SWU historian reflects on past 100 years
Dr. Bob Black, religion professor and author, tells Southern Wesleyan University graduates about the institution’s challenges and triumphs, as President David Spittal looks on.
Southern Wesleyan University is the result of 100 years of people answering God’s call, the university’s commencement speaker said.
Southern Wesleyan University’s Dr. Bob Black, religion professor, addressed the graduates at the university’s two graduation ceremonies on May 6 at the main campus in Central. Black is the author of “How Firm a Foundation,” the 100-year history of Southern Wesleyan University, published in celebration of the institution’s centennial this year.
“In researching and writing the history of these past hundred years on this hill, I made friends with some fascinating people, many of them long dead. They are people I admire and respect, people to whom we all owe a great deal. They are the reason we are able to be here today. They are the reason for the success of this university,” Black said.
Tuition in 1906 was $1 per month for students in the lower grades and $2 per month for high school students and those in theological studies, Black said. From 29 students in 1906, the university has grown to more than 2,700 students statewide.
Black recounted a number of challenges the university has faced and conquered, including economic challenges and the Great Depression, the 1918 flu epidemic, World War II and a dormitory fire that killed two students.
“For 100 years God has sculpted something to His glory on this hill, something magnificent in its own quiet way,” Black said. “He has called and people have responded, whether that call was to ministry or business or medicine or law or education or psychology or science, no matter the obstacles, no matter the challenges, so long as it honored Him. May it ever be so, Centennial Class of 2006. May it ever be so in your lives as well.”
Black has been a member of the university faculty since August 1986, serving as religion division chair for 10 years. He is a 1967 graduate of what was then Central Wesleyan College (now Southern Wesleyan University).
He also holds an M.Div. degree from Asbury Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Church History from Union Theological Seminary in Virginia. Black is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church and a member of the denomination’s General Board.
Southern Wesleyan University President David Spittal presented a citation to Black on behalf of Southern Wesleyan University, in recognition of Black’s service to the university. In honor of the university’s centennial, each graduate received a copy of Black’s book, “How Firm a Foundation.”
The university had two separate graduation ceremonies May 6 at Walden Tysinger Gymnasium. The 10 a.m. ceremony was for graduating students from the university’s Central and Greenville locations earning associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, and for students from all locations earning Master of Science or Master of Business Administration degrees. The 3 p.m. ceremony was for students from the university’s Charleston, Columbia and North Augusta locations earning associate’s and bachelor’s degrees, as well as for students from all locations earning Master of Education or Master of Ministry degrees.
The university conferred approximately 385 degrees, according to Registrar Rock McCaskill.
Southern Wesleyan University graduates included:
In South Carolina:
Abbeville
Beatrice Ophelia Smith Coleman, Master of Ministry; Jeanette E. Ellis, Master of Education; Lynn Campbell Grice, Master of Education; Joni Moss McCaslan, Master of Education; and Deborah Gail Sanders, Master of Education.
Aiken
Christopher Cady, Bachelor of Science in Management; Shedrick Maurice Frazier, Master of Science in Management; Tamara Sumner O’Brien, Master of Education; Stephen T. Boan, Bachelor of Science in Management; Sandra Kay Fail, Bachelor of Science in Management; James P. Ferguson, Associate of Science in Business; Kerry T. Green, Associate of Science in Business; Victoria Griffin-Patterson, Bachelor of Science in Management; Dorothy M. Kitchings-Pope, Master of Science in Management; Patti G. Walker, Bachelor of Science in Management; and Kathleen Elaine Mooneyham Cook, Master of Science in Management.
Anderson
Johnny E. Maddox, Master of Business Administration; Randall Evans Tatham, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Jermaine Donzel Thompson, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and Kim Thanh Garrison, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Barnwell
Sherry Elaine Hutson, Bachelor of Science in Management.
Beech Island
Angela W. Turner, Associate of Science in Business.
Belton
Catherine Kilb, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Bonneau
Patricia Gayneil Mazyck-Grant, Bachelor of Science in Management.
Boykin
Aimee Kornegay Nelson, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Campobello
Joan Marie Goodman, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Cayce
Brittani Marissa Geddings, Master of Education; and Jonica L. Rhodes, Master of Science in Management.
Central
Amy Lauren Beauchamp, Master of Education; Laura Danielle Hollingsworth, Bachelor of Science in Special Education/Learning Disabled; Hajime Kato, Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science; Matthew Alan Landis, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration; Angela D. Lewis, Associate of Science in Business; Chad Edward Peters, Master of Science in Management; Amy Rebekah Phillippe, Bachelor of Science in Sports Management; Marla Thomas Rhoads, Master of Education; and Janice Lucretia Young, Master of Education.
Chapin
Kelley deForest Garick-Kelly, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Charleston
Shelly Fansher Rucker, Master of Education; Deboria D. Gourdine, Master of Science in Management; Linda S. Donaldson, Bachelor of Science in Management; Erica Lynn Schuler, Master of Education; Julia Harris Shaddrix, Master of Education; Kelly Stone Doppke, Master of Education; Deborah Jenkins Harrison, Bachelor of Science in Management; Randolph Litmon, Bachelor of Science in Management; Rhonda R. Morris, Master of Education; Diana Lee Walsh, Master of Education; Gwendolyn Lolita Whaley, Associate of Science in Business; Leonard Thomas Perry, Bachelor of Science in Management; Irene Morrison Whaley, Master of Science in Management; and Lovie Simmons Howell, Master of Science in Management.
Columbia
Stefanie Diane Ervin, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Amanda Elaine Leach, Master of Education; Samuel Bonsu, Master of Science in Management; Leslie D. Glenn, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Walletta Tyron Moore, Master of Education; Jennifer Sargent, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Wendy Nascimento Dew, Master of Education; Christine B. Brown, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Laurie L. Comfort, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Bridget Latrina Davis, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Willian Shubrick-Davis, Master of Science in Management; Richarde Eldred Campbell, Master of Science in Management; Dora Cecilia Devarié, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Richard W. Shivers, Master of Education; Lester Edwin Crosby, Jr., Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Kathleen Palmer Moore, Master of Science in Management; Kelvin Wallace Woods, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Nathalie Rene Brown, Master of Science in Management; Amy Calvert Jones, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Juliet D. Hollin, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Angelica Alcira Miller, Master of Education; and Alison W. String, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Clinton
Linda C. Ficklin, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and Audrey Samples, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Clover
Dana E. Jackson, Master of Education.
Cross Hill
Rachel A. Counts, Master of Education.
Darlington
Bob Floyd, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and Kathryn Ellen Galloway, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Duncan
Donald Keith Henerey, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and Nathan Peter Zdunich, Master of Business Administration.
Easley
Candice M. Medlin, Associate of Science in Business; Michelle Lee McLellan Hydrick, Master of Education; Toshia Leisten, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Valerie Dawn McCall, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; S. Travis Simmons, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; James Kevin Woody, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Steven L. Evans, Master of Science in Management; Andrew Scott Holliday, Bachelor of Science in Special Education/Learning Disabled; Gerri Lynnette Plain, Master of Science in Management; and Troy A. Plumer, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Edgefield
Lindie L. Warren, Bachelor of Science in Management.
Elgin
Tracy L. Henry, Master of Education.
Gaston
Sandra E. Samuel, Associate of Science in Business.
Gilbert
William Martin Davis, Master of Education.
Gloverville
Jonette Marie Kramer, Bachelor of Science in Management.
Goose Creek
Elinor Faye Holmes Coaxum, Master of Education; Angela G. Katsilianos, Master of Education; Marco Valdez, Bachelor of Science in Management; and Christopher O. Wolf, Bachelor of Science in Management.
Graniteville
Bobby R. James, Sr., Bachelor of Science in Management; and Sherry R. Phillips, Master of Education.
Greenville
Quintella Trene Childs, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Sonya Yvette Johnson, Master of Business Administration; Nancye Blackwell Rush, Master of Business Administration; Claire E. Teamer, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Chastity B. Byrd, Associate of Science in Business; Curtis Hearn, Master of Business Administration; Alfreda T. Lindsay, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Vickie Leonard Willis, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Barbara Elaine Freeland, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and David Dan Reaney, Master of Business Administration.
Greenwood
Jennifer Goldman Byrd, Master of Education; Jamie Leigh Collins, Master of Education; Twany Elaine Edwards, Associate of Science in Business; Kelly R. Banks, Master of Education; Theresa Lynne Jaeger, Master of Education; Houston Cagle Matthews, Master of Science in Management; June Lyon Miner, Master of Education; and Susan Skinner Schlomer, Master of Education.
Greer
Philip Earl Phillips, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Kathryn Smith Rollins, Master of Business Administration; William Heyward Burr, Master of Business Administration; Fred A. Fuller, Associate of Science in Business; Audrey C. Goode, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Brandon Eugene Gray, Master of Business Administration; and Wanda Faye Maxey, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Hodges
Denise Nichole Giannetti, Master of Science in Management; and Kimberly W. McKenna, Master of Education.
Honea Path
Nora Gail Johnson, Master of Education; and Dawn Elgin Lowe, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Hopkins
Lisa L. Burden, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Valerie Ann Morris, Associate of Science in Business; and Selena Turner Suber, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Irmo
Jeremy T. Caraway, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; James Edward Connor, Master of Business Administration; Shaun Farrell Jacques, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Gloria Butler Montgomery, Master of Science in Management; Joan Paige, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Tammy S. Rings, Master of Education; and Audrey L. Williamson, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Johns Island
Annette Brown Stoney, Bachelor of Science in Management; and Avaney F. Scott, Bachelor of Science in Management.
Ladson
Eric Gent Groh, Bachelor of Science in Management; Mark Arthur Haught, Master of Education; Linda Kay Straight, Bachelor of Science in Management; Ericka R. Taylor, Bachelor of Science in Management; and Helen Powell Taylor, Master of Education.
Landrum
Timothy David Stokes, Master of Science in Management.
Laurens
Charles Lindberg (Trey) Bentley III, Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science; Kristyn Dees, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; and Cynthia D. Todd, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Leesville
Kay M. Derrick, Master of Education; and Bridget Risinger Miles, Master of Education.
Lexington
Sarah K. Burkett, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; June Railey Collins, Master of Education; Kayla N. Eskew, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Amanda R. Gillis, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Sylvette L. McDaniels, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Chrystie Alese Singleton, Master of Education; Jill Reh Truett, Master of Education; Kathy Jean Whisenhunt, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; DeWanda Michelle Dubard, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Marvin Haygood, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and Rodney Dwight Watters, Master of Science in Management.
Liberty
Matthew L. Haan, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Norma Jean Booth, Associate of Science in Business; Andrea Starr Gillespie, Master of Education; and Anthony Nathaniel Swords, Bachelor of Science in Physical Education.
Lyman
Patrick Blake Barbare, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Mauldin
Justin Jacques Mizanin, Master of Business Administration (degree presented posthumously); Gwendolyn Wright, Associate of Science in Business.
Moncks Corner
Joel Kinney Crawford, Master of Science in Management; Amy Michelle Gordon Guerry, Master of Education; and Eunice J. Stanton, Bachelor of Science in Management.
Monetta
John P. Toole, Bachelor of Science in Management.
Moore
Timothy Allen McKinney, Master of Business Administration.
Mountain Rest
Carolyn Sanders Barnes, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Newberry
Kaye Sellers Braswell, Master of Education; Deborah Lynn Moore, Master of Education; Karen Stone, Master of Education; and Peggy Ward Wilson, Master of Education.
North Augusta
Dee Dee Kurilla, Bachelor of Science in Management; Cynthia A. Blocker, Associate of Science in Business; Kelly A. Boyd, Bachelor of Science in Management; Christin “Looy” Eubanks, Bachelor of Arts in Religion; Amber Nicole May, Bachelor of Arts in History; Latonya B. Robinson, Bachelor of Science in Management; Daryl John Smoldt, Master of Science in Management; Jean Chaplin Timmons, Bachelor of Science in Management; Carol Merridith Williams-Davis, Master of Science in Management; Rachel E. Heaton, Master of Education; and Rosa Jenkins Gilmore, Master of Science in Management.
North Charleston
Terry L. Hughes, Master of Science in Management; Nicole M. Mayo, Associate of Science in Business; Carl Alexander Calvert, Master of Education; Althea Yolanda Cobbs, Associate of Science in Business; Shantae Cemon Gilliard, Master of Education; Lynette Renaee Jaques, Master of Science in Management; Karen Ophelia Lewis, Master of Education; Justin Thomas Maner, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Rosalee Ragin, Master of Science in Management; Yolanda D. Waring, Master of Science in Management; Shana Wilson Anderson, Bachelor of Science in Management; LuShanna Denise Brewington, Master of Science in Management; Aileen M. Cromwell, Bachelor of Science in Management; Robert L. Perrineau, Jr., Master of Education; LaShawna M. Rivers, Master of Education; and Alan V. Smith, Master of Education.
Orangeburg
James Philip Adams, Bachelor of Arts in English; Christa Prioleau-Murdaugh, Master of Education; Cherneé Dickey, Master of Business Administration; and Willie Harrison, Master of Science in Management.
Pendleton
Melissa Jean Mitchell, Associate of Science in Business.
Pickens
Joel Edward Allgood, Jr., Bachelor of Science in Church Music; Kimberly Kay Byers, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Rebecca Ruth Clark, Bachelor of Science in Accounting; Anne Case LaBoon, Master of Education; Kathy L. Littleton, Master of Education; and Mary S. Spearman, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Piedmont
Mary Heather Fain, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Dusti Hiles Gossett, Master of Education; Elaine M. Greggs, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Tonya M. Johnson, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; and Michael Wayne Shirley, Associate of Science in Business.
Pineville
Jeannie Coulter-Jefferson, Master of Education.
Plum Branch
Justin Christopher Williams, Bachelor of Science in Recreation.
Prosperity
Jennifer L. Banks, Master of Education; and LaShonda W. Sweetenburg, Master of Education.
Rembert
Herbert O. Dew, Jr., Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Ridgeville
Jennifer A. Zullo, Master of Education.
Santee
Amanda Faye Fogle, Master of Science in Management.
Seneca
Ammar S. Al-Najjar, Master of Science in Management; Tonja L. Al-Najjar, Master of Science in Management; Betty R. Padgett, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Graham C. Sluder, Master of Science in Management; Jessica Burrell, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Lori A. Nicholson, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Lora D. Roth, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Andreanna A. Temple, Master of Science in Management; and William A. Seay, Associate of Science in Business.
Simpsonville
Dorothy Graus, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Willie Earl Nesbitt, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Thomas Michael Arnold, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Pamela Vaughn Gilstrap, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Jose L. Giocamea, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Sammy David Rice III, Master of Science in Management; Melissa Rivera, Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education; Kevin Andrew Turner, Master of Business Administration; Timothy R. Turner, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Deborah L. Vance, Master of Business Administration; and Thomas Eugene Weathers, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Six Mile
James Phillip Bowers, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Spartanburg
Lisa C. Davis, Master of Science in Management.
Summerville
Joe R. House, Bachelor of Science in Management; Michelle Syvette Lawrence, Master of Science in Management; Michael E. McAvoy, Bachelor of Science in Management; Jean Gifford Huber, Master of Education; Dawn L. Johnson, Bachelor of Science in Management; Christina Julia Robes, Master of Science in Management; and Noreen M. Urko, Master of Science in Management.
Travelers Rest
Susan A. Belk, Associate of Science in Business.
Trenton
Carolyn Penny Icenhour, Bachelor of Science in Management.
Walhalla
Carrie Blair Partin, Bachelor of Science in Physical Education.
Walterboro
Andrea R. Fryar, Master of Education.
Ward
Tamra S. McCormack, Master of Education.
Ware Shoals
Ashley Shae Anderson Campbell, Master of Education.
West Columbia
Sarah E. Johnson, Master of Science in Management; Lisa Nicole Riley, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Linda Holladay Cleckler, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; Alva Reese Cox Jr., Associate of Science in Business; and Dee Branham, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
West Union
Melissa Kay Danielson, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; and Amy Colleen Black Griffin, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Westminster
Tammy Bramlett, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education; Susan Gainor, Master of Education; Kyle Nathan Keasler, Bachelor of Science in Special Education/Learning Disabled; Stephanie Grace McLees, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and Bryan A. Trostel, Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
Williamston
Alicia Nicole Long, Bachelor of Science in Applied Computer Science.
Winnsboro
Melanie LaTrisa Miller, Master of Education; Charmaine L. Smith-Gadson, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration; and Albertha Woodard, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
In North Carolina:
Asheboro
Katie Lynn Holcombe, Bachelor of Arts in Specialized Major.
Bessemer City
Elizabeth Jo Dennis, Bachelor of Arts in Religion.
Beulaville
Lindsay Carol Rogers, Bachelor of Arts in Specialized Major.
Brevard
Buford Marlin Mull, Jr., Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Denton
Rebecca Leeann Rickard, Bachelor of Science in Psychology; and Sarah Lain Towery, Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
Denver
Ashlee Marie Houser, Bachelor of Science in Biology.
Eden
Matthew James Smith, Master of Ministry.
Harrisburg
Steven Michael Covington, Master of Ministry.
Holly Springs
Bryana Renee King, Bachelor of Arts in Religion; and Tiffany Danielle King, Bachelor of Arts in Religion.
Huntersville
April Sage Branch, Bachelor of Science in Management.
Lincolnton
Elizabeth N. Payseur, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Pisgah Forest
Scott Edward Bryson, Bachelor of Science in Music Education.
Ramseur
Stephanie Dawn Hornback, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Thomasville
Melissa Dawn Carroll, Bachelor of Science in Special Education/Learning Disabled; and Benjamin Overcash, Bachelor of Arts in Religion.
Winston Salem
Nathan Alexander Clodfelter, Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
In Alabama:
Birmingham
Nathan Travis Moore, Bachelor of Arts in English.
Huntsville
Megan Ruth Ziegler, Bachelor of Science in Sports Management.
Northport
Emily Germain, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
In Florida:
Daytona Beach Shores
Valerie Marquetté Shannon, Master of Science in Management.
Orange Park
Caitlin Hennessy Murphy, Bachelor of Arts in English.
In Indiana:
Carmel
Erin Elizabeth Woodbury, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Cedar Lake
Heather Nicole Cravens, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Fairmount
Amanda M. Strasser, Bachelor of Arts in Specialized Major.
In Georgia:
Augusta
Rachelle N. Edwards, Master of Education; Annette Michelle Hartfield, Bachelor of Science in Management; Sulestine Skinner-Levine, Master of Science in Management; Sandra Gail Green, Bachelor of Science in Management; Marcy M. McDonald, Bachelor of Science in Management; Angela Hope Swain, Bachelor of Science in Management; Gloria Dean Wesby, Master of Science in Management; and Della Hughes, Master of Science in Management.
Conyers
Lauren Elizabeth Hughey, Bachelor of Arts in English.
Evans
Jessica Holt Bennefield, Bachelor of Science in Management; Michael Moses, Associate of Science in Business; Rina Segneri Powell, Associate of Science in Business; and Karl D. Tesch, Master of Science in Management.
Grovetown
Tammy T. Ramsey, Master of Science in Management.
Harlem
Willie Lee, Jr, Master of Science in Management.
Hephzibah
Charlene Burnett, Bachelor of Science in Management; Ruby Annette Cooke, Associate of Science in Business; Tina Levon Fletcher, Bachelor of Science in Management; Carol D. Sabatino, Master of Science in Management; and Nathaniel Underwood, Master of Science in Management.
Lawrenceville
Samuel Jonathan Tesh , Bachelor of Arts in Religion .
Macon
Misty Doherty, Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.
Martinez
Teresa A. Barnes, Master of Education; Gerald Lee House, Master of Science in Management; and Ruthanne Gatto Tau, Master of Education.
In New York:
Baldwinsville
Ruth Ann Russell, Bachelor of Arts in Religion.
Syracuse
Connitha L. Baugh, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
In Virginia:
Springfield
Roscoe Johnson III, Bachelor of Arts in English.
In Canada:
New Brunswick
Hanwell
Megan Rae Woodworth, Bachelor of Arts in Music.
Nova Scotia
Amherst
Brian David Black, Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
Baddeck
Peter Campbell, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.