Welcome to the Southern Wesleyan University
Alumni Association page!
As an alumnus of SWU, you’re part of a family. The Southern Wesleyan University Alumni Association is here to assist all alumni in a spirit of Christian service. Whether you’re looking for networking opportunities or looking up a long-lost classmate, we can help.
As you browse through the alumni page, may you be blessed with fond memories of your time as a student. Maybe you lived on campus in McDonald Hall with your closest girlfriends. Maybe you met weekly with a small group of other working adults to complete your degree. Regardless of the program, every former student is an important part of the SWU alumni family. Each alumnus and their memories of SWU is a thread in the fabric of what makes Southern Wesleyan University the institution it has become.
“Happy Days” Homecoming at Southern Wesleyan University
Southern Wesleyan University alumni and their family members “cruised in” to the campus in Central, joining students, faculty and staff for “Happy Days,” a 50s-themed Homecoming celebration Nov. 5.
Alumni and their family members were treated to athletic events, entertainment, a classic car show, arts and crafts, games, a drive-in movie with the hit TV classic “Happy Days” and times for reconnecting with classmates during the event, which took place Nov. 5 at Southern Wesleyan. Homecoming festivities also included a homecoming chapel service at Newton Hobson Chapel and Fine Arts Center, Homecoming coffee at the president’s home, reunion luncheons and dinner on the grounds.
Southern Wesleyan also crowned its 2011 Homecoming Queen, Amy Shepard, a Human Services major from Winder, Ga.; and Homecoming King, Colicus Jones, a music major from Williamston.
The Warriors volleyball and basketball teams enjoyed Homecoming victories. The Lady Warriors defeated Brewton-Parker College, 3-0; the Lady Warriors Basketball Team defeated Barber Scotia College 90-73; and the Warriors defeated Barber Scotia 93-51 at Historic Tysinger Gymnasium.
Happy birthday, Bernice CarterJoy Bryant, Southern Wesleyan University’s executive director of alumni and constituent relations, paid a visit to convey birthday greetings to Bernice Carter, 98, at her home in Hemingway, S.C. Carter continues to drive her own car and spends time at the local senior center playing piano four days a week, is active in church work and hosts a group in her home once a month. Carter is a 1952 graduate of Southern Wesleyan. Bernice and her late husband Clifford were adult students that attended school while working to keep three churches going in the 1950s. It is no surprise to look back in the old Centralian yearbook and find the quote from this couple, “It is better to wear out than to rust out.” Mrs. Carter was full of stories and love for her days at Central. During the visit, Bryant reports Mrs. Carter having her yearbooks to show during the visit. |
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Bryant was able to take a recent yearbook and share scenes of the SWU campus with Mrs. Carter, who says she wants to plan a trip to the Upstate soon to see the campus. She also acknowledged she wants to put her brick in the Alumni Walk along with one for her beloved Clifford. She wants to see those when she visits the campus.
Carter loves to play the piano and shares her love of music at the local senior center. |
Two alums share 98th birthday
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Sue Binns Black of Clemson, S.C., and Willyne Correll Sanders of Charlotte, N.C., both celebrated their 98th birthday July 29. Joy Bryant, director of alumni and constituent relations and Rev. James Wiggins, vice president for development, presented gifts to Black and Sanders at two separate birthday celebrations. Black and Sanders share more than a birthday – they share the honor of being Southern Wesleyan’s two oldest alumnae.
Sue was married to Watson Black, who served The Wesleyan Church in local church ministry and as District Superintendent for the North Carolina West district. Her son, Dr. Robert Black, is also a graduate and a long-time member of Southern Wesleyan’s Religion faculty.
Willyne is the daughter of W.D. Correll, who was one of the first graduates of the theological program, receiving his degree in 1911 when the university was known as Wesleyan Methodist Bible Institute. She is the only person to have attended elementary, secondary and junior college on the campus in Central. Correll Hall, the facility that houses Southern Wesleyan’s administrative offices, is named for her father.