Wofford College

Devin Ruppe '26 spent the summer at Emory University in Atlanta, where he's conducting research on a protein that could be used to treat triple negative breast cancer, the same aggressive disease that took his grandmother's life at the age of 45.

Jenna Hollis '26 and Tianna Kidd '25 are helping the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning further its mission of promoting effective and innovative teaching practices that engage and cultivate student learning as student fellows.

Three Wofford students joined Dr. Dawn McQuiston, professor of psychology and director of the South Carolina Innocence Initiative, to attend the Innocence Network Conference held April 3-5 in Seattle. The attendees were Sydney Holland '25, Teagan McIntosh '27 and Nick Ross '26.

Graham Segars '25 became a sepsis survivor at the age of 21. He has now pledged to increase sepsis awareness across the United States. Segars spoke at the fifth-annual World Sepsis Congress, held virtually April 8-9, as the North American representative for the Global Sepsis Alliance. During his session, he gave his testimony of his experience with sepsis and provide insights on how to encourage advocacy through sepsis education.

A chance connection with a Wofford alumna has led to a dream internship for Marlee Bland '25, a finance major from Charleston, South Carolina. Bland is spending her second summer at Sea Fox Boat Company, based in Charleston, honing her skills under the guidance of Tanner Renken '19, director of IT and marketing and fourth-generation leader of the family-owned company. After contacting Sea Fox about a potential internship last summer, Bland landed the opportunity and connected with Renken.

When Ellis Parsons '26 pursued research opportunities this summer, he opted for an experience that would take him out of his comfort zone. Parsons, an international affairs and history double major from Landrum, South Carolina, chose to work with Dr. Daniel Helman, visiting assistant professor of environmental studies, on a study that could illuminate the beginnings of life on earth. "It's outside of my field a little, but I think that is what attracted me to it," Parsons says. "I was interested in gaining experience in research and challenging myself to go beyond my abilities."

Caroline Adams '27 was "brought up raising green beans, corn and cattle." Seems simple enough. Her platform with Future Farmers of America and her plan for the future, however, are anything but. Adams '27, an environmental studies major from Lake Wylie, South Carolina, grew up in a farming family. Her grandparents owned a small beef cattle farm. Her aunt owned a large turkey farm, and some of Adams' earliest photos include her holding baby animals. She took agriculture classes in middle school and became involved in the Future Farmers of American through those. She won an FFA regional tournament for creed speaking and became president of her high school chapter during her senior year. She served as statewide president during her first year at Wofford. "My grandfather introduced me to agriculture," says Adams. "When his health started to decline, and he didn't have insurance to deal with early onset dementia, our family had to sell the cows and equipment. Small family farms often fail because of medical emergencies and health care costs. I want to change that."

This week, Connelly, the founder of Non Disclosure Apparel, a bra company based in Charleston, South Carolina, returned to campus to share her experience with students. Connelly is serving as Wofford's entrepreneur in residence for the week as part of The Entrepreneurial Mindset Interim course. She's giving lectures, working with students individually and in groups on their startup ideas, helping them prepare to pitch those ideas and more. "Becky is a dynamic, passionate and seasoned entrepreneur," says Sarah Butler, manager of Wofford's Launch Program in the Career Center in the Mungo Exchange, who is teaching the course. "With her knowledge and experience, I knew our students would enjoy and benefit from having her here."

Joel Gammah '26, a computer science major from Ghana, made a Terrier connection that led to a transformative summer internship thanks to a conversation with Wofford College President Nayef Samhat. In the spring Gammah was on the guest list for a dinner for international students at the President's Home hosted by Nayef and Prema Samhat. During a conversation with the president, Gammah shared stories of his work as a Bonner Scholar at the Adult Learning Center in Spartanburg. Samhat immediately texted Bill Brasington '89, executive director of the Adult Learning Center, to expand the connection.

Charles Beltz '25 wasn't thinking of himself when he decided to take the plunge during Interim. "I took this course because I might have kids one day and I want to be able to save them if they have a near-drowning experience," says Beltz, a biology major from Inman, South Carolina. "I swam in the deep end for the first time. I could barely float when I started." The Learn to Swim course, guided by Drs. Kim Rostan and Grace Schwartz, aims to teach students basic water safety and swimming skills. Students also are learning about the history and cultural significance of the favorite recreational pastime. They're also studying the societal barriers that contribute to an alarming rate of people who are unable to swim the length of a pool, a statistic that affects more than one-third of adults in the U.S., according to the USA Swimming Foundation.

Before taking the For the Love of Coffee course during Interim, iced lattes from a national chain were the be-all, end-all for Sarah Greenlee '24. Greenlee, an international affairs and Spanish double major from Spartanburg, South Carolina, and her group scored the top prize in the class' brewing competition. "My palate matured to enjoying many flavor notes and roast styles," Greenlee says. "It was incredible to explore the range coffee has and the community it brings." Caroline Doss '24, an English and Spanish double major from Greensboro, North Carolina, echoed the fascination with the social and cultural impact of coffee, and wouldn't have experienced her last Interim any other way. "This class has been the best start to my last semester at Wofford," Doss says. "I tried unique coffee with interesting flavors from all around the world, and I loved showcasing our new brewing skills at the community coffee exhibition."

Wofford students escaped a serial killer and saved Boss from Professor F. Urman during Interim. The two adventures were part of the Breakout Games course. Taught by Dr. Jenny Bem, associate professor of accounting, and Dr. Amanda Olsen, associate professor of accounting, the course was designed to help participants sharpen their critical thinking and teamwork skills through breakout games and escape rooms. "Each class, we would work on logic problems to push our brains," Bem says. "We also visited some escape rooms to challenge ourselves and put those skills to use." For their final project, students created their own escape rooms in Olin Building and invited their peers to try to break out of them.

There's one message Dr. Begona Caballero-Garcia shares with all of her students. "People shouldn't be valued based on their job, title, wealth or position. Their value is determined by how they make other people feel," says Caballero-Garcia, a Spanish professor at Wofford and 2023 recipient of the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities' Excellence in Teaching award. Caballero-Garcia and Diana Farfan Valente, a sculptor and ceramics instructor at Wofford, put this principle into practice on Wednesday, Nov. 29, by honoring a few of the college's unsung heroes - its Latina housekeepers. The group was recognized at an event showcasing the works of 10 talented female artists and writers from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Students in the "Take a Walk!" Interim class walked throughout the month of January. Some walks were in silence while paying close attention to their surroundings. There were walks that included interviews with Spartanburg residents using a popular trail. Some were in city neighborhoods. Others were in the woods. All walks provided time to reflect on an activity that can be taken for granted. While in the classroom, students discussed readings focused on historical, spiritual and cultural themes related to walking. There also were conversations about the walkability of communities.

The staff of Wofford College's student newspaper, The Old Gold and Black, represented the college well in the South Carolina Press Association Annual Awards. Staff members were recognized with 10 awards for writing and editing.

The Terrier Supply Closet is a result of a senior research project by Alexis Eaton '19 and Dr. Rhiannon Leebrick. It provides food and other essentials for students in need.

Kerrington Johnson '23 has a goal of becoming a certified personal trainer. Last December, she took on a passion project by recording videos and uploading them to her own YouTube channel. It's a task that she's fit in while juggling schoolwork and her own training as a member of Wofford's women's track and field team. The workouts have had a new importance during the COVIC-19 pandemic. While gyms closed and many sheltered in place, Johnson's routines have helped her family and friends stay active.

Starting a new business venture in the middle of a global health pandemic - complete with shelter-in-place orders and an economic recession - may seem less than ideal, but Grace Gehlken '22 and Kenzie Syiem '23 have accepted the challenge.

Fifteen Wofford students participate in Interim 2019 Course: Learn How to Change the World in 20 Days

Berkley Manchester '18 and Sarah Giradot '18, awarded teaching assistantships in France.

Members of the Wofford College Orientation Staff will greet first-year students on Aug. 29 as the college welcomes the Class of 2022.

Wofford students elected/appointed to Wofford College Judicial Commission for 2018-2019.

Ten Wofford College students participated in the Glorious Gardens Interim class during January 2017.

Two Wofford students attended The Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing in Houston, Texas

Members of the Wofford College Orientation Staff will greet first-year students on Aug. 25 as the college welcomes the Class of 2019.

The Old Gold and Black student newspaper won 12 awards in the South Carolina Press Association 2015 Collegiate Contest.

Jordan Andrew Thomas presented a poster and won the senior award for Wofford at the Western Carolinas Section of the American Chemical Society Spring Awards Meeting and Posters.

Nine Wofford students are participating in The Institute, a program created by the college in 2009 to help students learn professional skills such as networking, public speaking and consulting before graduation to help them better compete for jobs. The Institute runs from July 6 through August 6, and includes a one-week trip to New York City to experience direct industry exposure in one of the world's greatest business centers.

Three Wofford College students have received funding through the Student/Faculty Research Program of South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Inc. for 2015.

Three Wofford College students recently completed training to join the University Innovation Fellows of the National Center for Engineering Pathways to Innovation (Epicenter).