When we asked some of our newest Wofford graduates to describe their experience in three words, most of them said it was impossible, but they did it anyway. Earlier in the semester, continuing their Wofford experience remotely for seven weeks seemed daunting and practically impossible as well, but, again, they did it anyway. These graduates — along with their classmates — may face a tough COVID-19 job market, but we have no doubt that they will conquer and prevail!
Turner Bryant
Chattanooga, Tenn.
Major: physics; Minors: business, mathematics
Bryant was accepted into every graduate school she applied to and has chosen to attend Cornell University to pursue a M.Eng. in Engineering Physics.
The Wofford experience in three words: challenging, rewarding, transformative.
Kern Kinley-Howard
Florence, S.C.
Majors: biology, sociology and anthropology
Kinley-Howard will be attending the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina.
The Wofford experience in three words: valuable, rewarding, transformative.
J.J. Smith
Spartanburg, S.C.
Major: physics
Smith and a classmate are starting their own business — LifeCycle Energy Solutions — to provide energy analysis to commercial properties.
The Wofford experience in three words: a life-changing challenge.
Megan Dempsey
Belo Horizonte, Brazil, and Travelers Rest, S.C.
Major: psychology with a concentration in neuroscience
Dempsey has begun medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
The Wofford experience in three words: adventure, challenge, spontaneity.
Nneka Mogbo
Douglasville, Ga.
Major: intercultural studies; Minors: Arabic, business, Francophone studies
Mogbo was selected as the recipient of a prestigious Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship to Algeria. Because of COVID-19, Fulbright has postponed the program until January 2021. Until then, she is living and working in Atlanta.
The Wofford experience in three words: community, adventure, creativity.
Jacob Haun
Simpsonville, S.C.
Majors: mathematics, philosophy
Haun has a graduate teaching assistantship at the University of Florida, where he will begin a master’s degree in philosophy.
The Wofford experience in three words: emboldening, invigorating, stimulating.
Jordan Hoerner
Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Major: accounting
Hoerner will begin a master’s degree in public accounting at Clemson University’s business school in Greenville. She also will be preparing for the CPA exam.
The Wofford experience in three words: family, focused, fun.
Nick Butler
North Augusta, S.C.
Major: physics; Minors: Francophone studies, mathematics
Butler has begun medical school at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston.
The Wofford experience in three words: formative, challenging, rewarding.
Liesel Rutland
Anderson, S.C.
Major: mathematics with a concentration in applied mathematics; Minor: computer science
Rutland has accepted a job as an implementation consultant at FAST Enterprises. She began a corporate training program in Centennial, Colo., in June and soon will find out where she will be located.
The Wofford experience in three words: adventurous, fulfilling, rewarding.
Luke Carter
Florence, S.C.
Major: history; Minor: government
Carter has been accepted into the University of South Carolina School of Law and will enroll in the fall.
The Wofford experience in three words: challenging, sincere, entertaining.
Regan Hood
Fort Mill, S.C.
Major: government with concentrations in Education and American politics
Hood has accepted a position to teach seventh-grade social studies and coach girls basketball at Carver Middle School in Spartanburg, S.C.
The Wofford experience in three words: rewarding, unforgettable, extraordinary.
Madison Paraskeva
Mount Pleasant, S.C.
Major: biology
Paraskeva was commissioned as a second lieutenant in May. She is pursuing a master’s degree in nursing while serving in the U.S. Army Reserve.
The Wofford experience in three words: challenging and eye-opening.
Sergio Sum Munoz
Saluda, S.C.
Major: computer science; Minors: accounting, finance
Munoz had multiple job offers, but as decided to begin work as a software engineer for Wells Fargo in Charlotte, N.C.
The Wofford experience in three words: rewarding, growth, opportunities.
Catie Cronister
Chicago, Ill.
Majors: biology and mathematics
Cronister will be attending the University of San Francisco to pursue a master’s degree in data science. She also will be a member of the university’s beach volleyball team.
The Wofford experience in three words: growth, joy, opportunity.
Zainab Bhagat
Irmo, S.C.
Major: finance; Minor: English
Bhagat will pursue a master’s degree in health administration at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the number one MHA program in the country. She plans to go into strategic planning for hospitals.
The Wofford experience in three words: life-changing, challenging, memorable.
Chandler Compton
Cedar Grove, N.C.
Majors: English, international affairs
Compton’s goal is to earn commission as a U.S. Marine Corps officer, and he has been accepted into the U.S. Marine Corps Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va.
The Wofford experience in three words: invigorating, enlightening, fulfilling.
Reeves Goettee
Summerville, S.C.
Majors: biology, environmental studies
Goettee will begin work as a naturalist with the Camp St. Christopher Barrier Island Program on Seabrook Island, S.C. She is looking forward to teaching classes on beach, dune, salt marsh and maritime forest ecosystems as well as herpetology, sharks, marine mammals, birding, orienteering and team building.
The Wofford experience in three words: defining, enriching, home.
Braden Tuttle
Fountain Inn, S.C.
Major: finance
In July, Tuttle begins working with Live Oak Bank in Wilmington, N.C.
The Wofford experience in three words: distinct, exuberant, powerful.
Lydia Estes
Carlisle, Pa.
Major: art history and Spanish
Estes has been selected to serve in the Peace Corps in Guatemala. The program is on hold through September and Estes’ assignment in subject to change but joining the Peace Corps remains her next step.
The Wofford experience in three words: heart-warming, life-defining, world-opening.
Caroline McWhorter
Summerville, S.C.
Major: biology with a concentration in medical humanities
McWhorter plans to attend the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston and serve as a medical officer in the U.S. Navy.
The Wofford experience in three words: memorable, motivational, fulfilling.
Carrie Ruff
Rutherfordton, N.C.
Majors: philosophy and government with a concentration in American politics
Ruff will begin law school at Campbell University in Raleigh, N.C., with plans to become an advocate for missing, exploited and abused children.
The Wofford experience in three words: inventive, distinctive, transformative.
Blake Morgan
St. John's, Fla.
Major: business economics
Morgan, a halfback for the Terriers, plans to continue to play football professionally.
The Wofford experience in three words: eye-opening, commitment, family.
Joshua Adams
Easley, S.C.
Major: government with a concentration in American politics; Minors: film and digital media, international affairs
Adams was married at the end of May and is relocating to the Charlotte, N.C., area, where he plans to pursue a career in communications and marketing. He had a job lined up, but the offer was rescinded because of COVID-19.
The Wofford experience in three words: eye-opening, transformative, unforgettable.
Abigail Albritton
Vestavia Hills, Ala.
Major: chemistry; Minor: economics
Albritton will spend the year working and gaining experience in the health care field while applying to medical school.
The Wofford experience in three words: family, growth, opportunity.
Fredy Madrid
San Pedro Sula, Honduras
Major: economics; Minor: Arabic
Madrid will be working with Gibbs International Inc. under the mentorship of Wofford trustee Jimmy Gibbs. He will be working around the country and abroad to help expand the company’s mission, vision and goals.
The Wofford experience in three words: blessing, service, extraordinary.
Grace Hollingsworth
Greenwood, S.C.
Major: biology with a concentration in medical humanities
Hollingsworth will be attending the University of South Carolina to earn a master's degree in genetic counseling.
The Wofford experience in three words: unforgettable, formative, enriching.
PHI BETA KAPPA ELECTEES FOR 2020
FROM THE CLASS OF 2019
Hayley Helen Younginer, English
Joshua Marion Adams, government
Abigail Claire Albritton, chemistry
Zainab Khuzem Bhagat, finance
Turner Elizabeth Bryant, physics
William Nicholas Butler, physics
Mariana Ozelle Carreno, Spanish
Owen Augustus Collars, biology
Chandler Pope Compton, English, international affairs
Catherine Taylor Cronister, biology, mathematics
Megan Caroline Dempsey, psychology
Lydia Evelyn Estes, art history, Spanish
Khalil Amar Gamble, theatre
Elizabeth Vaughan Harrell, government
David Waters Hickman, philosophy, history
Eli Aaron Horner, mathematics
Blake Michael Jeresaty, finance, economics
Emily Gyles Laney, Chinese, finance
Anna Christian Lyles, biology
Mikala Grace McBride, business economics
Sydney Marie McHugh, accounting, government
Fatima Abbas Mohammed, biology, Spanish
Kassidy Laurel Morton, mathematics, psychology
Kendall Beth Otto, biology
Samuel Victor Padula, mathematics
Ruhi Pranay Patel, chemistry, Spanish
Nathan V. Patnam, computer science
Liesel Noelle Rutland, mathematics
Leila Carmen Shearer, Spanish, psychology
Hawkins Stilwell Shepard, chemistry, history
Thomas Neville Stack, international affairs, history
Robert William Stout, biology
John Michael Matthews Sullivan, economics
Maite Mishel Velazquez-Hernandez, biology
Kendall Alexis Weaver, international affairs
Caroline Grace Wilson, mathematics
Leah Camastra Wilson, accounting, Spanish
by Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89