Joel Gammah ’26, a computer science major from Ghana, made a Terrier connection that led to a transformative summer internship thanks to a conversation with Wofford College President Nayef Samhat.
In the spring Gammah was on the guest list for a dinner for international students at the President’s Home hosted by Nayef and Prema Samhat. During a conversation with the president, Gammah shared stories of his work as a Bonner Scholar at the Adult Learning Center in Spartanburg. Samhat immediately texted Bill Brasington ’89, executive director of the Adult Learning Center, to expand the connection.
“I heard from President Samhat the next day through an email introducing me to Bill Brasington,” says Gammah, who had met briefly Brasington but had never really connected. “Once President Samhat opened the door, we planned to meet.”
According to Brasington, the meeting with Gammah exceeded every expectation. “I’m so glad Nayef encouraged us to make a deeper connection,” says Brasington. “Joel is so smart and positive. He’s been a great volunteer, so we offered him a paid internship teaching international students this summer at the Adult Learning Center.”
At the ALC, Gammah also met Jayme Lee Smith ’99, who’s a program manager with the non-profit organization that offers GED, English for Speakers of Others Languages and basic literacy classes for Spartanburg’s adult learners.
And the connections continue to grow.
“It’s funny how Mr. Brasington did the same thing that Dr. Samhat originally did for me,” Gammah says. Gammah is also a data analyst intern with Strategic Spartanburg.
“That’s one of the things about Wofford,” says Brasington. “One connection leads to another … and another. It makes me proud to be a Terrier.”
Gammah discovered the Adult Learning Center during his first year at Wofford. He was looking for an organization to serve his Bonner Scholar commitment, and other Bonner Scholarship who volunteered with the ALC made the recommendation. Now he’s teaching his own beginner-level English classes, tutoring and supporting administrative tasks as well.
“Joel’s students adore him,” says Smith. “He is a true asset to the ALC, to Wofford and the Spartanburg community.”