Class Notes January 2022

By Darren
Posted on 11 January 2022 | 9:32 pm

Class Notes

Tell us what’s new with you

Check out our January 2022 edition of Class Notes! Please submit your own Class Note via our online form. We’ll feature you in the next email edition, online, in College of Charleston Magazine, and possibly even on our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Here are just a few highlights from the January edition.

January 2022

1974

Julian Wiles accepted the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of North Carolina where he received his MFA in dramatic arts in 1976. Mr. Wiles is the Founder and Producing Artistic Director of Charleston Stage, in residence at the historic Dock Street Theatre. He has recently donated to the Valerie B. Morris Scholarship in Arts Management and he resides in Charleston, SC.

1977

Andy Solomon has been named Executive Director of the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Solomon has worked with the organization for 15 years as a volunteer. He earned his Masters in history from Winthrop University. Mr. Solomon was the first Sports Information Director at CofC and worked at Winthrop, Charleston Southern, and Limestone College before spending 27 years at The Citadel where he was Associate Athletics Director. He and his wife, Amy, live in Charleston, SC, and have two daughters.

1980

George Donald is an Interpreter for Inova Fairfax Hospital. Mr. Donald is also a writer and was recently nominated for a Pushcart Price in Literature. He and his wife, Deborah, reside in Centreville, VA, and have a granddaughter, Aya.

1986

Gary Grondines is the Plant Controller for The Crosby Group in Longview, TX.

1987

Sally Davis Schneider (MPA ’92) recently earned her Master of Teaching from the University of Virginia. Ms. Schneider resides in Alexandria, VA, and has two daughters, Kate and Caroline Schneider ’22. Ms. Schneider has generously donated to the College nearly every year since 1989, making gifts to the CofC Fund, the Alumni Scholarships, the Student Emergency Fund, and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

1990

Lu Parker is a six-time Emmy and Genesis Award-winning TV News Anchor for Nexstar/KTLA News in Hollywood, CA. Ms. Parker earned her MA in education from The Citadel in 1992. She created Be Kind & Co as a lifestyle brand that believes every act of kindness grows our spirit and strengthens our soul. Ms. Parker resides in West Hollywood, CA.

1991

Kristen Karszes married Brian Austin in July 2021. Ms. Karszes is the Assistant Principal for Hilton Head Island High School in Beaufort County School District and serves as President of the Hilton Head/Beaufort CofC Club. She is a stalwart supporter of our alma mater, giving to the CofC Fund, the Alumni Fund, and the LCWA Scholarship Fund. The couple resides on Hilton Head Island, SC, with her son, Hampton Goldston.

1992

Bacchus Rolle was sworn in as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works & Utilities in September 2021. Honorable Rolle is the President of Rolle 2 Rolle Credit Solutions and resolves relationship matters between borrowers and lenders. He and his wife, Kimberly, reside in South Beach, Bahamas, with their two sons, Dionysius and Derryus.

Barrett Walker has been named Executive Director of the Patriot Foundation. Ms. Walker has worked in the non-profit sector for over 10 years. Most recently, she served as Executive Director for Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care. Ms. Walker is a member and former board member of Kiwanis Club of the Sandhills and has served on the board of directors for MooreHealth. She and her husband reside in Whispering Pines, NC.

1994

Rhonda Strickland Edwards works for Dorchester School District 2 as a 4th grade gifted and talented educator. Ms. Edwards is also the author of two children’s books; One Acorn’s Journey: The Legend of the Angel Oak and The Secret of Atalaya: A Carolina Cousins’ Mystery. She resides in Cottageville, SC, with her husband, Ricky, and has one granddaughter, Bayleigh Ty Edwards.

Cherisse Jones-Branch (MA ’97), Vaughn Endowed Professor of History, has been named Graduate School Dean at Arkansas State University (A-State). Dr. Jones-Branch joined the A-State History Department faculty in 2003 and has received numerous university awards including outstanding faculty service member, the faculty research award, and most recently, the Vaughn endowed position. She received her PhD in history from The Ohio State University in 2003 and currently resides in Jonesboro, AR. Dr. Jones-Branch is a generous donor to the College, giving to the HSS Dean’s Excellence Fund, the Student Emergency Fund, the Alumni Fund, the CofC Fund, and the Greek Leadership Fund.

1997

DaNine Jenkins Fleming was promoted to Associate Chief Officer of Inclusive Excellence at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). In March 2021, Dr. Fleming was awarded tenure effective January 1, 2022 by the MUSC Board of Trustees. She also serves as an Associate Professor and Unconscious Bias Faculty Scholar. Dr. Fleming resides in Summerville, SC, with her husband, Travis, and their daughter Sydnei.

2000

Alison Vonder Haar Hitner earned her MAS in population health management from Johns Hopkins University in May 2021. Ms. Hitner is a Care Management Nurse for Premise Health. She and her husband, Chris reside in Greenville, SC, with their two sons, Colin and Harrison.

2001

Whitley Moretti Boyd joined The Exchange Company as a Broker Associate. Ms. Boyd was voted “Best of the Best” Real Estate Agent by Mount Pleasant Magazine for the second year in a row. She resides in Mount Pleasant, SC, with her husband, Clay, and their two sons. Ms. Boyd serves as President of the Lowcountry CofC Club, is an Annual Sponsor of the Alumni Association, and steadfastly donates each year to the College to the Alumni Fund, the Student Emergency Fund, the CofC Athletic Fund, and other programs.

2002

Sara Ferber Roybal is the Founder of Cardiff Mermaid California and the Owner of Sara Ferber Photography. Ms. Roybal resides in San Diego with her husband, John, and their son, Stephen.

2004

Jacqueline Egan is Senior Counsel for Saxton & Stump and has over a decade of experience writing arguments and conducting legal research for real estate and commercial litigation. She earned her JD from the Charleston School of Law. Ms. Egan resides in Summerville, SC.

Robert Pierce is a Senior Experience Owner for Aston Carter. Mr. Pierce resides in Charleston, SC, with his wife, Lauren, and their two children, Isla and Rivers.

2005

Graham Ervin has relocated to New Orleans where she is the General Manager of Tory Burch at Canal Place. Ms. Ervin has generously donated to the College each year since 2004, making gifts to the CofC Fund, the Communications Department, the ’05 Scholarship Fund, and other programs.

Amber Edwards Miller and her husband, Brent, reside in Bluffton, SC, with their three daughters, Porter Cathleen, Neely Jane, and Davis Elizabeth.

Tameika Jackson Wideman is the Director, Dual Enrollment, for Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, SC. Ms. Wideman earned her MS in management from Charleston Southern University in 2017. She and her husband welcomed their second daughter, Zora Grace Wideman, in August 2021. Zora joins older sister Eliana Hope. Ms. Wideman has generously supported CofC with donations to the Student Emergency Fund and Alumni Pep Supper to support the Greek Leadership Fund.

2006

Rachel Gordon is the Founder of Grit & Grace Studio, a coastal chic gift company committed to oyster recycling, reef restoration, giving back to the local community, and supporting local and female artisans. The studio expanded into a second King Street location in the historic Tellis Pharmacy building downtown Charleston, SC, in October 2021.

2007

Becca Rockholt Gentry (MS) earned her PhD in philosophy, organizational leadership, from Columbia International University in December 2021. Ms. Gentry is a Science Teacher for Spartanburg School District 7. She and her husband, Mark, welcomed their third child, David Lee Gentry in August 2021. David joins older siblings Cathryn and Mark. The Gentry family resides in Inman, SC.

2009

Michael Smallwood is one of the stars of Halloween Kills, the most recent movie in the Halloween franchise. Mr. Smallwood is part of the core ensemble at the Pure Theatre and is the Arts Editor for the Charleston City Paper. He resides in Charleston, SC, with his wife, Jillian Clayton Smallwood ’10. The Smallwoods are consistent annual donors to the CofC Department of Theatre & Dance.

John Wall is a Data Scientist for the Department of Defense. Mr. Wall attended North Carolina State University where he earned his MPS in geographic information science and technology in 2013 and his PhD in earth science in 2018. He resides in Alexandria, VA.

2010

Emily Stressman is an Account Manager for EMSL Analytical, Inc., in Charleston, SC. Ms. Stressman married Bob Oberg in November.

Jason Torres plays for the Puerto Rico National team for Ice Hockey. In October 2021, Mr. Torres competed in the Amerigol LATAM Cup with other Latin American and Caribbean countries. Team Puerto Rico represented well with the Women’s Team taking gold, the Men’s Division 1 taking silver, and the Men’s Division 2 taking bronze.

2011

Jessica Hunter is an Attorney for The Stanton Law Firm, LLC, and resides in Huntsville, AL.

James McIntyre is an Associate Attorney for Milbank, LLP, in New York City. Mr. McIntyre has generously donated to the CofC School of the Arts History Fund.

Doug Wurster (MPA) married Kristen Hess ’03 in April 2021. Mr. Wurster has two sons and works for the Charleston County Government. He and Ms. Hess reside in Charleston, SC. The Wursters recently donated to the CofC Alumni Association.

2012

Vikki Bernotski Kowalczyk has been promoted to Assistant Director, Honors Advisor, at the University of Cincinnati. Ms. Kowalczyk and her husband, Bryan, reside in Cincinnati, OH. She has been a steadfast supporter of the School of Languages, Cultures, and World Affairs Dean’s Excellence Fund since 2013 and also supports Student Affairs and the President’s Strategic Initiative Fund.

2014

Hillairy Brown is a High School English Teacher at the American International School in Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong. Ms. Brown resides in Tin Hau, Hong Kong Island, China.

Paige Geddings married Zak Martin in May 2021 and the couple resides in West Columbia, SC. Ms. Geddings is a Past President of the Columbia CofC Club and has been a generous donor to the CofC School of Education, Health, and Human Performance, the Alumni Fund, and the CofC Athletic Fund.

2015

Jackie Hazlett is a Senior Analyst for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. Ms. Hazlett earned her MA in criminology from George Washington University in 2017. She resides on Daniel Island, SC. Ms. Hazlett recently made a thoughtful donation to the Alumni Fund.

Josh Tant married Lindsey Sauls in Morrison, CO, in December. Mr. Tant is a Middle Market Account Manager for True North Insurance. The couple resides in Denver.

2016

Ana Brickowski joined the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp in 2017 and has recently been promoted to Convention Sales Manager.

2017

Emily Torchiana begins graduate school in January at Pepperdine University where she will be studying clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy. Ms. Torchiana is a Sales Executive for Bentley Labs and is the Founder and President of Lost Got Found where she is a professional mental health speaker. She resides in Los Angeles.

2018

Paige Mitchell and Ryan Hawsey were married in June 2021 in Holland, MI.

Amelie Shallcross is a Sales Partner Recruitment Partner for Palmetto based in Charleston, SC. Ms. Shallcross resides in Santa Monica, CA, and recently donated to the Student Emergency Fund.

Rio Speller-Drews is an Acquisition and Retention Manager for Runkeeper and resides in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

2019

Mikel Hannah-Harding is a Meteorologist and Multi-Media Journalist for WRDW/WAGT News and resides in Augusta, GA.

2020

Braelyn Diamond is an Associate Creative Strategist for Day One Agency based in Los Angeles. Ms. Diamond resides in Columbia, SC.

Dawson Frondorf is an Agent for New York Life in New York City.

Bailey Jackson is a law student at the University of South Carolina and resides in Columbia, SC.