Terrier Supply Closet
A new understanding of need.
The Terrier Supply Closet is open! And it’s a victory for student success, as well as the organizers, supporters, students in need of supplies and the 2019 graduate who started the project.
“It goes back to my junior year and a conversation my mom and I were having about challenges that college students face, especially challenges that are hidden such as food insecurity,” says Alexis Eaton ’19. “I began to wonder if it was an issue on Wofford’s campus.”
Eaton talked with Dr. Rhiannon Leebrick, assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, and the two developed a senior research project to determine need. What Eaton discovered is that college students across the country face the challenge of food insecurity — from state universities and community colleges to nationally ranked liberal arts colleges like Wofford. No campus is immune.
Doing something about the problem was the next step, but, as a senior, Eaton knew she was running out of time to accomplish the task before graduation. She and Leebrick met with college administrators and student groups. “Then we took the idea directly to President Samhat, and he said, ‘Absolutely! Let’s do it,’” says Leebrick.
Rebecca Raulerson Parrish ’99, grants specialist at the college, and Dr. Boyce Lawton, dean of student success, rallied the support needed to move the Terrier Supply Closet from idea to action, including securing a gift from an anonymous donor to get the project started.
“There were obstacles in the early stages, but all of the obstacles are gone,” says Lawton. “I think some people had a hard time believing that this was an issue at Wofford, but, as Alexis discovered, if it’s an issue at Davidson and Washington & Lee, it’s an issue at Wofford.”
A grant though the Department of Athletics, using NCAA funds, provided a portion of start-up funding and made the Terrier Supply Closet accessible to all students. It’s currently located in the bottom of the Burwell Building. In addition to food, personal care items, school supplies and some clothes, there are gift cards for items that may be missing.
“This is one of the happiest things I’ve ever been a part of at Wofford College,” says Lawton. “The Terrier Supply Closet has been used 100 times in the first month by more than 50 distinct students facing financial difficulty.”
Eaton is now working at a food bank in Chattanooga, Tenn. When Leebrick and Lawton Facetimed her to show her the results of her senior project, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.
“I’m so happy that Wofford’s administration understood. That faculty and students understood that this is something that happens, and it’s important to talk about it and address it,” says Eaton.
“Little things can change a life,” says Leebrick, “a coat, a suit, not being hungry in class. Dignity is really important. … Alexis saw a need and never let go.”
Because of that, Wofford students now have a Terrier Supply Closet as another resource for student success.
The Terrier Supply Closet relies on financial donations. To learn more or to make a contribution, visit Wofford.edu/terriersupplycloset.
The Black Alumni Association
Supporting study abroad.
When Wofford’s black alumni organized and started meeting a few years ago, they early on decided to support study abroad opportunities for current black students.
“Several people mentioned that one of their great disappointments was that they did not get the opportunity to travel abroad during their time at Wofford,” says Robert Mickle ’85, president of Paragon Inc. and chairman of the Black Alumni Association. “Several people echoed that. I know personally, it was one of my only disappointments, primarily because I was on the basketball team, and Interim was in the middle of our season.”
Now the organization presents a scholarship during Homecoming to a well-rounded student who succeeds academically as well as extrcurricularly.
“We also place special emphasis on students who have not traveled before or who will have difficulty traveling without support,” says Mickle. “Having the opportunity to study abroad broadens the horizon for the students and gives them the opportunity to consider perspectives beyond what they’ve always known. It can change how they approach their lives, careers and service.”
This year, the group selected Cameryn Burke ’20, an English major and member of the women’s soccer team from Burtonsville, Md. She traveled to England with English professors Dr. Sallie Hitchmough and Dr. Alan Chalmers.
Burke, who is also a member of Wofford Women of Color, says that the community of support provided by the Black Alumni Association extends beyond the travel stipend.
“They are so kind and welcoming of current students,” she says. “I’ve appreciated the opportunity to network and learn from their experience.”
Perry Henson ’96
With students in their most vulnerable moments.
As the college’s director of counseling and accessibility services, Perry Vandiver Henson ’96 spends much of her day sitting with and listening to Wofford students.
“It’s a great honor to be there when people share their most vulnerable moments,” she says.
Henson’s department has ballooned with the increased demand for counseling and accessibility services (a trend not just at Wofford, but nationwide).
“Lots has been written about the mental health epidemic on college campuses, and we are very much in line with what we see and hear at conferences and read on list serves,” says Henson. “We are not only realizing an increase in the number of students who want to engage in counseling services but also a greater intensity in the issues students bring to us.”
According to Henson, the same goes for the breadth and complexity of accessibility needs.
A few years ago, the college initiated Starfish, an online support system that allows faculty, staff and students to “raise a flag” requesting academic, mental health or behavioral support for a student. This semester, the college also joined a 24/7 mental health crisis hotline. Now anyone on campus — students, faculty or staff — can call for assistance.
“It’s a direct response to the rise in intense crisis situations,” says Henson, “but it also has the benefit of being an additional resource for students studying abroad, student-athletes off campus for competition, and even for faculty and staff, a group we’ve never been able to offer services to before because we can’t counsel our colleagues. This allows us to extend our resources to students over holidays and during the summer as well.”
When Henson was a student, Beth Dashiel Wallace ’82 was the college nurse. To address the growing needs on campus, she obtained her license as a counselor; she also took on the management of accommodations for students with disabilities. Today, Wallace leads the Wofford Wellness Center, which includes a nurse practitioner, an RN, three counselors and a new fulltime manager of accessibility services, in addition to overseeing first-year orientation and programming.
“Beth was the foundation and still provides the inspiration for how we serve students today,” says Henson.
Henson found her passion for counseling as a member of the second class of Bonner Scholars at Wofford. While she was engaging in the community as a Bonner, she was learning about relationships during her first-year humanities class with Dr. Carol Wilson. That combination began to prepare her for her work in student support services.
“I believe in Wofford and in Wofford people,” says Henson, “and I’m grateful to be a part of a community that invests so heavily in student success.”
Kay Foster
Focused on campus IT support.
Kashalett “Kay” Foster’s mom knew she was interested in technology at a young age, so a year after the Tandy 1000ES came out, she bought one for her 8-year-old daughter.
“I was curious about how it worked, so while my mom was at work, I took it apart,” says Foster. There were pieces of computer everywhere when her mom returned home. “She was pretty mad. She told me that if I didn’t put it back together so it would work exactly as it did out of the box, I was going to be in big trouble. That started everything.”
Now Foster directs the college’s three-person Information Technology Help Center, every day supporting the technology needs of students, faculty and staff. She and her staff keep extended daily help hours, work Wofford events to troubleshoot technology issues and are stationed in the residence halls on move-in days to help new students get settled.
Before coming to Wofford, Foster spent more than 13 years in the U.S. Air Force as an E-6 technical sergeant.
“Joining the Air Force was one of the best decisions I have ever made — from the people I met to the training I was able to obtain,” says Foster. Through the experience she traveled the world, earned a Master’s degree and gained leadership skills and confidence. “Coming to Wofford was another decision that has really paid off. I love Wofford, the IT staff, the students, the campus, and I want to do everything I can to support our students, faculty and staff.”
Bigger ’81
Leading a brigade of student support.
Roberta Bigger ’81, vice president of the division of campus life and student development, leads a staff whose entire mission is student success — from student activities and diversity and leadership to housing, wellness, recreation and campus safety.
“College is special in that at no other time in an individual’s life will more people be dedicated to their success,” says Bigger. “We create programs and services so our students can transition to college, take advantage of the numerous opportunities offered and then develop their passions and pursuits. We work with students so we can create a better college community with more enriching experiences for them.” Living on campus, Bigger knows students are active 24 hours a day, so there is always someone on staff awake, alert and prepared to support students.
Bigger worked in admission for the college before taking a position as assistant to President Joe Lesesne. She benefited from seeing how the college operated on a global scale and made college history as the first woman to serve on the president’s cabinet. She then filled in for Dean of Students Mike Preston ’65 after he had heart surgery. Through the experience, she discovered an aptitude for and love of student development.
“Wofford is a much better college today than it was when I graduated — academically, physically, athletically and programmatically,” says Bigger. “It’s such a vibrant place to work, whether I’m advising student leaders, collaborating with faculty and staff or developing long-range plans for the college’s growth and development with colleagues and trustees.”
Bigger appreciates the many people in the Wofford community devoted to student success, and she is proud that there are a variety of funds at the college designed to provide support for students in crisis.
“I’m just one of many, many people on campus and in our alumni network devoted to the success of our students,” she says.
Dr. Carol Wilson ’81
Advising and empowering.
Dr. Carol Wilson ’81 discovered her passion for teaching in the first grade. Each day she came home from school and shared the lessons she learned with her younger sister Barry Brasington Prince ’84. By the end of first grade, to the surprise of their mother, they could both read. Now as professor of English and coordinator of academic advising, Wilson guides students through great works of literature as well as through the college’s academic systems and beyond.
“I’m a Wofford graduate, so I benefited early from a strong advising system,” Wilson says. “In an advising as teaching model, advising is an important faculty commitment to student learning and growth.”
In this model, both student and faculty advisor have responsibilities. Students set their own goals and make their own decisions. They plan and then take action. In turn, faculty answer questions; they provide structure and support student decisions.
“While advisors provide information, they also encourage active learning,” Wilson continues. “It’s about supporting students as they develop academic and personal competencies and establish autonomy. … Faculty advisors are a better resource when students take responsibility for seeking and integrating information, drawing conclusions and acting to achieve their goals.”
Wilson works individually with students, and for the past decade her work has extended to supporting faculty as well, both at Wofford and nationally through the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). This summer she travels to Greece to share her work at Wofford on encouraging active learning in advising pedagogy at the NACADA International Conference hosted by the American College of Greece.
The Rev. Dr. Ron Robinson ’78
A trusted resource.
More than 40 years ago in Shipp Hall, not far from his current office in Main Building, Ron Robinson ’78 made the decision to pursue a career in ministry.
Now the Perkins Prothro Chaplain and Professor of Religion recognizes the patterns that led him down the path of college ministry: his mother’s love of children, his family’s wealth of educators, his childhood at Lake Junaluska, the encouragement of so many.
“I look out at my classes, and I think, ‘I really like these people,’” he says. “It’s nice to feel like you’re an asset to young people in life’s journey.”
According to Robinson, half of the world’s population is under the age of 29. “We need to pay attention to that,” he says. “If you work with people that age and younger, you’re helping shape the world for a long time.”
Robinson takes every opportunity to engage with students. In January, he and Dr. Bob Moss, professor of biology, led an Interim travel study group to Israel. He enjoys time with the college’s Fly-fishing club, and he and the staff of the Halligan Center for Religious and Spiritual Life have already planned a slate of events for the spring semester, including giving away free cupcakes for Shrove Tuesday. A credentialed counselor and life coach as well as an ordained minister, Robinson is a trusted resource, and students seek him out when they’re troubled by relationships, grief, career decisions, anxiety, depression, sexual orientation and financial crisis. Robinson also is considered a national leader in the interfaith movement on college campuses.
“While we were in Israel, we understood that we were in a place with Christian, Jewish, Muslim and secular perspectives. We could have civil conversations because we recognize that people of the world have many different experiences,” says Robinson. “Contributing to student success means preparing our students for a 21st century world as global citizens, and opportunities to build relationships with people who are different than us is an important way to do that.”
Emily Witsell
Supporting student research.
Emily Witsell, a librarian and coordinator of research and instructional programs, discovered a passion for supporting students when she discovered her passion for library science.
She was writing her thesis for a master’s degree in comparative literature when several professors noted that she seemed to enjoy the process of research far more than writing. Witsell did some soul searching and realized they were right. She switched to library science and has been at Wofford for seven years.
“I’m constantly learning as students bring me different topics,” says Witsell. “I learn a lot, and I don’t have to write the papers. Plus, it’s really rewarding when they leave with a path forward for their paper or project.”
Witsell typically works with about 40 classes per semester, sharing library resources and the ins and outs of digital literacy.
“So much information is coming at us on a daily basis. It’s important for students to develop the ability to discern what’s good quality info and what’s not so they can make good decisions both personally and professionally.”
Witsell is proud of her work on the library team and enjoys serving as one of the personal librarians assigned to each student as well as her work as the subject librarian for the departments of English and sociology and anthropology, among others. She loves watching students find their place in the library — from secluded and nearly silent to group study rooms — in the newly renovated spaces. According to Witsell, library staff also provides student support by working closely with the student staff in the Wofford Writing Center and with peer tutors.
“Students want a place where the intention is to focus and work hard, and we provide that,” says Witsell. “Nothing makes us happier.”
By Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89