SPARTANBURG, S.C. (courtesy wofford.edu) – Jacob Hollifield, a junior history and English double major at Wofford College, never imagined he had it in him to travel 9,000 miles away from his home in Chesnee, S.C., for the entire summer. He did.

“I wanted to do something new that would help me grow – something I would never forget,” he says.

Hollifield spent the summer interning in Tanzania at Silverleaf Academy, a private English school that provides high quality education at an affordable price. As an intern at Silverleaf, Hollifield assisted in a number of areas, including classroom design, playground renovation and teacher training. He also conducted research on successful teaching and school system methods.

Hollifield loved the unpredictability of Tanzania and has gained a new sense of confidence and independence.

“I’ve learned that I can function anywhere comfortably as long as I am patient with myself and my surroundings,” he says.

Braden Tuttle, a senior from Fountain Inn, S.C., was also a long way from home this summer. He chose to apply for the Tanzania internship after Wofford friends recommended the experience.

Tuttle, a finance major, worked for the TATU Project, a non-profit organization that facilitates equal and sustainable development for two rural communities of Northern Tanzania – Msitu Wa Tembo and Londoto. Tuttle interned as a micro-lending coordinator.

“I worked with the Kazi Na Sala, meaning ‘work and play,’ helping women with basic mathematics and accounting knowledge so they could calculate interest rates and determine repayment plans,” Tuttle says.

Tuttle appreciated the communal cultural in Tanzania. The experience allowed him to gain a better understanding of cultures outside of the U.S. and how people in other parts of the world live and work.

While in Tanzania, Hollifield and Tuttle took advantage of opportunities to hike, swim in hot springs, attend outdoor festivals and visit four other Wofford students interning in Tanzania.

Also in Tanzania for the summer internship experience administered through The Space in the Mungo Center at Wofford were Nneka Mogbo, a senior intercultural studies major from Douglasville, Ga.; Bryson Coleman, a sophomore from Spartanburg, S.C.; Laura Futrell, a senior economics and Spanish major from Denton, N.C.; and Meredith Goings, a junior Spanish major from Jackson, Miss.

Voorhees College hit the ground running with the unveiling of the new surface at the track and field complex.

Director of Athletics Charlene Johnson said the new track highlights President W. Franklin Evans’ vision and adds an extra element for health and wellness for students, faculty, and staff.
“The track not only provides an opportunity to the track and field/cross country teams, but for Voorhees athletics overall.”

Student Government Association President Jaalen Williams-Butler said the occasion marks the opportunity for the track and field/cross country student athletes to exhibit their physical prowess.“Our new state-of-the-art facility is something we as students have been waiting for. Now the time has come and Voorhees can shine even more.”

Evans said as president it is important leave behind a legacy. The newly resurfaced Track and Field Complex is another achievement under his belt. “I consider our founder Elizabeth Evelyn Wright a cross country specialist. She walked miles across the state to receive donations of a dime to support her efforts in establishing what is now Voorhees College. Now we have a multi-resource foundation for our student athletes to be the best they can be.”

Track and Field student athlete Dontavious Patrick finished No. 8 in the country in the triple jump in the 2017 Indoor National Championship. Patrick said he and the team is blessed to have a new surface to practice on. “The new track only inspires my teammates and I to give 110% to our goals. The effort really speaks volumes about the institution and its supporters.”

Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach Jeffrey Hughes said he appreciates the hard work, dedication, and contributions supporters have made to make the new track possible. “Thank you for investing in the team. The installation of the track ensures we have the equipment needed to reach greater heights. Whenever we are practicing and competing, we proudly wear Voorhees across our chests. Now, we have even more reason to be proud.”

Following the ceremony and the blessing of the complex by Chaplain and Vicar Father James T. Yarsiah, the Track and Field team took an inaugural jog and then joined Dr. Evans, the faculty, staff, and community members in attendance for a reception.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications, at 803-780-1191 or at communications@voorhees.edu.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (courtesy smcsc.edu) — Total student enrollment is highest in 30 years.

As reports of declining college enrollments nationwide continue to dominate headlines, Spartanburg Methodist College is bucking the trend. For the third consecutive year, SMC’s freshman class is the largest since the college’s founding in 1911. The college also set a record for the largest total incoming class in its history and the largest total student body since 1990.

A look at the numbers:

• 513 new freshmen started classes on Wednesday, August 21 – the largest freshman class in the college’s history.
• The new freshmen, plus re-admitted students and transfer students, make up the largest incoming class in the college’s history (551).
• 45 junior students began classes in the college’s new bachelor’s degree program. They’re the first juniors in the college’s history.
• SMC’s total student body is 910, the largest since 1990.

In 2016, SMC’s enrollment had decreased to 736 from an average of 800. That year, President Scott Cochran announced that the college would increase enrollment to 1,000 students by 2020. Driven by increased marketing, a revamped admissions process and the addition of a bachelor’s degree, enrollment has steadily risen each year since then. This fall’s student body number is a 24 percent increase over the 2016 total.

“We have an incredible group of faculty and staff who have worked hard to provide new programs and to accommodate a larger student body in a very short period of time,” said President Scott Cochran. “We’ve got over 170 additional students on campus since 2016, and we’re going to continue to grow.”

With enrollment totals clearing 900 again for the first time in 30 years, SMC is on track to meet the 2020 goal, said Ben Maxwell, Vice President for Enrollment. “It’s gratifying to see that students are increasingly drawn to what we’re offering at SMC, which is an affordable college education that they can now receive for all four years.”

Junior Jimmy Painter of Inman, South Carolina, says he is glad to be back on campus to complete a bachelor’s degree. He is studying English and History, two of the four concentrations offered in SMC’s Bachelor of Arts degree. “I transferred to another school in the spring, but I felt like a number there,” he said. “At SMC, my professors know me and make sure I’m on track and okay. They care about me as a person.”

Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Teresa Ferguson says that 557 students, or 61 percent of the total student body, live in one of the college’s seven residence halls.

“We’ve had a few moments when we worried demand would exceed the supply, but we have been able to accommodate everyone again this year,” she said. “We feel confident we can continue to meet the need for student housing even at the 1000 student mark without building new housing, although we have contingency plans in place.”

CENTRAL, S.C. (courtesy swu.edu) — A lot can be said about the convenience of an online degree program, but when life throws curve balls, having that kind of convenience can make a huge difference.

Dwayne Ismail of Columbia learned that lesson firsthand as his mother’s primary caregiver when she was experiencing renal failure and needed a kidney transplant. While he was enrolled in the MBA program from SWU Online, they got a call for a kidney.

“One minute I would be in South Carolina, then I would be at Duke Hospital in North Carolina. I was at Duke Hospital for a few weeks, but was still able to pull out my laptop out at the hotel and get my work in,” Ismail said.

Appreciative of the flexibility of his online MBA program, Ismail said, “Some mornings I’d be up at 5 o’clock working on assignments. If you really want to do it, the program gives you that flexibility to get it done.”

Ismail, who previously earned his BS in business administration from Southern Wesleyan, managed to complete his degree when his mother’s health became worse. He appreciates university staff who helped him get through his degree program when his mother’s needs had to come first.

As an office manager for a Columbia based law firm, Ismail says he immediately put much of what he learned from his MBA program to work.

“I was looking at the Excel spreadsheet tutorial that is in my current class and thought – hey, I can do that now, directly in my new role. I can’t think of a course that I’ve taken that in this MBA program that didn’t help me. There is higher upper level content in a few math and human resource classes that don’t apply to what I do now, but if I was to move up, it would. So I think I’m well prepared with my education,” Ismail said.

Online faculty who care

Ismail feels that his professors are approachable in much the same way they were when he previously took courses in a traditional classroom setting.

“We knew at 6-8 p.m. on Friday, we had conferences available in one of my quantitative math courses. If you were having trouble with coursework, you could drop in on that online conference. That really helped get me through,” he said.

“My favorite part of the online program is the weekly discussion forums, which helps me to express myself and dive deep into the subject matter. I am able to share my understanding with other students and instructors while getting feedback and learning other points-of-views on the material. The discussion boards help me to discover practical applications of the material that I can immediately implement professionally,” Ismail said.

Making an investment that pays off

Ismail feels that his online MBA program is a good investment that will pay dividends for years to come.

“I feel that the online program from Southern Wesleyan University is helping me develop the confidence to manage a small business, a government department, to work within a multinational corporation or use proper risk management techniques to manage my own investment portfolio. I truly believe the sky is the only limit now,” he said.

By the way, Ismail’s mother is doing fine now and she’s giving encouragement to others who are in need of a kidney, as well as praying with them.

For details about SWU Online’s degree programs, visit swu.edu/online.

Southern Wesleyan University is a Christ-centered, student-focused learning community devoted to transforming lives by challenging students to be dedicated scholars and servant-leaders who impact the world for Christ. For details about degree programs, go online to swu.edu.

CLINTON, S.C. (courtesy presby.edu) — Maison Payne doesn’t consider himself outdoorsy. But, as he dug into the dirt and pulled weeds at the Humane Society, he thought more about the animals and others who will enjoy the trail he and PC volunteers helped to construct at the property.

“Knowing that you’re doing something meaningful for people who wouldn’t have it otherwise, and you’re making a difference — it just eliminates any preconceived things you were hesitant about,” said Payne, a freshman from Greenville. “It’s been a nice experience.”

On Monday, Aug. 26, more than 100 students, including Payne, were dispersed in nine sites across Laurens County for PC’s annual Service Day, said the Rev. Racquel Gill, assistant chaplain for Multicultural Community Engagement.

Their service included work like laying the dog-walking trail, laying bricks, working in a garden, as well as engaging with residents in the county.

“PC as an institution was founded on the value and importance of service,” Gill said. “We see a need to engage incoming students around that value within that first week. Service Day is a great opportunity for them to interact and engage with the community that they will be living in and being educated in for four years.”

Many students said they also got to know one another and other members of campus while serving the community. Freshmen like Louise Blake, who worked at the community garden, learned something new.

“I’ve been laying bricks, which I’ve never done before, but it’s a great learning opportunity,” Blake said. “I guess that’s what Service Day is all about — learning and trying new things and helping out others.”

Students volunteered with the following organizations: Whitten Center, Piedmont Presbyterian Church, the Laurens County Humane Society, the Clinton Community Garden Project, Habitat for Humanity, Thornwell Center, Hospice Thrift Store, Presbyterian Community and Wounded Warriors.

Learn More
PC’s motto is Dum Vivimus Servimus, or “While We Live, We Serve.” Students are encouraged to visit Student Volunteer Services to learn how to get involved in serving the community.

TIGERVILLE, S.C. (courtesy ngu.edu) — After talking with Jeremy Bolden, information technology (IT) engineer and academic technology specialist, it is clear to see his passion for NGU classroom technology. Updating classrooms with new technology across campus was one of IT Services’ goals over the summer. Bolden said with delight, “I am excited we have been able to make real progress toward a better classroom technology experience for students.”

The Foster Education Building is enjoying a complete overhaul of academic technology in classrooms. New 70” LCDs are installed with two being touch-capable. Foster Lab is equipped with 25 new computers and monitors as well as a new 80” Promethean board. Students with specific Intro to IT classes as well as education majors taking the instructional technology class will immediately begin to enjoy the new additions. Outside scheduled class times, all students can access the lab for classwork and printing.

On August 15, IT Services held a training session for education faculty to introduce the new capabilities of the technology. Education Technology Specialist for the College of Education Sammie Burman commented, “We are so excited about the technology upgrades in the Foster Building. Our education students will now be better prepared to utilize technology in classrooms they enter. As our faculty use these new devices and boards, we will be able to model best practices with technology integration. These updates allow us to equip our students with the technology skills they need as future educators. We are grateful and enthusiastic for the technology updates in the Foster Education Building.”

Other areas of improvement include the Runion Fine Arts Lab with 16 new Mac computers and monitors and Crain 111 Computer Lab with a new HD and 120″ diagonal screen. Music theory and history students, as well as worship arts administration students, are enjoying a new 70” LCD Touch-capable screen.

Tim Huggins, CIO and vice president for information technology services said, “IT Services has had the opportunity to make significant improvements to classrooms and labs. Our Desktop Services Team is always excited to enhance the student and faculty classroom experience with new technology to better facilitate learning.”

NGU IT Services department has been quite busy getting ready for the fall semester and are happy students have returned to campus for another great year.

NEWBERRY, S.C. (courtesy newberry.edu) — Newberry College officially broke ground Sept. 13 on the first phase of major renovations to historic Setzler Field.

The ceremony opens construction on an Athletic Performance Improvement Center, to include improved guest accommodations and expanded sports medicine facilities. This comes after the Board of Trustees approved the $2.3 million phase one project last month.

“This project is the direct result of hard work, generosity, and dreams of many dedicated men and women,” said President Maurice Scherrens. “We are excited to officially begin construction, and we know the outcome will bring a host of benefits to the College. I’d like to thank everyone who helped get us here, and with your continued support, I look forward to launching phase two in the near future.”

The project will comprise a 6,750-square-foot Athletic Performance Improvement Center in the north end zone, with a 3,000-square-foot weight room, 2,000 square feet of athletic training space, a medical examination room, office space, a locker room for game officials and public restrooms.

Construction on the facility is expected to begin in November. New LED lights have already been installed on the field, and the over 60-year-old stadium restrooms were demolished last month. Air-conditioned, temporary guest accommodations are in place for the 2019-2020 season. Completion of the project is expected next summer, ready for the 2020 football and field hockey seasons.

“I want to thank the awesome people that are making this day possible, our donors that have chosen to help us,” said Director of Athletics Ralph Patterson. “I know that you can make a choice to help other groups, and the fact that you’ve chosen Newberry, to help us, means the world to us, and we thank you very much. The reason that they’re doing this, there are about 200 or 300 reasons out there, and that’s our student-athletes.”

Attending Friday’s ceremony was Melvin Younts, a leading supporter of higher education whose $1 million matching gift pledge has helped propel the project forward. Other major donors in attendance included Jean and Charlie Haggard, and Carter Pearson, on behalf of his parents, Trish and the late Wayne Pearson. Newberry Mayor Foster Senn was also in attendance.

The Athletic Performance Improvement Center is the first phase of the stadium expansion project. Phase Two will include an Athletic Field House on the east side of Setzler Field.