The college’s alumni network continues to give students a leg up when it comes to career and professional mentoring and connections. These examples show why it’s great to be and know Terriers.
A launching point
Cornett gains real-world experience at local wealth management firm
By Trevor Anderson
In February, Samuel Cornett ’26, a finance major from Nicholasville, Kentucky, decided to seek summer internship opportunities near Wofford College’s campus. He searched “wealth management” and found 1670 Wealth Management among the top results.
“I wanted real-world experience, and, with my summer football schedule, I was looking for something in the area” says Cornett, a quarterback for the Terriers and member of the student-managed James-Atkins Investment Fund. “They were only about a mile from campus, so I sent them an email.”
It was a Friday evening when Cornett’s email arrived. Jeremy Bishop ’03 and Brent Babb, the firm’s managing partners, were getting ready to head out the door.
“It literally came in out of the blue,” says Bishop, a Spartanburg native who received a bachelor’s degree in government from Wofford. Bishop worked for Wachovia Securities and Wells Fargo Advisors before starting 1670 Wealth Management with Babb two years ago.
Babb’s eldest daughter, Olivia Babb ’24, graduated from Wofford in May.
Bishop and Babb had recently discussed the possibility of hiring an intern or recent college graduate to mentor and help lighten the load.
“We want to grow the business, and I knew there was no way Samuel could have known that we were having those conversations,” Bishop says. “I emailed him back quickly and let him know that we’d like to talk to him.”
Cornett met with the partners to discuss the opportunity, and things progressed from there. His first day was May 28, and he will complete the internship in mid-July.
“I knew it would be a great job because I wouldn’t be stuck in a backroom doing menial tasks,” Cornett says. “I’ve learned a lot in just a couple of weeks — how to interact with clients and how important it is to build relationships. I’m sitting in on client meetings and things like that. It’s very cool.”
Bishop says the firm specializes in comprehensive financial planning for local clients and their families. He and Babb guide them through significant life events like managing estates, selling family businesses and retirement planning.
Both partners are impressed with how quickly Cornett is catching on.
“I hate to use a football metaphor here, but he has taken the ball and run with it,” Bishop says. “He’s done research on some of our existing model portfolios. He identified several different investment holdings that we may want to take a closer look at. He’s getting a good taste of the day-to-day operations.”
Cornett says he is applying some of his classroom experiences to the internship, including his work on artificial intelligence models.
“We’ve learned a few things from him,” Bishop says. “He’s sharp and has a really good attitude as well as a great work ethic. Hopefully, this will give him a launching point to wherever his career eventually takes him.”
In addition to his major in finance, Cornett is adding a minor in business and government because he wants to know how politics impact capital markets. He hopes to eventually work as a fund manager or to own a mutual or hedge fund.
“I just love to learn,” Cornett says. “It has been awesome getting to work closely with Jeremy and Brent. The access they’ve given me and the opportunities I’ve had to put what I’ve learned at Wofford use have been amazing. I don’t think I would have had those same experiences anywhere else.”
Second time around
Wofford grad guides Terriers to legal connections
By Abigail Fuentes ’26
This summer, two Wofford students have picked up where they left off last summer.
Clayton Hixon ’26, a government major from Jackson, Georgia, and Julio Del Jesus ’25, a government major from Kissimmee, Florida, are back in the courthouse with the Hon. Timothy Madden ’85, continuing their legal internship with the 13th Judicial Circuit in Greenville, South Carolina.
Last summer’s internship enabled Hixon and Del Jesus to learn various components of law and how they interconnect. This year, they are making connections by visiting courthouses across the state, learning about different specialties in law, meeting with lawyers and networking in the legal community.
Madden, a family court judge, has also taken the students to visit the University of South Carolina’s Joseph F. Rice School of Law, where he completed his Juris Doctor degree.
“Judge Madden always goes out of his way to put us in a position to meet new people and give us connections for the future,” Hixon says. “My biggest challenge has been putting myself out there. This summer, I’ve gained more confidence in that area, which will serve me well in my future legal career.”
“Judge Madden makes sure we never leave a new courthouse as strangers,” Del Jesus agrees.
Madden believes he has a duty and an obligation to give back to his alma mater. But it’s more than that, he says. Providing Wofford students with internships is one way he stays plugged in as an active alumnus and member of the college’s board of trustees.
The students and their mentor say they’ve benefitted from working together. Madden says the experience continues to reaffirm his pride in Wofford and highlights the value of a liberal arts education.
“It is no surprise, but the feedback I have received from everyone who has met our students has been nothing but glowing praise,” he says.
Making waves
Bland and Renken connect at Sea Fox Boats in Charleston
By Ellie Norman ’25
A chance connection with a Wofford alumna has led to a dream internship for Marlee Bland ’25, a finance major from Charleston, South Carolina.
Bland is spending her second summer at Sea Fox Boat Company, based in Charleston, honing her skills under the guidance of Tanner Renken ’19, director of IT and marketing and fourth-generation leader of the family-owned company.
After contacting Sea Fox about a potential internship last summer, Bland landed the opportunity and connected with Renken.
“Being born in the Lowcountry and having been surrounded by boats my whole life, I have always wanted to pursue a career in the boating industry,” Bland says. “Wofford’s emphasis on networking motivated me to reach out to Sea Fox.”
As an intern, Bland has contributed to marketing campaigns and conducted research to identify trends and insights. She also manages and analyzes the performance of Sea Fox’s digital marketing initiatives.
“Marlee was a tremendous help last summer with planning our annual dealer meeting,” says Renken, who completed her bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in computer science from Wofford. “I handed her a pink bedazzled radio and threw her right in. She accepted the challenge and excelled in helping organize a week of business meetings, social events and a photoshoot of 12 boats. When she asked to return for a second summer, it was an easy decision. … I have no doubt she will excel after graduating from Wofford.”
Bland praises Renken, also a Charleston native, as an outstanding teacher and mentor.
“Tanner consistently offers support and guidance,” Bland says. “Sharing a Wofford bond has helped us build a strong professional relationship.”
She credits Wofford for preparing her for real-world challenges.
“Wofford’s classes challenge students to reach their full potential,” Bland says. “That experience has enabled me to thrive in this internship.”
One connection leads to another
Gammah interns with Wofford graduates at the Adult Learning Center
By Hannah Kelley ’26
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.”
A knack for numbers
Davis pursues CPA dream with Forvis Mazars internship
By Elaina Valente ’26
Alexandra Davis ’25 is exploring her passion for accounting this summer through an internship with Kaitlyn Cockcroft ’15, senior manager at Forvis Mazars in Greenville, South Carolina.
Davis, an accounting major from Blythewood, South Carolina, is gaining practical experience for becoming a Certified Public Accountant. She also is playing to her strengths.
“I have always had a knack for numbers,” Davis says. “I fell in love with accounting after taking Professor Lillian Gonzalez’s Accounting 211 class my second year at Wofford. That’s when I realized it was something I enjoyed and really wanted to do.”
Forvis Mazars’ Greenville office offers audit, tax and consulting services to clients in various industries, including financial services, construction, real estate, manufacturing and distribution, as well as the nonprofit sector.
With Cockcroft’s mentorship, Davis is learning skills to bolster her professionalism and technical proficiencies, as well as best practices for customer service and networking.
Davis also is learning from other coaches in the firm, including Chandler McCall ’16, a tax manager. Additionally, other interns like Taylor Pirttima ’24 are adding to Davis’ learning experience.
Cockcroft calls Davis a quick study.
“Alexandra has a great work ethic,” says Cockcroft, who completed her bachelor’s degree in Chinese at Wofford. “We always enjoy when Terriers intern with us because they are so driven and stand out among their peers.”
It’s all part of the comprehensive Wofford support system. Relatedly, Davis is thankful that Ben Cartwright, assistant professor of accounting at Wofford, encouraged her to apply. She says Cartwright keeps students informed about opportunities to network with alumni. Davis participated in a Meet the Firms event at Wofford. That’s where she met Cockcroft, who remembered Cartwright from his previous work with the firm.
Davis credits the Wofford accounting department – and especially Gonzalez ’91 – for preparing her to excel in the internship and beyond.
“I thought she was so amazing, and now she is my advisor and the person I talk to about everything,” Davis says of Gonzalez. “She helped me discover that accounting is what I want to do.”
Persistence pays off
Runyans carves path to volunteer internship in genetics
By Katie Kirk ’25
Maddie Grace Runyans ’25 knew she wanted to pursue genetics.
Seeking hands-on experience, Runyans, a biology major from Laurens, South Carolina, applied for an internship at Greenwood Genetic Center in Greenwood, South Carolina.
Initially, things didn’t go according to her plans – she wasn’t selected.
“It wasn’t that people didn’t look at her credentials,” says Dr. Mike Friez, director of GGC’s diagnostic laboratories. “We just received a lot of applications.”
Runyans didn’t give up. She reached out to Dr. Steve Skinner ’76, GGC’s president and CEO. Skinner connected her with Friez, which led to an opportunity for Runyans to work as a volunteer intern this summer.
“She was persistent … and it has turned out to be a really good thing,” Friez says.
GGC is a nonprofit institute that conducts research and offers clinical genetic services, diagnostic laboratory testing and educational programs.
Runyans examines scientific articles on DNA methylation and studies variant and interpretation guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics. She assists in examining patient data and suggesting diagnoses. Occasionally, Runyans sits in during patient consultations.
“A lot of the questions she asks, I don’t have an answer to,” Friez says. “Whatever I ask her to do, she dives in headfirst. She’s not interested in the superficial information. She wants to know the details.”
Runyans says the experience has deepened her interest in the field.
“Genetics is incredibly intriguing,” she says. “It also involves working with patients and helping them improve their quality of life based on their diagnoses.”