By Jo Ann Mitchell Brasington ’89 and Macy Petty
Women have walked Wofford’s campus for 172 years, but rarely — at least not until the late 1970s — in roles that involved leadership, academic pursuits or athletics competition.
On May 8, the college honored the walks of all Wofford women, dedicating five campus walking trails to women whose stories will continue to inspire generations to come. The honorees, their family members and the campus community gathered for a ceremony in front of the Franklin W. Olin Building. The inaugural walk of each trail was led by Wofford student-athletes, faculty and staff wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the trail’s color and name.
The Women of Wofford Walking Trails are the realization of an initiative started in 2014 by Lisa Lefebvre, one of the honorees, who died in 2025 of kidney cancer. As director of employee wellness, she began a series of walking initiatives and competitions to boost physical activity, designating two walking loops on campus with the help of horticulturalist Stewart Winslow.
“I can’t help but think Lisa would be proud to see all of us here — equipped with Fitbits, Apple Watches and walking apps — ready to see her vision come to life,” said Dr. Jameica Hill ’88, professor of chemistry and associate provost for administration, who helped lead the trail dedication.
Additional information, including Strava routes and a new campus map outlining the trails, can be found on the Women of Wofford Walking Trails website (Wofford.edu/walkingtrails).
“I’ve been a part of this community for the past decade, and during that time, I’ve gotten to know some of the women for whom these trails are named. Those I don’t know personally, I’ve admired from afar,” says Lynze Roos, coach of the three-time Southern Conference Volleyball Tournament Championship Terriers. “These trails are about remembering the impact that these women have made on our lives — an impact that has too often gone unmarked. As we move forward, walking these trails, I hope we’ll all take time to reflect on the women in our lives who have forged paths so that our journeys might be smoother.”
THE ANNE
GREEN TRAIL, 0.4 MILES
Anne Springs Close helped Wofford navigate the transition to residential co-education in 1976.
In 1973, she became the first woman elected to the Wofford College Board of Trustees and became the first woman selected as “chairman” of the board — her preferred title — serving from 1984-86.
A world traveler who visited over 60 countries before her death in 2021, Close climbed Mount Kilimanjaro three times, the last at age 78, and completed the New York City Marathon at age 65.
Close’s daughter, Katy Close ’83, currently serves on the board, continuing her mother’s legacy.
THE LISA
BLUE TRAIL, 2.0 MILES
Lisa Lefebvre joined the community in 2011 as director of employee wellness. She led the campaign to make Wofford a tobacco-free campus, promoted healthy relationships and introduced programs, like Create, to provide mental health support for students.
Lisa, a registered nurse, was working at Duke University Medical Center when she met doctoral student John Lefebvre, now a professor of psychology at Wofford. The two became partners, travel companions and parents to two Wofford graduates — Alex Lefebvre ’18 and Max Lefebvre ’21. Lisa died May 21, 2025, after a battle with kidney cancer.
THE MEG
YELLOW TRAIL, 1.7 MILES
Although the college began admitting women resident students in 1976, it did not field intercollegiate women’s athletics teams until 1980-81. Meg Hunt ’84 was the first woman to receive a Wofford athletics scholarship and the first to be inducted into the Wofford Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991. Her career statistics still top the record books.
Hunt spent her career in journalism and media relations, serving a term as president of the National Federation of Press Women. She is an avid supporter of women’s athletics at Wofford and beyond.
THE PREMA
PINK TRAIL, 1.0 MILE
When Nayef Samhat became Wofford’s 11th president, Prema committed to supporting Wofford as a full-time volunteer — hosting events, mentoring women, expanding the college’s presence in the Spartanburg community, honoring employees, developing relationships with alumni, leading group travel to her native India and being an ever-present advocate for student success.
She and Lisa Lefebvre (blue trail) worked together to build a walking culture on campus.
Prema and her pups have walked Wofford’s campus more than anyone else over the past 13 years, providing pet therapy to students and a listening ear along the way.
THE VIVIAN
PEACH TRAIL, 1.1 MILES
As the first woman appointed to a full-time, tenure-track position in 1973 and the first woman to earn tenure in 1978, Dr. Vivian Boyd Fisher was known for her high academic expectations.
A professor of English, she challenged students to read and understand complex texts, often sharing those lessons through Victorian novels and poetry. Fisher adored her students and colleagues, practiced with the fencing team, performed onstage with Wofford Theatre and shared her passions for photography, historical preservation and gardening with the campus community. She retired as professor emerita in 2008.