Letha Kay, class of 1970 was selected as Teacher of the Year at Donaldson Career Center, Greenville, SC. Letha presently teaches MS Office and Web Design classes at DCC. She also has her own business, UpCountryDesigns.net for Digital Art and Web Sites. upcountrydesigns@earthlink.net Digital Art, Web Pages, and Greeting cards
2006 Alumni Awards
Alumnus of the Century: Virgil A. Mitchell
Alumnus of the Century: Roy S. Nicholson, Sr
Outstanding Alumnus of the year: Bob Black
School of Education, Professional excellence: Sue J. Rickman
School of Business, Professional excellence: Dan A. Seaborn
College of Arts and ScienceProfessional excellence: David S. Medders
Outstanding young leader award: Scott W. Payseur
(see articles below for details on each awardee)
Alumnus of the Century: Virgil A. Mitchell
When The Wesleyan Church was created by the merger of the Wesleyan Methodist Church and the Pilgrim Holiness Church in 1968, the denomination's first four general superintendents led the way. Two were former Wesleyan Methodists, two were former Pilgrims. The two who represented the Wesleyan Methodist side of the family were both alumni of what is now Southern Wesleyan University, and one of those two was Virgil Mitchell of Pickens County , South Carolina .
He was born and raised on a farm in Six Mile, the second of nine children born to Elbert and Mozell Mitchell. On graduating from Six Mile High School he was voted “the most studious, courteous, and talented” boy in the class. He still is!
He didn't plan to be a minister. He planned to be a doctor, and he had won a scholarship to attend Wofford as a pre-med major, but God had other plans. In 1934 Virgil yielded to the divine tap on his shoulder; he would enter the ministry and attend Wesleyan Methodist College in Central instead.
But without the scholarship, college seemed out of reach. School started without him that fall. Two weeks into the term President John Frank Childs walked across a hayfield to inform him that approval had been given for something new at the college, a federal work-study program. He would be its first recipient at Wesleyan Methodist College , so he could come down off the hay wagon.
And he did. He graduated from the college, married his college sweetheart Mary Parks, was “Dad” to two daughters and a son, pastored churches, taught at the college, was elected conference president (district superintendent) in South Carolina, denominational head of what is today called the Department of Evangelism and Church Growth, and then, in 1963, general superintendent of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Five years later he was elected general superintendent of the merged church.
It wasn't supposed to happen that way. Dr. Mitchell was elected president of the college when Dr. R. C. Mullinax retired; in fact, the college catalog for 1968 lists him as the institution's president. But delegates to the merging general conference hadn't read the script, and he was elected once again to the highest office the church has to offer. He was the best president we never had .
Dr. Mitchell gave another 16 years of faithful service to the general church before retiring in 1984 at age 70 as a general superintendent emeritus.
In his retirement he became a special assistant to the college's president and its first chaplain (the first aside from those who had functioned as a campus chaplain while pastoring the campus church). In that same year he was honored as the college's first trustee emeritus. Mitchell Conference Room on our campus is named in honor of the Mitchells; Dr. Mitchell served as the national chair of the capital campaign that raised the funds for the desperately-needed building where that room is found.
Along the way he has received honorary doctorates, held seats on some of evangelicalism's most significant boards, established a prestigious “Excellence in Pastoral Ministry Award” to recognize Wesleyan pastors in the South who are serving the Kingdom with distinction, and funded a scholarship for ministerial students at the university.
Today he stands among us at age 92 as an Alumnus of the Century. We honor the man, the minister, the leader, the author. We honor the husband and father and grandfather. We honor the kid on the hay wagon, “studious, courteous, and talented,” an uncommon man who never lost the common touch, a decorated ambassador of the Kingdom of God who traveled the world but never found anywhere he would rather be than here with us.
Southern Wesleyan University is honored to honor Dr. Virgil A. Mitchell as an Alumnus of the Century.
Alumnus of the Century: Roy S. Nicholson, Sr
When Dr. Lee Haines wrote the story of Wesleyan Methodism before merger, he identified four great leaders who championed the church's cause at critical moments in its history. One was its founder, Orange Scott of New England, who ranked among the nation's leading abolitionists. Another was Ohio 's Adam Crooks, the hero of Freedom's Hill and preserver of the church after the Civil War. Eber Teter of Indiana , called “The Grand Old Man of the Church” for his leadership of the church into his 70s, was the third. And the fourth? The fourth was a Southern gentleman from Walhalla, South Carolina .
His name was Roy Stephen Nicholson, the oldest of Sam and Beulah Nicholson's family of five and the only boy. “Red” Nicholson came to Wesleyan Methodist College in 1918 at the age of 15 to study for the ministry. After a stint in the Navy and graduation from WMC, he married Ethel Macy of Kernersville , North Carolina , and together they entered pastoral service. At age 31 he was tapped for denominational leadership, first in the fledgling youth department (called the Wesleyan Young People's Society) and later as the head of Sunday Schools, then as home missions director, and eventually as editor of The Wesleyan Methodist magazine – each for one term. Looking back on those days later, he said with a smile, “I just couldn't hold a job.”
He couldn't hold a job because the denomination was moving him higher and higher in the ranks of leadership. The process was complete when, in 1947, Roy S. Nicholson was elected president of the Wesleyan Methodist Church . The first Southerner to be elected to denominational office, he was also the first and only full-time president in the history of the denomination. From 1947-1959, Dr. Nicholson guided the church's course with a sure hand. He reorganized its structure, refused to surrender its future to a narrow legalism, expanded its ministries at home and abroad, brought it into a broader network of like-minded churches through memberships in the National Association of Evangelicals and the National Holiness Association, and led the movement to merge with the Pilgrim Holiness Church, a merger which created today's Wesleyan Church nine years after he left office. He was “Mr. Wesleyan Methodist,” not only to those within the denomination but also to countless Christian leaders in other churches and parachurch organizations.
In 1959 Dr. Nicholson resigned from denominational leadership but not from Kingdom service. He accepted the position of Chair of the Religion Department at his alma mater, and for the next nine years he poured himself into a new generation of ministerial students.
When he came to Central, Dr. Nicholson said that he had asked the Lord for the privilege of touching the lives of a hundred ministerial students before he retired. God answered that prayer, not only for him but also for those who were numbered among Nicholson's Hundred. On his retirement Dr. Nicholson went to his filing cabinet to see if he had met his goal of a hundred, but as he reached for the file drawer, he felt checked. God said, “You don't need to count. I'm keeping score.” Dr. Nicholson left the drawer closed.
In 1968 he left Central to “retire” as pastor of the Wesleyan Church in Brooksville , Florida . After the death of his wife Ethel, he married longtime friend and co-worker Wyn Bisbing in a simple ceremony in Freedom's Hill Church , which at that time was on the grounds of the North Carolina West Camp in Colfax.
Dr. Roy Nicholson died in the faith March 2, 1993 . The foreword of his Wesleyan Methodism in the South , written in 1933, closes with these words: “May God forgive because it was not done better.” That's the way he saw all of his contributions, but those fortunate enough to have known him would beg to differ. May God forgive us for not following better the pattern of Christ so beautifully exemplified in this son of Southern Wesleyan, one of her great gifts to The Wesleyan Church and the Church universal – a most worthy Alumnus of the Century.
Outstanding Alumnus of the year: Bob Black
2006 Outstanding Alumnus of the year is church historian, Dr. Bob Black. Born October 15, 1945 to Watson and Sue Black. Attending public schools in both Gastonia and Asheville and graduated from high school in 1963. He attended then Central Wesleyan College now Southern Wesleyan University where he majored in religion and was selected as the valedictorian for the class of 1967.
After graduation and marriage to college sweetheart Judy Morris, Bob earned the M. Div. degree from Asbury Theological Seminary. He then served as pastor at churches in Wilmin gt on and in Canton , North Carolina . During his work in the Youth Department at Wesleyan World Headquarters, Bob led YES Corps witnessing teams to both the Summer and Winter Olympics in Montreal and Innsbruck respectively.
In 1984 Bob completed a degree in church history at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond , Virginia . He was a pastor while working on his doctoral degree, with his dissertation being on the John Wesley's social ministry as growing out of Wesley's own personal piety.
Bob has served as a professor at both Oklahoma Wesleyan and now at Southern Wesleyan, garnering four “Faculty Member of the Year” awards. In addition to numerous lessons and devotionals, he has written a commentary on I & II Timothy and is most recently the author of How Firm a Foundation: Southern Wesleyan University, 1906-2006 —a lively account of how SWU got to be where she is today.
Professional excellence: David S. Medders
Professional excellence award for College of Arts and Science was presented to Dr. David S. Medders. Having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SWU in 1972, a Masters of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky in 1977, and was awarded the Doctor of Divinity degree from SWU in 1991. Ordained into the gospel ministry in 1980, Dr. Medders pastured for 11 years at churches in Alabama , Mississippi and Louisiana . He served as assistant to the General Secretary of Evangelism and Church Growth at The Wesleyan Church headquarters in Indianapolis . While attending Asbury Seminary, David served as President of Asbury Wesleyan Seminary Fellowship. In 1990 David moved with his family to Sussex , New Brunswick , Canada to serve as President of Bethany Bible College. David serves on local, regional and national and international boards. David is an avid reader, study of history, enjoys travel and daily pours his life into the dynamic mission of Bethany Bible College – raising up spiritual leaders for Christ and the Church.
Professional excellence: Dan A. Seaborn
Professional Excellence award for the School of Business is Dan A. Seaborn. He is a speaker, author of eight books, radio broadcaster, and television host, as well as the founder and president of Winning At Home, Inc., a Christian ministry based in West Michigan . After graduating from Southern Wesleyan in 1982, Dan began his career in accounting. He served as Financial Director of a hospital until he and Jane felt the call to ministry as a youth pastor. During that time, he led Student Ministries at Central Wesleyan Church in Holland , Michigan , and saw its community grow to nearly 600 students. It was there where Dan first put four letters on a button as a spiritual challenge and reminder to his students—and the national W.W.J.D. craze soon followed as a result. He has been a featured speaker for organizations such as Promise Keepers, Focus on the Family, the NFL, and NASCAR etc. Dan hosts three radio programs that broadcast nationwide, inspiring and encouraging marriages and families. Dan's newest venture is hosting an ABC-affiliated TV series called “Winning At Home” featuring real life families in the midst of challenging circumstances.
Professional excellence: Sue J. Rickman
The Professional Excellence award for the School of Education was presented to Sue J. Rickman . Having earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration, Accounting, and Elementary Education from SWU in 1968, a Masters of Education degree in School Administration from Clemson in 1984 and returned to Clemson in 1991 to secure an ED.S Degree (Educational Leadership with major emphasis on curriculum development). Sue retired after 32 years of service to public schools. She had taught 11 years in grades 4,5,6,7 and 8 in both GA. and SC. She has served as a counselor, Asst. Principle and 18 years as Principle at three schools in Pickens County . Sue has been recognized at local, state and national levels for her outstanding leadership in community, school and church. Receiving in 2004 the Outstanding Administrator of the Year for Pickens County School District, SC Palmetto Silver Award for School Achievement, and SC Award Recognition for Achievement Gains for Historically Underachieving Groups. Last May the town of Central declared “Sue Rickman Day” for Outstanding Service to Community and School. These are just a few examples of more the 50 awards, recognitions, strengths and other community involvement that supports this recognition for professional excellence. Sue Rickman has represented her Alma Mater well and Southern Wesleyan University is proud of her accomplishments.
Outstanding young leader award: Scott W. Payseur
The Outstanding young leader award was presented to Rev. Scott Payseur, class of '92,
founder and president of Ground-Zero. He is married to a SWU alumna Kimberly (Shaver) and the Lord has blessed them with three children. His favorite scripture is Proverbs 16:3, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” He is a fifteen year youth pastor veteran with a passion for the hurt, lost and disillusioned teenagers of America . Since the founding of Ground Zero in 1998 over 63,000 teenagers have been touched by this ministry. 2,653 have made decisions for the Lord. Just last year 145 first time confessions of faith in Christ were recorded. Rev. Payseur has developed a youth minister resource magazine which has been distributed to more than 7,700 churches across six states. This dynamic man of God has organized training with students, youth pastors and teachers in more than twenty schools over the past year, including schools in six states ( Virginia , Tennessee , North Carolina , New York , Missouri , and South Carolina ). This ministry that is based out of Johnson City , TN has just opened an extension office in Myrtle Beach , S.C.
Ground Zero has a mission to empower the Christian community to reach out to teenagers, meet them on their turf, earn their trust, love them into God's family and equip them to share their faith with others
2005 Alumni Awards
Outstanding Alumnus of the Year:
Billie Faye Harvey
- Billie Faye Harvey arrived at Southern Wesleyan University in 1940 at the age of 13 and was placed in a dorm room right beside the Dean of Women’s room so that she could keep an eye on the very young student.
Though she first graduated in 1945 from junior college — the last year available at that time — she returned to a very different campus in 1981 as a staff member. Harvey began to work toward a degree while still serving as a staff member. She was classified as a senior took one course each semester toward her goal of graduating. Harvey was quickly and warmly adopted by her younger classmates and was often teased about ruining the grading curve. She laughingly boasts of probably being the only student who was a senior for seven years. A highlight of her life was her graduation day in May, 1989, as a grandmother at the age of 62.
Professional Excellence:
Dr. Keith Connor
- Many people do not realize that Keith Connor went to High Point University after being awarded a baseball scholarship. As a catcher on the baseball team, he was recognized for his abilities and drafted by the Cincinnati Reds. He was drafted by the U.S. Army also, and after receiving a master’s degree from UNC, he served two years of active duty.
After the military, Connor put his dream of playing professional baseball aside and pursued a life of active service for the Lord. One year Coach Connor and his wife housed six soccer players by having them live in the basement of their home so that they could attend college.
Connor is honored for denying himself, for daily carrying Christ’s cross and for serving those who needed to be guided.
Professional Excellence:
Dr. Joseph Dongell
- Joe Dongell is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church as well as a professor of biblical studies at Asbury Theological Seminary. His life and testimony are profoundly Christian. Dongell’s Christian commitment and professional excellence combine to create a solid witness to the lordship of Christ in his life.
Joe Dongell does quality work. More importantly, Joe Dongell is a quality person. The boy who grew up on the edge of the campus – you could throw a Greek book from his house to College Hill – is a credit to his Alma Mater.
Professional Excellence:
James Frederick Johnson
- This professional excellence winner is very active in the state and national telecommunications industry. He serves on the board of directors of both the Alabama Mississippi Telecommunications Association and the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association’s Foundation for Rural Service. Through his leadership positions in these associations, he has a far-reaching impact regarding the future of telecommunications in our nation.
Johnson is someone with a heart of service who is making a difference in the world through his profession, family, church and community life. This SWU graduate continues to make a positive difference in the world.
Young Leader Award:
Rev. Tom and Dr. Lisa Harding
- In early 2004, a new vision was growing in Central, S.C., at Central First Wesleyan and SWU, regarding reaching our community with the gospel through a contemporary ALIVE service. In an act of faith, the local church conference approved this outreach and Rev. Fred Andrews soon knew in his heart that Tom Harding was the person with whom to share this vision. Within two months, the Hardings moved to Central and a new chapter in their lives began to unfold. Their new ministry has radically changed an established church that is 112 years old. The evidences show up in almost every category from attendance, membership, financial, traffic and parking, children’s and youth ministry, discipleship, missions, etc. These staggering changes have resulted because of the radical obedience of a couple who were willing to leave a successful medical practice and a growing church to come to an established church in an academic community and transition into yet another medical practice.
January 7, 2005
Hometown Hero
Southern Wesleyan University salutes Grace Towe on Jan. 7, 2005, for her years of service to the town of Central. Towe has served the town for 30 years and was recently recognized by Seneca's Daily Journal as being a "Hometown Hero." This 1989 alumnae received a surprise visit from Executive Director of Alumni and Constituent Relations for Southern Wesleyan University Joy Bryant. Bryant gave Towe an Alumni goody bag for a job well done.
"It is great to honor the hard-working alumnae for just being faithful to her career of choice," Bryant said.
Following a prayer lead by Bryant in the lobby of city hall, Towe returned to her busy schedule and Bryant left with a reminder that Southern Wesleyan University is a wonderful place to invest in the lives of people.
July 13, 2004
Southern breakfast
Southern Wesleyan University’s Alumni Department welcomed more than 200 guests at the university’s Alumni and Friends Breakfast during The Wesleyan Church’s General Conference in Grand Rapids, Mich. At the breakfast, from left, are Rev. Kerry Kind, Jule Kind, Dr. Charles Joiner, Donna Spittal, Dr. David Spittal, Gloria Joiner, Dr. Keith Carroll, Marsha Flinchum and Amy Penland. Music for the event was provided by the SWU Jazz Band, and the ministry team From the Heart.
July 2004
Derrick M. Copeland (’04) of Simpsonville, S.C., has been promoted to assistant vice president, security officer at Palmetto Bank. He received his Certified Fraud Investigator designation in 2001 and has been with the bank for five years.
Vickie Beaver Seigler (’74) has been awarded Teacher of the Year 2004-2005 at Liberty Elementary School in Midway, Ga. She also received a grant from Coastal Electric for her wetland project. The Coastal EMC prize patrol surprised Seigler at her school and later held a banquet honoring her and the other regional winners. Seigler is currently the EIP teacher for kindergarten, third and fifth grades. She holds a specialist degree in Leadership and was one of 35 educators chosen to pilot the Leadership Academy in Liberty County. The Academy trains its member for positions such as assistant principal, principal and superintendent.
Rev. Michael Covington, senior pastor of Concord Wesleyan Church in Concord, N.C., was recently named General Manager of Financial Planning and Analysis for Duke Energy in Charlotte, N.C. In this role, he will have lead responsibility for developing the company’s financial forecasts. In addition, he will be responsible for supporting the company’s overall business plan development and financial analysis.
Covington has been with Duke Energy for 22 years in a variety of accounting and financial positions in the corporate area and in various business units. Michael is a 1981 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants. Michael and his wife, Mary Ellen, and their three children reside in Harrisburg, N.C. He is completing his ninth year of service at the Concord Wesleyan Church, including seven years as assistant pastor and the most recent two years as senior pastor.
Ordained in 1997, Covington completed most of his ordination requirement through Southern Wesleyan University. He is currently a student in the Master of Ministry program at Southern Wesleyan and expects to graduate in December, 2004.
Staff Sergeant Christopher Clontz (’99) and his family is currently posted at Offutt Air Force Base in Belevue, Neb., near Omaha.
Garnet Bane (’92, ’94) has volunteered for the Democratic Presidential Debate (securing high speed internet, etc., for the press room). She was recently invited to the White House as guest of President and Mrs. Bush to kick off a national awareness campaign about women and heart disease. The meeting was a result of contacting the Greenville Hospital System and offering to promote their women/heart initiative on a national level. Bane has been selected by Furman University and the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce as one of the Upstate’s Outstanding Professional Women for 2004.
Rob Shore (’99) is in his fourth year teaching Special Education and coaching football and baseball at Southwest Guilford High School. He and his wife, Andrea, have a son, William Jaiden Riley, and a daughter, Keron Mireielle Ruth. They reside in High Point, N.C.
Jac Mandel (’00) earned his Masters of Music in Performance from the University of South Carolina. He is currently working on a Doctor of Musical Arts, also at USC. Mandel teaches private guitar lessons and is director of music at New Song Fellowship in Northeast Columbia, S.C.
Bart Scott (’95) and Dana Crawford Scott (’97) are residing in Fayetteville, N.C. Dana Scott is teaching first grade at Breezewood Christian School and is anticipates teaching sixth grade next year. Bart Scott is a physician’s assistant working for Cardiologist Agodichi Nwosu at Carolina Heart Physicians.
Chris Harmon (’97) is serving as membership development director of the Lexington Chamber of Commerce. Harmon has announced he will run for Lexington County auditor. He lives with his wife in Lexington, S.C.
Dr. Joseph Dongell (’78) and his colleague, Dr. Jerry Walls, have recently co-authored “Why I Am Not a Calvinist.” Inter Varsity Press released the book in Christian bookstores in April. This is Dongell’s second book. The first was a commentary, “Studies in John,” published by Wesley Press. Dongell is in his fifteenth year as a professor at Asbury Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Regina Lane Dongell (’81) and their 18-year-old twins, Jordan and Janna, enjoy living outside of Wilmore, Ken.
THANK YOU
Betty A. Swindler Armbruster (’04) says, “Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity at my age to fulfill a lifelong dream: college graduate. Thanks to my work experience, age and education I was able to acquire a terrific job where all of my skills and abilities are appreciated as well as used. I would wholeheartedly like to encourage anyone to never give up their dreams and pursue education. Again, thanks and have a great future.
May 2004
Southern Celebration
Alumni Moves
The Alumni House and Communications Center was demolished to make way for a new student dining commons. The new location of the Alumni and Communications offices is on the corner of Nicholson and College streets. Photo Gallery
2004 Alumni Awards
Several Southern Wesleyan University alumni were honored at the university’s annual Heritage Banquet Oct. 25, during homecoming weekend. The alumni were recognized for their post-graduation achievements.
Outstanding Alumnus
Rev. William James was selected to receive the Outstanding Alumnus award. As a 17-year-old, he joined the U.S. Navy and served three years before returning home to attend Central Wesleyan College (now Southern Wesleyan University) and earn an associate’s degree. He continued his education at Marion College in Indiana and, in 1951, returned to Central, S.C., to pastor the Central Second Wesleyan Church. He next served as pastor in Clemson and Spartanburg before being elected District Superintendent of the South Carolina District. He served as superintendent at Table Rock Wesleyan Camp for 15 years.
Rev. James was a member of the SWU Board of Trustees for 12 years and has since then been a Trustee Emeritus. Since his retirement in 1992, he has been interim pastor for Golden Grove Wesleyan Church in Liberty, Trinity Wesleyan Church in Central and Clay Center in Kansas. He and his wife, Clara, live in Anderson, S.C., and have three sons, seven grandchildren (two of whom are students at SWU) and four great-grandchildren.
Professional Excellence
