Wofford College students Anna Claire Rhyne ’23, left, and Katie Palmaccio ’25 work with students at Meeting Street Academy.

Jones, a sociology and anthropology major from Chicago, Illinois, discovered that he enjoyed teaching.

“I honestly had no desire to be a teacher,” says Jones. “These children are all so intelligent. Spending time with them in the classroom is definitely something I enjoy doing. I could see myself being a teacher now.”

Jones’ time in the classroom was made possible by a new partnership between Wofford College and Meeting Street, a public school of innovation in Spartanburg School District 7. Meeting Street serves the Highland, Hampton Heights and downtown areas of Spartanburg. The median household income in the attendance zone is $11,973 and 91% of the children live in poverty.

The partnership came about after discussions between Christina Johnson, Wofford’s senior instructor of education, and Meeting Street principal Kyndran Hilton and community liaison Kathy Dunleavy. The 20 students in Johnson’s Foundations of Literacy class worked at the school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for eight class sessions during the semester.

“My goal was to give our students real classroom experience,” says Johnson. “It was really cool for the students to see all the things we talked about in class. They’ve gotten to use what we’ve done firsthand, and they’ve done a great job.”

While both sides have been learning as they go, the partnership has been mutually beneficial. Wofford students have gotten a taste of life in a classroom, while Meeting Street has received much-needed help.

“It really has been amazing, not just for the Wofford students but for our classroom teachers as well,” says Hilton. “The teachers have been very vocal about the support the students provide in their classrooms. They just jump in and work with the kids.”

The experience was invaluable for Finley Dickens ’25, a Spanish major from Raleigh, North Carolina, who plans to become a kindergarten teacher. It was her first time being in a classroom setting, and she says she learned a great deal about the way teachers best interact with young students.

“I was worried that I might not have the skills to teach younger children, but I’ve learned that I do,” she says. “It makes such a big difference being able to go into a classroom rather than just learning about it.”

The partnership will continue next semester, and both sides agree they would like to see it expand.

“This was like our test semester, and we saw that the relationship and the process work,” says Dunleavy. “Now the question is how can we do it better and do more? We don’t know yet, but we’ll figure it out.”

Furman Men’s Basketball player, Mike Bothwell ’23, celebrates with fans after a game.

“Investing in major renovations of Timmons Arena is a wonderful opportunity to invest in our student athletes and the overall Furman student experience,” said Curry, a 1963 graduate of Furman and founder and chief investment officer of Eagle Capital Management in New York. “The plans presented by Vice President of Athletics Jason Donnelly and President Elizabeth Davis will enhance our home court advantage, but more importantly they will improve our competitiveness off the court for talent.”

The 100,000-square-foot Timmons Arena opened on Furman’s campus in 1997 with 3,500 seats for basketball. The first phase of renovations began in September 2021 with coaches’ offices, locker rooms, and film rooms. Subsequent phases will include the addition of donor suites; improved student experience; enhanced food, beverage and merchandise concession areas; upgrades to the entrance and exterior; and changes to the court and seating area. A timeline for completing the project will depend on raising the balance of the $40 million total, but Donnelly said more than half of that total has been reached. Furman has partnered with Ken Betsch of Betsch and Associates for architectural design and with Harper General Contractors for construction management.

“Paladin basketball teams are competitive, dynamic and fun to watch, thanks to coaches Jackie Carson ’00 and Bob Richey and their staffs, and to our amazing student athletes,” said Furman University President Elizabeth Davis. “This very generous pledge by Ravenel Curry will help us take basketball to the next level. It will greatly enrich experiences for our students and our fans in the Greenville area. When renovations are complete, Timmons Arena will be a college basketball showplace.”

“The renovations will immediately help recruit and retain top talent,” Donnelly said. “Improving and expanding the spaces in which all off-the-court activities occur is a critical need in order to elevate the competitive success of Furman basketball. The men’s and women’s basketball teams and coaching staffs have been integral to providing creative direction and design for the spaces. “Their input and expertise have been critical as we have considered recruiting, retention, player development, competitiveness and gender equity for the renovation.”

As teams become more competitive nationally, they can expect more national exposure, which will help raise the profile of Furman in general.

“Curry’s gift, and others that will fund the project, also represents Furman Athletics’ shift to being funded by sports revenue and philanthropy,” Donnelly said.

Curry, a native of Greenwood, South Carolina, launched Eagle with his late wife, Beth Rivers Curry, in 1988. The company is now a $25 billion investment firm. He and his wife, Jane Moss, continue to support causes through the Beth and Ravenel Curry Foundation. Curry’s $10 million gift makes him one of the university’s largest living donors and the largest single donor to Furman Athletics. In 2004, a $1 million gift from their foundation greatly enhanced the Chinese studies program, including study away in China, which remains one of the most popular study away programs at Furman.

Curry is a former member of Furman’s Board of Trustees, former chair of the Investment Committee, and former president of the Alumni Board. He also serves as a trustee of The Duke Endowment, the American Enterprise Institute, the Manhattan Institute and the Genetics Endowment of South Carolina, and as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University and an M.B.A. from the University of Virginia.

“Ravenel has repeatedly stepped forward as a leader for Furman University, and he has done so again with this gift,” Davis said. “We are fortunate to have as our alumnus not only one of the nation’s leading investment professionals, but someone who is continually willing to help us develop world-class programs and facilities. The entire Furman community and I are grateful for his generosity.”

Furman Athletics plans to share details of the Timmons Arena renovations, and stories about philanthropic investors in the project, as they become available.

Anyone interested in becoming a philanthropic partner to advance capital priorities for Furman Athletics may contact Erin Wissing, senior associate athletics director/executive director of Athletics Development, at 864-294-3732 or erin.wissing@furman.edu.

DENMARK, S.C. (courtesy voorhees.edu) — Voorhees University has been approved to offer graduate degrees by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The approval by the organization’s board of trustees was announced during the SACSCOC annual meeting in Atlanta in early December.

“There is excellence among us and it has been demonstrated by those colleagues who did what was necessary to offer an impressive graduate program in teaching and learning. That effort led to the SACSCOC Board of Trustees approving Voorhees to offer other graduate degrees,” said Ronnie Hopkins, president of Voorhees University. “We are grateful to SACSCOC and to our colleagues who are helping us to expand our degree-offering footprint.”

Voorhees was approved to offer the master of education degree in teaching and learning in December 2021. The university had six months to demonstrate its capacity to provide an effective program. A SACSCOC review team visited the campus in September. The team found that the university’s program met all of the standards set forth by the accrediting body and recommended that Voorhees be approved to offer graduate programs without condition.

“After the site visit, we were advised that there were no concerns with our teaching and learning graduate degree program. The team determined that we were in full compliance. There were no findings and no need for monitoring,” said Damara Hightower Mitchell, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The SACSCOC board agreed, and now, Voorhees can offer graduate degrees in various disciplines.

Hightower Mitchell credits Gwenda Richburg Greene, founding dean of the Voorhees University School of Graduate Studies, with providing leadership that led to the success of the teaching and learning degree.

“Dr. Greene has been phenomenal in launching the program and ensuring that we met all of the criteria for compliance. We appreciate her efforts and the efforts of others who have embraced President Hopkins’ challenge to take Voorhees University to the next level of excellence,” said Hightower Mitchell.

There are 29 students in the teaching and learning program, which has two components and is offered online. The concentrations are education systems improvement and PK-12 education. Greene expects that number will grow and is looking forward to expanding graduate programs.

“This team accomplishment rests on the laurels of our founder, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, who had the audacity to fulfill her dream. One hundred twenty-five years later, we now move her dream towards the next level of excellence,” said Greene. “We will continue to grow and embrace learners with the passion to pursue higher education. The pinnacle of this celebratory accomplishment begins with the first graduating class in May 2023.”

Spartanburg Methodist College alumnus – Cameron Martin (Class of 2011)

Through a unique partnership between the Morehouse School of Medicine and CommonSpirit Health, Martin earned his Master of Physician Assistant Studies this spring.

“After my cousin’s major life event, I took a strong interest in life sciences and medicine, which anchored me on this career path,” he said. “Medicine brings me excitement and joy to give patient-centered care and also advocate for health equity.”

Martin’s journey started with his associate in biology from SMC and took a trip through the U.S. Army on his way to fulfilling his dream to work in medicine. After SMC, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in microbiology (biomedicine) at Clemson University. Then it was on to serve his country.

“In the military I served in many roles. After leading a cavalry scout platoon, my squadron commander gave me the opportunity to lead the medical platoon,” Martin says of his continued journey toward a career in medicine. “I took this opportunity because I was interested in attending physician assistant school, and fortunately I excelled and earned several accolades.”

That success helped him in his return to school following his service. Martin learned of the program at Morehouse, an independent medical school formerly associated with Morehouse College. The uniqueness of the independent program and its commitment to diversity increased his interest.

“What piqued my interest was that Morehouse School of Medicine was deeply invested in health equity, increasing diversity among health care providers,” Martin said.

He enrolled in the program and took part in the More in Common Alliance, a partnership that helped Morehouse students learn and work at hospitals in the CommonSpirit Health organization. The historic partnership is aimed at addressing the underlying causes of health inequities, including the lack of representation among care providers.

Martin was drawn to the program as it fulfilled two of his goals in the field of medicine. He completed his coursework and clinical rotations in several areas of medicine in facilities in Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tenn.

“Each rotation helped me learn more to be in tune with patients to provide the best care possible,” he said. “Additionally, clinical rotations bolstered my clinical skills, knowledge base, and strengthened my cultural aptitude with patients from various backgrounds.”

With his studies complete, Martin plans to go into orthopedic surgery while continuing his service in the Army and going on to earn his Ph.D. He also wants to help create a pathway for youth to learn about the physician assistant profession.

Dr. Jeffrey Mohr – Southern Wesleyan University

Q. Where are you from?
A. Wisconsin.

Q. What three words would you use to describe Southern Wesleyan University?
A. Professors know students.

Q. In one to two sentences, explain the best part of teaching.
A. I have the privilege of being able to teach about God’s Creation while being out and about in God’s Creation.

Q. What is your favorite Blue Hill Coffee & Tea Co. drink?
A. Hot chocolate with drizzle.

Q. What is your favorite food?
A. Alaskan Snow Crab legs.

CLINTON, S.C. (courtesy presby.edu) — The founder of one of the largest internet service providers in the United States will deliver Presbyterian College’s 2023 Robert M. Vance Lecture on Business Ethics.

Charles Brewer, who started three highly-acclaimed companies in two different industries, will speak at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, in Belk Auditorium.

Brewer’s first company, MindSpring Enterprises, began with a purpose – to change how the world does business by demonstrating what a company based on respect for individuals, honesty, and integrity could accomplish. The result was a successful, award-winning business that consistently rated number one in customer satisfaction.

Brewer founded Green Street Properties, focusing again on core values and beliefs, which transformed a blighted brownfield site into Glenwood Park, a charming and thriving neighborhood community.

Brewer is currently the founder and managing partner of Las Catalinas Holding Co. in Costa Rica. He and his team have created a new sustainable and fun beach town on the Guanacaste Coast with houses, shops, restaurants, small hotels and inns, plazas, parks, and recreational facilities.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Amherst College, Brewer earned his MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. A native of Louisville, Ky., he lives in Atlanta with his wife and three children.

The Robert M. Vance Lecture Series on Business Ethics is funded by a generous gift from the Bailey Foundation and named after the late Robert M. Vance, a Clinton businessman and former PC trustee.

Vance considered ethics, honesty, and integrity paramount and lived these qualities as a business leader. The lecture series is a tribute to the late businessman’s legacy and numerous contributions to the Clinton community. The series serves as an opportunity for high-profile leaders in the business world to speak with PC students on how to run a successful business that maintains a moral code that employees can take pride in and use as a guide for day-to-day activities.

Past speakers include:

• Minor Shaw, Chair of The Daniel-Mickel Foundation
• Mike Baur, CEO, ScanSource
• Jim Samples, President, HGTV
• Danny Morrison, President, Carolina Panthers
• Bob McCoy, former Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Wachovia
• John Allison, Chairman and CEO, BB&T
• Walter Alessandrini, Former South Carolina Entrepreneur of the Year
• Jim Micali, Chairman and CEO, Michelin NA
• Bert Gall, Senior Attorney, Institute for Justice
• Jim Rosenberg, President and CEO, Burroughs and Chapin
• Robin Boren, Senior Vice President, Southern Company