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SWU offices are closed March 25, in observance of Good Friday.

Save the date!

Graduation Receptions:

Mon. April 18 - SWU Charleston learning center
Mon. April 25 - SWU North Augusta learning center
Wed. April 27 - SWU Columbia learning center
Tues. May 3 - SWU Central campus
Wed. May 4 - SWU Greenville learning center

All graduation receptions begin at 6 p.m. Please contact the Alumni Center to make a reservation or get details: jbryant@swu.edu / (864) 644-5385.

Other Important Dates:

April 13 - 11 a.m. - Nicholson-Mitchell Christian Ministry Center Dedication
April 6 - Area 14 Special Olympics
April 18-22 - Week of Giving
April 19 - Best Years Fellowship Luncheon (more)
April 27 - Honors Convocation
May 5 - Baccalaureate Services
May 6 - Commencement Ceremonies, 10 a.m. Traditional / 3 p.m. Adult & Graduate Studies

Career Opportunities

If you are a graduate seeking a career change, SWU's Career Services office offers exciting new resources to help you. Check out their website today!

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:

Full-time Biology Faculty - Central, SC

Full-time Chemistry Faculty - Central, SC

Full-time Computer Science Faculty - Central, SC

Full-Time Economics Faculty- Central, SC

Full-time Marketing Faculty - Columbia, SC

Admissions Coordinator - Central or Greenville, SC

Computer Support Specialist 2 - Central, SC

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Coordinator - Central, SC

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

Southern Wesleyan University will be hosting Area 14 Special Olympics on Wednesday, April 6 at Joe R. Gilbert Track and Field, located at the Central campus. The surrounding community is invited to join SWU faculty, staff, students and friends for this event, being held for the first time at the university. Spectators are welcome, and admission is free to the public. The event will kick off with an opening ceremony at 9:45 a.m. Read More | Be a Volunteer

On March 14, Southern Wesleyan University, along with the Disabilities and Special Needs Boards of Pickens and Anderson Counties and The South Carolina Board of Disabilities and Special Needs announced the development of the initial phase of a special needs housing community. Read more>>

Grandparents Day

Southern Wesleyan University students spent some quality family time with loved ones while sampling campus life March 18 during Grandparents Day. Each spring, the university’s Advancement Office invites grandparents, family members and guests of students to come to the Central campus for Grandparents Day, an activity-filled day devoted to making memories.

SWU at Pique 2016

Pictured at Pique 2016 are, from left, Ten at the Top board members Neil Workman, chairman of the board, Trehel Corp.; Dr. Michael Batchelor, CEO of Baptist Easley Hospital; Phil Hughes, president of Hughes Investments; and Dr. Lisa McWherter, SWU vice president for advancement.

More than 250 Upstate young professionals stopped in at the One Building in downtown Greenville for workshops, headshots, networking with area senior executives and a discussion on regionalism. Ten at the Top hosted the Pique, Young Leaders Elevating the Upstate, on March 7. Ten at the Top’s mission is to foster trust and collaboration through partnerships and cooperation that impacts economic vitality and quality of life across the Upstate. For details about Ten at the Top, go to tenatthetop.org or contact Tiffany Tate, program manager, by emailing ttate@tenatthetop.org or by calling (864) 283-2313.

Own a piece of history

For decades, SWU students, faculty and staff worshiped at a historic stone church located in the heart of the Central campus. Its sanctuary is filled with memories of spiritual and life milestones for generations of men and women who lived, learned and worshiped on “college hill” over the years. Now there’s an opportunity to own a piece of that spiritual heritage. Part of the renovation of the former First Wesleyan Church into the Nicholson-Mitchell Christian Ministry Center includes modifying the sanctuary to best serve the training of future leaders in ministry.

This means that a limited quantity of pews had to be removed from the sanctuary, and they are now available for purchase through SWU's Advancement Office. Pews are available in 11-foot and 14-foot widths. They are 3 ft. high and 2 ft. wide. Pews are $275 (of which $50 will be a tax-deductible contribution.) Checks can be made out to the Promise Fund. For details, contact the Advancement Office at (864) 644-5006 or email areese@swu.edu.

Fine Arts events!

Sean Anderson, operatic baritone, will be in concert April 7, 7:30 p.m. at Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center. Accompanying Anderson will be Jane Dill, chair of SWU's Fine Arts Division. Admission is free.

Also, save the date for these events!

March 29, 7:30 p.m. - SWU Jazz Ensemble Concert
April 8, 4:30 p.m. - Music Majors Formal Recital
April 12, 7:30 p.m. - Music Majors Honors Recital
April 18, 7:30 p.m. - SWU Wind Ensemble Concert
April 24, 3 p.m. - Masterworks Concert - SWU Concert Choir

Events are free admission. For details, call (864) 644-5408 and view full event details here>>

Athletics

The Men's Tennis Team played Findlay March 4 in the first match ever to take place at Rev. Leroy C. Cox Tennis Complex. The USTA-designed six-court tennis complex is now hosting the Warrior's home matches and is a welcome addition to our local tennis-playing community.

The Warriors Men’s Soccer Team was recognized in The Pursuit, a NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) publication, for their national championship win at the close of the last season. Here’s a fun fact – all three Division 1 winners were Wesleyan Universities in the NCCAA! Click here to view>>

Upcoming games

March 25 –
Men’s and Women’s Tennis vs. Pfeiffer, 3 p.m.
Baseball vs. Barton, Connor Field, 6 p.m.
March 26 –
Men’s and Women’s Track and Field @Shorter Invitational
Baseball vs. Barton, Connor Field, 1 p.m. / 4 p.m.
Men’s and Women’s Tennis @Brevard, 1 p.m.
March 27-28 –
Women’s Golf @Cherokee Valley Women’s Invitational
March 29 –
Men’s and Women’s Tennis @North Greenville, 2 p.m.
March 30 –
Baseball vs. Anderson, Connor Field, 6 p.m.
April 1 –
Baseball @Erskine, 2:30 p.m.
Men’s Tennis vs. Limestone, 3 p.m.
April 2 –
Men’s and Women’s Track and Field at Terrier Relays
Baseball @Erskine, 12 p.m. / 3 p.m.
Softball vs. Converse, 1 p.m. / 3 p.m.
April 4-5 –
Women’s Golf vs. UWG Wolf Golf Invitational
April 5 –
Softball vs. Georgia Gwinnett, Varsity Field, 4 p.m. / 6 p.m.
April 6 –
Baseball @North Georgia, 7 p.m.
April 8 –
Men’s and Women’s Tennis @Barton, 2 p.m.
Baseball @Pfeiffer, 6 p.m.
April 9 –
Men’s and Women’s Track and Field vs. Susan Rouse Invitational
Men’s Tennis @Mount Olive, 11 a.m.
Baseball @Pfeiffer, 2 p.m. / 4 p.m.
Softball vs. King (Tenn.), Varsity Field, 2 p.m. / 4 p.m.
April 12 –
Softball @North Greenville, 2 p.m. / 4 p.m.
Men’s and Women’s Tennis vs Point U., 2:30 p.m.
April 13 –
Baseball vs. Truett-McConnell, Connor Field, 6 p.m.
April 15 –
Men’s and Women’s Track and Field at Seminole Invitational
Softball vs. Belmont Abbey, Varsity Field, 2 p.m. / 4 p.m.
Baseball @Emmanuel, 6 p.m.
April 16 –
Baseball @Emmanuel, 1 p.m. / 4 p.m.
Softball vs. Pfeiffer, Varsity Field, 1 p.m. / 3 p.m.

For more SWU athletics, click here.

Alumni News

State Rep. David Hiott ('83)(R-Pickens) chats with Carol Burdette ('82), former mayor of Pendleton, at the annual Legislative Appreciation Luncheon Feb. 22 on SWU's Central campus. Both Hiott and Burdette are alumni.
Read more>>

Dawn Bryant, a 2009 graduate of SWU's North Augusta MED program and J.D. Lever Elementary School Teacher of the Year, believes students learn best by doing and feels it's important for teachers to become a "hero" to a child. Read Angela's story>>

Rev. Joy Bryant, executive director for alumni and constituent relations, was part of a team that traveled to a fishing village in St. Lucia to share Jesus' love through preaching, teaching and evangelism. Pictured from left are Bryant, Jennifer Jones, Tim Jones, Bernard Scarlett, Pat Pope and Woody Cook.

Tim Jones is pastor of United Wesleyan in Easley; Scarlett is district superintendent of Jamaican Wesleyan churches and outreach and evangelism director for the Caribbean. Pope is an alumna from Conyers, Ga.; and Cook is director of missions for the South Coastal District of The Wesleyan Church. Read more>>

Tina Collins ('11) a China Studies (specialized major) graduate, paid a visit March 3 to SWU while visiting the U.S. Collins lives in Beijing and is a dialog coach for several Chinese actresses. Collins, center, is pictured in the Alumni House with Joy Bryant and Ethan Cashwell.

Thomas Crane (’11) and wife Judy celebrated their 32nd wedding anniversary in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. on March 3. They had a great time shopping, dining out, racing each other on go carts, 4-wheeler rides in the mountains and hand-feeding animals.

Thomas reported, “While there, someone was observing us having fun and laughing racing each other on go carts. They asked us if that is the key to staying together so long. Yes, always have fun together!” He earned a BSBA from SWU.

Dr. Priscilla Hammond (’06) (second from right) successfully defended her doctoral dissertation, “Wesleyan Ministerial Study Programs' Relationship to Ministerial Effectiveness of Pastoral Leaders.”

Hammond's dissertation was for the Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University March 17, with commencement scheduled for April 30. Hammond is a SWU Master of Ministry alumna and a current adjunct professor of business at SWU. She also serves on the Alumni Board. Hammond, second from right, is pictured with her dissertation committee: Dr. Sharon Drury; Dr. Jim Fuller, Chair; Priscilla; and Dr. Bob Whitesel.

Dr. Rhonda Littleton ('90) has joined Connie Maxwell Children's Home in Greenwood as foster care director. She has been serving as a volunteer and trustee for CMCH, and will seek to connect those interested in serving in foster care with the resources they need. Along with members of Simpsonville First Baptist Church, Littleton, then the church's minister of children, helped develop A Home for Me, an organization devoted to the needs of foster children, foster parents, biological parents or children who may be at risk of entering foster care. She was honored in 2012 as an Angel in Adoption by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute in Washington, D.C. She is a psychology graduate.

Keonna Palmer (’14) was crowned Miss Pickens County Plus America for 2016. Palmer is a human services graduate from Easley.

Rupal Shah (’04) is now a quality improvement consultant at Boston Children's Hospital in their Pediatric Physicians' Organization. An avid runner, Shah crossed the finish line in the 2016 Tokyo Marathon Feb. 28, completing her seventh marathon! Marathons Shah has completed include the New York Marathon and Boston Marathon. Shah is a chemistry/biology graduate whose honors have included Harvard Hero, also a Young Leader Award form SWU Alumni Association.

USA Triathlon reported Lindsey Torgerson (’09) is the Number One All-American Duathlete for 2015 in her age group. She said “I thank God for my health everyday and I am so very excited for what's to come!” Torgerson is a business graduate and member of SWU’s 2007 NCCAA Championship Women’s Basketball Team.

Solomon Townes Wimphrie was born March 9 to Byron ('09) and Brittany Wimphrie, weighing 8 lbs. 14 oz. and 20.5 in. long. He's also Head Men's Basketball Coach Charles Wimphrie's grandson. Also pictured is Solomon’s big brother, Banks, and his big sister, Elynn.

In Memoriam

Mary Will Thomas, wife of E.B. Thomas, passed away Feb. 29. She and E.B. were long-time employees of the university and very active members of the SWU community. “Mrs. T,” as she was known to many students, worked at SWU for 16 years until her retirement in 1993 as assistant to the vice president for finance.

Rev. Ken Dill, associate vice president for spiritual life and university chaplain, remembers her as loving and caring; someone who “opened her home to students, fed them, and quietly bought them clothes and supplies when there was need. (She was the) true embodiment of the SWU spirit.”

More than 80 years of yearbooks online!

Rickman Library is excited to announce that yearbooks dating back more than 80 years are now available for viewing online, thanks to a partnership with the S.C. Digital Library and the valuable assistance of Clemson University. Click here to see the collection! The South Carolina Digital Library provides free access to historic materials, such as photographs, manuscripts, journals, books, oral histories, objects, etc. illustrating the history and culture of South Carolina from over 40 cultural heritage institutions across the state.

Over 200,000 items have been added so far. Their web address is scmemory.org.

When purchasing through Amazon, .5 % of eligible purchases will come back to SWU to benefit its programs. To participate, simply click on the link at right. From that point on, the page for SWU will come up each time you enter the smile.amazon site. If you don’t have an Amazon account, signing up is free. Also, help us spread the word on Twitter and Facebook! Read more>>

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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