Dr. Katherine Hill discovered her passion for clinical oncology pharmacy by coincidence. 

Going into her first year at the , Hill always knew that she wanted to work in a hospital setting. But it was during her fourth year when her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer that her path became clear, and was further solidified by her field experience. 

“One day, I ended up shadowing an oncology pharmacist on rotation,” she said. “I’d already enjoyed learning about it in the classroom, and then during my residency, I decided that’s what I wanted to do.”

Originally from Louisiana, Hill’s father, the Rev. Joseph Hill, a 1972 �㽶�� graduate, encouraged her to look into the pharmacy program. 

“I looked into it, and immediately everybody was so welcoming, so happy to see you, and it just felt good to be on campus,” she said. “I came back, and I was like, ‘Dad, I don’t know what it is, but I think I’m going to go there.’” 

Following her father’s footsteps, Hill graduated in 2021, 49 years after her dad. 

Since graduating from �㽶��’s School of Pharmacy, Hill has made a name for herself, currently serving as the lead outpatient oncology clinical pharmacy specialist at in Dallas, Texas, a position she’s held for just under a year. 

“It’s been fun to have different insight, not only when practicing, but through training my coworkers and being a resource and an aid for them as well,” she said. 

Hill attributes her success in her career to her time as a graduate student at �㽶��, expressing her gratitude for the school that made her feel at home while miles away from her own, and the program that went above and beyond to prepare her for the future. 

“If at any point I can give thanks to �㽶��, I always do,” she said. “I really think that I wouldn’t be here doing what I’m doing if it wasn’t for �㽶��.” 

She credits the small class sizes, the close relationships she was able to build with her professors, and the endless opportunities for helping her transform into the leader she is today. 

“There are a lot of opportunities that �㽶�� offers to be involved with organizations, or even at the state level that you probably wouldn’t find elsewhere,” she said. “Those experiences develop you as a leader and as a professional, so I owe a lot of my successes to that.” 

While her education was undoubtedly essential to her success, Hill also encourages students to take some of the pressure off themselves academically, because what happens outside of the classroom is just as important. 

“Take those opportunities to get to know people, to network, to step out of yourself and your comfort zone,” she encouraged. “The academics are important, but they’re not everything.” 

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For two days, the Supreme Court of South Carolina traded its courtroom in Columbia for a stage in Clinton, offering students, educators and community members a rare opportunity to see justice unfold in real time at �㽶��.

The special session, held March 31–April 1 in Belk Auditorium, marked a significant outreach effort by the state’s highest court — one Chief Justice John W. Kittredge described as a “civics lesson on the road.”

“This is about bringing the court to the people,” Kittredge said, noting the strong turnout of students from across South Carolina. “We’ve been blown away by the interest.

Justice for every corner

For �㽶�� president Dr. Anita Gustafson, the moment carried both institutional and civic significance.

“We are genuinely grateful you have chosen �㽶�� for this historic occasion,” she said in welcoming remarks. “Our students are watching real arguments before the highest court of South Carolina. They are seeing — not just reading about — how justice is argued, decided and delivered.” 

Gustafson framed the event as part of a broader mission to expand access to learning and civic understanding.

“This is a statement about who justice belongs to,” she said. “It belongs to everyone in every corner of this state.” 

Drawing on her background as a historian, Gustafson also reflected on the court’s legacy, noting its origins in the 1868 state constitution and its role as “the guardian of the rule of law” for more than 150 years.

Learning in real time

The audience included students from across the region — from middle schools to high schools and college classrooms — many experiencing oral arguments for the first time.

That exposure, Gustafson said, is transformational.

“Some of them will leave this room and carry what they witnessed into careers in law, public service, medicine, education and business,” she said. “They will carry it into their communities and into the world to make a difference.” 

That sentiment was echoed by , a 2007 �㽶�� graduate, trustee and appellate attorney with in Columbia. The sessions took place on the Whitney B. Harrison Stage, named in recognition of her support for the college.

“�㽶�� is a place where people discover their calling,” Harrison said. 

Harrison, who once clerked for the state Supreme Court, described appellate law as work that shapes legal precedent for generations.

“Appellate courts are not here to decide what happens,” she said. “Their job is to determine what the law should be and how it should be applied.” 

For students in attendance, she added, the experience offers a glimpse into that process — one that demands precision, persistence and a deep sense of responsibility.

“I hope each of you finds your calling and has the courage to follow it,” Harrison said. 

A community effort

Hosting the court required weeks of coordination across campus and beyond, with Gustafson and others recognizing the contributions of faculty, staff and community partners who made the event possible.

Local and state leaders also emphasized the broader impact of bringing the court to Laurens County.

“This is truly a great laboratory experience,” said S.C. Sen. Danny Verdin, who represents District 9. “Bless you for bringing the courthouse to Laurens County.” 

Verdin placed the visit in a wider historical context, noting the long-standing importance of law and justice in shaping communities.

“An exceptional experience is before us today,” he said, adding that its effects “will be long-lasting and measured in years to come.” 

State Rep. Doug Gilliam echoed that sentiment, calling the event a rare opportunity for citizens to witness the judicial process firsthand.

“This is democracy in action,” Gilliam said. 

Bridging classroom and courtroom

Throughout the sessions, the justices heard oral arguments in a range of cases, including civil and criminal appeals involving issues such as immunity under state law, jury procedures and post-conviction relief.

But for many in attendance, the substance of the cases was secondary to the experience itself — seeing how legal arguments are presented, questioned and weighed at the highest level.

Kittredge emphasized that point, encouraging students to engage with the process and recognize its relevance to their lives.

“We hope this is an enjoyable experience for you,” he said, addressing the audience of students and educators.

Lasting Impact

For �㽶��, the visit represented more than a two-day event. It was a convergence of mission, opportunity and public service — one that connected classroom learning with real-world application.

By bringing the Supreme Court to campus, Gustafson said, the college created a moment that could shape how students understand both their education and their role in society.

And for those who filled Belk Auditorium — from aspiring attorneys to curious middle schoolers — the experience offered something rare: a close-up view of how justice works, and who it serves.

As Verdin noted, the significance of that moment may not be fully realized until years later.

But its impact, he suggested, is already underway.

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As a critical care pharmacist, Dr. Martin Gordon spends his days caring for the sickest patients in the hospital – those in intensive care whose conditions can change hourly. 

As a result of the intricacies of his patients’ needs, Gordon is responsible for managing complex medication regimens, responding to medical emergencies, and helping patients and their families understand every step of the treatment process. 

Critical care is just one of the numerous routes pharmacy students can take. For Gordon, it was his calling. 

Gordon discovered his interest in critical care during his third year of pharmacy school while taking a course surrounding toxicology pharmacotherapy, and his passion was solidified during a surgical/trauma ICU rotation in his fourth year. 

During that rotation, he learned under preceptor Sarah Frye. 

“I greatly admired the impact she had on patient care and the respect she earned as an integral member of the healthcare team,” he said. “Sarah inspired me to follow a similar path.” 

In an incredible full-circle moment, Frye later became the director of his residency program during his PGY2 year. 

Gordon largely attributes his success, both during residency and in his career, to �㽶��’s program and the preparation and opportunities it provided him as a student. 

Born and raised in Potchefstroom, South Africa, Gordon’s family relocated to the States when he was a teenager after his mother, also a pharmacist, was recruited to work in Phoenix, Ariz. 

Gordon eventually found himself in South Carolina at �㽶��’s School of Pharmacy, a decision he feels the rewards of every day. 

“The coursework was rigorous and provided a strong clinical foundation, but it was the required volunteer and professional service hours that truly began shaping me into a well-rounded pharmacist,” he said. “Those experiences pushed me to develop a deeper understanding of the communities we serve.”

Grateful for the opportunity that �㽶��’s program provided to explore and discover his passion for critical care, Gordon heavily encourages current pharmacy students to do the same. 

“Pharmacy is a field with countless paths, some of which don’t even involve any clinical work at all,” he said. “Explore and experience different practice areas, and learn what truly excites you before deciding on a specialty.” 

Gordon originally thought he would be working in a community setting after graduating, having never heard of critical care pharmacy prior to his pharmacotherapy courses. 

However, as he progressed further into his education and his interests began to change, he began immersing himself in other specialties, ultimately finding what was meant for him.  

“The more you expose yourself to, the better you’ll understand just how many meaningful and fulfilling directions a pharmacy career can take,” he said. 

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 The world of business has always been of interest to assistant professor of accounting Scott Barker ’93, even as a teenager. 

As a Laurens native, Barker attended �㽶�� after finishing high school, where he majored in business and graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1993. 

“I think I’ve always had an interest in business,” he said. “And when I got here, Dr. Jerry Slice and Dr. Suzie Smith were my professors, and they helped spur that interest along, too.” 

The road back to �㽶��

After graduating from �㽶��, Barker worked for for five years before working for the , where he spent 16 years. 

Soon after beginning work at the SCDOR, Barker began teaching nighttime business courses at Piedmont Technical College as an adjunct professor, a position he held until retirement. 

Barker made the transition to full-time teaching in 2023 after retiring from both the state and his position at Piedmont Tech, having come across an open position within �㽶��’s business administration program. 

“It was a chance for me to come back to Presbyterian,” he said. “I enjoyed my years when I was here, and it was a way for me to reconnect to the college.” 

Since then, Barker has spent 3 years at �㽶�� as a professor of accounting, though he has taught a variety of classes within the program. 

As an alumnus, the opportunity to come back and serve his alma mater has been incredibly fulfilling for Barker, along with the chance to work side by side with his former professors who inspired him so much when he was a student. 

“I still look at Dr. Slice and Dr. Smith as my professors,” he said. “I still view them that way, even though I’m working with them in the department.” 

A future of growth and community

What excites Barker the most about the coming years at the college is the opportunity for growth, both within the department and in campus interactions with the surrounding community. 

“I had a student, Emma Erwin, who worked on a project last semester studying the economic impact of �㽶�� on the community, and it was really good to not only see a student do that work, but to see how �㽶�� as a whole impacts not just the surrounding community, but the county as a whole,” he said. 

In addition to looking forward to more opportunities to work with dedicated students, Barker hopes to continue to strengthen the impact of the college on the nearby community.

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�㽶�� has named alumna Emma Reynolds Reabold ’13 as its new executive director of strategic initiatives, a senior leadership role that will support the president and campus leadership in advancing the college’s strategic priorities.

Reabold currently serves as vice president for development and campus services at South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU), where she works closely with the organization’s president and board of trustees to advance initiatives benefiting the state’s 20 private colleges and universities.

In her new role at �㽶��, Reabold will collaborate with �㽶�� president Dr. Anita Gustafson and campus leaders to help coordinate major institutional initiatives, support cross-campus planning and ensure strategic priorities are carried forward across the college.

Gustafson said Reabold’s leadership experience and deep connection to the college made her a natural fit for the position.

“Emma brings an exceptional combination of strategic insight, collaborative leadership and a deep love for �㽶��,” Gustafson said. “As an alumna and accomplished higher education leader, she understands both the mission and the possibilities of this institution. I am excited to welcome her back to campus and look forward to the impact she will make as we continue advancing our vision for �㽶��’s future.”

A 2013 graduate of �㽶��, Reabold earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology and English, graduating cum laude. She later received a master’s degree in counselor education from Clemson University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy at the University of South Carolina.

Throughout her career, Reabold has built extensive experience in higher education administration, strategic operations and leadership development.

At SCICU, she has played a key role in developing and implementing initiatives designed to strengthen collaboration among South Carolina’s private colleges and universities. Her work has included advancing partnerships with corporate and philanthropic partners, coordinating collaborative meetings among campus leaders and overseeing communications and shared services initiatives for the statewide organization.

One of her most significant contributions has been helping develop SCICU’s Multiple Employer Plan, a new retirement benefits initiative designed to support faculty and staff across member institutions.

Dr. Robert Lloyd, president and CEO of SCICU, praised Reabold’s leadership and contributions to the organization.

“She stepped into her role with energy, drive, and an entrepreneurial vision that elevated our work in meaningful ways,” Lloyd said. “Her leadership has been instrumental in developing the Multiple Employer Plan (MEP)—a complex, high impact initiative that will benefit our member institutions for years to come.”

Lloyd also credited Reabold with strengthening partnerships and supporting the organization during a period of transition.

“Emma will be greatly missed, both personally and professionally,” he said. “�㽶�� is gaining a thoughtful, talented, and visionary leader.”

Before joining SCICU, Reabold held leadership roles at the University of South Carolina in the nationally recognized University 101 Programs office, where she oversaw peer leadership initiatives, supervised staff and taught first-year seminar courses. Earlier in her career, she served in student success and advising roles at Clemson University, working closely with undergraduate students and academic programs focused on student retention and leadership development.

Her professional work has consistently focused on helping institutions strengthen student success initiatives while aligning operational priorities with broader strategic goals.

Reabold will now return to the campus where she began her academic journey, bringing both statewide higher education experience and a personal connection to �㽶��’s mission.

“Returning home to �㽶�� is incredibly meaningful to me, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve a place that had such a lasting impact on my life,” Reabold said. “�㽶��’s mission has shaped my own path and continues to guide the work I care most deeply about. I’ve been so impressed by the leadership of Dr. Gustafson and the forward momentum she and her team are building at �㽶��. I’m excited to come alongside that work and help advance initiatives that support the college’s mission and future.”

Reabold’s appointment reflects �㽶��’s continued focus on strengthening institutional strategy and advancing initiatives that support student success, academic excellence and the college’s mission of developing thoughtful, ethical leaders prepared for lives of service and leadership.

She will begin her new role at �㽶�� later this year. She and her husband, Geoff, and their two sons, Jackson and Cooper, will reside in Clinton.

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�㽶�� celebrated its largest-ever class ring ceremony March 1, blending longstanding traditions with new elements designed to deepen the meaning and experience for students and alumni alike.

Held in Edmunds Hall, the 2026 ceremony featured 53 rings and 47 participants — the highest level of participation in the college’s history. For the first time, alumni joined current students in receiving rings, marking a significant expansion of the event and signaling a new direction for the tradition.

Organizers described the ceremony as a reimagined experience, one that intentionally connected the symbolism of the class ring to the broader story of �㽶��.

“We have 53 rings involved in this year’s ceremony,” said Spencer Wieters ’26, a member of the Class Ring Committee. “Our goal this year was to involve more people, stir more enthusiasm, and draw more attention to the �㽶�� class ring and the Class Ring Ceremony. I believe we have accomplished that goal.”

A tradition renewed

The weekend’s events began before the ceremony itself, as organizers introduced new traditions designed to add a sense of pageantry and historical connection.

In keeping with longstanding custom, the rings were placed overnight in the Founder’s Library, symbolically linking them to the college’s origins. This year, however, Army ROTC cadets transported the rings to the archives, ringing the campus bell as they passed — a new addition that organizers hope will become a lasting tradition.

On Friday, cadets carried the rings through the Cornelson Center, where they paused for a photograph with members of the �㽶�� Army ROTC Hall of Fame before returning the rings to the Smith Administration Building.

The ceremony itself opened with a bagpipe processional, as recipients entered Edmunds Hall accompanied by music that reflected the college’s Scottish heritage.

A symbol of the �㽶�� journey

Throughout the ceremony, speakers emphasized that the class ring represents far more than an achievement — it is a symbol of each student’s journey and their connection to the college community.

“I would like to take a few moments to reflect on what this ring truly represents,” said Jeff Smith ’92, the college’s alumni engagement coordinator. “From Opening Convocation in your first year to the day you cross the stage at graduation, this ring symbolizes your journey — your growth, your perseverance, and your place in the �㽶�� story.”

Smith guided attendees through a series of symbols present in the ceremony, each tied to the college’s history and identity.

He pointed to the Bible of founder William Plumer Jacobs as a representation of faith and vision, the college’s ceremonial mace as a symbol of academic tradition, and the campus bell as a marker of achievement. The tartan and bagpipes reflected �㽶��’s Scottish roots, while the college seal — prominently displayed on the ring — served as a reminder of its enduring motto: Dum Vivimus Servimus — “While We Live, We Serve.”

“The seal is the centerpiece of your class ring and a lasting declaration that you are forever part of the �㽶�� family,” Smith said.

Personal connections and shared legacy

In her remarks, college president Dr. Anita Gustafson highlighted the deeply personal significance that rings can carry, drawing a connection between the students’ experience and her own family history.

“One of the rings that I wear — almost every day — is my grandmother’s high school class ring,” Gustafson said. “She graduated in 1908. The ring is so very special to me because I carry a bit of her with me every day.”

Gustafson noted that the class ring serves a similar purpose for �㽶�� students, connecting them to generations of alumni who have come before them.

“You are in a long line of other Blue Hose who have come before you and who wear the �㽶�� ring,” she said. “When people see your ring, they will recognize that you have come from a place steeped in tradition with a history of graduating excellent scholars and servant-leaders.”

Her remarks also drew a parallel between her own tenure and that of the junior class, noting that both are in their third year — a moment that underscored the passage of time and the significance of the milestone being celebrated.

Each year at the commencement ceremony, �㽶��’s Lassiter Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life, the Rev. Dr. Buz Wilcoxon ’05, offers a prayer drawn from the diary of the college’s founder, Rev. William Plumer Jacobs. This year’s ring ceremony, for the first time, included an adapted version of that prayer, giving thanks for the ways �㽶�� has already shaped these students and looking ahead with anticipation to the joy of their future graduations. 

A tradition that looks forward

One of the most meaningful moments of the ceremony came as recipients were instructed on how to wear their rings — a tradition that links their present experience to their future as graduates.

“You will place them with the seal facing you, and wear it that way until graduation day,” Wieters told the group. “This reminds you of where you are and what is left to accomplish.”

At commencement, he explained, graduates will turn the ring outward, symbolizing their readiness to share their �㽶�� experience with the world.

The ceremony also marked the first time alumni participated alongside students — a change that organizers say will continue in future years.

“This year’s ceremony will include two alumni,” Wieters said, noting that one participant had not experienced a ring ceremony as a student and another was inspired to purchase a ring after attending last year’s event. “We hope many alumni will come back and participate in this special ceremony in the future.”

The event concluded with the singing of the alma mater, led by Kipper Ackerman ’97, director of choral activities and one of the alumni participants — a moment that brought together students, alumni, and families in a shared expression of pride and belonging.

As the ceremony ended and attendees gathered for a reception in the lobby, the significance of the moment lingered — not just as a celebration of achievement, but as a reaffirmation of identity.

For those who received their rings, the message was clear: they are now part of something larger than themselves, connected by tradition, shaped by experience, and called to carry that legacy forward.

And, as the college’s motto reminds them, to serve.

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Thomas Gerald “Jerry” Smith Sr., a devoted �㽶�� alumnus whose warmth, generosity, and enduring school spirit made him a familiar presence on campus for decades, died Tuesday, March 10, at his home in Greenville. He was in the 100th year of his life. 

To those who knew him — students, fellow alumni, church members, and friends — he was simply “Mr. Jerry,” a man whose enthusiasm for life and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on generations of Blue Hose.

Born July 19, 1926, in Liberty, South Carolina, Smith grew up largely in Seneca and graduated from Seneca High School in 1943. 

His early adulthood was shaped by service during World War II, when he was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1945 and trained as a right waist gunner on the B-29 bomber before the war ended. 

Following his honorable discharge in 1946, Smith enrolled at �㽶�� using benefits from the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944 — the G.I. Bill — joining thousands of returning veterans who pursued higher education in the postwar years. 

Because his benefits covered only three years of tuition, Smith completed his degree in business in an accelerated timeframe and graduated with the Class of 1950. 

That same determination would characterize much of his life.

After college, Smith initially worked at his father’s automobile dealership in Seneca before beginning a long career in the insurance industry. Most of his professional life was spent with Allstate Insurance in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Greenville, where he eventually served as a district sales manager. 

But Smith’s work was only one part of a life defined by service, faith, and family.

He and his wife, Lillis Brown Smith — whom he met when they were just children and married in 1949 — shared a partnership that lasted seven decades until her death in 2019. 

Together they built a large and close-knit family that now includes children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Smith was also deeply committed to his church. A member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Greenville for more than 60 years, he sang in the choir and remained active in the church’s youth program well into his 80s and early 90s, earning the affectionate nickname “Mr. Jerry” from teenagers he mentored. 

Even in retirement, he maintained an energy and positivity that friends said seemed to defy age.

“Smith is as gregarious as they come, with an infectious smile and an exuberant air that belies his 97 years,” a �㽶�� story noted when he returned to campus in 2024 for the college’s 141st Commencement. 

That commencement marked one of the most memorable moments of Smith’s long relationship with his alma mater.

Nearly 74 years after graduating, Smith walked across the stage at Vance Plaza for the first time — an opportunity he missed in 1950 because he had already begun working and supporting his young family. The moment drew a standing ovation from students and faculty alike.

“It was exhilarating,” Smith said afterward. “I just couldn’t believe that it would happen in my lifetime. The students stood up for me and I really felt loved.” 

Smith’s connection to �㽶�� extended far beyond that symbolic walk across the stage. Over the years, he and his wife established the Lillis B. and Thomas Gerald Smith Sr. Scholarship Fund and supported numerous campus initiatives, including the Neville Renewed Campaign, the Championship Spirit Athletic Facilities Initiative, and the Scotsman Club. 

He was also a fixture at campus events — football games, alumni gatherings, and celebrations — often driving from Greenville to Clinton simply to spend time with fellow Blue Hose.

“Jerry represented the very best of �㽶��,” said �㽶�� president Dr. Anita Gustafson. “He believed deeply in the mission of this institution and in the power of education to shape lives. But what people remember most about Jerry wasn’t just his generosity — it was his joy. He showed up with a smile, a story, and an enthusiasm for �㽶�� that lifted everyone around him.”

For many alumni, Smith’s friendliness was as memorable as his philanthropy.

Amanda Dowdle ’14, director of annual campaigns and development officer in the college’s Office of Advancement, recalled meeting Smith and his wife years ago at football games where they sat near her grandparents.

“Jerry Smith loved �㽶�� and proudly carried the Blue Hose spirit throughout his life,” Dowdle said. “He had a talent for making people feel special and was known for his humor and great storytelling. Even at 99, he stayed positive, witty, and devoted to his Blue Hose. His kindness and pride in �㽶�� left a lasting impression on many alumni.”

Smith himself often joked that his circle of friends grew younger as he grew older, but he relished the connections.

He frequently spoke about recruiting his great-grandchildren to attend �㽶�� one day — another sign of his enduring loyalty to the school that helped shape his life.

While Smith lived nearly a century, those who knew him say the true measure of his life was not its length but its spirit.

He believed strongly in faith, family, and encouraging others to be their best selves — values he carried quietly but consistently throughout his life.

As one tribute described him, Smith was a relentlessly positive person who delighted in helping others bring out the best in themselves. 

And for the many people who knew him simply as “Mr. Jerry,” his presence — cheerful, welcoming, and unmistakably Blue Hose — will not soon be forgotten.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, on 7 Shannon Drive in Greenville, S.C. The family will receive friends for a visitation beginning at 1 p.m. prior to the service.

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Dr. Clay Wright has loved math and science for as long as he can remember. 

As a high school student, he initially thought he wanted to pursue a career as a medical doctor, until he took a physics class and began thinking about pursuing engineering instead. 

When he began his collegiate career at �㽶��, he was interested in the college’s physics and engineering dual degree program, which would allow him to attend �㽶�� for three years before transferring to an engineering school, though that plan quickly changed. 

“I liked it here so much, I wanted to stay for all four years,” he said. 

After earning his Bachelor of Science in physics and applied mathematics from �㽶�� in 2019, Wright attended Georgia Tech, where he earned his Ph.D. in materials science and engineering. 

During his time in graduate school, Wright was faced with two paths: a career focused on intense research or a career focused on teaching. 

“I knew I wanted to teach for sure,” he said. 

Living in Atlanta at the time, Wright, a Clinton native, wanted nothing more than to return to the slow pace he was familiar with, so when he stumbled across an open teaching position at �㽶��, it felt like fate. 

Seeing �㽶�� in a new light

Wright returned to �㽶�� as an assistant professor of physics in January of 2025. In just over a year, he’s already made a tremendous impact, even having been selected for the 2025 South Carolina EPSCoR Faculty Research Development Academy, which is designed to help prepare researchers at undergraduate institutions to apply for major federal grants. 

Wright truly loves every aspect of what he does, and it shows in the way he teaches and how he interacts with students. 

“I love it. I wouldn’t do anything else,” he said. “I love interacting with students, and I love having a job where I get to learn all the time.” 

Wright has enjoyed every moment of his time spent at the college as a professor, but without a doubt, what he values most about the opportunity to experience �㽶�� from a new perspective is seeing just how much students grow over the years. 

“Physics is hard for everyone, even the people who are good at it,” he said. “But once it clicks, that’s a really awesome thing, and to try to help other people experience that and see them grow has been the best part.” 

The biggest challenge Wright has faced so far? Getting to know the physics faculty as his colleagues and friends rather than as their student, particularly Dr. Eli Owens, who served as his mentor. 

“When I was a student here, Dr. Owens was my professor, so the hardest part has been calling him by his name and not ‘Dr. Owens’ anymore,” he joked. 

Excitement for the future

When Wright thinks about the coming years that he’ll spend at  �㽶��, he’s most excited about all of the new students the future will bring and the opportunity to continue doing what he loves the most. “I think we have a lot of really cool programs that we’re trying to get off the ground, and I’m just really excited about the direction the college is heading,” he said

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What began as a simple networking reception has grown into one of �㽶��’s signature career development events.

Now in its 10th year, Mocktails & Mingling brought more than 40 alumni back to the Springs Student Center this week to connect with students exploring their next steps — and to demonstrate how relationships formed at �㽶�� can shape careers in unexpected ways.

For Kim Lane, associate dean and director of career and professional development, the evening represents more than an annual gathering.

“Networking is more than exchanging business cards and connecting on LinkedIn,” Lane told attendees. “It’s about building relationships. It’s about asking thoughtful questions and exploring possibilities.”

Lane, who has led the event for a decade alongside associate director Lynn Downie, said students often misunderstand networking as transactional rather than transformational.

“When I was 18 or 19, my father told me I needed to network,” Lane said. “I remember thinking, ‘I’m an introvert. I don’t want to talk to anyone.’ But I eventually realized what he meant. No matter your career path, relationships matter.”

This year’s milestone event included a new element: a panel discussion featuring three alumni representing marketing, manufacturing and law, each offering candid reflections on how networking shaped their own journeys.

Before the panel began, Dr. Erin McAdams, provost and vice president for academic affairs, emphasized the broader institutional significance of the evening.

“When I first arrived at �㽶��, career and professional development operated somewhat separately from academic affairs,” McAdams said. “One of the most meaningful shifts we’ve made is fully embracing career and professional development as an academic initiative.”

That integration, she said, reinforces classroom learning and experiential opportunities.

“Events like this matter,” McAdams said.

She shared her own story of attending an alumni networking event as a college student — a conversation that influenced her decision to pursue a Ph.D., become a faculty member and eventually enter higher education leadership.

“For the students here tonight, keep your ears open,” McAdams said. “You have no idea how a single conversation might expand your understanding of what is possible.”

Alumni reflect on authentic networking

The alumni panel illustrated those possibilities in real time.

Michele Griggs ’10, vice president and creative director at in Greenville, told students her career path did not follow a straight line from her academic major.

“I never took a marketing class in my life,” Griggs said. “Thank you, liberal arts education.”

A double major in art and English with a minor in art history, Griggs said she once believed networking did not apply to her chosen fields.

“I didn’t know what networking was when I was a student,” she said. “I thought, ‘What do I need networking for?’ Oh my gosh, how wrong was I?”

Through campus employment and connections fostered by Career and Professional Development, Griggs built relationships that helped her secure her first job and advance into leadership.

Today, she says she genuinely enjoys her work.

“I am one of the rare people who will look you in the eye and tell you I love my job,” she said. “I work for the best company with the best people.”

Blake West ’20 offered a more recent perspective. A biochemistry major who graduated during the COVID-19 pandemic, West said networking looked very different in a virtual world.

“Networking is not a personality trait,” West said. “It’s a skill you have to learn.”

Now an account manager in polymer solutions group, West began his career in research and development before moving to the commercial side of the company.

“My job basically is networking,” he said. “It’s about building relationships and understanding what customers need.”

West encouraged students to remain curious and open to opportunities that may not align perfectly with their initial plans.

“I never thought of myself being in sales,” he said. “But building relationships opened that door.”

Joe Wideman ’13 — a former Blue Hose football player, current member of the College’s Board of Trustees and partner at in Columbia — admitted he once resisted networking altogether.

“I was terrible at networking,” Wideman said.

As a law student, he reluctantly attended a dinner with an alumnus whose son was considering �㽶��. Months later, when he walked into a job interview, he found that same attorney sitting across the table.

“That’s when I realized networking could be beneficial,” Wideman said.

Now approaching a decade in practice and serving as an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina’s Joseph F. Rice School of Law, Wideman said honesty remains his guiding principle.

“Even if you don’t know what you’re talking about, sometimes honesty can get you in the door,” he said.

A shared message: Be authentic

Despite their varied industries and graduation years, all three alumni offered similar advice.

“Be yourself,” West said. “People can tell when you’re faking.”

“Be authentic,” Griggs added. “People can see right through it.”

Wideman agreed, noting that authenticity builds trust — a currency as valuable as any résumé line.

Lane said that message aligns precisely with the purpose of Mocktails & Mingling.

“This is a comfortable, supportive environment,” she told students. “Practice introducing yourself with confidence and authenticity.”

More than 40 alumni attended the event, representing diverse industries and career paths. Many once sat in the same chairs as the students they met this week.

“Every conversation can offer clarity about your own journey,” Lane said. “And that journey doesn’t end at graduation.”

As the structured portion of the evening concluded, students rotated tables, continuing conversations that may one day shape internships, job offers — or even entirely new career trajectories.

For McAdams, the event’s 10-year milestone reflects not just longevity but cultural change.

Career development at �㽶�� is no longer an auxiliary service, she said. It is woven into the academic experience — reinforced by faculty, administrators, alumni and trustees alike.

For students in the room, the takeaway was simple but profound.

“You have no idea,” McAdams said, “how a single conversation might expand your understanding of what is possible.”

Ten years in, Mocktails & Mingling continues to prove that those conversations matter.

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When Matt Navarro ’99 stood before students in Edmunds Hall for �㽶��’s annual Robert M. Vance Lecture on Business Ethics, he did not begin with viral tumblers, celebrity partnerships or record-breaking revenue.

He began with a question.

“Do you know who you are?” Navarro asked.

For the global president of PMI WW Brands, LLC — parent company of — that question sits at the heart of leadership. And last Thursday, Navarro urged students to define their values before defining their careers.

From ‘average student ‘ to global CEO

Navarro returned to campus nearly 27 years after graduating, describing himself as “a very average student” who loved college life and athletics but did not have a master plan.

“I had no idea what I wanted to do when I was 18, 19 years old sitting in this auditorium like you guys,” he said.

A former member of the football team and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Navarro credited his liberal arts education with giving him broad exposure and teaching him to listen to different perspectives.

“You’re not supposed to know exactly what you want to do,” he said. “Be curious. Take a lot of different classes. Ask questions. And have a lot of fun.”

Navarro initially planned to pursue education and coaching before pivoting into business. Early in his career, a mentor challenged him to choose between leading a business unit or leading people and organizations. He chose leadership.

“I want to build high-performing teams,” he said. “I want to find the right leaders. I want to grow and develop as a leader.”

That focus would shape a career that included leadership roles with brands such as , and before he joined Stanley in 2020.

Ethics in action

Navarro told students that one of the most pivotal moments in his career came when he decided to leave a previous employer after it was acquired by a private equity firm.

“When you’re sitting in rooms and the decisions being made just don’t align with your values,” he said, “I think it’s probably time to go.”

For Navarro, ethics is not theoretical. It is practical and personal.

He described vision as a company’s “why,” mission as its “how,” and values as the foundation for how people treat one another and make decisions.

“Your values are your guiding light,” he said. “They’re your north star.”

At Stanley, Navarro helped refresh the company’s vision, mission and values, engaging employees across the globe in the process. Those principles guide decisions ranging from product development to sourcing and sustainability.

The 112-year-old brand has experienced dramatic growth in recent years, fueled in part by the popularity of its colorful Quencher tumblers. Annual sales climbed from roughly $70 million in 2019 to an estimated $750 million by 2023.

But Navarro emphasized that long-term success depends on more than trend-driven demand.

“Do you know who you are? Do you know where you’re going? Do you know how you’re going to get there? And can you execute?” he said. “All successful companies have clarity around those questions.”

Culture as competitive advantage

Navarro argued that culture — often difficult to define — is one of the strongest competitive advantages an organization can possess.

“Culture is how you make people feel,” he said. “It’s how people feel about being part of something.”

He said his top priority as CEO is creating an environment where employees at every level can perform at their best.

“Have we created a culture where from intern to C-level executive, people are able and motivated to be at their best?” he asked. “If everybody’s in that situation, it’s endless what teams and companies can accomplish.”

He encouraged students to look beyond salary and job titles when entering the workforce and to evaluate leadership behavior and organizational values.

“People leave bosses, not companies,” Navarro said. “Find somebody you want to work for.”

He also advised students to build a “personal board of directors” — trusted mentors and advisors who provide honest feedback and diverse perspectives during major life decisions.

Sustainability and responsibility

Navarro highlighted Stanley’s efforts in sustainability and social impact, including using recycled materials in products, reducing emissions and partnering only with “grade A” factories that meet ethical labor standards.

“Ask companies what they’re really doing,” he told students. “Not just what’s on the PowerPoint slide.”

He described an ongoing debate within the company about how prominently to market sustainability initiatives — balancing transparency with the risk of “greenwashing,” or overstating environmental efforts.

“Sometimes the right thing to do is just do the right thing,” he said. “If people care and they’re paying attention, they’ll see it.”

Stanley’s community engagement includes volunteer initiatives and its Creators Fund, which supports emerging businesses focused on sustainability and social impact.

“We’re feeding people in communities that otherwise wouldn’t eat,” Navarro said. “That’s the stuff that really makes you feel good about what you’re doing.”

Lessons in leadership

During a question-and-answer session, students pressed Navarro about mistakes, leadership growth and evaluating workplace culture.

He acknowledged that some of his most difficult lessons involved hiring decisions.

“The mistakes that aren’t fast and cheap — those are painful,” he said. “Most of the time when I’ve missed, it’s because I led with my head and not my heart.”

Navarro said his leadership style has evolved over time, particularly in delivering feedback.

“You’re doing people a disservice if you don’t tell them,” he said. “I move faster on feedback now, even when it’s hard.”

He told students that company culture often reveals itself during adversity rather than during periods of rapid growth.

“When things are going great, culture feels easy,” he said. “It’s in adversity that your values really show up.”

A shared foundation

Navarro’s visit to campus also marked a return with his wife, Carolyn, whom he met while they were students at �㽶��. Carolyn later returned to school to pursue nursing, becoming a registered nurse at age 50 — a story Navarro cited as an example of lifelong growth and perseverance.

“Life’s about moments,” Navarro said. “Life’s about relationships.”

As he closed his remarks, Navarro expressed gratitude for his education and encouraged students to embrace both opportunity and uncertainty.

“Take some chances,” he said. “It’s not always a straight line.”

The Robert M. Vance Lecture Series on Business Ethics is funded by a gift from the Bailey Foundation and named for the late Robert M. Vance, a Clinton businessman and former �㽶�� trustee who valued ethics, honesty and integrity in business.

For Navarro, those principles remain central to leadership.

“Know who you are,” he told students. “Let your values guide your decisions. Everything else takes care of itself.”

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