1960
The Greenville County Bar Association has honored Theron Cochran with the Tommy Thompson Award. The award recognizes the Greenville lawyer who best exemplifies compassion, integrity, strong personal values, dedication to the community, humility and diplomacy. Cochran has practiced law for 58 years.
1980
James Kimmell retired as vice president and general counsel of The E.W. Scripps Co.’s networks division, which owns and operates broadcast and multi-platform networks including ION, Bounce and Court TV.
1989
Kathryn Malone Lemon has been named the school counselor for Addlestone Hebrew Academy in Charleston, S.C.
1993
Aaron J. Allen published “The Sword of Jory (Meaning ‘Down Flowing’): Catching Fire,” a book about a boy conquering his fears and persevering through difficult circumstances, emphasizing the triumph of the human spirit.
Steven B. Martin joined the inaugural board of the Alliance for a Healthier South Carolina as secretary and treasurer. He is president and CEO of Constellation Quality Health in Cary, N.C.
Nestle USA selected Ray McGuire to be the director of operations startup to oversee the construction of the company’s new factory and distribution center in Glendale, Ariz.
1994
Jenn Nodine Bell was recognized as the NCAA Division II Nike Executive of the Year by Women Leaders in College Sports. She is the director of athletics at Converse University. In the past year, she also has been named NACDA Cushman & Wakefield Athletics Director of the Year for NCAA Division II and third vice president for the D2 Athletics Directors Association.
Trey Jarrard recently retired after almost 22 years as a special agent with the U.S. Secret Service. He now serves as a special agent with the Tennessee office of Homeland Security. He, his wife, Tracey, and their daughter, Savannah, live in Nashville.
1996
Frank A. Davis was named chairman of Commerce Holding Co. and subsidiary Commerce Bank in Corinth, Miss., following a 20-year career as president and CEO of Commerce Bank.
2001
Justin Powell was named chief operating officer of the South Carolina Department of Transportation after four years as its deputy secretary for finance and administration.
2003
Kristin Starnes Gray, a labor and employment attorney and partner at FordHarrison’s Spartanburg office, was named to the Profiles in Diversity Journal’s 22nd class of Women Worth Watching in Leadership. She also was selected by her peers for the 2024 Best Lawyers in America recognition for labor and employment litigation.
The South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority (JEDA) has elected Jesse A. Smith as its new executive director. He previously was a strategic advisor to companies across the state.
2004
Kelly Harvey joined CLIMB Fund as the upstate community development commercial loan officer. CLIMB Fund provides access to capital for small businesses in South Carolina.
Dr. Hitesh Tolani was featured in an article by Backpacker magazine, highlighting his Instagram account, @gaysofnationalparks, which seeks to feature LGBTQ+ people who enjoy hiking and visiting national parks.
2006
Dr. Caroline Laroche Turnage-Butterbaugh was awarded a CAREER grant from the National Science Foundation for her project “Research in and Pathways to Analytic Number Theory.” She is an assistant professor of mathematics at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., and will begin a five-year research project focusing on long-standing open problems in analytic number theory and implement an educational program to work with Carleton students at the beginning of their college-level mathematical training.
2008
Matt Flood carded a hole-in-one at Laurel Ridge Country Club in Waynesville, N.C. He is the operations manager at Milliken Chemical in Inman, S.C.
2009
Brent Troxell and Elyse Toutant were married on June 24, 2023, in Westcliffe, Colo. They live in Denver, where he is senior vice president of Beta Health and director of strategic growth at Ensemble Innovation Ventures.
2010
Purpose Equity of West Columbia, S.C., has named Andrew Anderson vice president. He spent three years at Piper Sandler as an associate in diversified industrials and services investment banking.
Quincy Harbison and Joshua Kinsel were married on July 8, 2023, at the Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks, Mont. She is the manager of Zephyr Cycling Studio in Bozeman, Mont.
Tax Credit Marketplace has promoted Corey Memmott to chief investment officer. He has been with the Greenville, S.C.-based company since 2021.
2012
Catherine “Callie” Thomas West and Jordan West ’14 welcomed their second son, Marshall Edward West, on July 5, 2023. They live in Simpsonville, S.C., with their older son, Preston Daniel West. Callie works as a public defender in the 8th judicial circuit. Jordan is co-owner of West Environmental and works as an environmental consultant around the Upstate.
2013
Dr. Russell Baker has been named assistant professor of orthopedics at the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, Ky. Baker and Haley Howard were married June 3, 2023.
Matthew H. Decker and Hannah C. Williams were married on Sept. 9, 2023, in Tryon, N.C. The couple lives in Woodfin, N.C. He is the founder and owner of M.H. Decker Fine Art.
2014
Laura Stokes became a foster parent. She also started a new job as a child and adolescent psychotherapist at a private practice in Columbia, S.C.
2015
Rachel Cooley McEathron and Rory McEathron welcomed a son, Silas Foster McEathron, on June 21, 2023. They live in Winston-Salem, N.C., where she works as a physician assistant in burn surgery.
Mallory Hull and Matt Pelt celebrated their one-year anniversary on Oct. 15, 2023. They were married last year in Greenwood, S.C. He is a project lead in cash management at Chick-fil-A Corporate Support Center.
Erin McGaha Prevost and John Prevost announce the birth of their third daughter, Lucy Mae Prevost, who was born on August 22. He is a captain in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Lee, Va.
2016
Jennifer Karl joined Silversmith Capital Partners in Boston, Mass., as vice president of operations. She was previously vice president at Jefferies in New York City.
Tanae Copeland and Junior Salters ’10 celebrated their one-year anniversary on June 25, 2023. They reside in Inman, S.C., where she is a school counselor at Spartanburg County School District One and he is a general manager at FusionSite.
Kaiti Shealy and Wesley Stroble were married on Nov. 4, 2023, in Newberry, S.C. Luke Benson ’16, Jessica LeGrand Benson ’16, Catherine Eason Pateracki ’16 and Emily Thompson Christmas ’16 were members of the wedding party. Kaiti is a laboratory supervisor with Palmetto Pain Management in Columbia.
2017
Molly McAlhany Pile and Quintin Pile announced the birth of their second child, Bennett Leland Pile, born Aug. 8, 2023. They live in Greenville, S.C., where he is a private client advisor at Greenwood Capital.
Nolan Tillman Auton and Kristin Michelle Schmidt were married on May 20, 2023, in Beaufort, S.C. He is a project manager at Scott Auton Painting Co. in Gaffney, S.C.
Rylie McCrackin Sally and Palmer Sally welcomed their daughter, Lorelai Elisabeth Sally, on May 22, 2023. They live in Myrtle Beach, S.C., where she is a registered nurse at Tidelands Health and he is director of business operations at Scripta Insights.
2018
Alexx Henley and Crawford Anderson celebrated their one-year anniversary on Oct. 29, 2023. They live in Columbia, S.C., where she is managing director of the master of accountancy program at the University of South Carolina and he is an audit senior at Elliott Davis.
Catherine Ann Earley and Austin Bergstrom ’16 were married on Sept. 16, 2023. They live in Charlotte, N.C., where she is an associate director and gallery manager at SOCO Gallery and he is a mortgage loan officer at American Security Mortgage.
Coker Edge Hall and Sam Hall welcomed a daughter, Laura Winburn “Winnie” Hall, on Nov. 22, 2022. They reside in Conway, S.C., where she is an accountant at Grand Strand Water and Sewer Authority.
Dr. Liz Hamel graduated from Florida State University with her Ph.D. in neuroscience. She has accepted a postdoctoral fellowship at Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, Pa.
2019
Catie Slater and Matthew Reynolds celebrated their one-year anniversary on Oct. 22, 2023. They married last year in Carillon Beach, Fla. She is a capital markets associate at RangeWater Real Estate, and he is a director at Lee & Associates, Atlanta.
The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office in Fort Worth, Texas, hired Emily Ledford as an assistant district attorney.
Dr. Sarah Grace Lindsey and Landon Renner were married on Dec. 3, 2022, in Birmingham, Ala. The couple resides in Charleston, S.C., where she recently graduated with a doctorate in occupational therapy from the Medical University of South Carolina and works as an occupational therapist at Bloom Children’s Therapy, and he is director of digital media for Berenyi.
2020
Meghan Beck and Ross Walker were married in Highlands, N.C., on July 8, 2023. The couple resides in Birmingham, Ala., where she is a teacher at Brookwood Forest Elementary School and he is a financial planning assistant with Porter, White & Co.
2021
Drew Reynolds published a research paper on the effects of antibiotics on bone healing after dental implant surgery in the Journal of Periodontology. He is in his third year of dental school at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C.
Meredith Turner and Corey Cooper were married on June 10, 2023, at the Gassaway Mansion in Greenville, S.C. They live in Travelers Rest, where she is a marketing coordinator at the Association of Christian Schools International and he is an acquisitions and contracts professional at JCTM.
Annabelle Webb and Jackson Hill ’23 were married on Aug. 5, 2023, in Hendersonville, N.C. She is a graduate research assistant at the University of Georgia, and he is a real estate salesperson at Thomas Crane Realty in Watkinsville, Ga.
2022
Sarah Kate Levin and Grayson Loftis ’21 were married Oct. 14, 2023, in Cashiers, N.C. They live in Charlotte, N.C., where she is a senior account coordinator at Crafted and he is a consultant for state and local tax specialty at FORVIS.
2023
Blake Batten started a new job as the community engagement coordinator at the Johnson Collection in Spartanburg, S.C.
Jackson Barton and Josie Hinson were married on Aug. 4, 2023, in Albemarle, N.C. He is a data integrity specialist at Forest2Market in Charlotte.
Julianne Johnson married Michael Burgess in Anderson, S.C. on June 10, 2023.
FACULTY AND STAFF
Dr. A.K. Anderson, professor of religion, edited “Religion and Medicine from the Pre-Axial Age to Modernity: An Introductory Reader.” A preliminary/test edition was published in August, and the first edition will be released in mid-2024.
Dr. Laura Barbas Rhoden, professor of Spanish, published “Thick Relationality in Central American Texts: Storytelling for Reframing the Anthropocene,” in Forma: A Journal of Latin American Criticism.
Dr. Peter Brewitt, assistant professor and chair of environmental studies, and Hampton Randall ’23 published “A Case Study of Longleaf Pine Restoration by a Local Implementation Team,” in Land Use Policy. Additionally, Brewitt co-authored “Is that a wolf? Politics, Science, and Red Wolf Identity,” and “The Wolves of Yellowstone – Saviour of the Songbird or Piece of the Puzzle?” in The Wolf: Culture, Nature, Heritage.
Rebecca Forstater, assistant professor of studio art, opened her solo exhibition “Training Camp” at the Richardson Family Art Gallery in the Rosalind Sallenger Richardson Center for the Arts on Wofford’s campus. The exhibition will travel to galleries at James Madison University and the University of Montana later this year. Also, Forstater’s work was curated in the three-person exhibition “Flesh Machines” at Allegheny College Art Gallery. In conjunction with the exhibition, Forstater gave a public lecture on her research and participated in a panel discussion at Allegheny College. She is one of 24 artists selected to exhibit work in the 2023 South Carolina Biennial at 701 Center for Contemporary Art in Columbia. The exhibition be on view this winter.
Dr. Cynthia Fowler, professor of sociology and anthropology, published “Prescribed Fire Use Among Black Landowners in the Red Hills Region, USA.” in Ethnobiology Letters. She also co-authored “(Rain Falls, Water Rises): The Tyranny of Water Insecurity and an Agenda for Abolition in Kodi (Sumba Island, Indonesia),” in Frontiers in Human Dynamics Environment, Politics and Society.
Dr. Natalie Grinnell, Reeves Family Professor in Humanities, has been appointed as a section editor of The Palgrave Encyclopedia of Medieval Women’s Writing in the Global Middle Ages. Also, Grinnell and Willow Conley ’25 have an article, “The Queer Temporality of Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate,” appearing in the Journal of the Fantastic in the Arts. The article is a result of a student-faculty summer research grant from Wofford in 2022. Additionally, Grinnell has been elected queen president of the Southeastern Medieval Association for a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2024.
Daniel Helman, visiting assistant professor of environmental studies, co-authored “Electrochemical cells from water ice? Preliminary methods and results,” for PLOS ONE.
Dr. Dane Hilton, assistant professor of psychology, and a colleague were awarded a three-year National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) grant to conduct a randomized controlled trial of a mindfulness meditation intervention for college students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Dr. Trina Janiec Jones, professor and chair of religion, spoke on a panel titled “Critical Pedagogies in the Interfaith/Interreligious Studies Classroom” at the 2023 Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago. Jones also was a panelist at “The Black Buddhism Faculty Project,” a workshop sponsored by Princeton’s Center for Culture, Society and Religion.
Eric Kocher, assistant professor of environmental studies, is publishing the poems “Sunsetting This” in issue 41 of 32 Poems, and “Sky Mall” in issue 9 of Oversound.
Sheri Reynolds, John C. Cobb Endowed Chair in the Humanities, published a short story, “Unzipped,” in Streetlight Magazine.
Dr. Kaye Savage, professor of environmental studies, recently exhibited photographs and mixed media works at the Circle Gallery in Athens, Georgia, in the juried show at the Spartanburg Public Library and at The Bascom Center for the Visual Arts in Highlands, N.C., where she taught a workshop on photo transfers on handmade paper.
Dr. Jessica Tomkins, assistant professor of history, presented the paper “Decolonizing the Early Egyptian State” at the 13th International Congress of Egyptologists in Leiden, The Netherlands.
Dr. Rachel Vanderhill, associate professor and chair of government and international affairs, was an invited speaker on the panel “U.S. Interagency and Multilateral Approaches to Peacebuilding and Democratic Resilience,” part of the Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellows Roundtable Series.
Dr. Nancy Williams, professor of philosophy, published the article “Ethical Veganism as Quiet Resistance” in the Journal of Animal Ethics.
Dr. Gillian Young, assistant professor of art history, published “Beyond the Screen: Joan Jonas’s Television by Other Means” in the Oxford Art Journal.
Dr. Yongfang Zhang, associate professor of Chinese, has been awarded a 10th STARTALK grant from the National Security Agency. The grant will offer a Chinese language and culture day camp on Wofford’s campus in June 2024. Zhang also published two journal articles: “Implementing the Standard for Chinese Proficiency in International Chinese Language Education with Backward Design” in the Journal of International Chinese Teaching and “Developing Novice and Intermediate Level Chinese Learners’ Cross-Cultural Communication Competence Using Backward Design” in Chinese Language Teaching and Studies.