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Save the Date!

Oct. 21-22 - Homecoming - Details are coming to swu.edu/homecoming

Above are some scenes from the 2016 General Conference of The Wesleyan Church June 4-8 in Buffalo, N.Y. The SWU Alumni Association hosted a successful breakfast June 5. Also, President Todd Voss gave a SWU update and addressed the conference about the impact of SWU and other Wesleyan higher education institutions. SWU alumni Rev. Tony Casey ('89) and Rev. Heath Mullikin ('97), with assistance from Rev. Matt Tietje ('05), hosted interviews, which were interspersed with streaming video of events as they happened. More on the General Conference can be found at wesleyan.org. Special thanks to Shirley Duncan ('78) for contributing her photos!

Alumni elected to General Board

For years, SWU has been well-represented on The General Board of The Wesleyan Church. During the General Conference, these SWU graduates, several of them trustees, were elected to the 2016-2020 General Board of The Wesleyan Church: Southern Representative Area – Ministerial – Rev. Jerry Lumston (’85/Trustee), Rev. Matt LeRoy (’99); Lay – Sue Rickman (’68/Trustee) and Dr. Lisa Harding (’88); Eastern Representative Area – Ministerial – Mike Hilson (’90/Trustee); North Central Representative Area – Ministerial – Heather Semple (’97) and Mark Gorveatte (’84). Read more>>

Also, Dr. Bob Black ('67) was recognized for 16 years of service to the General Board and Dr. Charles Joiner (’62) was recognized for 44 years of service. Black is also a longtime member of SWU’s religion faculty and Joiner chairs SWU’s Board of Trustees. Rev. Dan LeRoy (’95) was recognized for 12 years of service. LeRoy has served as district superintendent for the N.C. East District of the Wesleyan Church. Read more>>

Dr. Jo Anne Lyon presented a citation to Bobbie Strand (’54) in appreciation for a lifetime of extraordinary service in local Wesleyan churches, the general church, at educational institutions and at World Hope International. Read more>>

Southern Wesleyan University is offering a 10-day intensive summer experience July 5-14 designed to help high school students explore how their gifts, abilities, personalities and passions line up with God’s calling on their lives. The Fellowship of the Called Youth Camp at SWU is a 10-day summer intensive institute for rising high school freshmen through recent high school graduates. Read more>>

Career Opportunities

If you are a graduate seeking a career change, SWU's Career Services office offers exciting new resources to help you. Read more>>

CareerBeam is a comprehensive, 24/7, user-friendly, self-paced program that helps you determine what you want in your career and offers the steps to achieve it. You can clarify your career goals, develop a career profile through self assessments, develop a professional resume and cover letter, prepare for interviews, develop a network and research companies and industries. Check out this new, FREE online tool to help you in your career development. It is available for ALL Southern Wesleyan University students and alumni.

SWU employment opportunities

SWU is currently seeking full- and part-time employees. Here are some of the openings:

See all of SWU's listings for faculty and staff openings.

Athletics

Bireline to be SWU's new Head Men's Soccer Coach

Southern Wesleyan has hired Garrett Bireline as the new head men’s soccer coach. Bireline comes to Southern Wesleyan from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis where he served as an assistant coach for the past two seasons. Read more>>

Men’s soccer coach Camilo Rodriguez ('03) has resigned to take an assistant men’s soccer coach position at Clemson University. Rodriguez spent 12 seasons at Southern Wesleyan as a player and as a coach, leading his team to SSAC and NCCAA championships. Read more>>

SWU Men’s Basketball Head Coach Charles Wimphrie, ('82) left, received the inaugural Milestone Award from Conference Carolinas at the inaugural Legends of the Game Banquet recently at SWU's Central campus. He's pictured with Chris Williams, director of athletics.
Read more>>

SWU announces addition of women's lacrosse for 2016-’17
The Board of Trustees of Southern Wesleyan University has approved the addition of women’s lacrosse as an intercollegiate sport for the 2016-17 school year.
“I am excited to announce that our Board of Trustees has approved the addition of our eighteenth varsity sport at SWU,” said SWU Director of Athletics Chris Williams. “A big ‘thank you’ to President Voss and his cabinet, and to the members of my staff who have worked to gather data, write the pro-forma and to pitch the proposal.” Read more>>

Three Warriors Named to NCCAA Softball All-American Team
Three SWU softball players were named NCCAA All-Americans: Lizzie Fela was named NCCAA First Team All-American, Allison Barbee was named NCCAA Second Team All-American and Sara Sweatt was named NCCAA Third Team All-American. Read more>>

Summer Athletics Camps

Summer Athletic Camps and Clinics
SWU offers a variety of boys' and girls' summer camp experiences for various age groups. Get a detailed schedule of camps>>

For more SWU athletics, click here.

Rev. Ken Dill ('81) left, SWU chaplain and associate vice president for spiritual life, presents Central Police Chief Khristy Justice with a $1,545 check to the Central Police Department June 2. Central Police recently came to the aid of a homeless family. Read more>>

Alumni News

Congratulations!

St. Luke's Hospital named James B. (Jim) Bross ('84) as its new Chief Executive Officer, with Bross assuming his new position July 18. James is the son of Dr. James Bross, professor emeritus of religion at SWU. Bross has more than 32 years of healthcare executive management experience. Read more>>

Will Henderson ('13) was ordained June 21. He is student pastor and marketing director at Christ Wesleyan Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. Originally from Brevard, N.C., Henderson graduated from SWU's religion program.

Andrew Hochhalter (’16) married Caroline Hudson (’16) June 5 at Alive Wesleyan Church.

Ruby Quinn Jolly was born May 22 to Nathan ('10) and Brittany ('10) Jolly. Landon 4, Zoey, 3, and Aspen, 1, join in celebrating their new little sister. At birth, Ruby was 19 in. and 6 lbs. 7 oz, and perfectly healthy.

Isobel Katherine Propes was born June 9 to Crystal and Ryan Propes ('13).

Damon Qualls (’13), a MEDAS graduate, was selected as one of 15 South Carolina ASCD (Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development) Emerging Leaders for the class of 2016. Qualls, who is assistant principal of Berea Middle School, was named SWU’s Education Alumnus of the Year and received the Young Leader Award from the SWU Alumni Association. Read more>>

Greg Young (’98) director of corporate and community relations at Belhaven University, was recently recognized by the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Young seeks to increase awareness of the Atlanta campus through relationships with area businesses, churches, and nonprofits. Greg and his wife Amanda (’97) serve on Belhaven’s staff and are former SWU staff members – Greg as an admissions coordinator in the adult evening program and Amanda as a director of admissions.

North Augusta M.Ed. graduate Greggory Yonce (’10) has been named the 2016-17 Teacher of The Year at Strom Thurmond High School. Yonce currently teaches Mathematics.

In Memoriam

Virginia May Dongell, wife of Rev. Dr. Herbert Dongell, retired SWU Religion Division chair, passed away June 3. Virginia attended Houghton College, Houghton, N.Y., and received her M.Ed. from Clemson University. She taught Latin, English and Biology at Edwards Jr. High School. Her lifelong passion was expressing her faith by composing poetry and music, and by supporting Christian missions at home and abroad. A memorial service will be held at SWU’s Nicholson-Mitchell Christian Ministry Center Oct. 29 at 2 p.m. Donations can be made in her memory to Southern Wesleyan University 907 Wesleyan Dr., Central, SC 29630 / 877.644.5556 ), or to Wesleyan Missions (The Wesleyan Church / PO BOX 50434 /Indianapolis 46250).

Dr. Marie Evatt (’43) of Central went to be with Jesus May 25 at the age of 91. An alumna of Southern Wesleyan University and Indiana Wesleyan University, Evatt served with Wesleyan World Missions (Global Partners) as a missionary to Sierra Leone for 25 years. She also provided leadership to the Wesleyan Women's Missionary Society as general secretary from 1976-1989. Read more>>

The SWU community is mourning the loss of W. Marshall Rampey (’51), who went on to be with Jesus May 20; and his wife Ruth Willene Pressley Rampey (’51), who followed him on May 25. The Rampeys were married for more than 73 years.

Marshall, who until recently served as chaplain for SWU’s Greenville learning center, served the S.C. District of The Wesleyan Church as a pastor from 1949-2003 and in numerous other district offices and duties. He served on the board of trustees for SWU and Kernersville Wesleyan Academy. He also taught in the Spartanburg District 5 public school system and was active in his community.

Ruth was a devoted wife who lovingly supported Marshall during his many years of ministry. She was also a gifted musician, Sunday School teacher and also served as a substitute teacher in Spartanburg District 5 public schools.

The Rampeys are survived by a son, Rev. W. Marshall “Buddy” Rampey, S.C. District superintendent for The Wesleyan Church; a daughter, Martha Ruth Rampey; four grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Holiday Schedule

SWU offices will be closed for Independence Day, Monday, July 4.

After 30+ Years: Announcing Senior Adult Living at Southern Wesleyan University
Dr. Todd Voss and Dr. Lisa McWherter launched the long-awaited introduction of the senior-living community at Southern Wesleyan University—now named The CROSSING at Southern Wesleyan University in the presence of approximately 150 SWU alumni and friends at the General Conference of The Wesleyan Church June 5 in Buffalo, N.Y. The announcement was well received and attendees expressed interest in learning more about the exciting development. The CROSSING at Southern Wesleyan University is being developed with the active interests of our alumni and friends in mind that have at least one household resident being 55 years of age or older. Independent, single-family homes of varying designs and square footage floor plans will be beautifully built on 66 home sites developed exclusively for senior adult living. The CROSSING residents do not have to have a SWU or Wesleyan affiliation to take advantage of this amazing opportunity. If relaxed and vibrant campus-life as a senior adult sounds inviting, SWU invites those interested in gaining additional information to call SWU’s Advancement Office at (864) 644-5013 or email Lisa McWherter at lmcwherter@swu.edu. Reserve your new home site today!

Added Values for SWU Alumni

Southern Wesleyan University alumni now get up to 55 percent off hotels all over the globe.

Start your next vacation off on the right foot, perhaps in the sand of your favorite beach, on the trails of a new hiking route or plan to join SWU Alumni and Friends in Buffalo, N.Y., during General Conference of The Wesleyan Church. No matter the destination, we want to make booking a hotel easier and more affordable for our alumni. Just go to our exclusive booking. Click here to get started and use the password "SWU1906" to get in.

SWU’s Office of Alumni Relations is now offering alumni and friends a free gift that has eternal value.

RightNow Media offers instant access to thousands of great videos for all members of the family that can be viewed directly from your phone, tablet or computer. More than 10,000 video Bible studies, leadership videos, dozens of full conference sessions (Passion Conference, Catalyst, D6), and resources on parenting, marriage, discipleship, and more, will soon be available at your fingertips. Groups can also view these videos through a TV or projector. Again, it’s our free gift to you, with no strings attached. Click on this link for details.

Southern Wesleyan University has begun an official affinity program through Nationwide. Over the course of the next year, SWU alumni will receive special offers crafted specifically for them. Click here to get a quote or find an agent. Read more>>

GREAT NEWS for those of you wishing to further demonstrate your SWU affinity! If you already have a SWU license plate for your vehicle, this information is relevant for you and if you don’t already have a SWU license plate, now is a great time to do so if you have an interest.

SWU receives a donation for each new plate issue or renewal, which supports The Promise Fund! For details, contact Dr. Lisa McWherter, vice president for advancement, at (864) 644-5013 or 1-855-644-5008, or email lmcwherter@swu.edu.

Class Ring Special

Order online with promo code swualumni and receive a $50 discount and Herff Jones will send a gift to SWU in your honor. Go to the Herff Jones website.

Alumni Walk bricks are $125. Proceeds support SWU's Promise Fund, which helps to increase fund scholarships and financial aid, invest in state-of-the-art classroom equipment, expand our campus ministries and enhance other student activities. Click here to order your brick!

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