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Tyler and Patrick

Projects

Creating a Music Video

Tyler Swain ('11), left, is an accomplished videographer. Patrick Craig ('12), right, is a talented songwriter. When they met in Success Initiative, they decided to combine their gifts and shoot a music video. To view their final cut, read more.
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Clinic in Malawi

Projects

A Clinic in Malawi

Achini Bandara ('09) (far left) does not walk away from a challenge. When she worked in a medical clinic in Malawi and realized the plight of so many people there without adequate healthcare, she decided to act.
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The Fabulous Four

Projects

The Butterfly Effect

After spending a term learning American Sign Language (ASL) at the South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind, four Success Initiative freshmen wanted to aid the school by raising some funds. They decided to organize a fashion show.
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Magen's Project

Projects

How Much Is That Dog In the Window?

Magen Fowler ('11) has a deep love for animals. The sight of a penned up pooch on her way home one day started the wheels turning in her head. She asked herself, "What can I do?" and found her answer at the Spartanburg Humane Society.
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JD Tolbert

People

J.D. Tolbert ('10)

Have you ever met a Physics major who is also a photographer, natural sculptor, and outdoorsman? If you know J.D. Tolbert, then the answer is yes.
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Will Prosser

People

Will Prosser ('10)

For commencement, 2009, the honor of Chief Marshal was bestowed on Will Prosser, an SI student. Will has been a leader in the program, desiring to help other students with their projects and coordinate events. Will is majoring in Religion, and he has his sights set on graduate school. This summer, he is interning at St. James UMC in Spartanburg.
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Jamie Wilson Graduate

People

Jamie Wilson ('09)

Each year, Wofford seniors apply for the prestigious Teach for America program. Only a very few are accepted, though, and these are some of our most impressive students. This year, Jamie Wilson ('09) will join Nathan Madigan ('08) in this life-changing program.
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Emily Anne

People

Emily Anne Smith ('12)

When Scott Cochran of Career Services approached SI with a summer internship opportunity in India, Emily Anne Smith ('12) jumped at the chance to travel. She is now in Manipal, India, working for Manipal Press, Ltd., one of India's largest printing companies, researching foreign and domesic markets. Her time in Manipal isn't all work and no play, though...
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Expression

Programs

Artist in Residence

In early April, SI hosted its first Artist in Residence, Jack Kinley, in the center. His first order of business was to hang a huge canvas in the center.
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Kris's Banner

Programs

Studies in Place: The Lumber-Wrap Banners of Kris Neely

"One man's trash is another man's treasure." This statement is surely true for Kris Neely, SI's Executive Director! Kris's latest creations are paintings on lumber-wrap banners found at his great-grandfather's lumberyard. Leave it to Kris to see the potential beauty in the discarded! Come to the Liberty Trail to see Kris's banners. They will be on display from October 6 - November 5. For more information, read on!
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Academics

Programs

Academics

At Wofford, academic achievement is always front and center. In the Success Initiative, members are encouraged to find their academic niche and to excel in their studies. Because of their hard work, 75% of all SI students have been named to the spring, 2009 Dean's List!
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Positive Influence

Programs

Disproportionate, Positive Influence

The Success Initiative prepares students to make a disproportionate, positive influence on the 21st century. In SI, young people with great potential, promise, and passion learn how to cause change in themselves and in their world.
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Student Leadership

Being a member of the Success Initiative affords plenty of leadership opportunities.  Each student is encouraged to think like an entrepreneur, organizing, managing, and assuming the risks of their own projects.  Being an entrepreneurial leader in the Success Initiative means seeing a new opportunity and taking advantage of it.  The effort may be something small-scale, like starting a concession stand or organizing a new student group, or it may be something a bit more global, like raising funds to help build a medical clinic in Malawi.

Projects-Based Experience

Every academic term, SI members must identify one problem and outline a possible solution.  They spend the next 12 weeks implementing their creative solutions, either alone or as part of a team.  Staff members offer helpful advice and act as sounding boards during face-to-face sessions each week, but students are solely responsible for their own work.  At the end of each term, each SI member presents a tangible final deliverable to the campus community in a professional setting.  They come away from each project with a new understanding of themselves, others, and the world.

Co-Curricular Learning Community

The Success Initiative is an exciting, dynamic community of diverse students and staff with varied interests and passions.  Incoming freshmen and current students with unique talents, interests, and experiences are encouraged to apply for membership in the program.  Members of SI spend at least 9 hours per week on their SI projects, face-to-face meetings, and other SI activities, solving problems and discovering their passions.  SI members, though heavily involved in this learning community, perform well in their academic pursuits.  SI members consistently raise the bar for personal and academic achievement.