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University offices will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, July 3 and 4, in observance of the Independence Day holiday.
Fill The Hill 2017, Homecoming at Southern Wesleyan University, will feature comedian John Crist performing in the auditorium of Newton-Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center Oct. 20. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no cost to attend.
From his Bio:
“With over 100 million video views, comedian and viral sensation John Crist is the next big thing in standup comedy. Whether you know him from viral videos like “Millennial International,” “Road Rage in the Church Parking Lot,” or Buzz Feed’s “Signs You Grew Up Christian,” Crist has solidified his comedic prowess with over 200 live shows a year, highlighted by recent television appearances on Live at Gotham and Laughs on Fox.”
2017 Legacy Camp – July 13-16 at Table Rock Retreat & Conference Center
Educators Night – SWU is sponsoring an Ice Cream and Cobbler Fellowship at 8:45 p.m. July 13 in the Tabor Building following a 7 p.m. service with Rev. Steve DeNeff.
Legacy Camp is an invitation for both young and old to gather from across the S.C. District of The Wesleyan Church for a "Mountaintop Experience" – a time for revival and renewal. For details, contact Rev. Jim Wiggins: jimwiggins@bellsouth.com
Dr. Lisa McWherter, SWU vice president for advancement, is pictured with S.C. Gov. Henry McMaster at the Kick-Off Business Town Hall Meeting June 5, organized by the Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce. For details about government relations at SWU, contact the university’s Advancement Office at (864) 644-5006.
Congratulations!
Three SWU alumni among LPC graduates
Three SWU alumni were among 22 local leaders who graduated as members of Leadership Pickens County Class XXVI on May 25. Graduating were Tim Hiott (’13) a MEDAS graduate; Seth Hunter (’11), a recreation and leisure services graduate; and Shane Kirby (’08) a business graduate. Open to anyone who works or lives in Pickens County, LPC addresses leadership skills, diversity, education, government, healthcare, community service, economic development and tourism/recreation.
May criminal justice graduate Kayla Eison ('17) was hired by the Gaffney Police Department as a LEVA (Law Enforcement Victim Advocate). Eison, along with recent graduate Lyndy Barnes ('17), completed an internship in the spring with United Way of Pickens County. Eison credits her UWPC internship with helping her to get this position.
Tish Goode (’07) was recently named interim principal at Central Elementary School. “Mrs. Goode has earned the respect of the faculty and parents at Central Elementary School, and she will be able to provide steady leadership for the coming year,” said School District of Pickens County Superintendent Dr. Danny Merck. Goode earned her MED from SWU.
Music education alumna Kayleigh Bray Kivett ('15), pictured second from left with other tenors of Vocal Matrix Chorus, inspires her students in grades 6-12 to explore the beautiful world of music, according to the "Teacher Feature" on Sweet Adelines International’s Facebook page.
Kivett creates assignments requiring her students to research and give presentations over a variety of musical genres. She chose Barbershop Harmony as a genre. Additionally, her students have completed a history of Barbershop Harmony and performed as a featured group in the Southern Harmony Chorus' annual holiday performance. While at SWU, Kivett was actively involved in musicals and has been a University Singers member as well as a member of the Concert Choir.
Grayson Lorenz ('17) married Laurie Buckley ('16) June 10 at the Clyde Dupin Celebration Amphitheater. Grayson is a Religion graduate, has been assisting in the ministry of Welcome Wesleyan Church and was also a member of SWU's Men's Track & Field Team. Laurie is a Human Services graduate who is on staff in SWU's Advancement Office as fiscal and data specialist.
Stephanie Sestito ('12) is headed to Israel in July, where she will attend the Medical School for International Health at Ben Gurion University. A biology graduate, Sestito also taught for the Peace Corps in Namibia.
SWU graduate hits 'Marathon Milestone'
Rupal Ramesh Shah (’04) completed the London Marathon April 23, making her a Six Star Finisher – an athlete who has completed each of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors. Over the past few years, Shah has run the famed Boston Marathon, as well as the major marathons in Chicago, New York, Berlin and Tokyo. Her new goal is to run a marathon in every continent.
Curtis Todd (’14) married Katy Dyches (’17) June 3 at Alive Chapel in the Nicholson-Mitchell Christian Ministry Center at SWU in Central. Curtis is an Applied Computer Science graduate and Katy is a music graduate.
Photo by Hannah Coleman (’14)
The School District of Pickens County recognized its Teachers of the Year, and the following SWU graduates are included: Jennifer Hendrix (’11) was named Teacher of the Year at Pickens Middle School. Hendrix received her MED from SWU. She teaches sixth- and eighth-grade math. Daniel Marsh (’09) was named Teacher of the Year for 2017-’18 at R.C. Edwards Middle School, where he teaches band. Chaz Paxton (’03, ’16) was named Pickens High School Teacher of the Year for 2017-’18. He received his music degree from SWU and returned to earn a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision. He is band director at Pickens High. Caroline (Martin) Smith (’14) was named Teacher of the Year for 2017-’18 at McKissick Elementary School. She is an Elementary Education graduate. Lauren VanGieson (’14) was named Teacher of the Year for 2017-’18 at Chastain Road Elementary School.
IT information for Spring 2017 graduates
Congratulations on your recent graduation from SWU!
As you transition from SWU, let me remind you that some IT services will expire in 90 days. This will be the only notice you receive regarding these expiring services. On August 11, 2017, your network account and SWU-issued email will expire. This includes the Office 365 suite of software provided free of cost to you during your time as a student. If you installed Office 365 under your student account and desire to continue using these tools you will need to ascertain a new license from Microsoft.
You will, however, retain a lifetime login to mySWU. This site will continue to provide you with access to unofficial academic records, personal information updates (including your email address), online giving tools, event registration, and classmate search tools to stay in touch with your friends. Please maintain a current email address with us and remember your SWU-issued ID number. This information will be used to grant permissions to post graduate services on mySWU and guarantee our ability to communicate with you after graduation.
It has been a pleasure to serve you. Thank you so much for choosing Southern Wesleyan University.
Mike Preusz
Director of Information Technology
Southern Wesleyan University
907 Wesleyan Drive | Central, SC 29630
SWU Magazine
The Spring-Summer issue of SWU Magazine is also available online for reading on your digital devices! Click here for the Spring-Summer 2017 issue and the magazine archives.
Prefer to only get a digital copy of SWU Magazine? Sign up here and we'll send you an email link to read SWU Magazine on your computer or mobile device each time we publish.
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!
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:
SWU has hired Coy Adkins as the new head softball coach. Director of Athletics Chris Williams said, "Coy has great experience and is ready to lead this program as its head coach." Adkins comes to SWU from the University of Southern Mississippi where he was pitching and hitting coach from 2015-2017. Read more>>
Wimphrie to Retire at Conclusion of 2017-'18 Season
SWU's men's basketball coach Charles Wimphrie announced that the 2017-18 season will be his last season heading up the men's basketball program. This will end 30 plus seasons seeing Coach Wimphrie coaching an athletic program at SWU. Wimphrie headed up the women's basketball team, before transitioning to the head coach of the men's program. Read more>>
Summer Camps & Clinics!
SWU Athletics is again offering a variety of camps this summer, with something for all ages and skill levels! Camps offered include baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and, for the first time, triathlon!Click here for details and to register>>
Shopping through AmazonSmile can benefit SWU students and programs, thanks to a wonderful partnership with the online retailer. Click here for details or, if you're already registered, click on the graphic at left to start shopping.
Added Values for SWU Alumni
SWU alumni are invited to check out Founders Federal Credit Union! As alumni of SWU, you automatically qualify for membership with Founders! With a wide array of products and services to fit your lifestyle, Founders is your only stop for all your financial needs. To apply for membership, visit RelaxJoinFounders.com, stop by their Clemson Office at 680 Old Greenville Highway beside the Walmart Neighborhood Market, or visit any of their other 28 offices in North and South Carolina. Relax … with Founders! Founders Federal Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA.
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.
