SPARTANBURG, S.C. (courtesy wofford.edu) -– Wofford College has broken ground on its new environmental studies center that will be Green Globe Certified for its sustainable and environmentally conscious features, such as a partial green roof and solar roof panels.

The 20,000-square-foot facility will feature advanced laboratory space, a seminar room, outdoor patio and garden spaces, and classroom and office space for Wofford’s Department of Environmental Studies as well as the other sciences. The building also will include a system for capturing rainwater for irrigation and will use cross-laminated timbers, which are made of sustainable, all-wood construction. Green Globe certification is a structured assessment of the sustainability performance of the facility.

“Wofford’s new environmental studies center integrates the college’s programs in the sciences, social sciences and humanities to prepare students to address complex social-ecological concepts in the context of human behavior, ethical decision-making and political realities,” says Dr. Kaye Savage, professor and chair of the Department of Environmental Studies. “That it includes visible sustainable features that can be incorporated into our curriculum was very important to us in planning for this new facility.”

According to Wofford President Nayef Samhat, “With the new center on campus, the department’s reach will stretch from the Goodall Environmental Studies Center and the Lawson’s Fork Creek at Glendale, S.C., to the campus in downtown Spartanburg and in the nearby historic Northside community near campus. The new building will be a hub of sustainability efforts on campus and in the community.”

Department of Environmental Studies Highlights

• The Goodall Environmental Studies Center, in a restored textile mill building overlooking the Lawson’s Fork of the Pacolet River, provides students with on-the-ground, real-time interactions with the natural and cultural issues they study in the classroom.
• The department presents the Tyson Family Lecture on the Preservation and Restoration of Southern Ecosystems, established in 2012 by the Tyson family. The annual lectureship, presented free and available to the public, is devoted to issues related to the preservation, restoration and sustainability of Southern ecosystems.
• A $4.25 million Milliken Sustainability Initiative, announced in 2015, provides unique student experiences in the area of environmental studies.
• The Milliken Sustainability Initiative, funded by the Romill Foundation, is fueling student social entrepreneurs and their business ideas as well as community-based coursework and research in the Northside community.
• In the Northside, a new building will be linked to a common educational experience for students focused on community sustainability, working with community partners to develop programming that will benefit the community and expand student-learning opportunities.

DENMARK, S.C. (courtesy voorhees.edu) — Voorhees College President W. Franklin Evans recently accompanied four students and members of the faculty and staff to Ghana, West Africa to participate in the 2019 Cultural and Career International Study (CCIS).

The purpose of the international experience was to provide students with cultural and career exposure to supplement their classroom learning that will ultimately heighten their placement in high demand employment and in graduate/professional studies.

CCIS participants included Christina Donovan, a senior mass communication major from Brooklyn, N.Y., Henriadam Brower, a junior sports management major and presidential scholar from Raeford, N.C., and psychology majors Kaleb Breggs, a senior from Bowie. M.D., and Philita Wang, a sophomore from Beaufort, S.C.

In addition to the students, Dr. Tywana Chenault, psychology major mentor and assistant professor of psychology and chairperson for the Department of Humanities, Education and Social Science, D’metrius Dew, office manager in the Office of Admissions and coordinator of international studies and programs, and Dr. Ronnie Hopkins, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs and CCIS director, traveled to Ghana.

Evans said international engagement is very important for the institution’s development. “Not only was the goal to provide global exposure and international opportunities for Voorhees College students, but we equally focused on recruitment,” Evans said.

While in Ghana, the team visited the United States Embassy to begin establishing a seamless recruitment effort to enroll Ghanaian students as full-time students at Voorhees. This was achieved through an official articulation agreement between Voorhees and the Ngorli Organization, Inc.

The agreement maximizes recruitment efforts of continental African students, increases enrollment of African students at Voorhees, develops detailed student success and engagement plans, and expands guided career pathways support for the matriculating students enrolled in a bachelor’s degree and or/certificate program.

Hopkins said while Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a strong heritage of educating generations of highly qualified professionals in a wide range of disciplines, many HBCUS lag behind predominantly white institutions in international and global engagement.

“HBCUs, who award nearly 25 percent of bachelor’s degrees to African-American students, must ensure that college graduates are competitive and possess the requisite skills and experiences to participate in a global marketplace. Unfortunately, HBCUs tend to enroll few international students and send even fewer abroad,” Hopkins said.

According to a 2011 survey by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, fewer than one percent of students at their historically black member institutions had studied abroad, and just two percent of their students were from another country.

Hopkins added, “With its rich heritage and direct lineage to South Carolina, Ghana is a wonderful country and an excellent opportunity for global engagement for our students; however, future CCIS experiences are being planned to include other countries, including but not limited to: Barbados, Egypt, and South Africa.”

The 2019 Cultural and Career International Study (CCIS) in Ghana was a partnership with Benedict College, Dr. Gwenda Greene, executive program director and the University of Ghana’s Institute for African Studies, Dr. Samuel Ntewusu, director. CCIS is funded by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education–Carolina Career Cluster Grant.

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

SCETV – South Carolina Business Review’s host Mike Switzer interviewed Spartanburg Methodist College President Scott Cochran on the college’s approval to offer bachelor’s degrees beginning in Fall 2019.

Please click here to listen to Switzer’s interview with SMC President Scott Cochran.

CENTRAL, S.C. (courtesy swu.edu) — Southern Wesleyan University and Tri-County Technical College have formed a partnership designed to enhance the transfer of students from TCTC to SWU.

The collaboration is intended to serve students by providing program support and services which facilitate the transfer process and prepare and acclimate students desiring to matriculate at SWU.

Students who complete any associate degree at TCTC will be guaranteed admission to SWU upon successfully completing all steps for enrollment. Students will have the option of completing their bachelor’s degree program at SWU by taking courses fully online, on-campus or a combination of online and on-campus. To support students in making progress towards both the associates and bachelor’s degrees, students will have support of both TCTC’s academic advisors and SWU’s academic advisors.

TCTC students who participate in the Connect program will be offered the opportunity to take up to 18 credit hours at SWU. Eligible courses taken at SWU will only include those where an equivalent TCTC course is not offered. Tuition will be equivalent to SWU’s dual enrollment Gateway Student rate, plus a discounted technology fee per credit hour. The 18 hours will give transferring students an opportunity to get a head start on degree requirements at SWU at a 90 percent discounted tuition rate.

Additionally, students will be offered the opportunity to participate in identified SWU programs and events while participating in the Connect program. These offerings include opportunities to participate in campus and cultural events at SWU.

“It is a privilege and honor to partner with our friends at Tri-County Technical College in serving students across the upstate to provide a clear pathway to a bachelor’s degree at Southern Wesleyan University,” said Dr. Todd Voss, president of Southern Wesleyan University.

“At Tri-County, we are committed to increasing access to higher education for the citizens of Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties, including access to a bachelor’s degree by way of applied associate degrees in our career programs,” said Galen DeHay, president of Tri-County Technical College. “Many of our students complete a two-year applied associate degree in a career program so they are prepared for immediate entry into the workforce. We have made a concerted effort to create pathways that will allow them to go on to earn a bachelor’s degree, should they choose to do so, without loss of time, credits or money,” he said.

“With this agreement signed, a bachelor’s degree from Southern Wesleyan University will be accessible, affordable and available to our all our graduates,” added DeHay.
The Connect program will begin in the fall of 2019. Individuals can contact David Slabaugh at dslabaugh@swu.edu.

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) — Presbyterian College President Bob Staton and program director Dr. Joseph Weber learned in July that the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Presbyterian College Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Presbyterian College.

Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.

“This is an exciting opportunity to help meet the medical needs of the community as well as the growing demand for physician assistants across the country,” said Weber, who is also associate professor of physician assistant studies.

“Our goal is to attract physician assistant students who will train, work and stay in South Carolina.”

The approval from ARC-PA represents a significant milestone for this 24-month master’s degree program. It reflects over three years of design and preparation by the program’s faculty and staff. Weber led the effort, in collaboration with multiple medical facilities and professionals across South Carolina.

“We are excited to move forward with the PA program and deeply appreciative to ARC-PA for its review and evaluation of our application,” President Staton said.

“We are dedicated to building a strong program that, rooted in service and committed to our college’s mission and values, will extend that commitment in a meaningful way to prepare students for servant leadership as future physician assistants in different communities.”

This status allows students to enroll at PC and classes to begin in October. The PA program will enroll 32 students in its inaugural cohort.

“The diverse applicant pool for this highly-competitive program has drawn potential students from around the nation, and we are excited to begin the program,” Weber said.
Dr. Don Raber, PC provost, is equally pleased with the accreditation.

“I am impressed by the energy and enthusiasm, both on campus and in the community, for our PA program as we develop a portfolio of graduate offerings in health professions,” Raber said. “Many thanks go to Dr. Weber and his team of faculty and staff for making this a reality.

“We are eagerly awaiting our first group of students to arrive very soon.”

More information about the PA program may be found at https://www.presby.edu/academics/graduate-professional/physician-assistant-program/

TIGERVILLE, S.C. (courtesy ngu.edu) — Tracing the vital influence of church pastors in the nation’s founding, North Greenville University President Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. followed remarks by members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation with an overview of the importance of religious liberty to an audience of more than 100 faith leaders during the Palmetto Family Council’s annual Nehemiah Project visit to the U.S. Capitol in July.

At the NGU-sponsored July 11 luncheon in the Senate Visitors Center, President Fant spoke on the prominent role South Carolina pastors played in the Black Robed Regiment during the Revolutionary War. The “regiment” referred to clergy who were outspoken supporters of the battle for American independence.

Palmetto Family Council, a statewide non-profit based in Columbia, hosts an annual journey to Washington, D.C. for South Carolina pastors from varied denominations. Approximately 110 pastors participated in the three-day venture July 10-12. Meeting with members of the state’s elected senators and congressional representatives was a highlight of the trip.

“We are grateful for the work of the Nehemiah Project in connecting pastors from across the state who have a heart for bringing a distinctively Christian voice to the many issues that affect politics on the national level,” said President Fant. “The faith leaders in attendance represented an incredibly diverse cross-section of the Palmetto state, regionally and denominationally. It was an honor to address them in the very Capitol where important decisions are made on a daily basis. Religious liberty issues have been a part of our national conversation since Colonial times, which is why the Bill of Rights’ First Freedom is Religious Freedom; it continues to be front-burner for us today.”

Founded in 1993, Palmetto Family Council’s stated mission is to “persuasively present biblical principles in the centers of influence on issues affecting the family through research, communication, and networking.” The council’s seven core values, as they relate to the family, are: faith, marriage, parenting, education, stewardship, commerce, and culture.

According to its website, the council’s Nehemiah Network is a state-wide initiative for pastors, designed to be a “catalyst for a fellowship of church leaders” who will be united in prayer, working to “engage the culture and meet spiritual and temporal needs,” and “earn influence with elected officials together in defense of Judeo-Christian values.”

“It was an honor for me to accompany the Nehemiah Network pastors, their wives, and other guests to Washington,” said Director of Church and Community Engagement for the Tim Brashier Campus, Dr. Tony Beam. “The trip was educational and inspirational with great fellowship enjoyed by everyone on the trip. North Greenville University is blessed to partner with the Palmetto Family Council in support of their ministry to pastors and their families.”

Former South Carolina State Representative Joshua Putnam, a 2011 NGU graduate, is president of Palmetto Family. Putnam served four terms in the General Assembly.

“Palmetto Family is thankful for the support North Greenville University provided to help us send South Carolina faith leaders to Washington D.C. to meet and pray with their elected officials and see the many sights of our nation’s capital. The over 100 faith leaders thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Fant’s address during our Palmetto Family Faith Leader Summit at the United States Capitol,” Putnam said. “We look forward to partnering with him again in the future.”

NEWBERRY, S.C. (courtesy newberry.edu) — Newberry College has received a $1,000,000 gift from the Kadilhen Foundation to support the school’s innovative Center for Student Success, which helps improve student retention and graduation rates. The foundation’s support will bolster academic success coaching, peer mentoring, and supplemental instruction. The College will also use the funds to enhance career counseling, financial literacy, academic advising and the early alert system.

“This gift makes it possible for us to customize a successful pathway for each of our students,” said Newberry College President Dr. Maurice Scherrens. “No two students follow the same path, and no two students have the same needs. Kadilhen’s gift gives our academic support staff the resources necessary to expand their services to serve a much larger universe of students, and to help each student in a timely and individualized manner.”

The gift will also enhance the College’s transition course, focusing greater attention on writing skills, critical reading and thinking skills to better position students for their subsequent move to graduate studies or full-time employment.

One of the foundation’s members, while a student at Newberry, discovered that although the dedicated efforts of individual faculty and staff proved invaluable to his success, the resources were simply not available to help all the students in need of assistance.

“Additional resources and a pivot toward a greater student-oriented mindset were needed to improve the student experience and motivate students to ‘power through’ the more difficult times of their college years,” said the member. “It is our belief that, with the leadership of Dr. Sandy Scherrens and the empowerment of faculty and staff like John Lesaine and Kay Chandler, the College can become a leader not only in student persistence, but in graduating students well-prepared to pursue their vocation.”

The foundation’s gift, to be matched by College fundraising, will be provided over a three-year period. The College and the Kadilhen Foundation agree that improved student retention will fully fund the Center for Student Success when the gift expires in 2021.