The past four years have been a challenge. Wofford College, like other colleges and universities across the nation, has navigated a pandemic, shifting societal paradigms, political division, preparation for the enrollment cliff, delays and complications with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, supply chain issues and rising costs. The college has been buffeted by the winds of change. Yet, the words of Professor Kenneth D. Coates, printed by the Spartanburg Herald-Journal on the college’s centennial in 1954, still ring true: “Somehow, in spite of all the complexities, the individual student still manages to come in contact with the individual teacher.” Coates goes on to say that students graduate and “by deeds and words” make professors “remembered for good intentions, and the college respected for the quality of its workmanship.”
This series of ads, which ran in the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate, were designed to show that Wofford continues to be informed by its mission and core values. The college has always stood and will continue to stand for collaborative teaching and learning, freedom of inquiry, academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, integrity, community and global engagement, diversity and inclusiveness, and sustainability.
Where thought leads. TO BUSINESS ETHICS.
Dr. Philip Swicegood
R. Michael James Family Professor of Finance
Jackson Pell ’23
Finance and accounting graduate
Pell is a financial analyst for Johnson Development Associates in Spartanburg. He was the managing partner of the student-managed James-Atkins Investment Fund.
“I spent hours each week talking with Dr. Swicegood,” says Pell. “Sometimes it was about class, sometimes about the James Fund, sometimes about something completely abstract.”
Swicegood is chair of the Department of Accounting, Business and Finance. He’s also advisor to the James- Atkins Fund. Swicegood has an open door policy that Pell and many others have taken advantage of over the years. “Jackson always has ideas ... good ideas!” says Swicegood.
Where thought leads. TO ENLIGHTENMENT.
Dr. Deidra A. Coleman
Associate professor of mathematics
Godwins Tuyishime ’24
Biology major with a mathematics minor and a concentration in data science from Charleston, S.C.
Tuyishime met Coleman in an introductory statistics class during his first year at Wofford. He became a member of her summer research team as a sophomore and spent his junior summer with a bioinformatics company.
“Dr. Coleman is the reason I’m planning to pursue graduate study and a career in data science. She empowers us to work through challenges, which promotes individual growth,” says Tuyishime.
“Godwins asks good questions and pushes me in ways that make me proud as a professor,” says Coleman.
Where thought leads. TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL.
Kai Beckett ’25
Psychology and Spanish double major from Lawrenceville, Ga.
Nadia Ferguson ’25
Chemistry major from Spartanburg, S.C.
Earth Patel ’25
Computer science major from Spartanburg, S.C.
Taylor Fuller ’24
Biology major from Roebuck S.C.
Dr. Lisa Cantwell
Visiting assistant professor of biology
In spring 2022, Taylor Fuller ’24 recognized the need for a space uniting minority STEM students at Wofford. Discussion with Dr. Lisa Cantwell evolved into a vision for Minorities in STEM, an organization dedicated to fostering opportunities and building a supportive network.
“My goal is to empower students, help them realize their potential and make lasting contributions to the campus and Spartanburg communities,” says Cantwell.
Where thought leads. TO PROBLEM SOLVING.
Dr. Aaron Garrett
Associate professor of computer science and chair of the department
John Wetmore ’25
Computer science major from St. Petersburg. Fla.
Where thought leads. TO ACCESSIBILITY.
Anneka Brannon ’27
Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Fine Arts Scholar Gateway Scholar Humanities and theatre double major from Spartanburg, S.C.
Dr. Mark Ferguson ’94
Professor of theatre and T.R. Garrison
Chair of Humanities
Laila Villeda ’26
Golden Door Scholar
Finance and French double major from Cumming, Ga.
Villeda and Brannon are part of the college’s first Experience Wofford cohort, led by Ferguson. Villeda’s project involved helping undocumented youth navigate the education system. Brannon will be working this summer to bring American Sign Language theatre to the stage for people who are deaf and hard of hearing.
“I’ve always had big ideas, but not always the means,” says Brannon. “Experience Wofford is changing that!”
Where thought leads. TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL GENERATIONS.
Emily Lang ’23
Psychology graduate
Dr. Kara Bopp
Professor of psychology
While a student, Emily Lang ’23 forged a dynamic partnership with psychology professor Dr. Kara Bopp, igniting Lang’s pursuit of a master’s degree in gerontology. Together, they are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults in the Upstate through advocacy, research and lifelong learning initiatives.
“Transitioning from psychology to gerontology wasn’t just a career change for me; it was a personal commitment to understanding and advocating for the needs of older adults. Every interaction enriches my journey,” says Lang.
“Collaborating with Emily opened new avenues of understanding,” says Bopp. “From our work at Lifelong Learning at Wofford to our research projects, she’s been instrumental in reshaping perspectives on older adults.”
Where thought leads. TO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
Dr. Christine Dinkins
William R. Kenan Jr. Professor of Philosophy
Samantha Carter ’24
Waxhaw, N.C.
Nate Hopkins ’26
Greenville, S.C.
Dr. Laura Barbas Rhoden
Professor of Spanish
Sam Stuckey ’26
Hemingway, S.C.
Dr. Laura Barbas Rhoden and Dr. Christine Dinkins have been mentoring student researchers at Wofford for more than two decades. Sam, Nate and Samantha are a few of the students who have benefited from learning research methods and conducting publicly engaged research.
“Working with students is rewarding because we learn from their perspectives,” says Dinkins. “It’s also likely that students will use what they learn to build up the community or in their careers, and that’s exciting.”
Where thought leads. TO CROSS-CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING
Dr. Youness Mountaki
Associate professor of Arabic
Simon Holland ’25
International affairs major, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Columbia, S.C.
Holland spent the summer of 2023 studying in Jordan, honing his Arabic language skills and fostering an appreciation for another culture.
“I thought it was going to be so different, but really it’s so similar,” says Holland. “People in Jordan go to work and take their families out to eat and to the movies. They go to the mall. A lot more unites us than separates us.”
“Simon does a great job of thinking globally and acting locally,” says Dr. Mountaki.
Where thought leads. TO A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT.
Nadia Ferguson ’25
Chemistry major from Spartanburg, S.C.
Dr. Bria Harper
Assistant professor of English
Where thought leads. TO PEACE FROM CONFLICT.
The Rev. Dr. Ron Robinson ’78, Perkins-Prothro Chaplain and professor of religion, and his peace and conflict class.
“We have challenging conversations, and we role-play, becoming different people with real backgrounds and stories. I want our students to not just think about these issues, but also attempt to feel what the people in areas of conflict feel,” says Robinson.
WHY DID STUDENTS TAKE THE CLASS?
“I knew it was tied to current events, and I wanted to be more informed.”
“To be exposed to new and different perspectives.” “Because I heard Rev. Ron was great, and I wanted to take one of his classes.”