“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.â€
2 Timothy 1:7
SWU celebrates spring graduates
SWU President Todd Voss congratulates graduates at Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center during the May 10 commencement ceremony. Approximately 278 students received their degrees during two ceremonies: a May 9 ceremony for traditional graduates, and a May 10 ceremony for graduates of the adult evening program from the Central campus and all learning centers across the state. Beverly Patnaik, a SWU alumna and academic director of the School of TransformAging at Lipscomb University, gave the commencement address. View videos: May 9 | May 10
Baccalaureate
Mickey Rickman, left, holds the university mace during Baccalaureate services May 9 on the Central campus. Rickman is retiring after nearly four decades of service to SWU. He is the son of former president Claude Rickman.
Memorial Day Holiday
In observance of Memorial Day, all university offices across the state will be closed on Monday, May 26. In addition, no classes (day or evening) are scheduled this day.
While this holiday has come to mark the beginning of the summer season in many parts of the country, the historic observation of Memorial Day remembers and honors men and women who died in military service to our nation. Also known as Decoration Day, many communities decorate the graves of veterans with U.S. flags on this day.
Congratulations!
Dorna Redd, a 2010 MED graduate of SWU’s North Augusta learning center, was named as a finalist in the Teacher of the Year Honor Court. She is a mathematics teacher at South Aiken High School. Redd was among a select group of finalists chosen by Public Education Partners of Aiken County Public Schools from 37 school-level winners.
SWU graduate coaching pro ball
Ryan Maedel, a 2007 SWU graduate from Ontario, Canada, is currently the strength/conditioning coach in the Toronto Blue JaysFarm System with the Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League. Last year, he was with Blue Jays in the Gulf Coast League.
Maedel will enter his second season coaching in professional baseball. In his first season, he was awarded strength coach of the year award in the GCL. Before the Blue Jays, he was an assistant strength coach with the University of Virginia`s football team. He also spent a year and a half in graduate school at Salisbury University as a graduate assistant to the Strength and Conditioning department under Coach Matt Nein. He has also coached as an intern at Clemson University and The University of Richmond`s football team in 2007. As a Warrior, Maedel played catcher in 2006-2007 as a junior and senior after transferring in. He hit .331 with 1 home run and 33 RBI during his senior year member of NCCAA national champ team.
Retirement and Farewell Reception
If you are on or near the main campus on Tuesday, May 13, you are encouraged to attend a retirement and farewell reception at 3 p.m. in The Founders. We will be gathering together to say goodbye to colleagues who are leaving at the end of the academic or employment year. Retiring from service to SWU are: Claude “Mickey†Rickman (36 years); George “Fred†Woodworth (19 years); Betty Mealy (16 years); and Elizabeth Crawford (25 years). In addition to these retirees, we’ll say farewell to other faculty and staff transitioning from SWU: Keith Iddings; Chris Accornero; John Frazier; Tracy Lippard; and Mary Costello. Light refreshments will be served (cupcakes and punch). This is a great opportunity to express appreciation to these dedicated employees and to learn of their future plans. This event is open to all faculty and staff.
Warrior Athletics News
Warrior Open
Pictured is the winning team for the Warrior Open, from left: Jay Wright, Johnny Ross, Clay Bolton and his son, Fowler Bolton, along with Chris Williams, SWU director of athletics. The tournament, which benefits the Warrior Club, took place May 7 at Smithfields Country Club in Easley. Read more>>
Upcoming events
May 21 - 23 - Men's & Women's Track & Field at NAIA Outdoor Championships, Gulf Shores, Ala.
SWU N. Augusta continuing partnership with Ronald McDonald House
SWU's North Augusta learning center is extending their partnership with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta by extending the opportunity for a prospective student to waive their application fee until May 16. Contact Jason Norton at ext. 5646 for details.
Business Academy Series in N. Augusta
The Business Academy Series at SWU’s North Augusta learning center continues May 15 with the topic “Best Human Resource Practices.†SWU is partnering with the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce to offer the chamber’s Business Academy Series during 2014 at the university’s learning center, located at 802 E. Martintown Rd., Suite 101. The event is free for SWU students, staff and faculty. Students can contact Jason Norton, regional director, at (803) 426-7981 or email jnorton@swu.edu
‘Camp Invention’ offers learning disguised as fun
Camp Invention, a summer day camp full of “real world†challenges with a fun twist, is returning this summer to Southern Wesleyan University's Central campus. In partnership with Invent Now Kids, Southern Wesleyan is offering the nationally-acclaimed, week-long camp for children entering grades one through six, June 16 - 20 on the university’s campus in Central. For details, contact Lavinia Anderson at ext. 5359 or email landerson@swu.edu.
