September + October 2023

1970

Don Welsh is a retired Physician. Dr. Welsh earned his MD from the Medical University of South Carolina and his doctorate of internal medicine from the University of Alabama. He and his wife, Lucy, reside in Hoover, AL, and have three children.

1973

Herndon S. Hasty Sr. retired from a 35-year career in radio with Taft Broadcasting and CBS Radio. Mr. Hasty created “The Magic Red Kettle” for the Salvation Army nine years ago. To date, the kettle has received more than $100,000 in contributions. He and his wife, Lee, reside in Overland Park, KS, and have one grandson, Alexander. The Hasty family are loyal donors to the CofC Fund and have recently made gifts to the Campus Preservation Fund.

1975

Greg Phelps is Medical Doctor Emeritus at Covenant Health. Dr. Phelps earned his MD from the Medical University of South Carolina. He is now semi-retired doing hospice and palliative medicine part time. Dr. Phelp’s second book, Coroner’s Dance, was published this spring. He also completed a chaplain externship in the spring. Dr. Phelps resides in Knoxville, TN, with his wife, Gayle. The couple has three children, Tiffany Phelps Vargas ’02, Ben Phelps ’04, and Daniel Phelps ’08. The family are generous supporters of the CofC Fund and most recently made a gift to the Alumni Fund.

1978

George Cabaniss worked as a Chemistry Professor at Marshall University for three years. Dr. Cabaniss later worked in the semiconductor industry for Hewlett-Packard, Agilent Technologies, and Intel Corp, from which he retired in September 2022. He earned his PhD in chemistry from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, in 1984. Dr. Cabaniss and his wife, Jo, reside in Portland, OR.

Hidefumi Katsuura is retiring after 39 years of teaching at San José State University. He earned his PhD in mathematics from the University of Delaware in 1984. Dr. Katsuura was hired by San José State University as an Assistant Professor and was promoted to Professor 10 years later. He has published more than 30 mathematical research papers in topology, analysis, and geometry. Dr. Katsuura resides in Berkeley, CA, with his wife, Frances, and enjoys woodworking in his free time. The couple has two sons and four grandchildren.

1979

John Pennell retired in 2008 as Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force. Lt. Col. Pennell is a Master Navigator and has almost 3,000 hours in the RF-4 Phantom and the F-15E Strike Eagle as an Instructor Weapons Systems Officer. He flew in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Noble Eagle. Lt. Col. Pennell graduated from the USAF Air War College and USAF Fighter Weapons School and served as Commander of F-15 Combined Test Force. He earned his master’s degree from Emby Riddle Aeronautical University. Lt. Col. Pennell his wife, Carrie, reside in Madison, AL, and have four children.

1981

Cheryll Novak Woods-Flowers has been named Chair of the SC Advisory Council on Aging and Chair of the Disabilities Board of Charleston County. Ms. Woods-Flowers is a former Mayor of Mount Pleasant, SC, where she resides with her husband, Harold. The couple are generous donors to numerous funds at the College, including the Cougar Club, the Athletics Director Fund, and the Alumni Association Fund.

1982

George Cobb is a Professor at Baylor University and the Chairman of the USEPA Science Advisory Committee for Chemicals. Dr. Cobb and his wife, Penelope Patton ’82, reside in Waco, TX, and have two sons, Ben and James. The Cobb family are loyal supporters of the Dr. W. Frank Kinard Scholarship in Chemistry.

1985

Cat Peralta Edler is the Assistant Director of the Center for Disability Services at the College. Ms. Edler earned her MA in special education from Hampton University in 2000. She later earned her post-master’s certificate in education administration and leadership from George Washington University in 2010. Ms. Edler resides in Charleston, SC, with her husband, Brad, and their son, Conrad. She is a recent donor to the Alumni Association Fund.

1986

Joseph Anderson is the new Executive Director, Student Health Services, at the Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Anderson and his wife, Regina Hutto Anderson ’87, reside on Daniel Island, SC. The couple are generous donors to the James P. and Carolyn N. Anderson Endowed Alumni Scholarship.

1989

Poppy Lewis retired from Williamsburg County School District as a teacher of middle school students with special needs. Ms. Lewis earned her MEd from Coastal Carolina University in 2005. She recently co-authored and published a book with her brother, Through the Foggy Heights. Ms. Lewis is a national board-certified exceptional needs specialist. She resides in Manning, SC, and has recently made a gift to the Alumni Fund.

1996

Chad Vail is the Work-based Learning Partnerships Coordinator for the Charleston County School District and has led the program for more than 10 years. Mr. Vail was named the 2023 Brightpath Work-based Learning Professional of the Year by the Association of Career and Technical Education. He recently served a three-year term on the South Carolina Development Professionals Board of Directors, including board president in 2021. Mr. Vail resides in Mount Pleasant, SC, with his wife, April. The couple has three children.

1997

Brian Bailey is the CEO/Chief Investment Officer for Oak Stone Advisory, LLC. Mr. Bailey resides in Dallas with his wife, Rebecca, and son, Greyson.

Ragan DuBose-Morris recently became a Professor and Director of Education and Information Technology for the College of Health Professions at the Medical University of South Carolina. Ms. DuBose-Morris resides in Charleston, SC, with her two sons, Oliver and Avery.

Kristen Carlisle-Hickney Johnson is the Reading Interventionist at Camp Road Middle School for Charleston County School District. Ms. Johnson earned her MEd in special education from Vanderbilt University in 1998 and her certificate in secondary administration from The Citadel in 2005. She resides in Charleston, SC, with her husband, Beau, and their two sons, Parker and Samuel.

Mary Manning Russ (MAT) is a Middle Grades Teacher, Grade Level Coordinator, and Advanced Learner’s Director for the North Carolina Virtual Academy. Ms. Russ resides in Indian Trail, NC, with her son, Brandon.

1998

Ray “Ham” Morrison III had his business, The Starlight Motor Inn, featured in an article on CNN.com in August entitled, “15 roadside motels you’ll want to book for your next road trip.” The Starlight Motor Inn was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2020, and in 2022, was newly remodeled and reimagined. Mr. Morrison resides in Charleston, SC, with his wife, Mimi.

1999

Stephanie Bibbs is a national representative for the American Federation of Teachers. Ms. Bibbs is a loyal donor to the College, most recently supporting the Office of Institutional Diversity Fund. She resides in Charlotte, NC.

Jaime Vance Hayes is the Director of Communications and Public Information for McLeod Health. Ms. Hayes resides in Dillon, SC, with her husband, Todd, and their two children, Ella and Griffin.

2000

Uche Uwah is a 6 pm Producer for WCBS-TV, the flagship station of the CBS television network, and resides in New York City.

2001

Whitley Moretti Boyd has been promoted to Broker in Charge of the Carolina One Isle of Palms/Sullivan’s Island office. Ms. Boyd is president of the Lowcountry CofC Club and is an annual sponsor of the Alumni Association. She resides in Mount Pleasant, SC, with her husband, Clayton, and their two sons, Hudson and Jackson. The Boyd family are generous and loyal supporters of the College, giving consistently to various campus funds over the past six years.

Carlee Keffer Bright is the Owner of CTG Landscape Design & Construction. Ms. Bright is working in interventional pain management for Bon Secours. She became a Physician Assistant after graduating from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2004. Ms. Bright resides in Greenville, SC, with her daughters, Mila and Delaney.

Heather Driggers Ducker was named the interim principal at Berkeley High School in August. She had previously served as principal of Sedgefield Middle School since 2019. In July, she was recognized as Berkeley County School District’s Secondary School Principal of the Year for her good work. Ms. Ducker and her husband, Mark, reside in Hanahan, SC. Ms. Ducker recently gave to the Alumni Fund.

2003

Vanessa Held D’Ariano is the Senior Director, Retail, for Away. Ms. D’Ariano resides in Mount Vernon, NY, with her two sons, Dylan and Jackson.

Brian Herrmann was named department head of the City of Lake Wales, FL’s Growth Management division in September. Mr. Herrmann previously lived in Crystal River, FL, with his wife, Cindy Vibar.

Steve Politowski is a Practice Transformation Specialist for Aledade, Inc. and resides in Baltimore.

Dianne Turgeon Richardson is the new Marketing Pursuit Manager at Dewberry, a national multidisciplinary engineering firm. Ms. Richardson earned her MFA in creative writing from the University of Central Florida in 2014. She resides in Orlando, FL, with her two children, Elizabeth and Benjamin.

Lindsey Slaby is the CEO of Sunday Dinner, a brand strategy consultancy that helps senior marketers re-imagine their marketing organization. Ms. Slaby resides in Brooklyn, NY.

2004

Steven Infinger is the new Operations Manager, Education Services, at Blackbaud. Mr. Infinger and his wife, Rachel, reside in Summerville, SC.

Tom McCarty has been listed on the 2023 Forbes Top Financial Security Professionals Best-in-State list for the third year in a row. Mr. McCarty has been a New York Life agent for 19 years and is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He earned his LUTCF and FSCP designation from the American College. Mr. McCarty resides in Mount Pleasant, SC, with his wife, Beth, and their three children, Ava, Patrick, and Charlie. The McCarty family are generous and continued supporters of the Charleston Athletic Fund and the CofC Baseball Fund.

Megan Burns Pontes received her PhD in leadership studies with a focus on philanthropic leadership from the University of San Diego in August. Dr. Pontes is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Arizona State University. She and her husband, Matthew, welcomed their daughter, Sutton Lee Pontes, in April 2022. The Pontes family resides in Phoenix.

Brian Purcell is a Teacher at Rising Tide Charter School. Mr. Purcell resides in Marshfield, MA, with his wife, Maureen, and their two sons, Jackson and Oliver.

2005

Kathleen Durham is the new Senior Finance Manager, Customer Success and Marketing, for HubSpot and she resides in Raleigh, NC.

Deana Goodwine Thomas is a certified Special Education Teacher for Dorchester District Two. Ms. Thomas was the 2020 Rookie Teacher of the Year for R.B. Stall High School. She earned her MA in counseling from Webster University in 2008. Ms. Thomas resides in Summerville, SC, with her husband, Jeffrey, and her three children, Timothy, Jettson, and Jia. She has recently made gifts to the Alumni Association Fund and the Campus Preservation Fund.

2006

Christian Boutan is a Physicist for the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Dr. Boutan earned his PhD in physics from the University of Washington in 2017. He was selected by the Department of Energy to receive the 2023 Early Career Research Program award, granting him $2.5 million towards combining quantum sensing with machine learning to detect axion dark matter. Dr. Boutan and his wife reside in West Richland, WA, with their three children.

Nathan Bray is the Senior Contracts Analyst for Carnegie Mellon University. Mr. Bray resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, Sara, and their daughter, Gloria.

Joel Parker is the Assistant Director, Center for Student Excellence, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering at the University of Florida. Mr. Parker earned his MFA from Washington University in St. Louis in 2009. He resides in Gainesville, FL.

2007

Kate Guthrie is the Director of Community Development for the Westport Weston Family YMCA. Ms. Guthrie is certified by Cornell University in successful financial management for nonprofits. She resides in Westport, CT, with her daughter, Pearl.

John Kohler is the Senior Vice President, Chief Medical Officer, for UNC Health. Dr. Kohler and his wife, Allison, reside in Hampstead, NC.

2008

Donta’ Brown is the Lead Site Coordinator for Communities in Schools of South Carolina. Mr. Brown earned his MBA from Strayer University in 2014. He is studying sports administration at Liberty University with plans to graduate with his MA in 2024. Mr. Brown resides in Ladson, SC, with his wife, NeShonda McLaurin Brown ’10, and their two children, Skylar and Kyren.

Jamilla Harper recently celebrated the start of her fifth year as the COO of Metanoia, a nonprofit organization that provides programs and opportunities that promote and support community development. Ms. Harper is an honoree for the Charleston Regional Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 class of 2023. She resides in North Charleston, SC.

Carina Herrera is an Executive Assistant at Kinnate Biopharma and resides in Sausalito, CA.

Rachel Stewart Reinders and her husband, Jurrie, welcomed their third child, Emsé Stewart Reinders, in May 2022. Emsé joins older brothers Beau and Crew. The Reinders family resides in London, UK.

Lauren Ashley Smalls is a Learning Specialist with Colegio Americano de Guatemala (American School of Guatemala). She is currently working toward a certificate in educational leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Ms. Smalls resides in her hometown of Williston, SC.

2009

Lizzie Bailey is the Director of Development for Narrative 4. Ms. Bailey completed the Mongol Derby in August, a 1,000-kilometer horse race on semi-feral horses across Mongolia. The Mongol Derby is known as the world’s toughest horse race, and she was one of 45 riders chosen from across the globe. Ms. Bailey resides in Saratoga Springs, NY, with her husband, Lee McColgan.

Casey Berry celebrated the grand opening of her new store, The Paper Canopy, in August. The Paper Canopy is located on Spring Street and offers a wide variety of stationery products. Ms. Berry resides in Charleston, SC.

Jordan Shealy earned his MD from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2016. Dr. Shealy went on to complete his general surgery residency at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine. He received multiple Golden Apple awards, the Resident Performance Award, was the Resident Research Day Winner, and served as the Education Chief. Dr. Shealy is now a board-certified General Surgeon practicing with UNC Rex. He resides outside of Raleigh, NC, with his wife, Caroline Hamrick Shealy ’12, and their two cats.

2010

JaQuinda Harkness Jackson is a Psychotherapist. Ms. Jackson and her husband, Gavin Jackson ’08, reside in Simpsonville, SC.

Neal Partrick is the Senior National Sales Manager for Big Sky Resort. Mr. Partrick married Amy Yatsuk in May. The couple resides in Bozeman, MT.

2011

Telba Cavero will star as Abuela, the titular role in Mi Abuela, Queen of Nightmares at The Tank theatre in New York City this fall. Ms. Cavero is an Actress, Director, and Producer. Her work in the play, Quintuples, earned her a HOLA award nomination for best character actress and a LATA award in 2020.

2012

Alexander Binaco is going into his 10th year of teaching and works at Saint David’s School in New York City. Mr. Bianco earned his MEd from Northeastern University this year. He married Karina Chu in September, and the couple resides in Brooklyn, NY.

Taylor Fink is the Senior Director, Network Development, at andros. Mr. Fink resides in Mount Pleasant, SC.

Caroline Hamrick Shealy began writing under the pseudonym C. H. Shealy in 2019. Four years later, the indie author has written and published six romance novels, including her pentalogy, The Nerd Girls Series. Ms. Shealy resides outside of Raleigh, NC, with her husband, Jordan Shealy ’09.

Sam Sweet is a Medical Sales Representative for Applied Medical. Ms. Sweet married Michael Kempton ’13 in September, and the couple resides in Philadelphia.

2013

Kyle Alligood is the Founder of Ceebo Brew Co. In partnership with Tarboro Brewing Co., Ceebo created a German pilsner-style malt beverage that never goes above 0.5 percent ABV. The beverage is sold in the Carolinas and can also be purchased online. Mr. Alligood resides in Tarboro, NC.

Jeff Aschieris married Maddie McKinley in August in Newburg, OR. The couple resides in Costa Mesa, CA.

Marion Lake is a Patient Aligned Care Team Social Worker for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and resides in Columbia, SC.

Susan Luna-Hazlewood began a new position in September as Director of the Crawford Alumni Center at Tennessee Technological University. Ms. Luna-Hazlewood is a consistent giver to several funds at the College. She resides in Cookeville, TN, with her husband, Michael.

2014

John Curtis is entering his final year as a part-time student at Charleston School of Law. Mr. Curtis has recently been named the Local Agency Security Officer in the College’s IT department, where he acts as the law enforcement liaison between Public Safety and the State Law Enforcement Division. He resides in Charleston, SC.

Kelsey Hodgson Hogan is the head softball coach at Shorter University. Ms. Hogan is a generous giver to the Cougar Club and resides in Lindale, GA, with her husband, Jarrod.

Joe Jacobin is an Account Manager for monday.com and resides in Denver.

Blakeney Sitton is a Dentist at Mundo Dentistry & Orthodontics in Fort Mill, SC. Ms. Sitton resides in Charlotte, NC.

Tavish Van Skoik is an Instructional Designer at Syracuse University where he is studying education with plans to graduate in 2024 with his MS. Mr. Van Skoik resides in Syracuse, NY.

Shane Sue Smith was voted best lawyer in Charleston in 2023. Ms. Smith earned her JD from the Charleston School of Law in 2021 and resides in Charleston, SC. She has recently given to the Campus Preservation Fund.

2015

Lauren Anzaldua is a Legal Analyst for Indeed where she works in the Litigation and Law Enforcement team. Ms. Anzaldua resides in Austin, TX and is a generous donor to the Alumni Association Fund.

Mackenzie Maples Reed (MBA ’16) is a high school science Teacher in Milford, DE. Ms. Reed is married to CofC alumnus Devon Reed ’15. The couple resides in Frederica, DE, and welcomed a daughter, Ryan, to the family last November.

Dael Joy Szuch is the Director of Membership & Communications for the Atlanta Country Club.

Victoria Thompson received the “Top 20 to Watch” award from the International Society for Technology in Education. Ms. Thompson was also chosen as one of CIOLook magazine’s Top 10 Visionary Leaders in Education. She earned her MS in curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University in 2018. Ms. Thompson resides in Winter Garden, FL, with her spouse, Kourtney, with whom she started the Thompson Johnson Scholarship for Teacher Education at the College of Charleston.

2016

Jayson Blankenship is an Operation Support Specialist at Citi and resides in Tampa, FL.

Nessy Frometa (MS) was a Marine Scientist for 13 years and is now the Vessel and Environmental Compliance Coordinator for CSS, Inc., where she works on projects to restore the Gulf of Mexico from the effects of the BP oil spill. Ms. Frometa resides in Folly Beach, SC.

Angel Fross married Frazier Simmons in May 2023. Ms. Fross is a Spanish Teacher for Charleston County School District. She is studying educational leadership at The Citadel with plans to graduate with her MEd in 2024. The couple resides in Charleston, SC.

Rose Hemphill is a Researcher for the Department of Psychiatry at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Ms. Hemphill is also a Case Manager for the Ohio Professionals Health Program. She earned her MSW from Boston University in 2020. Ms. Hemphill married Benjamin Ertel in April 2022 and the couple resides in Bellevue, KY.

Shayne Lisa is an Account Manager for NFP in New York City.

Jordan Trgovac is an area scout with the Carolina Panthers professional football team. Ms. Trgovac is a generous donor to the CofC Alumni Association Fund and resides in Mount Gilead, NC.

2018

Rebecca Castro is the Business Travel Sales Manager for Salamander Washington, D.C.

Isaiah Furqueron earned his MHA from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, in 2021. Mr. Furqueron is a Consultant, Strategic Integration, for Ascension and resides in North Charleston, SC.

Josh Hoff has been named the Head Women’s Hockey Coach for the King’s College Monarchs in Wilkes-Barre, PA.

Temperance Russell is the Development Director at Coastal Carolina University. Ms. Russell earned her MA in women’s studies from San Diego State University in 2020. She resides in Myrtle Beach, SC.

2019

Andrew Christie married Haleigh Phelps in May. The couple resides in Bluffton, SC.

Taylor Hawkins is the Procurement Director/Supply Chain Manager of Ecig Charleston.

Hayley Jowers recently graduated from Western Governors University with her MBA in healthcare management. Ms. Jowers resides in Lexington, SC.

Grayson Lovelace is a Scientist for General Atomics in San Diego and works in the group that made the scientific package that achieved fusion ignition at the National Ignition Facility. He is studying high energy density physics at the University of California, San Diego, with plans to graduate with his PhD in 2028.

Meaghan Silsby is the new Director of Development for the USS Yorktown Foundation in Charleston, SC.

Kelly Sinclair Davis married Chris Davis in May 2020. The couple welcomed their first daughter, Kenley Mae Davis, in May 2023. The Davis family resides in Bluffton, SC.

2020

Drew Scharf is a Brokerage Associate with Avison Young. Mr. Scharf resides in Charleston, SC.

Ashley Smith is a teacher with Dorchester District Two and resides in Ladson, SC.

2021

Madison Baxley married Tanner Tappan in July in Charleston, SC. The couple resides in Columbus, GA. Ms. Baxley has recently made a gift to the Alumni Fund.

Virginia Bledsoe is a Special Education Teacher for the Charleston County School District. Ms. Bledsoe is studying literacy education at The Citadel with plans to graduate with her MEd in 2025. She resides in North Charleston, SC.

Lauren Lozano is an English teacher and softball program assistant at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, CA. In May, Ms. Lozano was awarded Rookie of the Year in Paso Robles Joint Unified School District for her work as a first-year teacher and softball program director at Paso Robles High School. Ms. Lozano is a generous donor to the CofC Alumni Association Fund. She resides in San Jose, CA.

Katelynn Muth is a first-grade Teacher for Anderson 5 Public School District. Ms. Muth is studying at the University of South Carolina with plans to graduate with her MEd in 2025. She resides in Anderson, SC.

Donovan Tate-Davis is a Press Assistant for the U.S. House of Representatives and resides in Washington, D.C.

2022

Victoria Carsten is a Social Work Assistant at Pineville Community Hospital in Pineville, KY. Ms. Carsten is pursuing her MS in social work from Winthrop University. She is a generous giver to the Alumni Association Fund.

Marcelo Cordova is a Software Developer for modus21 and resides in North Charleston, SC.

Kayla King (MEd) is a kindergarten Teacher with the Charleston County School District. Ms. King resides in Charleston, SC.

Adelaide Meny was promoted to Manager of Patron Programs at Carnegie Hall in September. Ms. Adelaide resides in New York City and gives loyally to the College.

Tiratha Patel is studying clinical social work at Simmons University with plans to graduate with her MS in 2025. Ms. Patel resides in Goose Creek, SC.

Andrew Robinson recently celebrated becoming a North Carolina real estate broker. Mr. Robinson works as a branch manager at Blink Lighting. He resides in Wilmington, NC.

Halle Walker is employed by The Standard Hotels and resides in New York City.

2023

Sarah Acuff is a fourth grade Teacher at Meeting Street Schools and resides in Charleston, SC.

Luca Strobel is a Teacher’s Assistant at Sundrops Montessori School and resides in North Charleston, SC.

Ceci Woodford is an Outside Sales Specialist for Veo Technologies in Miami. Ms. Woodford recently made a donation to the Campus Preservation Fund.