66 G

EO

RG

E S

T. |

CH

AR

LEST

ON

, S.C

. 294

24-0

001 m o m e n t u m

- F A L L 2 0 1 8 -

CELEBRATING PHILANTHROPY AT THE COLLEGE OF

CHARLESTON

Calling the College Home

for Generations

See you in winter!

P A R T I N G S H O T - 07.22.18 -

The AndersonFamily's Legacy

MOMENTUM FALL 2018 1

m o m e n t u m

Thank you for reading Momentum! We enjoy sharing stories about the impact of your generous

support, and Momentum is just one way for you to keep engaged and informed about what you're making possible for our students, faculty, staff and campus.

We also publish the annual Donor Digest, post stories on our College of Charleston Giving Facebook page and highlight donors and beneficiaries on our website,

giving.cofc.edu. If you have feedback or story ideas, please contact Carin Jorgensen at 843.953.5859 or jorgensencl@cofc.edu. We'd love to hear from you!

table of contents TRANSFORMATIONAL GIVING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

FEATURE: A COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON FAMILY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

HAPPENINGS & HIGHLIGHTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

PROGRAMS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

SCHOLARSHIPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

as the COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

grows and evolves to meet the dynamic educational needs of students today, we introduce an enhanced suite of Annual Giving Funds to expand

student programming, recruit new faculty and diversify our campus. Together we can create a stronger, more impactful College of Charleston.

Annual gifts to our suite of Excellence Funds make an immediate impact on specific areas or on the university’s largest source of unrestricted

support: the CofC Fund – Area of Greatest Need. It’s just a matter of finding the right fund for you!

COfC fuNd - AReA Of GReATeST Need The CofC Fund – Area of Greatest Need meets the College’s immediate needs

and priorities, such as student aid, student and faculty research and general operating support. Giving to the CofC Fund - Area of Greatest Need is the ultimate vote of confidence in

the College’s core values, allowing the College to evolve and grow.

AlumNI fuNd For the past three years, alumni have given the most philanthropic support

to the College of Charleston, leading both in dollars and in number of donors. In recognition of this leadership, the College created the Alumni Fund to provide

a channel for our nearly 90,000 alumni to show their Cougar pride. The Alumni Fund increases scholarship support for students, enhances the prestige of the College of

Charleston degree and preserves and protects our incomparable campus.

PAReNTS’ fuNd The Parents’ Fund allows families to be actively engaged in their students' education.

It supports student programing, our low faculty-student ratios and immediate- use scholarships and awards. In addition, it keeps families abreast

of happenings on campus.

SCHOlARSHIP eNRICHmeNT fuNd The Scholarship Enrichment Fund provides immediate-use merit and need-based

scholarships and awards. It also helps recruit motivated and talented students and diversifies the student body, thereby enhancing

the overall CofC experience.

In addition to these funds, you may choose from the President’s Strategic Initiative Fund, 10 Dean’s Excellence Funds, the Student Affairs Excellence

Fund and the Cougar Club (Athletics).

Please contact Jenny Alstad at 843.953.5974 or gilsonjm@cofc.edu for more information.

MOMENTUM FALL 2018 32 COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

Nobody crosses the Cistern without a little help along the way. Indeed, it takes the dedicated support of faculty, peers, administrators and family members to see students through the four years leading up to commencement. That’s why programs like Crossing the Cistern are there. Operated out of the Office of Institutional Diversity, Crossing the Cistern is a $4,000 scholarship program serving rising sophomores and juniors who have a minimum of 30 earned credit hours and a GPA between 2.0 and 2.4. But beyond monetary support, the program has several additional components aimed at encouraging students, including academic support, monthly seminars, alumni mentors and a spring internship.“Crossing the Cistern is a one-year momentum program to address the scholastic struggles of all students, with a particular focus on African American, Latin American, Asian American and Native American students,” says Rénard Harris, associate vice president of the Office of Institutional Diversity and the College’s chief diversity officer. “The program is a demonstration of a shared responsibility with the goal of increasing diversity by taking care of who is in the house, making sure they graduate and creating a sincere relationship that will remind and encourage them to tell their story.”And now the program itself is getting some support of its own: Thanks to the Cron Family Foundation, Crossing the Cistern has its first philanthropic contribution since it launched in August 2017.“It’s our honor to be a part of the program and its mission,” says a spokesman for the Cron Family Foundation, which also created the Cron Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund at the College in 2014. “The hope is that, by supporting the Crossing the Cistern program, we are opening opportunities for these young men and women – not just during their undergraduate careers, but in their future careers after graduation.”That’s certainly the plan. “The Cron Family Foundation’s gift to the Crossing the Cistern program is extraordinary because it gives us the opportunity to further our mission in the following way: At the end of the academic year, in collaboration with Alumni Affairs, we will take a Southeastern regional tour, meeting CofC alumni whose occupations align with the students’ majors,” explains Harris. “Through this aspect of the program, we want the Crossing the Cistern students to see the opportunities available after graduation in their respective fields.”After all, crossing the Cistern is just the beginning. – Alicia Lutz '98

Across the Cistern and Beyond

TRANSFORMATIONAL GIVING

MOMENTUM FALL 2018 54 COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

In 2012, brothers Philip and Joseph established the scholarship in honor of their parents, Jim and Carolyn, and their commitment to continued learning. After majoring in mathematics and earning his B.S. at the College, Jim returned to his alma mater’s math department, where he served as a prominent professor for 36 years. During that time, Carolyn earned her bachelor’s degree in English and her M.A.T. in education from the College and went on to

dedicate her career to teaching at Ashley Hall and Buist Academy in downtown Charleston. “Growing up, education was very important in our family, so a scholarship seemed like a great opportunity to recognize our parents and their impact on the education of not only us, but many, many other students, as well,” says Joseph, who received the Alumni Association’s 2012 Pre-Medical Society’s Outstanding Service Award in Medicine. “It’s a way to thank our parents

A College of Charleston Family

below (l to r): philip anderson ’81, carolyn anderson ’70 (m.a.t. ‘78), jim anderson ’55, joseph anderson ’86 and kathleen anderson shuler ‘14

It started with Jim Anderson ’55. It continued with Carolyn Anderson ’70 (M.A.T. ’78). It kept going with Philip Anderson ’81 and then Joseph Anderson ’86 and his wife Regina Hutto Anderson ’89 and – most recently – with Kathleen Anderson Shuler ’14. And now there’s no end in sight: Thanks to the James P. and Carolyn N. Anderson Endowed Alumni Scholarship, the Anderson family’s legacy at the College of Charleston will live on for many years to come.

“I think we all have a responsibility to give back –

to invest in someone else’s future.”

FEATURE

not only for making education a priority for my brother and me, but for the literally hundreds of students they’ve taught over their careers.”

And now they can continue to make education a priority for the recipients of the scholarship – which, at the request of Carolyn and Jim, will go to first-generation students.

“The fact that my parents had that as a specific criterion speaks to their appreciation for the opportunities that education can provide. For them to be giving those opportunities even in their retirement just seems very fitting,” says Joseph, noting that his father was the first in his family to graduate from college, too. “So, for them to make that part of the criteria is a reflection on their own lives.”

For Philip, the decision to give back to the College in the form of an alumni scholarship just made sense: Both brothers received

alumni scholarships as CofC students – as did Joseph’s daughter Kathleen.

“People opened doors for me, and I want to do that for others,” he says, adding that he also mentors College of Charleston students. “I think we all have a responsibility to give back – to invest in someone else’s future.”

The Anderson family is excited to see where the investment takes its first recipient, Amari Lawson, who will start her CofC career in the spring of 2019.

“It’s exciting to feel like you’re helping someone along in their education and their life,” says Jim, noting that he and Carolyn had the chance to meet Lawson last semester, when they welcomed her into the CofC family.

“The College has been an essential part of our family,” says Carolyn, “and we’re grateful that we can open it up to others.” – Alicia Lutz '98

MOMENTUM FALL 2018 76 COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

➊

➋

➌

➍

Cistern Society LuncheonMarch 10Alumni Memorial Hall

The Cistern Society luncheon celebrates donors who make a philanthropic commitment to the College in their estate plans. This year the College celebrated the 23rd annual gathering of Cistern Society donors. The program highlighted during the luncheon was the championship sailing team, led by Greg Fisher, and the student spotlight was Stefano Peschiera ’18, who competed in the Rio Olympics.

� l to r: jim nettles, dottie marban, ann connellee, bill connellee �stefano peschiera presenting former president mcconnell ’69 a memento from the rio olympics jim ’55 and carolyn anderson ’70 (m.a.t. ‘78) receiving their cistern society plate from former president mcconnell former president mcconnell presenting sibby harvey her cistern society plate

The annual Donor Societies Reception celebrates donors in the GOLD Society (young alumni), 1770 Society (donors who give $1,000+ per year) and Live Oak Society (donors who give any amount for at least five consecutive years). Courtney Hicks ’19, who has benefited from multiple scholarships, was this year’s keynote speaker.

� courtney hicks '19 addressing the crowd �l to r: trisha gustafson ’72, interim president steve osborne ’73, pamela dickson, gus gustafson ’75, robert dickson l to r: madeline leibin ’18, alicia caudill, tamara berry ‘19 guests enjoying the reception former president mcconnell with kayshawn mccoy ’21, recipient of the mcconnell scholarship

Annual Donor Societies ReceptionApril 13The Cedar Room

HAPPENINGS & HIGHLIGHTS

In April, the College celebrated the 21st cohort of Guy and Betty Beatty Scholarship recipients, affectionately known as the “Beatty Bunch.” The Beatty scholarship, named for the late Guy Beatty and his wife Betty, is the top honor given to first-year students with a proven track record of rigorous academic, civic and professional achievements who choose to study in the School of Business. The Beatty family has been a part of the College of Charleston community for more than 30 years.

�, , and : the beatty bunch celebration �, and : scenes from the president’s parties held before each commencement ceremony

Beatty Bunch Celebration April 18

School of Business Tate Center

President’s Parties May 11 & 12

President’s House Courtyard

➊ ➋

➌ ➍ ➎

➊ ➌

➍ ➎

➋➏ ➐

MOMENTUM FALL 2018 98 COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

PROGRAMS

The College of Charleston Bonner Leader Program is part of the national Bonner Network, which was established by the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation and is powered largely by philanthropic donations that annually support more than 3,000 students. The program encompasses more than 60 collegiate institutions across 24 states, all of which are devoted to service. Since 2008, Bonner Leaders at the College of Charleston have together logged over 80,000 hours. (cont. on pg. 10)

The CofC Bonner Leader Program Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary

Ten years can be measured in many ways – in treasured memories, in life-changing events, in long-lasting friendships. And, when you are a student in the Bonner Leader Program, you also measure those years in hours of service to others.

students flash the bonner program “b-love” sign while on an alternative break in vinales, cuba, where they visted finca agroecologica el paraiso, an organic farm-to-table restaurant where the students learned about sustainable farming practices.

service centered: bonner leaders work with community partners, from food banks to environmental action organizations, to make a positive impact.

MOMENTUM FALL 2018 1110 COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

(Bonner Anniversary – cont. from. pg. 9) Partnering with a host of local community-based organizations, the four-year direct service and leadership program empowers a diverse and committed group to enact social change and allows them to explore, develop and integrate academics and career interests. In doing so, Bonner Leaders not only learn but live leadership as active citizens and catalysts for change in the global community.

SCHOLARSHIPS

“I never felt bad about using my talents and skills to ‘sell’ Bonner,” says Repede, who attended national conferences with Harper to get the program up and running. “If it’s a win-win-win, then you know it’s time to dig in.”

Community partners of the College of Charleston program include the Metanoia community development corporation, the Lowcountry Food Bank and the Palmetto Community Action Partnership.“We created the Bonner Leader Program from scratch,” says Stephanie Mills Visser, director of the Center for Civic Engagement at the College of Charleston.The idea was the brainchild of Jyn Repede ’09 and Jamilla Harper ’08, Bonner student co-founders who already had plenty on their plate. “It was absolutely the wrong time to start something big, but we did it anyway,” says Visser. By the close of their first academic year, the pioneering seven Bonners had logged more than 2,500 hours of service.

The past 10 years can also be measured in the significant financial support Bonner Leaders have received, which is often crucial for these service-minded students. In fact, 18.3 percent indicated they could not have stayed at the College of Charleston without the support offered by the program. Private donors have contributed more than $400,000 to the program to support scholarships, awards, programming and travel.“By August of that first summer, we had secured four-year scholarships for every single Bonner,” says Visser.Beyond the funds raised and the hours served, there are also the many intangibles that add up to 10 years of transformative experiences for Bonner Leaders.“Bonner helped me gain a sense of independence,” says Cara Walters ’09. “I didn’t feel stuck anymore: I knew I could go anywhere and do anything if I truly wanted to.” – Maura Hogan '87

“If it’s a win-win-win, then you know

it’s time to dig in.”

– Jyn Repede ’09

“My plan for most of college was to pursue medical school because I was good at science and it seemed like the logical continuation of that path,” says Kerry Wischusen ’18, recipient of the Julia Sadler Webb Scholarship, a CofC Fund Scholarship, the Automated Trading Desk Scholarship in Honors and the Kanapaux-Magrath Scholarship.

As a biochemistry major and psychology minor, Wischusen thought she had life figured out as she matriculated through the College, but an underlying anxiety disorder stealthily crept in on her goals in life: “My drive to attend medical school was mostly based on the competitive attitude I carried throughout my young life,” she explains. “I thought if I performed well enough on paper and gave off an idealistic external image, I would eventually be happy.”

After seeking professional help to deal with her anxiety, Wischusen started practicing aspects of mindfulness meditation. She also enrolled in a positive psychology course with Rhonda Swickert in the psychology department and began studying the neuroscience behind mindfulness practices. She quickly became fascinated with the field.

“The School of Sciences and Mathematics at CofC allowed me to delve into neuroscience research and apply the biochemical concepts I was learning to something I was truly passionate about,” says Wischusen. “I started working directly with Dr. Swickert to research mindfulness from an academic point of view. I was able to immerse myself in the literature and truly expand my knowledge base.

“My scholarships made this possible by allowing me to venture outside of my area of study,” she continues. “The philanthropic support I received allowed me to develop a consistent yoga practice while focusing on my studies because I did not have to spend all of my extra time working. The scholarships allowed me to incorporate self-care into my daily life, which drastically shifted my perception of the world.”

Through the generosity of her donors and the help of faculty, Wischusen was able to blend self-care with her love of science – and to improve her

overall personal well-being. While still a student, she started leading meditation classes at a local studio, which she continues to do. Wischusen hopes to be able to continue learning and blending the holistic and science fields into one.

“The intersection of neuroscience and ancient meditation practices is a brand new field of study. My background in biochemistry and psychology allows me to study these traditions from a scientific perspective,” says Wichusen. “Mindfulness is being introduced in a variety of settings, like schools, businesses, athletics teams and prisons – which is extremely promising for the field. I am focused on sharing this information with as many people as I can because of how drastically it changed the quality of my life. Eventually, I would like to share my experience with other young people who are experiencing anxiety disorders.” – Emily Padgett ’12

Mindfulness Meets Medicine

12 COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

SCHOLARSHIPS

N OW O P E Nthe

RITA LIDDY HOLLINGS SCIENCE CENTER reopened this summer after undergoing a major renovation

to modernize its instructional and research capabilities. Together with its new addition that replaces Physicians Auditorium,

the 140,000-square-foot building now provides 77 new research, teaching and support labs; seven classrooms;

58 off ices and a multipurpose auditorium/classroom space.Xcofc.edu

De La Guardia’s first foray into making a leadership gift was in 2017, when she made a 1770 Society–level gift to the Student Emergency Fund. The program – funded not only through philanthropic support, but also by students donating their Cougar Card meal swipes – provides temporary assistance with either dining hall meals or residence hall housing for students with short-term needs.Confident that she made a meaningful impact at the College, De La Guardia soon followed this initial Student Emergency Fund gift with a 10-year pledge of continued support for the program, as well as for the Alumni Association General Scholarship. She also made a $25,000 commitment to establish the Maria De La Guardia Humanities Scholarship, designed to recruit out-of-state first-year students to the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.“I value the education I received at the College and want to ensure that other students have a similar opportunity to explore the academic excellence the College of Charleston offers,” says De La Guardia, who was once an out-of-state student herself.Her multifaceted commitment supports all of her passion points – and, in turn, creates

benefits across the entire campus. Providing student access to resources for success is of utmost importance to De La Guardia. Beyond helping to ensure students have the chance to chase their academic dreams, her support focuses on the nationwide issue of food and housing insecurity that many college students face. “Students must have access to essential resources like food, housing and basic necessities, so they may focus on their academics,” she says.A proud alumna of the College, De La Guardia hopes her gift will inspire other alumni to stay connected and begin exploring the myriad of possibilities that can impact the campus in significant ways. – Carin Jorgensen

Giving Students Much-Needed Resources Fuels Alumna’s Philanthropic Commitment

Maria De La Guardia ’85 began giving back to her alma mater within a few years of graduating with her bachelor’s in political science. Her steady engagement, mostly through the Alumni Association and College of Charleston Fund, has flourished into a true passion for helping today’s CofC students.