STILLE RETIRES AFTER 38 YEARS
THE LEGACY CONTINUES WITH TYLER, MCCRAW AND OTHER WOFFORD ALUMNI ON STAFF
Brand Stille ’86 always gave one of the most anticipated public addresses on campus each year.
He’d start: “My role today is to tell you a little about the first-year students you’ll have in your classes this year.” The numbers — academic profile and demographic data — would follow. Then came the fun stuff.
“One of your classmates … plays eight instruments … is an emergency medical technician … appeared on “America’s Got Talent” … road tripped 6,000 miles … can juggle four objects … loves to dance to Hannah Montana songs (your roommate is going to be so excited), recently took up the ukulele (we probably should have made these two room together) … spent a summer as Homer the Atlanta Braves’ mascot … has had five concussions, fallen out of the top of a tree, was once stung by 14 yellow jackets and holds the fastest time ever recorded at her local go-cart track (fortunately, her roommate is the EMT).”
Before he finished, the audience was laughing, smiling and eagerly anticipating the Terriers who would soon be filling the seats in Main, Daniel, Milliken and Olin.
“I’d consider this part of my legacy,” says Stille, who retired at the end of June as vice president for enrollment. “At our core, we are a selective liberal arts institution, and the academic achievements are important. But I wanted our faculty and staff — and eventually students — to see beyond that to the community of individuals with all these accomplishments and idiosyncrasies and experiences. I wanted to give more insights into the interesting, multifaceted and quirky people joining the Wofford family.”
That’s certainly part of his legacy, and one that continued in the fall when Megan Tyler ’14, vice president for enrollment, informed and entertained in the tradition started by Stille when he was tapped to lead the department in 2006. In all, he spent 38 years at the college, supporting three enrollment growth initiatives that increased the size of the student body from 1,100 to 1,800. His leadership shaped enrollment strategy and student recruitment efforts, strengthened academic profiles of incoming classes, promoted the integration of enrollment with marketing and broadened the college’s geographic and demographic recruitment range.
And according to Stille, none of it happened in a vacuum.
“It really does take a community,” says Stille, “from the faculty challenging and inspiring students in the classroom and supporting them as advisors and mentors, to the folks in Campus Life and Student Development providing opportunities outside the classroom for connection and engagement, to the staff in the Career Center, undergraduate research or international programs supporting experiential learning. The best marketing is when current students share their positive experiences.”
Stille’s tenure as an admission counselor began during the administration of Dr. Joe Lesesne, the college’s ninth president. He was director of admission when Dr. Bernie Dunlap became the college’s 10th president. Dr. Nayef Samhat knew when he became president in 2013 that careful enrollment and financial management were keys to sustainability and progress. From the start, he relied on Stille’s expertise and integrity as vice president of enrollment.
According to Stille, each president brought something important to the college’s enrollment goals.
“They were all very different, and the fact that I only worked for three presidents in 38 years is a tribute to their leadership and to the board of trustees and the Wofford community for supporting them,” says Stille. “Joe was here when I was a student. He built the foundation that Wofford stands on today. Bernie brought a new level of credibility to the college in terms of academic reputation. Nayef’s experience at other quality liberal arts colleges — Centre and Kenyon in particular — made us realize that we could benchmark and dream bigger, and he put more resources into marketing and sharing our story. I’ve appreciated all three presidents and their support of enrollment and of me personally,” says Stille.
Through the years, Stille says the college has become more business-like in enrollment management. Engaging with prospective students has evolved with new technologies, but Wofford’s personalized touch will always be a differentiator.
“AT OUR CORE, WE ARE A SELECTIVE LIBERAL ARTS INSTITUTION, AND THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS ARE IMPORTANT. BUT I WANTED OUR FACULTY AND STAFF — AND EVENTUALLY STUDENTS — TO SEE BEYOND THAT TO THE COMMUNITY OF INDIVIDUALS WITH ALL THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND IDIOSYNCRASIES AND EXPERIENCES.” Brand Stille ’86
“Technology has probably been the biggest change over my time at Wofford,” says Stille, who started a travel season one year with a new BlackBerry and a mobile phone in bag. “I still remember stuffing and folding letters and the dot matrix printer that made so much noise that we had to keep it in a cabinet and close the doors when it was printing. I remember getting my first desktop computer. I was so happy about email becoming a thing because we could have more immediate contact with students; then I was frustrated when it too quickly became spam. Now social media allows prospective students to get information from colleges more organically.”
A few things haven’t changed.
“It’s always been important to get prospective students on campus for a visit and to connect with student ambassadors and admission counselors,” says Stille. “First impressions are important, and students have always talked about knowing that Wofford was home as soon as they drove through the gates.”
A few years ago when Stille began contemplating retirement, he started thinking about years of conversations with families about the college decision process: What factors should we consider? How can we afford college? What’s the return on our investment? What questions should we ask?
“I began thinking about all of the families who asked me these questions and invited me into their conversations,” says Stille. He still believes one of the best parts of the job was working with young people and talking with them about their plans and dreams. “Choosing a college is not the most important decision most people make, but often it’s the most important decision they’ve made to that point in life. Learning to make that decision can help make other decisions later on. Working at Wofford gave me a lot of credibility, and helping them make an informed decision was an honor and something that gave me a lot of personal satisfaction.”
Stille says the decision to retire when he did was based on timing and the talented staff in Enrollment.
“I thought maybe I’d work another year, maybe two. Then Nayef announced that he would step down at the end of the 2025-26 academic year,” Stille says. A presidential transition would have likely extended that timeline to three or four more years at the helm. “I’ve worked with Megan Tyler ’14 for a decade and Collins McCraw ’09 for 15 years. I knew they were ready.”
Stille was on campus for Homecoming, and he admits that he misses the people and spending time on campus, but he doesn’t miss the pressure. And retirement has been fun.
“I’ve visited five national parks since retirement. I did the Great Buffalo Roundup, went fly-fishing on the south fork of the Snake River and have eaten at the best barbecue joint in the South according to Southern Living magazine,” says Stille. “Laura and I have done two family weekends with the kids. I’m exercising and reading more, and I just finished an interesting podcast.”
The Stilles have season basketball tickets to watch the Terriers, and he just spoke at the Senior Legacy Celebration event during Wofford’s Family Weekend. Stille also continues to consult as special assistant to the president.
Stille always ended his opening addresses with a picture of what four years later could look like for the new Terriers … graduated with honors … accepted into medical school … studied abroad twice … served on Campus Union … carried the lead in a play … developed lifelong friendships.
For Stille, after almost four decades at Wofford, the accolades read … secured record applications … brought in the most qualified class in college history … managed enrollment during a pandemic … set new standards for selectivity … helped thousands choose the right college for them … grew the student body from 1,100 to 1,800 … And, of course, developed lifelong friendships.
CONTINUING THE LEGACY
Stille’s legacy of alumni leadership and service continues in Enrollment as well as other areas of the college. Meet alumni who have joined the college’s staff or who have been promoted during the past year.
Megan Tyler ’14
VICE PRESIDENT FOR ENROLLMENT
Tyler, who joined the Wofford admission team in 2015, became interim vice president for enrollment upon Stille’s retirement. Tyler was named director of admission in 2020 and associate vice president of enrollment in 2024. She was named vice president on Dec. 1. Under her leadership, the college enrolled several of its most selective classes and increased applications by almost 10%.
“Our students are the heartbeat of Wofford, and having the opportunity to lead enrollment at a place I love so deeply means I have the privilege to help shape who Wofford is and who we’re becoming,” says Tyler.
Collins McCraw ’09
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSION
McCraw was an admission intern his senior year before becoming an admission counselor in 2010. Most recently McCraw was a senior associate director, serving as the athletics liaison and overseeing transfer recruitment. He also has helped manage admission for performing arts programs.
“Becoming the director of admission has truly been an honor. I love Wofford and cherish the opportunity to serve my alma mater,” says McCraw.
Mary-Carman Jordan ’13
DIRECTOR OF ADMISSION EVENTS AND OPERATIONS, MARKETING LIAISON
“Working in my role means that I can serve two sides of the student experience — assisting students as they choose their college community and working alongside them as they grow and evolve into amazing members of our alumni community,” says Jordan.
Luke Willis ’23
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADMISSION, ATHLETICS LIAISON
“Through my position, I’m able to make a meaningful impact on the world around me by helping incredible students achieve their higher education goals and bringing them into the Wofford family,” says Willis.
Carman Autry Rice ’22
ADMISSION COUNSELOR
“Working with students to discover their ‘Why Wofford’ and seeing them and their families discover Wofford through the college application process sparks joy and fulfillment in me,” says Rice.
Mary Jackson Kirk ’25
ADMISSION COUNSELOR
“This role means the world to me; I get to give back to my alma mater, as well as work with students who could one day call Wofford home,” says Kirk.
In the wellness center
Kellie Nakatsu Buckner ’01
DIRECTOR OF COUNSELING SERVICES
“Working with Wofford students as they navigate the challenges of life and grow into the people they want to be is an honor and a privilege," says Buckner. "I am grateful every day for how Wofford has shaped me and how my role here allows me to continue to contribute to our community.”
Perry Vandiver Henson ’96
DIRECTOR OF THE WELLNESS CENTER
“It is an honor to work with the amazing people who invest in the well-being of the Wofford community,” says Henson. “The opportunity to spend each day returning a portion of the support and care I received as a student is a joy I couldn’t have imagined 30 years ago.”
Katie Parris ’19
DIRECTOR OF WELLNESS PROGRAMMING
“It’s a privilege to guide today’s Terriers through a period of growth and discovery, providing them with education and opportunities to create healthy habits that set the foundation for lifelong well-being and success,” says Parris.
In Athletics
Kevin Giltner ’12
MEN’S BASKETBALL HEAD COACH
Giltner was named the head coach of the men’s basketball program on Sept. 22, 2025. Giltner is a five-time Southern Conference champion as a coach and student-athlete. He played professionally overseas after graduation and spent the past six years on the coaching staff at Virginia Tech.
“Being back at Wofford has been a dream come true. To be the head coach at my alma mater was always in the back of my mind, and for it to come true is a testament to the relationships gained during my time here as a player and assistant,” says Giltner. “I’m so thankful to be home and ready to serve this community!”
In the Career Center
Elikem Asimenu ’24
CAREER DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
“Deciding what to commit your future to is a big step,” says Asimenu. “It’s really fulfilling to serve as a bridge for students to make informed decisions about their career goals.”
In Campus Life and Student Development
Davin Johnson ’24
RESIDENCE LIFE COORDINATOR FOR RESIDENTIAL EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP
“Working with our students and our resident assistants in the Office of Residence Life is incredibly rewarding,” says Johnson. “I’m grateful to support the same community that once supported me.”
In Philanthropy + Engagement
Dylan Goshorn ’22
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF PHILANTHROPY
“It’s an incredible privilege to build meaningful relationships with alumni, parents and friends of the college and to help them shape their philanthropic impact on our campus community,” says Goshorn.
In Marketing and Communications
Mackenzie Syiem ’23
MARKETING COORDINATOR
“Sharing what makes our faculty, staff and students remarkable and helping future students embrace the Terrier experience, the same way I did six years ago, makes my role feel both purposeful and worthwhile,” says Syiem.
Julie Rodrick ’24
OMC PROJECTS MANAGER
“My role has given me an appreciation for the systems and operations that keep our work moving forward,” says Rodrick. “I love that I’m able to facilitate collaboration and innovation that aligns with the college’s mission and goals.”