embodiment of moral virtue.”

To give to the Karen Burroughs Jones ’74 Alumni Scholarship, click here or contact Carin Jorgensen at jorgensencl@cofc.edu.

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ALUMNI NOTEBOOK

Charleston 2.0

As the founder and director of the Charleston Digital Corridor, Ernest Andrade ’85 (M.P.A. ’87) has given Charleston a technology upgrade.
Ernest Andrade ’85 smiling for portrait wearing a black suit jacket and tan pants with blue button up and various computers on shelves behind him
| photo by Reese Moore |
When it came time for university, Ernest Andrade ’85 (M.P.A. ’87), who grew up in Kuwait and then attended a Jesuit boarding school in Bangalore, India, came to Charleston on the recommendation of one of his father’s co-workers.

“The College of Charleston was perfect for me – an urban campus in an attractive, historic setting,” says Andrade. “It made me feel at home.”

Andrade set his sights on working in the business world until an encounter with Sam Hines, the dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the time, who said the public sector was becoming more business-oriented and therefore needed business-minded people. Andrade pivoted from getting an MBA to pursuing a Master of Public Administration.

Andrade’s time in the College’s M.P.A. program included an internship with the city of Charleston’s housing and community development department. By applying the business skills he learned, Andrade got on then-Mayor Joe Riley’s radar and was offered a position.

Andrade proposed consolidating Charleston’s surrounding areas into the city. Seeing how this could maximize efficiency and be more cost-effective, Riley assigned Andrade to coordinate annexation. Andrade expanded the city from 38 square miles to 100 square miles.

Andrade then looked at the industries in Charleston.

“I saw that Southern states were tied to promoting cheap labor, land and utilities, which led to a trend of wages flatlining,” says Andrade. “We needed more competitive, higher-salary jobs; we needed to draw in intellectually driven industries.”

Riley cautiously embraced Andrade’s plan to develop a strategy to create a tech economy.

“Mayor Riley was an amazing visionary,” says Andrade. “He wanted to create greater economic resilience in the city and was bringing life back to the peninsula.

“He and the city’s chief of police, Reuben Greenberg, were my mentors,” he adds. “Having leaders who want the best and who are risk-takers let me position Charleston for tech companies. Today, we have a city that embraces and supports tech companies at a level higher or better than most.”

After studying how other states were positioning themselves, reading their reports and interviewing people in the tech industry, Andrade worked to create the optimal business and cultural environment for them. In 2001, with 18 companies on board, Andrade established the Charleston Digital Corridor – and in 2004, the CDC Education Foundation was formed to provide entrepreneurs with the necessary augmentative education resources.

Andrade retired from the city and became the full-time CDC director in 2015, and he always keeps his eye on the future. Recognized as a model for high-wage, tech-focused economic development, the Charleston region now boasts more than 700 tech companies.

“You can’t be complacent; we are always a work in progress,” says Andrade. “I learned from Riley and Greenberg to always want better or what’s next. They taught me that community success isn’t measured in dollars, but in validation.” – Darcie Goodwin

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ALUMNI NOTEBOOK
Tara Guérard walking between rows of tables with wedding decor
| photo by Eric Kelley |

Life of the Party

Getting glass tents helicoptered up an Italian mountainside is all in a day’s work for one of the world’s top wedding planners, Tara Guérard ’99.
As a psychology major, Tara Guérard ’99 initially had her sights set on a career as a couples counselor, but today, instead of fixing marriages, she helps launch them – in spectacular style. Guérard is the founder of Tara Guérard Soirée, a Charleston- and New York-based firm consistently named one of the world’s top wedding planners by Brides, Harper’s Bazaar, Modern Bride, Martha Stewart Living and Vogue.  

The Camden, S.C., native’s path to becoming a famous wedding planner began at the College, when she worked various part-time restaurant jobs, including waiting tables at erstwhile Italian spot Celia’s on Archdale Street. It wasn’t until after she graduated and took a pottery course at the Gibbes Museum of Art that she considered how to leverage that experience. 

“I realized that I was a little bit of a creative person,” she says, “and the only background knowledge I had was food and beverage, so I thought maybe I could design parties.” 

Her first call was to Zoe Sanders, wife of then-College President Alex Sanders, who talked Guérard into working as an event planner. She also lent a hand on the CofC first lady’s 1998 cookbook, Entertaining at the College of Charleston, learning about styling and photography along the way. 

When she decided to go out on her own after a year, her first client was a bride. “I said, ‘Well, I’m not really a wedding planner, but I can do this,’ and I fell in love with it,” she recalls. “I loved getting to know the person and figuring out their personality, style and taste.”

Twenty-seven years later, Tara Guérard Soirée has produced weddings all over the world, transforming every sort of venue – from rustic barns to historic mansions – into what could be described as extravagant one-off movie sets for a day. Former clients include Sanjay Gupta, Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.

Through the years, Guérard and team have branched out into furniture design, lighting, linens and flowers, each born out of a necessity-is-the-mother-of-invention moment. When a florist canceled three days before a wedding, she decided to start a floral department. When she wanted ottomans for a lounging area, she wrapped staging 4x4s in faux bunny fur. And when she couldn’t find a letterpress to make save-the-dates, invitations and menu cards, she hired a graphic designer and started a sister company, Lettered Olive.

“Nobody did it, so we made up the stuff as we went,” she says.

In her latest feat, Guérard commissioned a small Italian company outside Milan last summer to create a glass tent, which was delivered up a mountain via helicopter for a wedding in Umbria. She says making dreams like this come true fuels her through an intense schedule that can include traveling to the eight weddings she plans a year – anywhere from Kansas City to Paris – plus two to three site visits leading up to each one.

Traveling the world to plan weddings may sound glamorous, but she says she misses her family, including two teenage sons and a 12-year-old daughter. “You have to be careful what you wish for,” she says. “When I get a Charleston wedding, I’m so thankful.” – Margaret Loftus

wedding decorations including pink flowers, a plate, cutlery, and a name card
| photo by Eric Kelley |
aerial view of an outdoor wedding celebration
| photo by Corbin Gurkin |

Tara Guérard’s
star Summer star
Soirée Tips

Always have everything available to drink: beer, wine (don’t forget rosé), liquor (vodka, gin, bourbon, tequila – everyone is drinking tequila today), mixers, hard seltzers and nonalcoholic options.

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I love making something special for drinks, like freshly squeezed grapefruit juice.

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Have the best music. A thought-out and planned playlist goes a long way.

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If at night, all lights and lighting should be on
a dimmer.

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Summer soirées always need bug control. We use Mosquito Magnets for big events, but they must be put out six weeks in advance and can never run out of propane. It really works for no-see-ums as well. For packets and/or sprays, our favorite is Avon Skin So Soft.

| photo by Corbin Gurkin |
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ALUMNI NOTEBOOK
This video shows Daniel Russell-Einhorn smiling and riding his bike.

Ticket to Ride

The founder and owner of Bilda Bike, Daniel Russell-Einhorn ’09 started the business out of necessity while at the College.
You never know how inspiration for a business will strike. It could spring forth through innovation, research, travel – any number of ways. For Daniel Russell-Einhorn ’09, it was parking fines.

“I was driving everywhere and getting a lot of parking tickets,” he says, adding that it was his roommate during his junior year at the College who proposed a simple idea: Ride a bicycle to class.

With just $30, the Bethesda, Md., native bought a bicycle from Habitat for Humanity. “This was so much better than the car,” says Russell-Einhorn, who wondered at the time if there were other students like him who needed “a place to get a bike, and a place to get it affordably.”

Daniel Russell-Einhorn standing in his shop and posing with a bike
| photo by Catie Cleveland |
After doing some market research and remembering what he learned in an entrepreneurship seminar with Tommy Baker, the local auto-sales giant who serves on the School of Business Board of Governors, he and a friend, Griff Ducworth, were ready to embark on a new business venture selling custom bikes. They had the idea to let students pick out the bike parts and colors, and they were determined to offer better pricing than the other local stores – hence their new company’s name, Affordabike.

On the College’s following fall move-in weekend, Russell-Einhorn and Ducworth set up shop at the corner of St. Philip and Calhoun streets selling their bikes to new students. At just $100 a pop, the 130 bikes in his inventory were soon gone.

He opened his first store in 2010, changed the name to Bilda Bike in 2023 and now has two locations: one on upper King Street and another that just opened in North Charleston’s booming Park Circle.

Customers range in age from 6 to 70, and Russell-Einhorn makes the buying experience easy.

“There’s not that many places to ride in Charleston, so I basically say to the customer, ‘If you want to ride on the beach, here’s one option; if you want to ride downtown with no gears, here’s another; and here’s one if you want to do more stuff with gears.’”

Because of Charleston’s subtropical climate, the ergonomically designed bikes are made to be corrosive-resistant with zinc-coated chains. A customer can walk into the store and leave 30 minutes later with a new bike. The store also offers bike rentals, bike repairs and accessories. They’ll even tell you the best places to ride.

Bilda Bike has also drawn some well-known customers, including actors Owen Wilson and Bill Murray, Mike Wolfe of the TV show American Pickers and members from the cast of Southern Charm. Russell-Einhorn also has a photo of first lady Jill Biden on a Bilda Bike.

“It just makes me feel good being a part of the community, connecting with the locals and customers and giving them something, getting them excited,” he says. “I’ve had this business for 15 years, and I’ve gotten a lot of feedback about what people like to ride in Charleston. And I’ve ridden in Charleston myself. So in that respect, I think it’s a real dynamic approach to providing bikes for this city.” – George Johnson

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ALUMNI NOTEBOOK

Shooting Star

A music career didn’t pan out for award-winning cinematographer Brandon Riley ’06, but it opened his eyes to creative outlets he wasn’t even aware of.
IN 2005, BRANDON RILEY ’06 WAS IN IN the green room at the Music Farm in Charleston, hanging out with Atlanta rap duo Ying Yang Twins as his bandmates in the hip-hop group The Outfit warmed the crowd up. And – although he’s still behind the scenes today – he’s come a long way since then.
black and white candid photo of Brandon Riley talking to another person
Indeed, these days, the Atlanta-based Emmy-winning cinematographer and producer works with the likes of LeBron James, Tom Brady and Lewis Hamilton.

Riley started making music in high school back in his hometown of Chapin, S.C., and got even more into it when he came to the College, where he majored in psychology and religious studies because he “thought religion and psychology are like two of the cornerstones of humanity in a way. I always found it fascinating just to study people and kind of just the way they are.”

When he wasn’t studying, he was making music with his fellow students at Craig Residence Hall. His band, The Outfit, eventually started performing in King Street venues like rooftop bar Level 2 and pizza spot Mellow Mushroom – with Riley behind the scenes producing the music and making beats.

“Music opened my eyes to creative outlets that I didn’t know I wanted. I was heavily invested, emotionally and mentally,” says Riley, adding that the group signed a record deal with EMI Records, but an album was never released, leaving Riley with no real idea of what to do after graduation. He moved to Charlotte, N.C., and then to Chicago, where he took odd jobs within the music industry, eventually leading to shooting music videos.

“I didn’t have a plan, but at every fork in the road, you pick an option,” he says. “Sometimes you pick the right one at the right time, and you just keep doing that over and over. And sometimes it works.”

Brandon Riley demo reel
It certainly worked for Riley, who was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award in 2016 for his work on Chance the Rapper’s “Angel” video.

“That allowed me to do the A24 movie with Chance (Slice), which helped to launch me into other productions,” he says. “And that kind of led me to my current career path in a way.”

Now Riley’s career includes titles like HBO’s Shaq, Amazon’s Shiny Happy People and Netflix’s Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal.

“You meet one influential person, and that leads to another person, and that leads to this person, and all of a sudden, you’re in the room with Jay-Z and LeBron,” says Riley, referring to the HBO show The Shop. “That’s how it happened for me. I didn’t have a plan. I never had a dream of doing this. I didn’t even know this stuff was possible.”

– Erin Perkins ’08 (M.P.A)

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ALUMNI NOTEBOOK

Into the Wild

Working for a South African company that trains safari guides, Annie DuPre ’10 gets to revel in her passion for nature.
Annie DuPre turning around in a chair to smile for a photo
| photo by Rogan Kerr of Roaming Media |
A lot of people dream of going on safari one day, but Annie DuPre ’10 did more than just go on one; she became a safari guide after moving to South Africa in 2015 and now is the communications manager for a company there called Bushwise, which trains people to become field guides.

“The goal is to get more people out into the wilderness and to realize they can become safari guides,” she says, adding that an 81-year-old man completed the course just this year. “It’s all about getting people into the bush and into the experience of being around wildlife, learning how to drive a game vehicle and how to be a storyteller and advocate for nature.”

Based in the northeastern South African province of KwaZulu-Natal on the Indian Ocean coast, DuPre and her partner, who is also a trained guide, are just three hours from game reserves in Zululand, where they get to see all Big Five game animals: lion, leopard, black rhino, elephant and African buffalo.

ANNIE DUPRE’S SAFARI TRIP TIPS
  • The wintertime or dry season from May to August is the best time to go because there are fewer leaves on the trees, so the sightseeing is better. But my personal favorite time is in November when all the babies are born.
  • Do your research – think of the species you’re keen on because different locations have different species. If you’re looking for gorillas, for example, Rwanda and Uganda are going to be your go-to.
  • Pick one place. Trying to hop between different countries can just become a massive ordeal unless you have the budget to do so.
“I’m very fortunate – I go to the bush (on safari), either for work or fun, nearly every other month,” she says, adding that perhaps the most memorable was an overland trip through Botswana in a rooftop-tent vehicle. “We were in the middle of the bush, and there’s nothing around you for dozens of miles – just the great wide open and the night sky. You can hear hyenas calling at a distance and at nighttime, you’re listening to a hyena or a lion or something wandering around the bottom of the vehicle. It’s wild.”

It’s no shock to anyone who knows DuPre and her love of nature that she can often be found in the middle of the African bush. The oldest of two children of a longtime ExxonMobil executive dad and a political consultant mom who worked in the second Bush White House, she grew up in Fairfax, Va., and was usually covered in mud from being outside in nature. Though her parents are both Clemson grads, she fell in love with Charleston and the College on frequent family trips to Folly Beach.

A political science major and African studies minor, she studied abroad at Stellenbosch University, near Cape Town, South Africa, her junior year in 2008. Post-graduation, she did two stints with AmeriCorps before earning a master’s in international relations in 2015 at the University of Texas at Austin, which included another study abroad in Cape Town. After picking up her graduate degree, she beelined it straight back to South Africa and is now working on another master’s on the African wild dog, her “absolute favorite creature.”

“I don’t think my parents would say they were surprised that I decided to jump ship and go to one of the last places in the world that has the biggest collection of different predator species or all of the megafauna that we have here,” she says. “It’s always sort of been in my blood.” – Tom Cunneff

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LAST WORD

Easy Does It

Fixing the global childhood obesity epidemic begins with making healthy choices the easier choices – and that requires new laws and policies.
By Kathleen Trejo Tello
digital drawing of father and son holding hands surrounded by sweet and salty foods
| illustration by Timothy Banks |
The global childhood obesity epidemic has exploded. Researchers now estimate that there are more obese children than underweight children worldwide. Children and adolescents who are obese are more likely to become obese adults, setting them up for a lifetime of poor health.

In essence, childhood obesity is the result of kids eating and drinking more calories than they are burning off through play, movement and growth. Because of this, research and attempts to address childhood obesity have often focused excessively on individual behaviors of parents and children and seldom on the environment where they live – an approach that largely has failed.

Social determinants of health refer to the conditions where people live, learn, work, play and worship that affect health and quality of life. These determinants can promote health. For example, neighborhoods with access to safe parks and green spaces and healthy food retailers may support healthy eating and physical activity for families.

But social determinants can also facilitate or encourage unhealthy behaviors. Because of their underlying role in contributing to health outcomes like childhood obesity, social determinants have been described as the “causes of the causes.” In other words, if poor diet is one of the causes of childhood obesity, then the social determinants that shape a family’s food environment – such as lack of neighborhood grocery stores or limited income to purchase healthy foods – would be a cause of that poor diet.

When it comes to food, societies in the U.S. and around the world are producing and consuming more calorie-dense ultra-processed foods. But for working parents with long hours or those with limited incomes, these are often the easiest or affordable options for feeding their children.

And children’s lifestyles have changed drastically, replacing physical activity with sedentary habits, in large part due to social media and screen time. This is a significant and growing area of concern and research.

The field of public health prioritizes making the healthy choice the easy choice. Combating the childhood obesity epidemic means making healthy eating and moving more an easier choice for children and families. However, the reality is that much of the world’s population now lives in places that make it more difficult to choose healthy behaviors.

Policies and programs that address these determinants are a critical part of curbing the childhood obesity epidemic. These include investing in community resources like playgrounds and free programs that get kids outside.

Some U.S. cities have implemented “sin taxes” on sugar-sweetened beverages to discourage consumption. Other policy examples include tax incentives and programs that increase access to healthy foods and lower their cost.

In my view, every kid should be able to swim in a safe and accessible community pool rather than relying on their screens to escape the blistering summer heat, and they should be able to access fresh and affordable produce in their neighborhood. Childhood obesity is a preventable condition that communities can reduce most effectively by increasing access to resources that will allow them to live healthy lives.

Kathleen Trejo Tello is an assistant professor of public health in the Department of Health and Human Performance at the College. Her research focuses on nutrition, physical activity and understanding behavioral risk factors for chronic disease.

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