SPARTANBURG, S.C. (courtesy converse.edu) — Converse College is proud of the success and exciting changes we have experienced over the last five years. The Board of Trustees expresses its appreciation and thanks to Krista L. Newkirk as she announces her plans to step down as President of Converse College, effective July 5, 2021. She has served as the 10th President of Converse since July 1, 2016. Newkirk is leaving Converse to become the 12th President of the University of Redlands in Redlands, California. Her duties at Redlands will begin on July 19, 2021.

Newkirk originally requested that her tenure at Converse end on June 30, at the end of the 2020-2021 academic year. In their April 2021 board meeting, the Converse Board of Trustees unanimously requested and voted to accept her resignation effective July 5 to honor President Newkirk as the first President of Converse University. This vote by the Board of Trustees was in gratitude of President Newkirk’s dynamic and visionary leadership during a period of transformational change for the institution, and in support of her career decision. Converse College will become Converse University effective July 1, 2021.

Converse Provost Dr. Jeff Barker will delay his previously announced retirement in order to serve as President of Converse during the 2021-2022 academic year while a nationwide search for the next President of Converse University is conducted.

“As I reflect on the past five years at Converse, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished through our collective efforts,” said Newkirk. “I was drawn to Converse by the community, the focus on enhancing equity and women’s leadership, and its ideal to educate students ‘to see clearly, decide wisely and act justly.’ I leave with the knowledge that our efforts have expanded our influence and mission and will provide greater opportunities for the future generations of Converse students and alumni. My family and I will miss Converse and the Spartanburg community.”

A dynamic and visionary leader, Newkirk and her executive team built upon Converse’s history, mission, and reputation for academic excellence to enhance its financial, academic, and cultural strength. She expanded the vision of Converse to advance a culture of belonging and collaboration that ignites creativity, innovation, and transformation. Under Newkirk’s leadership, Converse:

• Developed an innovative strategic plan;
• Became an accredited doctorate-granting institution;
• Launched its first doctoral degree program, surpassing expectations with an initial cohort 100% larger than projected;
• Expanded its master’s degree offerings, building on 55 years of graduate programs;
• Added data analytics to its business, finance, and healthcare administration degree programs;
• Opened an extension campus at the University Center in Greenville, South Carolina;
• Developed degree completion programs in business and child and family studies;
• Added an autism certificate program for teachers, the first in South Carolina;
• Became just the 6th private institution of higher learning to add virtual reality tools to the classroom;
• Successfully completed Converse’s ten-year reaffirmation of accreditation;
• Launched a Data Science program and developed a Data Analytics Laboratory through funding by Bank of America;
• Started the Converse Presidential Leadership Forum to celebrate International Women’s Day;
• Welcomed its largest freshman class (2017) in more than three decades;
• Celebrated the 50th anniversary of Converse’s enrollment of African-American students in a year-long celebration;
• Led the development of a campus Unity in Diversity Committee which conducted surveys and focus groups and developed a Strategic Plan to enhance diversity and inclusion;
• Launched Converse’s Quality Enhancement Plan entitled, Converse Across Boundaries: Learning Through Diverse Experiences, and devoted the Creative, Community, and Cultural Enrichment (C3) grants to support the plan;
• Expanded athletics to include teams for Field Hockey and Acrobatics and Tumbling, which competed at Nationals both of its first two seasons, won an individual National Title in 2019 and the Conference Carolinas Championship in 2021;
• Reached record levels of Annual Fund giving and other fundraising;
• Started the Valkyrie Middle College to provide a pipeline for high school students to begin coursework toward an education degree and a teaching position in Spartanburg County District 7 schools;
• Started the Office of Sponsored Programs;
• Added five new men’s athletic teams: basketball, track, cross country, soccer, and tennis;
• Started Converse’s first Esports program;
• Led a rebranding and marketing study for Converse and launched a new marketing campaign;
• Responded to a pandemic with an inclusive response team (faculty, staff, students, DEI Officer) to develop a high-flex model of operation and communication plan that minimized lost revenue and resulted in an infection rate of only two percent each semester;
• Replaced critical campus infrastructure systems to become safer and more energy-efficient; and
• Extensively renovated Twichell Auditorium in the newly-named Zimmerli Performance Center, one of the most iconic performance venues in the South.

In addition, Newkirk led Converse through the thoughtful, research-driven, and collaborative process that resulted in one of its most transformative decisions: to add a coeducational residential college in fall 2020, to change its name to Converse University on July 1, 2021 and establish the Converse College for Women in fall 2021.

“Krista Newkirk has led Converse through tough, but necessary decisions that have set Converse on a trajectory of success,” said Sandra Shearouse Morelli ’78, Converse Board Chair. “Her leadership and innovation built a strong foundation for the academic advancement and organizational strength of Converse for both today and for future generations.”

Regionally, Newkirk served as Chair of the South Carolina Tuition and Grants Commission, as a representative of the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities Board, as a member of the South Carolina Research Alliance Board, as a Member of the South Carolina Independent College and University Board, where she is Chair of the President’s Council, an Executive Committee Member, and a Public Policy Committee Member. Locally, she is a member of the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce’s One Spartanburg Talent Action Team, a Member of the Chamber’s Advisory Board; Co-chair of the Education to Employment Committee; a Spartanburg Rotarian; a member of the Spartanburg Academic Movement Board; a member of the College Town Board; and a member of the globalbike Board.

Newkirk was honored as one of the 50 Most Influential and one of 25 Women of Influence in the Upstate of South Carolina in 2020 and 2021 and was named a Woman of Achievement by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal in 2018. In 2020 she was honored with the ‘Courage’ Mary L. Thomas Award for her exemplary civic participation and contribution to positive change in the Spartanburg community.

TIGERVILLE, S.C. (courtesy ngu.edu) — The Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability announced the accreditation of North Greenville University (NGU) on April 16, affirming the university’s commitment to the ECFA’s “Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship.”

With a stated mission of “enhancing trust in Christ-centered churches and ministries,” ECFA bases its accreditation on compliance with financial accountability, transparency, sound board governance and ethical fundraising.

“This is a significant recognition of our university’s commitment to demonstrate that Christ makes the difference in how we operate with financial integrity,” said NGU President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. “ECFA is the recognized leader in accrediting evangelical enterprises which reflect financial accountability. This accreditation affirms the work of NGU personnel and the steadfast leadership of our board of trustees.

According to the ECFA, the university has joined other Christ-centered churches and ministries across America which are collectively supported by more than 14.6 million donors. The council’s announcement stated that NGU has “earned the right to display the ECFA seal. When an organization is accredited by ECFA, it demonstrates its willingness to follow the model of biblical accountability.”

“We are pleased to accredit a ministry committed to provide every student with not only a quality educational experience, but also hands-on opportunities for spiritual growth and service on campus, in the local community, and around the world,” said Michael Martin, president of ECFA.

Founded in 1892, North Greenville University operates campuses in Tigerville and Greer, South Carolina. An entity of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, NGU’s mission is “to equip transformational leaders for church and society.”

With the ECFA accreditation, NGU is included in the council’s ServantMatch® online resource, designed to match “God’s servants with the stewardship options of ECFA members based on ministry sectors and categories.” The new resource can be found at www.ecfa.org/ServantMatch.

ECFA’s accreditation is based on the organization’s “Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship,” which are available online at www.ecfa.org/Standards.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (courtesy wofford.edu) — Wofford College officially dedicated the Chandler Center for Environmental Studies and celebrated the servant leaders who made it possible—Harold and Delores Chandler.

The 17,525-square-foot center opened at the start of the 2020-21 academic year.

“This has been a remarkable year at Wofford College. During a pandemic, we managed to complete a $300 million comprehensive campaign, including the construction of the Chandler Center for Environmental Studies,” said Wofford President Dr. Nayef Samhat. “Delores and Harold Chandler, who made the lead gift for the new building are the ideal examples of the type of generous servant leaders who have made the campaign’s success possible.”

The Chandler Center for Environmental Studies received three Green Globes through the Green Globes Certification program, which recognizes buildings for sustainable design and operations. The building includes laboratories, classrooms and office space. Some of the building’s sustainable design elements include a rooftop garden with non-invasive plants, borrowed light in the building’s labs and classrooms, an exposed mass timber structural system, strategically placed windows for natural ventilation, heat island mitigation and controlled admission of natural light to reduce electric lighting to save energy.

The Chandlers have high hopes for students studying in the space.

“Students who will study here will lead companies or cities and states or other entities into a more environmentally sensitive era, or may become innovators or inventors, or who knows, even win a Nobel Prize for their stewardship and commitment,” Harold Chandler said during the dedication. “We expect to witness meaningful contributions from those who study, teach and are otherwise influenced by this award-winning facility and faculty.”

Environmental studies is one of the newest majors on Wofford’s campus, and the Chandler Center for Environmental Studies was designed to meet the department’s distinctive needs, including storage for kayaks and on-campus gardens.

“Twelve years ago, environmental studies at Wofford College was established, and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than by moving into a new building,” said Dr. Kaye Savage, professor and director of the Goodall Environmental Studies Center. “Every nook and cranny in the Chandler Center for Environmental Studies offers opportunities to teach and learn lessons in sustainability, green building, food systems, energy efficiency and more.”

Harold Chandler, a trustee emeritus at the college, is a 1971 Wofford graduate. Over the years, he has felt it was his responsibility to support future Terriers. The Chandler family has supported 14 endowed scholarships at Wofford.

“I attended Wofford on a scholarship,” Harold Chandler said. “Simply put, that has always meant to me and Delores that someone other than me or my family paid for me to attend Wofford. What an eternal gift it has been. Over the past 40 years or so, it has seemed only natural that doing the same for other Wofford students was the most appropriate and tangible way for us to give back, to say thank-you, genuinely and in perpetuity.”

Chandler served on the Wofford College Board of Trustees from 1988 to 2000 and again from 2004 until his retirement from the board in 2016; he served as vice chair from 2009 to 2011 and as chair from 2011 until his retirement. In 1993, he led the task force that helped move Wofford to Division I athletics and in 2005 he led a second task force on enrollment growth, both of which produced recommendations that have had a profound and positive impact on the college. In recognition of his retirement from the board, the board room in the DuPré Administration Building was named in his honor.

During his tenure on the board, Chandler oversaw significant reform of the college’s governance structure and served as an example and mentor to presidents emeriti Dr. Joab M. (Joe) Lesesne and Dr. Benjamin (Bernie) Dunlap. He also oversaw the hiring and first three years of the administration of President Nayef Samhat.

Chandler was the featured speaker at the 2017 Wofford Commencement, where he also received an honorary degree.

A native of Belton, South Carolina, and a graduate of Belton-Honea Path High School, Chandler was an outstanding student-athlete at Wofford, leading the Terrier football team as quarterback and captain, and he was named most valuable player on the team and was the runner-up for the South Carolina College Football Player of the Year in his senior year. The 1970 team played for the NAIA National Championship. He is a member of the Wofford Athletic Hall of Fame.

Chandler graduated summa cum laude from Wofford in 1971 with a degree in economics and was the class valedictorian. He was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa while at Wofford. He earned his MBA from the University of South Carolina and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s advanced management program.

He was selected as Wofford’s Young Alumnus of the Year in 1983 and has led the Terrier Club and endowed athletics scholarship efforts for many years, helping to achieve more than $47 million in endowed athletics funds. The Chandlers have supported Wofford generously through scholarships and renovation and building projects over more than 45 years of involvement with the college, including being major contributors to the construction of Lesesne Residence Hall and the Stewart H. Johnson Greek Village.

Chandler retired in 2019 as chairman of the board of Spartanburg-based Milliken & Co.; his 18-year involvement with the company substantially influenced the Chandlers’ decision to be the lead contributors of the Chandler Center for Environmental Studies. Over a 48-year business career in financial services and industrial manufacturing, he served in numerous roles from intern to chairman, president and chief executive officer, and he was a member of nine corporate boards.

During the Chandlers’ marriage and 11 corporate-related family moves, they raised two daughters, and Delores Chandler managed a real estate development business spanning 38 years.