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Save the Date!

Homecoming is quickly approaching, so make plans to attend and experience an unforgettable event as we "Fill the Hill" Oct. 21 and 22! Details are in swu.edu/homecoming.

Alumni Awards

Please join us on Oct. 21 as we will honor these five outstanding SWU alumni:

Ms. Tina Collins,
Mr. Jim Bross Jr.
Mr. Dan Wood
Dr. Mark Gorveatte
Mr. Larry McAlpine

Call (864) 644-5383 today and reserve your dinner tickets ($15 per ticket). Following the Awards Banquet, dinner guests will have reserved seating for the Homecoming Concert, featuring Committed. Dinner seating begins at 4:30 p.m. with dinner served at 5 p.m. in The Founders, located on the lower level of the SWU Dining Commons, which is located beside historic Childs Hall. VIP reserved parking will be provided for you.

Homecoming FREE concert - sponsored by Nationwide.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Newton-Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center auditorium on Wesleyan Drive. Committed is the R&B/Pop singing group who won Season 2 of the NBC musical competition “The Sing-Off." The concert begins at 7 p.m.

SWU’s 5th Annual Run2Fall 5K offers a challenging course for all ages. Walkers and runners are welcome to participate in this year’s glow themed event! We're excited to announce that this run will use chip timing for the first time ever, and our course will be marked by USATF standards. Exercise has never been this fun! Prizes will be awarded for Men's, Women's and Children's divisions! Read more>>

Please vote!!

Our SWU mascot needs a name! Please click on this link and let your voice be heard.

Southern Wesleyan University’s annual P.B. Wood Golf Tournament will tee off on Oct. 3 at Smithfields Country Club in Easley. The tournament raises money for the Promise Fund, which supports student scholarships and the areas of greatest need for the University. The registration deadline is Sept. 29.

To play, sponsor or support the Promise Fund, contact Tony Payne at (864) 644-5014 or email apayne@swu.edu; or Amy Reese at (864) 644-5006 or e-mail areese@swu.edu.

SWU broke ground Aug. 30 on a new 243-bed residence hall to be constructed at Central. Members of SWU's board of trustees and administration joined students, elected officials, community leaders and developers of the facility for the event. Read more>>

SWU enrollment is up

At the beginning of the 2016-’17 academic year, SWU again experienced record enrollment. According to Chad Peters ('05) vice president for enrollment, traditional enrollment is up to 756 full-time equivalent (FTE), representing a six percent increase over enrollment at the beginning of the last academic year. Freshmen and transfer students totaled 257. Also, student housing has reached an all-time high. According to Dr. Joe Brockinton, vice president for student life, 455 students moved into residence halls and apartments on the Central campus – an increase of 32 students over last year this time.

In addition to the traditional program at Central, a total of 932 students are enrolled in adult and graduate studies and online degree programs across the state. Of that number, 358 are enrolled in graduate degree programs and 574 are in undergraduate programs.

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. See also openings for adjunct teaching assignments across South Carolina.

Athletics

Chris Williams, SWU’s director of athletics, presented President Todd Voss and university vice presidents with a coin commemorating Warrior Athletics’ full membership in NCAA Division 2 during the home opener game Sept. 1 at Childs Field. The university administrators received applause during halftime of the SWU vs. Montreat College game from Warrior Run participants (background) and spectators. Standing behind the SWU Warrior Mascot are, from left, Dr. Todd Voss, president; Dr. Tonya Strickland, provost and vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Lisa McWherter, vice president for advancement; Chad Peters, vice president for enrollment management; Mark Reeves, vice president for finance and auxiliary services; Dr. Joe Brockinton, vice president for student life; and Chris Williams, director of athletics.

The Men's Soccer Team, under their new head coach Garrett Bireline, defeated Montreat 2-1 in their first competition as full NCAA Div. 2 members!
Read more>>

Click here for a schedule of upcoming games as the Warriors begin an exciting 2016-'17 Season!

For more SWU athletics, click here.

Alumni News

Congratulations!

These SWU Alums are serving together in the US Army in Romania in the 125th Engineer Company in support of Operation Saber Guardian. Left to right: Staff Sgt. Joe Heyd ('10, Accounting), Sgt. Jake Chupp ('13, Criminal Justice), Sgt. Brauncy Jenkins ('10, Business Administration), Staff Sgt. Dewey Roland ('10, Physical Education), and Staff Sgt. Jonathan Payne ('10, Physical Education).

Greg Bulanow (’04), North Charleston fire chief, is helping to lead a statewide effort to collect data from firefighters who have been diagnosed with cancer. The S.C. Firefighters’ Association is collecting information for a database that could help firefighters gain access to better benefits and resources. Read more>>

Will Henderson ('13) married Mary Kathryn Rash ('13) Sept. 3 at Christ Wesleyan Church, Winston-Salem, N.C. Will is a religion graduate and Mary Kathryin is an elementary education graduate. Will was also ordained June 21. He's student pastor and marketing director at Christ Wesleyan Church in Winston-Salem, N.C.

Norah Kathleen Rodriguez was born to Camilo (’03) and Stephanie Rodriguez (’06) Aug.31, at 8.7 lbs. and 21 inches. She is named after her grandmothers Nohora Stella Murillo & Kathy Ott. Stephanie is advisor for Student Support Services and Camilo was the head men’s soccer coach for several years before assuming a coaching position at Clemson University.

Josh (‘’11) and Adrienne Shepard (’09) welcomed Harper Renee Shepard Aug. 14 at 9:34 a.m., weighing 6 lbs. and 11 oz. Adrienne reports “We are all doing fine and big brother Hudson is absolutely loving her!” Adrienne is a data assistant in SWU’s Admissions Office.

Champ Squires (’15) began his studies at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Ky. He is a religion graduate.

Nathan Stegenga is beginning his studies with NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School), the first SWU student to enroll in the school, considered a leader in wilderness education. He just completed a stint as a summer guide for Peak 7 Adventures, where he led youngsters from at-risk backgrounds in outdoor adventures they otherwise would never experience. “These teens were pushed outside their comfort zones and emerged on the other side with new strength and skill,” Stegenga said. Peak 7 Adventures is a faith-based outdoor nonprofit organization in Washington and Oregon serving primarily marginalized young people by using the inherent challenge and reward of outdoor adventures in God’s creation to help them realize they have a greater potential.

Kia Valentine is pictured with some of her students at Barnwell Primary School. A graduate of Southern Wesleyan University’s North Augusta education center, Valentine was named Barnwell District 45’s Teacher of the Year. Read about how she began a long, successful teaching career quite by accident. Read more>>

Melissa Wilcox ('06), right, received $17,000 in funding from Michelin North America for her environmental grant proposal, which will benefit education on sustainability and nutrition at Powdersville Elementary School. Pictured at left is Melanie Barrett, environmental engineer, Michelin Americas Research Company. Only one other school in South Carolina received the grant. Read more>>

Josh Ivy ('10), left, was the speaker for Spiritual Emphasis services Sept. 12-14 and Whitney Steele ('12), right, led musical worship along with a band composed of members of 12Stone Church in Lawrenceville, Ga. Ivy is a spiritual formation pastor with New Believer Ministries, a part of 12Stone. Steele is also a SWU graduate and a University Singers alum.

Southern Wesleyan University hosted the 2016 Service of Ordination for the South Carolina District of The Wesleyan Church Aug. 28 in the auditiorium of Newton-Hobson Chapel. Those being ordained were Deysi Rodriguez ('09) and Justine Tegen. There was a validation of ordination for Mireille Tanner. Justine is the wife of Matthew Tegen ('03) and the daughter-in-law of Charles ('74) and Deanna ('75) Tegen. Dr. Wayne Schmidt, general superintendent of The Wesleyan Church, led the ordination ritual and gave the ordination sermon. Pictured from left are Dr. Schmidt, Mireille and Hans Tanner, Deysi and Frankie Rodriguez, Justine and Matthew Tegen, and Rev. Buddy Rampey ('69), S.C. District superintendent. A reception and fellowship time followed the service in the adjacent amphitheater. The reception was one of the first events to take place at the new facility.

In Memoriam

Sylvia Nell Bailey Gentry (’68) went home to be with the Lord Sept. 1. Funeral services were held Sept. 4 at Pickens View Wesleyan Church. A retired teacher, Sylvia directed music and taught Sunday School at Pickens View. Surviving are her husband of 58 years, Rev. Foster Dean Gentry Sr. (’58), two sons, Foster Dean Gentry Jr. and his wife Deana, and Steven Herbert Gentry; one brother, Theodore V. Bailey and his wife Ann; and three grandchildren.

Added Values for SWU Alumni

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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