Presbyterian College students and faculty took to the community on Saturday, Sept. 6, for Fall Service Day, honoring the 60th anniversary of Student Volunteer Services (SVS) and reaffirming the college’s commitment to service.

Despite the lure of a busy weekend, the college’s service tradition drew strong participation across Laurens County. Volunteers worked at gardens, churches, equestrian centers, and animal shelters — and even on PC’s own campus — to strengthen ties and support local organizations.

Carrying a Tradition Forward

The Rev. Dr. British Hyrams, the Jack and Jane Presseau Associate Chaplain, reflected on the legacy of SVS.

“As we celebrate 60 years of SVS, I am elated to say that number of students interested in being leaders and those wanting to volunteer are both on the upswing,” Hyrams said. “The break that the pandemic caused has not prevailed! I appreciate the leadership and enthusiasm of the students who embody the PC commitment to service, they keep SVS alive. Here’s to another 60 years!”

Faculty Perspective

Dr. Justin Brent, professor of English, noted the energy of the day.

“Yeah, we had a great morning; just a really cool vibe out there among the students,” Brent said.

Students at the Heart of Service

For many students, the day was about connection, tradition, and discovery.

Freshman Dean Ezzell of Charleston said the event was a natural way to get involved.

“I figured it would be a good time and a good way to serve my community,” he said.

Junior Garrett Oliver of Pelion echoed PC’s motto in his reflection on helping at Springdale Methodist Church.

“It was a pleasure to help the lovely people of Springdale Methodist Church,” Oliver said. “I love upholding our motto ‘While we live, we serve’.”

Senior Lyle Jones of Mauldin, co-director of SVS, highlighted the anniversary’s meaning.

“Fall Service Day has been a tradition in some capacity for a long time, so getting to participate in such a tradition, especially during the 60-year anniversary of SVS, is a blessing,” Jones said. “It makes it evident that our motto is truly a part of PC, rather than simply another slogan.”

SVS co-director Abby Donaldson praised both the turnout and the impact.

“I think the service day went really well. Despite several other events going on, such as Bid Day and the PC vs. Furman game, we had a good turnout for Service Day,” Donaldson said. “We were able to benefit a wide variety of organizations and help in several different ways. From helping out at the humane society to garden clean up and weeding, students from PC united to help out our community. We were even able to have an impact on campus by creating and displaying inspirational notes which are now hung up around campus.”

“It is encouraging to see students, and even professors, come together and partner with the community to leave a positive impact,” she added. “I love being involved with the community and view service as a wonderful opportunity to do so while also having the chance to gain meaningful relationships with fellow volunteers. Volunteering really brings people together and I love seeing that.”

Sophomore Josh Pickett of Plainfield, Ill., and a member of the Blue Hose men’s basketball team, said service has expanded his perspective.

“For me, coming from a heavy academic and athletic background, I’ve never sought out many opportunities to volunteer in my community, as I thought the work was too time consuming and too much of a commitment,” Pickett said. “When I got to PC though, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed volunteering in the community and making new friends along the way!

“Doing new things, such as gardening and making food to help the war against hunger, has been a great pleasure, and I can’t wait to continue serving the community in my time here at PC and beyond!”

Wide-Ranging Impact

PC students served at multiple sites, including:

• The Community Garden
• The Humane Society
• Palmetto Equestrian Therapeutic Barn
• Springdale Methodist Church
• The Laurens County Public Library Garden
• On-campus efforts, such as creating encouragement cards in the Springs Great Room

From tending community gardens to supporting local nonprofits and even boosting campus spirit with inspirational messages, PC students and faculty embodied the call to serve.

Living the Motto

Fall Service Day reaffirmed PC’s 60-year-old service tradition and showcased how students, faculty, and staff continue to live out the college’s guiding principle: “While We Live, We Serve.”

As Hyrams put it, the enthusiasm of today’s student leaders keeps that tradition alive — with more decades of service ahead.

The post Presbyterian College’s Student Volunteer Services unites for Fall Service Day appeared first on Presbyterian College.

At first glance, the heart of the Milky Way might seem an unlikely place to find one of the coldest substances in the universe. Yet Dr. Frances Cashman, assistant professor of physics at Presbyterian College, and her colleagues did just that.

“It was kind of like finding an ice cube in a volcano,” Cashman said with a smile, recalling the moment she and her research team discovered molecular hydrogen streaming out of the galaxy’s center. “You’re left asking, why is this here? How long is it going to last? What made it shoot out?”

That surprising discovery was only the beginning. Cashman’s scholarship has led to a series of groundbreaking publications in leading astrophysics journals. This summer, she celebrated the release of her third paper from a multi-year NASA program focused on the complex mixture of gas and dust in the inner region of our Milky Way Galaxy. At the same time, she helped author a forward-looking study that will guide the design of NASA’s next great space telescope, the Habitable Worlds Observatory.

Together, the two projects capture Cashman’s unusual position as both a front-line astrophysicist mapping the galaxy and a teacher whose enthusiasm for science is inspiring undergraduates at a small liberal arts college to aim for the stars.

Charting the unseen universe

Cashman’s most recent paper, published in The Astrophysical Journal in July, was the culmination of years of work analyzing ultraviolet data gathered by the Hubble Space Telescope.

Her team studied 16 massive stars in and around the Milky Way’s center. Each star served as a kind of cosmic flashlight: as its light passed through intervening clouds of gas, some wavelengths were absorbed, leaving faint but measurable gaps in the spectrum. By studying those missing pieces, Cashman could determine what the clouds were made of, how hot they were, and how fast they were moving.

“It’s like sending starlight through a prism,” she explained. “If nothing is in the way, you get a perfect rainbow. But if there’s material between us and the star, some colors are missing because atoms or molecules in those clouds stole those photons. And we know exactly which atoms steal which colors.”

The results were striking. Her team identified 800 distinct components of gas along the 16 sight lines. More than three-quarters of them were moving in a way consistent with the rotation of the Milky Way’s disk. That means even gas found far above or below the thin layer of stars still “remembers” where it came from.

“We wondered if this gas would behave randomly, like smoke drifting away from a campfire,” Cashman said. “Instead, we found that it’s still tied to the galaxy, still co-rotating with the disk.”

The findings provide a new data-rich foundation for theorists who build models of how galaxies evolve. Cashman’s team created machine-readable tables of all 800 components—velocities, widths, and locations—that have already attracted wide interest from astrophysicists.

“When I presented the results at the Green Bank Observatory, all the simulators immediately asked, ‘Where can I get that file?’” she said. “It helps to feed their models with real data. That’s how science moves forward.”

Looking ahead to the next great telescope

While Cashman’s ApJ paper looks inward at the Milky Way, her second major publication this year looks forward—toward the next generation of space observatories.

In June, she coauthored a paper in the Journal of Astronomical Telescopes, Instruments, and Systems that lays out the scientific requirements for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). Expected to follow the Roman Space Telescope in the 2030s or 2040s, HWO will be NASA’s successor to Hubble and the James Webb Space Telescope.

“Hubble is incredible,” Cashman said. “But we need another telescope with better access to the ultraviolet to continue making discoveries.”

Cashman is part of a national working group defining what those capabilities should be. She contributed especially to the case for molecular hydrogen, arguing that HWO must be able to detect light at very short ultraviolet wavelengths to track this key building block of galaxies.

“There are some who say we only need to go down to 1,200 angstroms,” she said. “But if we stop there, we lose access to molecular hydrogen and many important lines. We’d miss entire pieces of the puzzle.”

The group’s recommendations include a mirror roughly eight meters in diameter, extremely high spectral resolution, and a new type of multi-object spectrograph able to observe many stars or quasars at once. Those capabilities would allow astronomers to trace how gas flows into, through, and out of galaxies—the very processes that fuel star formation and shape cosmic ecosystems.

“It’s exciting to know the work we’re doing now could directly influence the design of the next Hubble,” she said. “That’s a once-in-a-career opportunity.”

Bringing big science to a small college

Cashman’s dual role—as a scientist advancing her field and as a teacher at Presbyterian College—makes her work especially significant.

“At a large research university, undergraduates often don’t touch data like this until graduate school,” she said. “Here, our students can jump right in.”

This summer, physics major Constantine Gandis joined her through PC’s Summer Fellows program. He analyzed spectra from a high-velocity cloud near the Milky Way and determined its chemical composition and ionization state.

“He crushed it,” Cashman said proudly. “He was fitting spectra I didn’t get to work on until grad school. That’s the kind of opportunity PC students can have.”

Cashman is already planning to involve students in future Habitable Worlds Observatory projects, giving them the chance to contribute figures, analyses, and even sections of case studies. She sees the overlap between physics, astronomy, and engineering as fertile ground for students interested in careers ranging from astrophysics to aerospace engineering.

“It’s physics, but the laboratory is out there in the universe,” she said. “That’s what makes it so exciting.”

Passion for discovery

For Cashman, research is not a matter of professional survival.

“At PC, it’s not publish or perish,” she said. “I do this because I love it.”

That passion comes across in her classrooms and her conversations. She sees each new discovery not as a solitary achievement but as a way to draw students into the adventure of science.

“Why not do it?” she said with a laugh. “It’s fun. And our students feel that enthusiasm. They see they can do really cool, meaningful work right here.”

By combining world-class astrophysics with undergraduate teaching, Cashman is carving out a rare niche. Her work has already illuminated the unseen structure of the Milky Way and set the stage for future telescopes that will probe galaxies across the cosmos.

And at the same time, she is training the next generation of scientists to take their place in that journey.

“Understanding our galaxy is the benchmark for understanding all galaxies,” she said. “The more we know about the Milky Way, the better we can understand the universe. And the more our students can be part of that, the better.”

The post Presbyterian College professor’s work helps shape the future of space astronomy appeared first on Presbyterian College.

For the four Presbyterian College alumni at Anchor Investment Management, LLC, the path from the brick-lined walkways of Clinton to the brick-walled buildings of Columbia was anything but straight. 

Yet their journeys converged at a firm where trust, service, and shared values—principles they say were sharpened at PC—define both their work and their relationships with clients.

Founder and principal Pat Dorn ’61, principal Margaret Ellen Pender ’97, senior relationship manager Brian Blackwelder ’96, and controller Laura Hilton Culler ’94 make up nearly a quarter of the team at Anchor. Their connection to each other and to their alma mater is unmistakable, even if, as Dorn jokes, “we have to be careful not to go overboard with it” when speaking with University of South Carolina or Clemson graduates.

“Our firm has always hired people who share our core values,” Dorn said. “Obviously it’s been open to PC alumni in the past because we’ve got four. We’re not out trying to add PC graduates—or any other graduates. We want people that share our values and have the skills we need for the business.”

A business built on values

Dorn launched Anchor in 2000 after an early retirement from Wachovia and nearly a decade of preparation, including earning his Chartered Financial Analyst® designation. The company has grown steadily from those first months—when Dorn had “zero business” but a clear plan—to managing over a billion dollars in assets under management today, serving clients across the Southeast and beyond.

From the outset, Dorn emphasized trust, attention to detail, and treating others as you would want to be treated—values he sees reflected in his PC education. 

“Any small business gets about 75 percent of its growth out of customer referrals,” he said. “That told me you make sure you do everything in your power to do a good job for the business you have. That’s everything from returning calls to good investment results to helping with family issues that might not have anything to do with what you get paid for.”

Those values are reinforced by the firm’s regulatory status as a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA), which carries a fiduciary obligation to act in clients’ best interests. 

“A lot of folks don’t know what ‘fiduciary’ means,” Dorn said. “But it means to do what’s in their best interest without any other conflicts. That’s part of our core value.”

Finding the right fit

Pender joined Dorn in Anchor’s early days after an unexpected delay. The two first met through mutual connections, including fellow PC alumni. 

“Pat was trying to hire me in the summer of 2001,” Pender said, “but when 9/11 happened, the stock market went down by about 50 percent. The business didn’t have the revenue to hire me, so we had to wait a whole year.”

When she did come aboard as the firm’s first hire, Pender brought ideas from her own banking background, including expanding services to resemble a small private banking group. 

“When we first started, all we were doing was one very small slice of that pie,” she said. “I had wanted to build out our offering, and Pat completely gave me the freedom to do that. His background on the operations side was not super technical—he’s a liberal arts guy just like I am—so I knew he wouldn’t be afraid of us trying new things.”

Over the years, Pender has helped recruit other PC graduates to the firm, often seeing the same qualities she values in herself and Dorn. 

“There’s just something you know about their character, you know about their education,” she said. “It’s a great fit for our core values.”

An unexpected lunch leads to a career shift

One of those recruits was Blackwelder, who came to Anchor after more than two decades in banking. The connection came when he reached out to Pender for potential mortgage referrals—only to have the conversation turn into an informal job interview.

“I wasn’t even looking to work here,” Blackwelder said. “It truly was an answered prayer and the perfect time in my life.” 

Anchor allowed him to spend his first six months studying for the CFP® Certification Examination, which he passed on his first attempt, and subsequent years later earning the IACCP® designation. For Blackwelder, the appeal went beyond the work itself. 

“It was awesome,” he said of joining fellow PC alumni. “It was just that sense of family. There’s no big corporate structure—it’s nice to be back in a place where I just knew they were good people.”

He also saw a sharp contrast with other firms in the industry. 

“Clients are Anchor clients,” he said. “They’re not Brian’s clients or Pat’s clients. We may be the point person for a relationship, but everybody under this roof wants to help the client. There’s no competition amongst us here—we’re all working toward the same goal.”

A role built on trust

Culler is the newest PC alum to join Anchor, starting in March 2025 as the firm’s first controller. With more than 20 years at a law firm and eight years in municipal government finance, she was ready to return to professional services. A mentor connected her to Anchor, and only during the interview process did she realize several of her potential colleagues were fellow PC graduates.

“That was a very connecting feature of our interview,” she said. “We all had such a great experience at PC, and three of us even had the same professors. It’s been really interesting to reminisce about that.”

Pender said she felt an immediate level of trust in Culler, something Culler attributes to shared PC values. 

“I think our background at PC, and that I would have that high level of integrity, trustworthiness, dedication, and attention to detail—she sensed that I would be like that just because we went to school together,” Culler said.

The PC influence

While their time in Clinton spans generations, the four share common threads from their PC experience: a liberal arts education, personal connections, and a service-oriented mindset.

PC’s motto, While We Live, We Serve, is more than a phrase, Blackwelder said—it’s a guiding principle. 

“As a college student, you might not live it quite as much as you do later,” he said. “But I’ve always seen myself as using my talents to serve others, whether through community service or by making people’s lives better financially. Even the people who didn’t go to PC here have that same heart.”

Pender likens Anchor’s approach to that of PC itself—boutique in scale, personal in service. The firm operates out of two connected historic houses, chosen in part to make clients feel as comfortable as if they were visiting a friend’s home. 

“When I was in school, I knew all my professors pretty intimately,” she said. “We’ve tried to have that same approach at Anchor. We want people to feel like we know who they are, and we care about what matters to them.”

For Culler, PC’s liberal arts curriculum broadened her perspective beyond accounting and business. 

“We took religion classes, psychology, sociology,” she said. “I think that made us very well-rounded, to see all the different things that are available.”

Blackwelder agrees, saying the breadth of experiences prepared him for both his career and his life. 

“I’m a huge fan of the liberal arts because it opens you up to more experiences and challenges,” he said. “You don’t have to choose your specialty right away—get that broad-based education and then decide.”

More than a résumé line

The PC connection is not a hiring requirement at Anchor, but all four say it adds an extra layer of trust and camaraderie. Whether it’s reminiscing about professors in Jacobs Hall, swapping stories from Greek life or athletics, or attending the firm’s annual October party—timed so fellow PC alum and musician Kipper Ackerman can perform—those shared experiences create a shorthand that strengthens their working relationships.

“It’s not something we talk about every day,” Dorn said, “but if PC does something good, we mention it. All four of us are proud that we went to PC.”

In an industry where trust is paramount, that pride and shared foundation translate into the way Anchor’s team approaches every client relationship. 

“Our clients sense how genuine we are,” Blackwelder said. “They know we’re not trying to sell them anything—we really want to help.”

For Dorn, that combination of competence, integrity, and connection is the legacy he hopes will carry Anchor forward. 

“We all enjoy our work, enjoy working with each other, and enjoy our clients,” he said. “And that speaks well of any business when you have those types of numbers going for you.”

The post Anchor Investment Management: A Presbyterian College connection built on trust and service appeared first on Presbyterian College.

Dr. Emily Taylor, professor of English and director of the women’s and gender studies program at Presbyterian College, spent her summer retracing the footsteps of Caribbean writers whose voices helped define anticolonial movements of the 20th century. 

Her journey took her to the British Library in London, where she immersed herself in the archives of Jamaican novelist Andrew Salkey as part of an Eccles Institute Visiting Fellowship.

Taylor’s project examines how Casa de las Américas — the Cuban cultural institute founded in 1959 — became a hub for writers, translators, and intellectuals across the Caribbean and Latin America. She is writing a book that highlights how Casa’s translation projects, cultural congresses, and publishing efforts brought Anglophone Caribbean writers into conversation with their Spanish- and French-speaking neighbors during a pivotal era of independence and Cold War diplomacy.

A Lifelong Fascination with Caribbean Literature

Taylor describes her path into this field as somewhat unconventional.

“My main area of specialty is Caribbean literary studies, but my training was in comparative literature, so I’ve always worked across languages — Spanish, French, and English,” she said. “That led me to focus on translation as a way the Caribbean could come together in literary studies.”

Casa de las Américas quickly emerged as central to that story. Established just months after Fidel Castro came to power, the institute became not only a cultural showcase for Cuba but also one of the few publishing houses in the region willing to devote state resources to translating entire Caribbean novels into Spanish.

According to Taylor, this made it possible for readers in Havana to engage with voices from Barbados, Jamaica, and Guyana — neighbors just a short flight away but often linguistically isolated. 

“It opened up these connections across the region,” she said.

Focus on Independence and Solidarity

Taylor’s research centers on the late 1960s and 1970s, when Casa began strategically reaching out to Anglophone writers at the same moment newly-independent Caribbean nations were developing their own national identities.

Her project highlights the 1968 Cultural Congress in Havana, when Cuba hosted 500 intellectuals from around the world — including many emerging figures in Anglophone Caribbean literature.

“Right at the moment these countries are winning independence, that’s when you see Casa reaching out to Anglophone writers,” Taylor explained. “It was part of Castro’s attempt at soft diplomacy and solidarity.”

Her Eccles Fellowship proposal outlined how she will anchor the book around ten Anglophone novels translated by Casa. Among them are George Lamming’s In the Castle of My Skin (1953), Roger Mais’s The Hills Were Joyful Together (1953), and Jan Carew’s Black Midas (1958). Each reflects anti-colonial struggles in Barbados, Jamaica, and Guyana and found new audiences through Spanish translations published in the 1970s.

Archival Discoveries in London

At the British Library, Taylor spent three weeks immersed in the Andrew Salkey archive, which contains extensive correspondence, manuscripts, and personal papers. Access was slowed by lingering restrictions following a cyberattack that had crippled the library’s systems, limiting her to just four files per day.

That pace proved fortuitous. 

“Some files were hundreds of pages of correspondence going back 30 years, others were much thinner,” Taylor said. “It was good I had three weeks because I needed to pace myself.”

Among her most exciting finds was an unpublished 170-page manuscript of poetry by Salkey. She painstakingly scanned each page on her phone to preserve it for further study. She also handled letters adorned with Casa’s distinctive modernist letterhead and exchanges between Salkey and writers across Canada, the Caribbean, and the United States.

“It was really neat to see how interconnected people were before the Internet,” she said. “They were still building global solidarity networks in the 1960s and 70s, despite racism, Cold War pressures, and scarce resources.”

The British Library Experience

The British Library, Taylor said, provided not only access but also community. 

“There were scholars from all over the world there. It felt like a ‘nerd home,’” she laughed. “You’re in this incredible building, designed like a ship, with King George III’s entire library displayed in glass in the center, and surrounded by artifacts like a copy of the Magna Carta.”

She capped her fellowship with a presentation for library staff and fellow researchers, sharing her findings from the Salkey archive.

On weekends, she took brief trips outside London — to Norwich on the east coast and to York, where she met her brother. But most of her days were spent in the reading rooms, balancing note-taking with the thrill of holding history in her hands.

Impact on Teaching at PC

Although her sabbatical was research-focused, Taylor says the experience will shape her classroom teaching.

In PC’s Introduction to Translation Studies, Postcolonialism, and World Literature courses, she draws on her scholarship to demonstrate how translation connects literary communities. She also uses her own research process to model persistence and creativity for undergraduates.

“It’s important to show students that even advanced researchers hit dead ends, revise questions, and make surprising discoveries,” she said. “Sharing that process can inspire students who are just beginning their own research journeys.”

Looking Ahead

Taylor is now drafting the early chapters of her book, tentatively titled Cuba and the Anglophone Caribbean Novel: Translation and Revolution at Casa de las Américas. She expects the project will not only contribute to Caribbean literary history but also engage broader audiences interested in how culture intersects with politics.

By highlighting translation as both a literary and political act, Taylor’s work sheds light on the solidarity networks that shaped Caribbean identity in the postcolonial era.

Her discoveries at the British Library — from Salkey’s unpublished poetry to Casa’s correspondence — are already helping her tell that story.

“Casa was a space where voices from across the Caribbean could meet, exchange ideas, and be heard in new languages,” Taylor said. “It reminds us how powerful literature can be in bringing communities together.”

The post Presbyterian College professor explores Caribbean writers’ ties to Cuba’s Casa de las Américas appeared first on Presbyterian College.

Presbyterian College celebrated the reopening of the historic Callaway Courts on Aug. 26 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that honored the institution’s rich tennis legacy while unveiling a new vision for recreation on campus.

The renovated facility now features tennis and pickleball courts, as well as outdoor basketball courts—all open to students, faculty, and staff. The dedication drew campus leaders, students, and community members, each reflecting on the storied past of Callaway Courts and the opportunities ahead.

A Tennis Legacy Reborn

Callaway Courts first opened in 1938 thanks to a $15,000 gift from businessman Cason Callaway of LaGrange, Ga. At the time, the six clay courts placed Presbyterian College among the premier tennis destinations in the country.

“Back in the day, PC was quite the tennis mecca,” PC President Dr. Anita Gustafson told the crowd. “These courts were not only home to our own student-athletes but drew national and international stars who played right here in Clinton.”

The courts hosted top-ranked players such as Alice Marble and Don Budge, attracting thousands of spectators. By 1940, Presbyterian College was firmly on the map, hosting prestigious U.S. Lawn Tennis Association tournaments and earning the nickname “Tennis Tech.” Students proudly ran a handmade flag with the phrase up the main flagpole to celebrate the school’s reputation.

Leaders, Legends, and Lasting Impact

The legacy of Callaway Courts extended far beyond the clay surfaces.

Among the notable figures in PC’s tennis story was William Plumer Jacobs II, son of the college’s founder. Before serving as president of PC, Jacobs was vice president of the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association and publisher of World Tennis Magazine.

The college also produced standout athletes and coaches who carried the Blue Hose tradition onto national and international stages:

Allen Morris ’56 captained PC’s nationally top-ranked team, played for the U.S. Davis Cup team in 1954, reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 1956, and was ranked No. 16 in the United States.

Jim Leighton, who coached at PC from 1949 to 1961, later became the winningest tennis coach at Wake Forest University.

In the early 1970s, PC boasted more All-Americans than any other program in the nation, including brothers George and Jaime Amaya and Milan Kofol.

Sam Paul ’83 is now the winningest men’s tennis coach in University of North Carolina history and the winningest active coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference. He is in his 33rd season leading UNC’s program.

“From the earliest days to the modern era, Callaway Courts have been tied to some of the most remarkable stories in PC athletics,” Gustafson said. “It’s fitting that we rededicate this space not only as a nod to the past but as a gift for generations to come.”

A Space for Wellness and Connection

While the ceremony paid homage to the past, the focus was also on how the renewed Callaway Courts will serve the college today.

Dr. Drew Peterson, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, reminded those gathered that recreation is not a luxury but a cornerstone of community life.

“’Surely, all God’s people…like to play’,” Peterson said, quoting naturalist John Muir. “As I have watched the improvements over the past few months, I don’t just see revitalized playing surfaces or painted lines. More importantly, I see the embodiment of what makes our college special—our commitment to fostering connection, wellness, and joy in everything we do.”

Peterson emphasized that the courts are “an investment in our community’s wellbeing,” where faculty members and students, staff and alumni, can gather for play, exercise, and fellowship. 

He credited the Virginia and Charles Brewer Family Foundation for its generosity, along with Scott Respass, executive director of campus services, and Mitchell Plumer, assistant director of student involvement, and his team for stewarding the project.

Students Take the Lead

The final remarks came from Natalie Paxton, a senior actively involved in Greek Life and president of PC’s American Cancer Society chapter.

On behalf of students, Paxton thanked donors and staff for making the renovations possible and pledged that Callaway Courts would quickly become a center of student life.

“These courts provide us with a wonderful space to hold fundraisers and events that allow us to give back to the philanthropies we are connected with, while also strengthening bonds within our student body,” she said.

She announced plans for the Zeta Callaway Pickleball Challenge, a tournament organized by one of PC’s sororities in partnership with alumni. Scheduled for Homecoming weekend, the event will connect current students and alumni while raising funds for charity.

“The courts are more than just a recreational outlet,” Paxton said. “They’re a foundation for creating new traditions and fostering community spirit.”

A Vision for the Future

As a space that honors the college’s athletic past while providing opportunities for recreation and service today, the courts reflect PC’s mission of preparing students not only for personal success but for meaningful community engagement.

For Gustafson, Peterson, Paxton, and all those gathered, the day marked more than the reopening of a set of courts—it was the start of a new chapter in PC history.

“The Callaway Courts will become an area of fun, community, and lasting memories for students today and for generations to come,” Paxton said. “From all of us, thank you again for making this possible and giving students new opportunities to invest in this wonderful place, while providing an outlet for joy and connection.”

The post Presbyterian College cuts ribbon on newly-renovated Callaway Courts appeared first on Presbyterian College.

Presbyterian College formally opened its 146th academic year on Tuesday with a convocation ceremony in Belk Auditorium that blended tradition, celebration, and a renewed call to service. 

Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members gathered to mark the beginning of the 2025–2026 academic year and to honor the Class of 2026 as they entered their senior year.

The ceremony featured welcoming remarks from college president Dr. Anita Gustafson, academic reflections from provost and vice president of academic affairs Dr. Erin McAdams, a student address by Class of 2026 president Lyle Jones, and a keynote delivered by the Rev. Dorothy Blackwelder ’03, an attorney with Charleston Legal Access. The service also included words from the Rev. Dr. Buz Wilcoxon ’05, the Lassiter Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life, who announced new initiatives in service learning and this year’s celebration of six decades of Student Volunteer Services at PC.

Welcoming the College Community

Gustafson greeted the audience with her trademark warmth, recounting how she and her husband Charlie recently hosted the incoming first-year students for dessert at the President’s House.

“I can tell that these students already feel connected to this place, and so I appreciate your enthusiasm,” Gustafson said, noting that the first-year class had signed the college’s honor code — a tradition dating back to 1915 that publicly commits students to pursuing their work with integrity.

She encouraged the Class of 2029 to embrace all that PC has to offer as they begin their academic journey and urged sophomores and juniors to take advantage of resources such as the Office of Career and Professional Development as they look toward the future. Turning to the senior class, Gustafson reflected on the significance of convocation as the “first bookend” of their final year.

“Can you believe it?” she said. “This convocation is the first bookend of senior year, when you first wear your gown and don your cap, and commencement will be your next bookend when you celebrate your graduation. But perhaps commencement is really more like a bookmark, because after you graduate you will continue to be part of the PC family as you join a community of alumni that spans the globe.”

This year’s ceremony introduced a new tradition. Members of the Class of 2026 donned their graduation caps during convocation to accompany the academic gowns they wore for the first time. The moment symbolized both anticipation and responsibility as seniors began their last year at PC.

Gustafson reminded the entire campus that community is one of PC’s most defining characteristics, citing honesty, trust, and respect as values that make the Blue Hose community “True Blue.”

Academic Reflections and Class Recognition

McAdams spoke about the academic journey that defines the college experience, recognizing each class in turn. She asked members of the Classes of 2027, 2028, and 2029 to stand and be recognized, encouraging them to explore, reflect, and grow during their time at PC.

“To our sophomores and juniors, you stand at pivotal points in your journey,” McAdams said. “For you, now is the time for reflection and for growth. This year is an opportunity for you to leave an everlasting mark here.”

When she invited the Class of 2026 to rise, seniors were met with enthusiastic applause. McAdams congratulated them on reaching this milestone and reminded them of their leadership responsibilities.

“As you stand now in your graduation gowns, you are not only students, but emerging leaders,” she said. “Though you must continue to work hard, continue to uphold PC’s honor code, and contribute to the PC community, I hope that you embrace this year with gratitude, excitement, and celebration.”

Student Leadership Perspective

Class of 2026 President Lyle Jones offered a student perspective on the significance of senior year.

“It is my goal, Class of 2026, along with my fellow officers in SGA, to represent your voices throughout this year,” Jones said. “Your opinions are important, and bringing your ideas to life is one way we, as a class, can leave an impact on this institution. I am ecstatic to have this final year with you all as students, and look forward to what we can accomplish. Thank you, ’sco Hose, and Go True Blue!”

Service at the Heart of PC

The ceremony also highlighted service — a hallmark of PC’s identity. Wilcoxon announced the launch of the EPIC Service Program, a new initiative that will intentionally weave service learning into the college’s academic curriculum. Students who participate will have the opportunity to earn an academic distinction in service and community engagement, setting them apart as leaders committed to servant leadership.

“This program will recognize their hard work and set them apart for future vocations in servant leadership,” Wilcoxon said. “It will enable our students to live out our motto in even deeper ways.”

He also marked the 60th anniversary of Student Volunteer Services (SVS), one of PC’s most enduring and impactful programs. Founded by Christian education professor Dr. Jack Presseau, SVS has given generations of students opportunities to serve the surrounding community through initiatives such as Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, after-school tutoring, retirement home activities, and partnerships with Thornwell.

Wilcoxon honored the late professor’s vision and welcomed Jane Presseau, his widow, who attended the ceremony. He noted that countless students have discerned their vocations through SVS, living out the college’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve.”

A Life of Service and Wisdom

The convocation’s keynote address came from Rev. Dorothy Blackwelder ’03, who majored in Christian education and minored in philosophy at PC before earning a Master of Divinity degree from Columbia Theological Seminary and a law degree from Charleston School of Law. Blackwelder served as a Presbyterian pastor before becoming an attorney with Charleston Legal Access, where she advocates for clients who fall into the “justice gap” — those who cannot afford private representation but do not qualify for free legal aid.

Reflecting on her PC experience, Blackwelder identified three enduring themes: relationships, a love of learning, and a life of service.

She recalled how a youth director who was a PC alum inspired her to attend the college, how she met her husband Russ during a Maymester trip, and how professors invested deeply in their students’ lives — from mentoring in the classroom to attending weddings and staying connected for decades.

“These connections and relationships you make at PC are lifelong,” she said. “Even the ones you don’t make when you’re physically at PC. When you meet a fellow PC grad out in the wild, you have an instant special connection.”

Blackwelder also reflected on how PC’s liberal arts curriculum awakened her passion for philosophy and wisdom, shaping her lifelong pursuit of learning. She urged students not to fear uncertainty about their futures.

“You don’t have to have it all figured out right away,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what your job or career is, but how you live your life.”

Her stories of Student Volunteer Services underscored the transformative power of service. From mentoring a middle schooler through Bell Street Big Sisters to coordinating SVS projects in costume with fellow students, Blackwelder credited the program with shaping her sense of vocation. She invoked Mother Teresa’s reminder that “not all of us can do great things, but we can all do small things with great love.”

She also shared insights from her current work advocating for tenants facing eviction in South Carolina, one of the least tenant-friendly states in the country. Even small victories, she said, can make a life-changing difference.

“What I’ve learned is that the way you treat people matters,” Blackwelder said. “It’s a big part of living a life of service.”

A Call to Embrace the Journey

As she concluded, Blackwelder encouraged students to step boldly into opportunities, whether through study abroad, new courses, or acts of everyday kindness.

“Treasure your relationships with your friends, your classmates, and professors,” she said. “Go all in on your liberal arts education. Never stop pursuing wisdom. Always be kind and professional. Find a way to be of service every day. And do everything, even small things, with great love.”

A Community Rooted in Service and Tradition

Presbyterian College’s Opening Convocation once again underscored the institution’s identity as a close-knit, service-oriented liberal arts community. From the new senior tradition of donning caps alongside gowns, to the launch of EPIC Service, to the celebration of SVS’s 60th anniversary, the ceremony combined innovation with continuity.

Gustafson’s words echoed throughout the event: “We really are a community here at PC. We certainly embrace our differences, but there are characteristics that we have in common — honesty, trust, and respect. It’s what we refer to as being True Blue.”

As the college embarks on its 146th year, those values — coupled with a renewed commitment to service — provide both anchor and compass for the journey ahead.

The post Presbyterian College opens 146th academic year appeared first on Presbyterian College.

Presbyterian College welcomed its sixth cohort of Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program students at the White Coat Ceremony on Sunday in Belk Auditorium, celebrating their entry into the profession and their commitment to service, integrity, and lifelong learning.

The annual event, a cherished tradition in the program, symbolizes the beginning of students’ academic and professional journey toward becoming doctors of occupational therapy.

‘Your work is a calling’

PC president Dr. Anita Gustafson opened the ceremony by congratulating the new students and reminding them that their choice to pursue occupational therapy is more than a career path.

“Your work is a calling. A calling to make a difference. A calling to do good and important work,” Gustafson said. “And the White Coat you will receive today marks your entry into your professional academic coursework. It is the first step among many steps toward becoming a doctor of occupational therapy.”

Gustafson highlighted the program’s recent success in receiving full accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education in 2023 with no areas of noncompliance. She credited the dedication of the OTD faculty and the college’s commitment to excellence.

“The work that you will train for fits right into PC’s motto, ‘While we live, we serve,’” she added. “Your service to others will help people become more independent or allow them to stay independent longer. I know you will make us proud.”

Integrity and professionalism

Dr. Erin McAdams, provost and vice president of academic affairs, delivered the academic welcome. She reminded students that the White Coat symbolizes more than a uniform — it reflects values that will guide their practice throughout their careers.

“Students, the White Coat that you will wear today is more than just a symbol of your entry into the healthcare profession. It signifies your commitment to the values that will guide your practice, foremost among them academic integrity and professionalism,” McAdams said.

She emphasized that integrity in education and in practice upholds the trust that society places in the healthcare system. 

“Through rigorous coursework, clinical experiences, and research opportunities, our faculty will equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in your field,” McAdams said. “But even more than that, our faculty will prepare you to be leaders, professional examples, and advocates who will advance the practice of occupational therapy with both compassion and competence.”

Accepting responsibility

Dr. Moni Keene, program director and associate professor of occupational therapy, explained the symbolism of the White Coat and what it represents for new students.

“The White Coat is presented to students in the Presbyterian College Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program signifying professional readiness, a commitment to advanced education, and the confidence necessary to embrace and impact the future of occupational therapy,” Keene said.

She pointed out that the program’s patch, bearing the medical caduceus, serves as a reminder of the importance of evidence-based, theory-driven intervention. The shorter length of the coat signifies students’ status as learners committed to lifelong growth.

“Your acceptance of the White Coat also indicates accepting the responsibility of entering into a community of professionals,” Keene said. “Let it serve as a reminder of our professional values: respect for others, integrity, sense of caring, and commitment to improving the lives of others.”

Keene also introduced the OTD faculty, each of whom shared an ideal of professionalism with the incoming cohort.

Integrity as foundation

Dr. Cindy Erb, associate professor and Phi Theta Epsilon faculty advisor, spoke on the importance of integrity.

“Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. It is a cornerstone of trust and respect,” Erb said. “It means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. It means being truthful, not just to others, but to ourselves.”

She reminded students that patients will be vulnerable and must trust their therapists completely. 

“True success is built on a foundation of integrity,” she said. “It is the guiding principle that helps us navigate the complexities of life with honor and dignity.”

Empathy and altruism

Assistant professor and doctoral capstone coordinator Dr. Courtney Addison encouraged students to wear their White Coats as symbols of empathy and altruism.

“Empathy is the cornerstone of what we do,” Addison said. “It’s about listening, truly seeing the person in front of you, and understanding their struggles. It’s the ability to stand in someone else’s shoes without judgment, and to support them through their journey with compassion and respect.”

Altruism, she explained, is empathy in action. “It’s waking up each day ready to make a difference, knowing that your actions may change lives in ways you’ll never truly see,” Addison said. “So, my challenge to you is this: be brilliant clinicians, but more importantly, be compassionate ones.”

Lifelong learning and excellence

Dr. Christine Boone, assistant professor and faculty advisor to the Student Occupational Therapy Association, shared lessons from her 21 years as a pediatric occupational therapist, weaving humor into her reflections on lifelong learning.

“I’ve spent over two decades being outsmarted by toddlers, asked very serious questions about dinosaurs, and developed ninja-like reflexes to dodge thrown toys,” Boone said. “Nothing teaches you more humble or current than being told by a four-year-old, ‘You’re doing it wrong.’”

She encouraged students to embrace growth, curiosity, and the pursuit of excellence, not perfection. 

“As you put on your White Coat today, remember this isn’t the finish line. It’s the starting point of a career where learning never ends,” Boone said.

Communication and collaboration

Assistant professor and academic fieldwork coordinator Dr. Allie Turner closed the faculty reflections by speaking on the importance of communication and collaboration.

“You guys, over the next three years, will communicate with one another probably every 20 minutes in groupings, in class, and under assignments,” Turner said. “Communication and collaboration, they’re not just skills. They’re part of your calling.”

Turner reminded students that therapy is grounded in connection. 

“Our voices, our mannerisms, those unspoken things — they speak to people bigger than your words,” she said. “Whether you’re teaming up with your classmates, connecting with your clients, or learning from other professionals, your ability to listen, share, and grow together will shape the kind of therapist that you will become.”

A community of support

Throughout the ceremony, students were reminded that they are not embarking on their journey alone. Faculty, family, and friends surrounded them in support, symbolically represented in the moment when each student donned their White Coat for the first time.

Keene told the new cohort that the program acts as a catalyst for learning, professional growth, and competency. 

“Each member of the faculty makes a significant, individual contribution to the future of every student,” she said. “Yet we all began here, where you are today, unsure of where your journey will take you, yet confident in the future and your potential to do great things.”

Looking forward

As the sixth cohort of PC’s Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program begins its academic journey, the White Coat Ceremony marked a day of pride, symbolism, and responsibility. From calls to integrity and empathy to reminders of lifelong learning and collaboration, the message was clear: students are joining not just a program, but a profession that changes lives.

“We look forward to watching you grow and learn and become professionals who make exceptional impacts on the daily lives of the patients you serve,” Gustafson told the students. “Congratulations.”

Cohort 6

• Carly Burton
• Destiny Butler
• MicKayla Clark
• Leigha Clayton-Cornell
• Jackson Denbroeder
• Amelia Gregg
• Mary James
• Alyssa Lee
• Joshua Levine
• Tara Locke
• Ainsley Martin
• Alexander Miller
• Riley Obertino
• Marina Phillips
• Laurren Randolph
• Adriann Robertson
• Jazlyn Wilson

The Occupational Therapy Doctoral program also inducted new members into the Eta Alpha Chapter of Pi Theta Epsilon, the honor society for occupational therapy graduate students.

Inductees included:

• Caroline Bedenbaugh
• Jesselyn Bryant
• Abigail Compton
• Jessie Daughtry
• Mackenzie Dilworth
• Gabrielle Fontenot
• Grace Fulmer
• Madeline Gilstrap
• Brittany Hightower
• Mackenzleigh Hinson
• Ashton Holliday
• Rachel Knox
• Morgan Norris
• Rebecca O’Neal
• Natalie Pack
• Grace Ann Simpson
• Briana Viau

The post Presbyterian College welcomes new cohort at Occupational Therapy White Coat Ceremony appeared first on Presbyterian College.

Before setting foot in their first college classroom, members of Presbyterian College’s Class of 2029 rolled up their sleeves, donned hairnets, and packaged thousands of meals for families in need around the world.

On Aug. 24, incoming PC students joined members of First Presbyterian Church of Clinton for a Rise Against Hungermeal-packaging event, continuing a tradition during new-student orientation that introduces students to PC’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve.” The project was sponsored by Student Volunteer Services (SVS), the student-led service organization at the college.

For PC’s students, the event provided an opportunity to start their college careers by contributing to that global mission while also building community with one another.

The Rev. Dr. British Hyrams, Jack and Jane Presseau Associate Chaplain at PC, said the event set an important tone for new students.

“For some of the students, service is something they came to PC for and expected, and for others it may not have been on their radar at all,” Hyrams said. “It gets everybody on the same page starting out – that this is what we do. I love that about it. It also gets them out of their comfort zones, because they’re in hairnets at a table with people they don’t know. It’s really a jump start to their semester, whether they realize it or not.”

Student Volunteer Services Leads the Effort

Senior Lyle Jones of Chapin, S.C., co-director of Student Volunteer Services, welcomed the Class of 2029 to the project.

“SVS is a student-led service organization that focuses not just on community service at PC, but also on extending into the community in general,” Jones said. “We’re super excited about this event. We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to First Presbyterian Church of Clinton for hosting us, to the PC wrestling team for setting up the event space, and to Rise Against Hunger for giving us this opportunity to serve so many people.”

For Jones, the event marked a significant milestone – from his own first-year experience to his involvement as an organizer.

“It’s been great to be able to grow from that freshman who showed up to help to becoming a leader in SVS who helped organize this particular event,” he said. 

First Lessons in Service

For many freshmen, the event was their first formal introduction to service at PC – and for some, their first volunteer project ever.

Haiden Kirkland, a freshman from York, S.C., said the experience made him eager to keep giving back.

“Since I’ve arrived here, everybody’s been very helpful,” Kirkland said. “So, I feel like the longer I’m going to be here, the more I want to do the same thing.”

Sophia Vitelli, a freshman from Cape May, N.J., said PC’s emphasis on service was part of what attracted her to the college.

“It’s really great just knowing we’re putting stuff back in the community,” she said. “The way PC is very involved in the community was something that made me say, ‘This is great.’”

Jariah Tomlin, a freshman from Sumter, S.C., said he viewed his participation as a spiritual calling.

“I feel like it’s an honor from God to be here, to be the person to put bags together and feed the less fortunate,” Tomlin said. “It’s always a blessing to be able to do that because you never know what somebody else is going through. For me to be able to be out here walking and have my hands to do God’s work on this earth is a blessing within itself.”

Jenna Anderson, a freshman from Moseley, Va., admitted that service wasn’t on her mind when she chose PC. But after the event, she said she wants to make it part of her college experience.

“It’s fun. I like giving back to the community, so it’s my first time doing this, and it’s a nice experience,” Anderson said. “Service didn’t play into my decision to come to PC at the time, but now that I’m introduced to it, I’d like to keep doing it.”

Building Bonds Before Classes Begin

The Rise Against Hunger event has become an integral part of orientation at Presbyterian College. It ensures that students begin their academic journey with a shared act of service – not only helping others but also forging bonds with peers and community members.

For students who arrived in Clinton just days earlier, it was an immediate introduction to the college’s values. For faculty, staff, and community partners, it was a reminder that PC’s mission of service reaches well beyond campus borders.

By packaging meals together, new students were able to break the ice, meet classmates, and experience firsthand the meaning of the college’s motto, “While We Live, We Serve.”

Reinforcing a Tradition of Service

As PC continues to integrate service into the fabric of student life, events like this one serve as a reminder that community engagement is not an extracurricular activity but a central part of the college’s identity. Hyrams summed it up best.

“They’re learning on day one what it means to live out our mission – to serve others, to value community, and to make a difference in the world,” she said.

The post Presbyterian College students join First Presbyterian for Rise Against Hunger event appeared first on Presbyterian College.

Presbyterian College officially welcomed the Class of 2029 and new transfer students at its annual Matriculation Ceremony, a tradition that not only marks the beginning of the academic year but also underscores the institution’s emphasis on community, integrity, and academic excellence.

A Presidential Welcome

PC president Dr. Anita Gustafson set the tone for the ceremony with an enthusiastic greeting to students, families, and supporters gathered inside Belk Auditorium.

“It’s a great day to be a Blue Hose,” she said, as she invited students to embrace college life as a transformative “threshold experience.”

Using the image of stepping from one room to another, Gustafson explained that the moment symbolized students leaving behind their high school years and entering a new chapter filled with discovery, growth, and challenge.

“You are now a Blue Hose,” she said. “At PC you will be challenged and you will be pushed to become your best selves. You will be asked to think deeply about issues, to write persuasively, to learn how to ask questions, and to research and find the answers – and to do it with integrity.”

The president also reminded parents and families that they, too, were crossing a threshold. Their homes would feel emptier, she said, but they could rest assured that their students were in good hands.

“Give them space to learn and grow,” Gustafson encouraged. “Help them solve their own challenges, but know that the faculty and staff here want them to succeed. Your success,” she said, turning back to the students, “is our ultimate goal.”

By the Numbers

Following Gustafson’s welcome, Dr. Brandon Vinson, vice president for enrollment management, shared the profile of PC’s newest class.

“This is the largest new student class we’ve had since the pandemic,” Vinson said.

In total, 324 students joined PC this fall, including 272 first-year students and 52 transfers. They represent more than 190 high schools and 44 colleges across 35 states and 13 countries.

Academically, the class boasts an impressive average GPA of 4.36 on a 5.0 scale (or 3.49 on a 4.0 scale), with two-thirds graduating in the top 30 percent of their high school classes. Transfer students also arrive well-prepared, carrying an average GPA of 3.32.

“This is an extraordinary group,” Vinson said. “And while we’re celebrating your hard work and your accomplishments, we also want to recognize the parents, families, and friends who helped you get here. This journey is theirs, too.”

Living True Blue: The Honor Code

Central to the college’s traditional matriculation is the requirement for all new students, faculty, and staff to commit formally to PC’s Honor Code by reciting its pledge and signing the Roll of Honor.

Dr. Craig Vondergeest, the Ruby K. Phillips Professor of Religion and faculty advisor to the Honor Council, explained that enrollment at PC also comes with a promise – a lifelong commitment to integrity and accountability.

“The Honor Code is how we hold one another accountable to conduct our work with honesty and integrity,” Vondergeest said. “By accepting a spot in the class of 2029, you are agreeing to abide by its guidelines.”

He detailed the expectations: students pledge to complete their own work without unacknowledged aid, credit their sources properly, refrain from cheating and dishonesty, and respect the property of others.

Violating the code carries serious consequences, including failure in the course and the loss of all credits earned that semester – penalties that can jeopardize financial aid and athletic eligibility.

“But I hope you follow the Honor Code not just because of the consequences,” Vondergeest told students, “but because you are people of character. And if temptation becomes strong, remember that the cost of one poor grade is far less than the cost of dishonesty.”

He closed with a bit of humor: “Your professors are harder to fool than you think – and they can recognize AI-produced material from a mile away.”

A Student-Led Tradition

Immediately after Vondergeest’s remarks, Hallie Cohen, chair of the Honor Council, invited her fellow officers – vice chair Anna McGowan and secretaries Alexandra McAllister and Taylor Wooten – to join her in leading students, faculty, and staff in reciting the Honor Pledge.

“By signing the Roll of Honor,” Cohen said, “you are pledging to uphold the values that make this institution great – academic integrity, honor, trust, respect, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge.”

She reminded the students that they were joining a legacy of alumni who achieved remarkable things and urged them to embrace the opportunities before them.

“This tradition highlights the importance of academic achievement and integrity,” Cohen said. “You are now part of something greater.”

The ritual signing of the Roll of Honor followed – a symbolic act that officially welcomed the newest members into the PC community.

Reassuring Parents: Partnership in the Journey

The ceremony also included a panel discussion designed to reassure parents as they entrusted their students to college life.

Dr. Andrew Peterson, vice president for student affairs and dean of students, described resilience as one of the most important lessons students will learn at PC.

“Yes, they’ll face roommate conflicts, tough exams, and setbacks,” Peterson acknowledged. “That’s part of learning. But know that when those challenges come, we are here to support them – and to support you.”

Peterson also encouraged parents to reach out to his office whenever they heard about struggles at home. He explained the role of PC CARES, a team of faculty and staff dedicated to supporting students through personal or academic difficulties, and highlighted resources such as tutoring, the Writing Center, and counseling.

Dr. Selena Blair, the Rogers-Ingram Vice President for Justice and Community Wellbeing, spoke not only as an administrator but also as a parent.

“You have spent 16 to 18 years pouring into your babies,” she said. “You’ve done your job. Now it’s time for them to soar.”

Blair encouraged families to give students the freedom to make mistakes, grow, and own their experiences, while also reminding them to keep refrigerators stocked and be ready for late-night phone calls asking for money or advice.

Dr. Erin McAdams, provost and vice president of academic affairs, emphasized the exceptional level of care at PC.

“I’ve taught at several institutions, but nowhere have I seen the depth of care that I see here,” she said. “Even the person who swipes your student’s ID in the cafeteria will know their name and check in on them. Faculty and staff notice if something seems off, and we reach out to make sure they’re taken care of.”

McAdams also reminded parents of the limits set by federal privacy laws such as FERPA, which prevent colleges from releasing student academic information without consent. She encouraged parents to maintain open communication with their students and trust PC’s commitment to their success.

Becoming Part of the PC Family

From the ceremonial signing of the Roll of Honor to heartfelt reassurances from faculty and staff, the matriculation ceremony highlighted the spirit of community that defines Presbyterian College.

Gustafson’s opening words framed the day as the beginning of an exciting new journey – one that will shape not only the academic future of students but also their character and personal growth.

“Remember,” she said, “we will walk alongside you as you learn and grow here at PC, because your success is our ultimate goal. You are now officially part of the PC family. Go True Blue – and Go Blue Hose.”

The post Presbyterian College welcomes Class of 2029 at annual Matriculation Ceremony appeared first on Presbyterian College.

Presbyterian College formally welcomed its newest cohort of first-generation students and Jacobs Scholars during the annual Connect2PC Launching on Aug. 19 in Kuhne Auditorium, celebrating their place in the Blue Hose family with an afternoon of community, encouragement, and tradition.

The event marked the official launch of the academic journey for these students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college or who have experienced foster care. Faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and upperclass peer mentors joined to affirm their commitment to supporting the incoming Class of 2029.

A Transformative Journey Begins

Tomeika Bennett, director of Presby First+, the program that supports first-generation students at PC, told students they are stepping into a transformative experience that will shape them far beyond academics.

“We know that it will go by pretty quickly, but while you’re here, we hope that you truly will be a part of a very transformative experience,” Bennett said.

Bennett guided students and their families through the day’s schedule, which included breakout sessions tailored for both students and their parents or supporters. These smaller group sessions allowed participants to ask questions, learn more about resources, and hear from campus leaders about what lies ahead.

Following the welcome, students and their families took part in the Launching Ceremony, a symbolic exchange marking the transition from home to college life. Each student signed their name to affirm their place at PC, with college president Dr. Anita Gustafson greeting each of them personally.

‘Once You’re a Blue Hose, You’re Always a Blue Hose‘

In her remarks, Dr. Gustafson emphasized both the unique tradition and the enduring sense of belonging that comes with becoming part of the Blue Hose family.

“Once you’re a Blue Hose, you’re always a Blue Hose,” Gustafson said, tracing the nickname back more than a century to a time when teams were often referred to by their stocking colors, much like the White Sox or Red Sox.

But more important than the nickname, she told students, is knowing they have truly earned their place at PC.

“The thing I would want you to know more than anything is you belong here,” she said. “Whenever you feel a little tenuous, just remember that—you’ve earned it, and you belong.”

As a former history professor, Gustafson also offered practical advice for academic and personal success: be curious, ask questions, stay organized, and find mentors among PC’s faculty and staff.

“You’re here to learn, and curiosity just kind of opens you up to growing,” she said. “Your advisors and professors are here to help guide you. And remember—academics come first, but be sure to get involved and enjoy your time here.”

Authenticity and Empathy

Dr. Selena Blair, Rogers-Ingram Vice President for Justice and Community Wellbeing, connected with the audience through humor, personal storytelling, and empathy—particularly toward parents experiencing the bittersweet milestone of sending a child to college.

“I empathize with you,” she said. “I cried the night before move-in. They thought I was taking a shower, but I was just letting the water run while I cried”.

Blair encouraged parents to trust that they had given their children what they need to thrive, while reminding students to show patience with their families adjusting to the change.

“Parents, we’ve spent anywhere from 16 to 18 years preparing them to fly,” she said. “Students, have a little grace with us—it’s going to be different when we get back to our houses and you’re not there.”

Blair also underscored that PC’s peer mentors—upperclass first-generation students who guide new students throughout their first semester—will provide continued support.

“We don’t go away,” she said with a smile. “We’re like magnets. We will be here with you on this journey.”

Support for Jacobs Scholars

Dr. Barbara Beeks, director of the Jacobs Scholars Program, highlighted the unique needs and strengths of students who have experienced foster care.

“The Jacobs Scholars Program is a scholarship for students who have been impacted by foster care,” Beeks explained. “This is our third year, and the students are doing awesome. We are so proud of them and so happy with the new cohort that’s coming in”.

Beeks noted that the program offers wraparound services designed to provide whatever is needed to help Jacobs Scholars succeed, from academic support to personal guidance.

“I promise you we’re going to take really good care of them,” she said. “If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me any time. My students will tell you—I’m always available.”

A Network of Champions

In her additional remarks, Bennett orchestrated an interactive moment to demonstrate the web of support surrounding the students. She asked groups across the auditorium to stand—faculty, staff, peers, alumni, and parents or supporters—reminding students that they are never alone.

“Faculty are not here to simply teach you. They will walk with you, challenge you, welcome your questions, and grow with you,” Bennett said.

She told students to look around and remember the faces in the room: “They are your champions. They believe in you.”

Bennett concluded with a charge to the incoming class: “What begins here is not only an education, but a journey of becoming. Take ownership of your journey. Ask questions. Try bravely. Fail forward. Become who you are meant to be.”

Orientation and Beyond

The Connect2PC Launching capped a series of early orientation activities designed to prepare first-generation students and Jacobs Scholars for success at PC. In addition to the welcome event and breakout sessions, students participated in several days of programming that included workshops, social events, and opportunities to build connections with peers, faculty, and mentors.

Upperclass first-generation students serving as peer mentors were central to these activities, helping new students adjust to campus life and offering advice drawn from their own experiences.

A Family Effort

Throughout the day, speakers emphasized that student success at PC is the product of a partnership between students, faculty, staff, alumni, and families. The event celebrated not only the accomplishments of the incoming class but also the trust placed in the college community by parents and supporters.

As Gustafson reminded the new Blue Hose: “Have fun, I’m so happy you’re here—welcome to PC, and go Blue Hose.”

The post Presbyterian College welcomes first-generation students and Jacobs Scholars at Connect2PC launching appeared first on Presbyterian College.