Religion has always played a major role in Dr. Craig Vondergeest鈥檚 life, but he didn鈥檛 discover how deep his passion ran until high school, when he took a religion course at a local college during his senior year. 

That course struck a chord with him, and made him realize that he could picture a future of helping others think deeply and learn about religion.  

鈥淚 really enjoyed looking at religious questions of all sorts and trying to see how various people interpret, answer, and apply them to their own lives,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he more I had the chance to do that with my fellow students, it made me realize even more how much I liked it.鈥� 

A Clear Path聽

Hailing from a family of educators, Vondergeest always envisioned himself teaching others in some capacity.聽

Teaching and education were highly important to his parents, and those values were emphasized in the home as Vondergeest grew up. As children, he and his sister would 鈥減lay school,鈥� taking turns teaching each other and their imaginary students. 

鈥淭alking through and teaching have always been a part of my life,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n a way, it was kind of inevitable that I would go into teaching.鈥� 

A Deep Love for PC聽

After finishing up his Ph.D., Vondergeest spent several years doing work within the church, though he eventually switched paths to pursue his passion for teaching.聽

When he discovered that 小猪视频 had an opening for a professor who specialized in the Old Testament, he seized the opportunity and applied, and has been a faithful member of the religion and philosophy department ever since, even earning the prestigious honor of the Emma Bailey and Rev. George H. Cornelson Chair of Christian Religion. 

As he wraps up his 21st year at the college, Vondergeest can confidently say that throughout the years, his fondest memories have been the students he鈥檚 had the chance to work with. 

鈥淲e have students from so many different backgrounds and so many different experiences that they bring with them,鈥� he said. 鈥淗earing them all come together and talk about religion and their own perspectives has been fascinating.鈥� 

Vondergeest鈥檚 absolute favorite aspect of this position, however, will always be watching how much students grow and develop from the moment they enter PC, to the moment they walk across the stage and begin their lives. 

鈥淚 love getting to watch what they do and where they go after PC,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 always fun to see that they鈥檙e able to come here and get their start with whatever they choose to pursue.鈥� 

Keeping Tradition Alive

When he thinks about the future of 小猪视频, Vondergeest hopes to see the college continue to embrace the liberal arts tradition in a time when it can be easy to lose sight of. 

鈥淚 think what we do very well here is give students a good grounding in all different fields, so students are well-rounded and are prepared for whatever kind of job will come in the future,鈥� he said. 

Vondergeest pointed to statistics, which state that many of the jobs that current college students will obtain later in their lives haven鈥檛 even been invented yet, emphasizing his belief of the high importance of a well-rounded education. 

鈥淚 think the breadth of our education, and the critical thinking skills that come with the liberal arts, are things that will prepare them for those jobs which don鈥檛 exist now,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd if we can continue to hit hard on the liberal arts, we can prepare for the world even better.鈥� 

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小猪视频 will mark Earth Day on April 22 with a full afternoon of music, food, hands-on activities, and student-led initiatives, followed by an evening celebration in downtown Clinton, as the college鈥檚 annual festival continues to grow in scope and participation.

The third annual Earth Day Festival will take place from noon to 3 p.m. in front of the college鈥檚 historic Neville Hall, bringing together campus organizations, sustainability efforts, and community partners for what organizers describe as both a celebration and an educational experience.

鈥淲e鈥檒l have live music, free food, and free kombucha on tap from The Lumberyard,鈥� said Dr. Sabrina Moore, assistant professor of biology and one of the event鈥檚 organizers. 鈥淲e鈥檒l also have free plants from the PC Ecology Club, tie-dye activities, and a number of student organizations sharing what they鈥檙e doing.鈥�

The festival has steadily gained momentum since its launch, and Moore expects this year鈥檚 event to be the largest yet.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 going to continue to grow,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e have more clubs involved, more activities, and more opportunities for people to engage. My goal is for it to keep growing and to continue being something the campus and community look forward to.鈥�

Student Engagement at the Center

A wide range of 小猪视频 student organizations will participate, including the Ecology Club, Student Activity Board, Art Club, and Spectrum, among others. Their presence underscores the event鈥檚 emphasis on hands-on learning and student leadership.

Among the initiatives featured will be a project led by the college鈥檚 Pre-Veterinary Club to support the health of ducks living at the campus pond. The group is raising funds to provide proper feed and a dispenser to ensure the animals receive appropriate nutrition.

The effort is one example of how students are applying their academic interests to real-world challenges, Moore said, while also educating the campus community.

鈥淲e want people to come out, learn about what鈥檚 going on, and see the kinds of projects students are working on,鈥� she said.

Sustainability Efforts Continue to Expand

The festival also highlights broader sustainability initiatives underway at 小猪视频, including the continued growth of the Eco Hub composting program.

Since its launch, the program has expanded from a single composting unit to eight, producing usable soil in approximately six months. That soil is now being used in campus landscaping and garden spaces, including new plantings around the Eco Hub itself.

鈥淲e鈥檝e really developed a system,鈥� Moore said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e harvested from all of the composters, and now we鈥檙e using that soil to plant flowers and support our campus spaces.鈥�

The college has also introduced a cardboard recycling initiative and continues to partner with campus dining services and local businesses to reduce waste. Community members have also begun contributing compostable materials, further extending the program鈥檚 reach.

鈥淓ven a little bit of coffee waste goes a long way toward reducing what ends up in landfills,鈥� Moore said.

A Celebration Rooted in Community

In addition to the afternoon festival, Earth Day activities will begin earlier in the day with the planting of two trees on campus, reinforcing the event鈥檚 environmental focus.

The celebration will then continue into the evening with a second event, 鈥淰inyl Vibes: Dance & Plants,鈥� held from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Lumberyard, 115 Gary St. in Clinton.

The event will feature live DJ sets, a plant market, indigo tie-dye activities, and refreshments, extending the day鈥檚 energy beyond campus and into the local community.

Together, the two events reflect Moore鈥檚 vision of Earth Day as both a campus tradition and a shared community experience.

鈥淭his was one of the things I was most excited to start when I came to PC,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y mom started a big Earth Day festival in my hometown, so it鈥檚 something that鈥檚 always been important to me.鈥�

Moore said she hopes the event continues to bring students and community members together in meaningful ways.

鈥淚t鈥檚 really just a celebration,鈥� she said. 鈥淪pring is in the air, and it鈥檚 a chance for people to come together, learn about what we鈥檙e doing, and celebrate the work we鈥檙e doing as a community.鈥�

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小猪视频 junior Alana White has been awarded a 2026 Goldwater Scholarship, one of the nation鈥檚 most prestigious honors for undergraduate students pursuing research careers in science, engineering and mathematics.

White is the first student in the college鈥檚 history to receive the award, a milestone that places her among an elite group of emerging researchers selected from a highly competitive national pool.

awarded 454 scholarships for the 2026鈥�27 academic year from an estimated pool of more than 5,000 college sophomores and juniors. A total of 1,485 students were nominated by 482 institutions across the country. The scholarship is widely regarded as the preeminent undergraduate award of its kind in STEM fields and is considered a strong predictor of future success in research.

PC president Dr. Anita Gustafson hailed White not only for the achievement itself but also for the hard work that earned it.  

鈥淭his honor places Alana among the most promising undergraduate researchers in the nation and reflects the strength of our academic community,鈥� Gustafson said. 鈥淲e are extraordinarily proud of her鈥攏ot only for earning this prestigious recognition, but for the curiosity, determination, and intellectual courage she has demonstrated throughout her journey. She represents the very best of 小猪视频 and the limitless potential of our students.鈥�

A Path Redirected

For White, a chemistry major with a biology minor from Lexington, South Carolina, the honor represents more than academic achievement. It reflects a profound shift in her ambitions鈥攐ne that began in a 小猪视频 classroom.

鈥淚 actually came here for the fast-track pharmacy program,鈥� White said. 鈥淭hat was always the plan.鈥�

That plan held firm until her sophomore year, when she enrolled in organic chemistry with assistant professor of chemistry Dr. Kimberly De La Cruz. For the first time, White found herself drawn not just to completing coursework, but to understanding it at a deeper level.

鈥淚t was the first class I actually truly enjoyed,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 realized I wanted to try something different.鈥�

Encouraged by faculty, White made a pivotal decision: she stepped away from the accelerated pharmacy track to pursue a full chemistry degree and explore research opportunities鈥攁n unfamiliar path at the time.

鈥淚 figured, why not give it a try?鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I鈥檓 really glad I did.鈥�

Research Rooted in Persistence

That decision led to a summer research project that would ultimately help define White鈥檚 academic trajectory鈥攁nd play a central role in her Goldwater application.

Working with De La Cruz and assistant professor of biology Dr. Stuart Gordon, White investigated how low doses of carbon monoxide affect the efficacy of antibiotics in combating bacterial growth.

The project required her to design and build an apparatus capable of maintaining consistent carbon monoxide levels before testing how E. coli responded to various antibiotics. From there, she conducted a series of trials to determine how the gas influenced bacterial resistance.

鈥淚t was a time-consuming project with lots of trial and error,鈥� Gordon said. 鈥淎lana saw it through to completion.鈥�

White said the early stages of the research were especially challenging.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 until about four weeks in that we were able to get reproducible results,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here was a lot of troubleshooting.鈥�

But that process鈥攐ften marked by setbacks鈥攑roved to be one of the most important lessons of her experience.

鈥淥ne thing about research is that what you expect doesn鈥檛 always happen,鈥� De La Cruz said. 鈥淏ut that doesn鈥檛 mean it failed. It鈥檚 a clue to what you should do next.鈥�

White鈥檚 persistence paid off. Her work culminated in a peer-reviewed publication in y, where she served as the first author鈥攁n uncommon distinction for an undergraduate researcher.

鈥淔irst-author publication is not very common for undergraduates,鈥� De La Cruz said. 鈥淚t shows she can drive a project forward.鈥�

Grit Over Perfection

Faculty members say White鈥檚 success is rooted not only in her academic ability, but in her mindset.

鈥淪he is a very good student, but that鈥檚 not what makes her a good researcher,鈥� De La Cruz said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 her work ethic and her perseverance.鈥�

Gordon echoed that assessment, pointing to her steady approach in the lab.

鈥淪he perseveres when obstacles appear and finds ways through or around them without complaining,鈥� he said. 鈥淗er temperament is well-suited for research.鈥�

That resilience is often what distinguishes strong researchers from strong students, De La Cruz added.

鈥淚n research, you will fail鈥攕ometimes at a high level,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he question is whether you keep going.鈥�

White did.

鈥淪he consistently showed up,鈥� De La Cruz said. 鈥淭hat tells you something about the grit of someone.鈥�

(Alana) is a very good student, but that鈥檚 not what makes her a good researcher. It鈥檚 her work ethic and her perseverance.鈥�

Dr. Kimberly De La Cruz, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

National Recognition

Those qualities鈥攃ombined with her publication record and research leadership鈥攈elped set White apart in the Goldwater selection process.

Initially, she was hesitant to apply.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 think I had much of a chance,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was focusing more on other applications.鈥�

De La Cruz encouraged her to reconsider.

鈥淚 told her she had to apply,鈥� she said. 鈥淪he had the profile.鈥�

White ultimately submitted her application on the final day. Weeks later, she learned she had been selected.

鈥淚 was honestly surprised,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a huge honor.鈥�

The Goldwater Scholarship is designed to identify and support students who intend to pursue doctoral degrees and careers in research. Many recipients go on to earn prestigious fellowships such as the and the .

鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about the funding,鈥� De La Cruz said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about the recognition. When people see that award, they take a closer look.鈥�

Opportunities Ahead

White鈥檚 research experience has already opened doors beyond campus.

This summer, she will participate in a (REU) program at Purdue University, where she will explore chemical engineering and catalysis. She was selected from a highly competitive applicant pool and received multiple offers from research programs across the country.

鈥淚鈥檓 still exploring what I want to do long term,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut I know I want to continue in research.鈥�

She plans to apply to Ph.D. programs this fall.

The Power of Mentorship

White credits much of her success to the mentorship she found at 小猪视频, where close relationships with faculty helped shape her academic path.

鈥淚 definitely emphasize coming here because of those relationships,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he support from the chemistry and biology departments has been incredible.鈥�

That support, faculty say, is a defining feature of the college鈥檚 approach to undergraduate education.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 matter where you鈥檙e from,鈥� De La Cruz said. 鈥淚f you show that you can think like a researcher, you have a chance.鈥�

For White, that environment made all the difference.

鈥淪he is the sort of student one roots for,鈥� Gordon said. 鈥淣o pretense or sense of entitlement鈥攋ust a steady competence combined with a fine mind.鈥�

Dr. Erin McAdams, PC鈥檚 provost and vice president of academic affairs, said PC鈥檚 strong liberal arts core and commitment to student research and faculty collaborations helped fuel White鈥檚 experience.

鈥淎t 小猪视频, undergraduate research is not an add-on to the academic experience鈥攊t is central to who we are,鈥� she said 鈥淎lana White exemplifies the very best of that commitment. Through curiosity, perseverance, and close collaboration with Dr. Kimberly De La Cruz, her faculty mentor, she has engaged in meaningful, high-level research that rivals what is happening at much larger institutions. Her achievement as a Goldwater Scholar is a powerful reflection of what our students can accomplish when they are challenged, supported, and inspired by our exceptional faculty to pursue discovery.鈥�

A Milestone Moment

White鈥檚 achievement marks a significant moment for 小猪视频, demonstrating that students from smaller institutions can compete鈥攁nd succeed鈥攁t the highest levels of undergraduate research.

More importantly, it reflects the kind of transformation that can happen when students are encouraged to take risks and discover new paths.

鈥淚 never really saw myself doing this at first,鈥� White said. 鈥淏ut taking that chance changed everything.鈥�

With the Goldwater Scholarship now behind her and a future in research ahead, White is just getting started.

鈥淪he should go far in her chosen field of study,鈥� Gordon said. 鈥淎nd we鈥檙e privileged to be able to work with students like her.鈥�

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小猪视频 celebrated a year of academic achievement, research, and discovery April 9 during its annual Honors Day Convocation, the capstone to a day that also featured the Honors Day Symposium for the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Pharmacy.

Throughout the symposium, students from across disciplines presented their scholarly and creative work鈥攔anging from scientific research and mathematical modeling to literary analysis and artistic expression鈥攈ighlighting the breadth and depth of inquiry that defines the college鈥檚 academic culture.

Opening the convocation, PC president Dr. Anita Gustafson welcomed students, faculty, and families while emphasizing the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of scholarship at PC.

鈥淭oday represents the culmination of a year filled with curiosity, persistence, and intellectual discovery,鈥� Gustafson said. 鈥淎s I look around this room, I see the future of scholarship and innovation鈥攜oung minds who have not simply absorbed knowledge, but who have actively contributed to it.鈥� 

She pointed to the diversity of student work showcased throughout the day as a reflection of the liberal arts mission.

鈥淜nowledge is not confined to silos, but flows across boundaries, creating new insights at every intersection,鈥� she said, adding that the partnerships between students and faculty mentors embody 鈥渢he special character of PC鈥攁 place where learning happens through relationships and shared intellectual passion.鈥� 

Cohen named Outstanding Senior; Shull honored as Professor of the Year

The ceremony鈥檚 top student honor鈥攖he Outstanding Senior Award鈥攚as presented to Hallie Ann Cohen, recognized for her academic excellence, leadership, and service to the college community. 

Cohen鈥檚 selection capped a remarkable Honors Day, as she was also recognized among recipients of multiple awards, including:

• Eric A. Johnson Fellows Award (co-recipient)
• SGA Leadership recognition for service as former vice president of finance and operations
• Outstanding Senior Departmental Awards in both psychology and public health

Her repeated recognition across academic and leadership categories underscored her impact on campus both inside and outside the classroom.

On the faculty side, Dr. Austin Y. Shull, associate professor of biology and director of the Center for Inquiry, Research, and Scholarship, was named Professor of the Year. 

In brief remarks, Shull reflected on the significance of the moment, recalling his own time as a student watching professors receive the same honor.

鈥淚 want to confess that this is an incredibly surreal moment,鈥� he said.

He attributed his success not to individual accomplishment, but to the support of others, invoking the words of 19th-century preacher Charles Spurgeon.

鈥淢y people pray for me,鈥� Shull said, explaining that his mentors, colleagues, students, and family have all contributed to anything he has achieved. 

鈥淢y people are the people at 小猪视频,鈥� he added, closing with a note of gratitude: 鈥淧lease know that I pray for you.鈥�

Both Cohen and Shull will be featured speakers at PC’s commencement exercises on May 9. 

Owens keynote highlights humility, wonder in scholarship

The convocation address was delivered by Dr. Eli T. Owens, associate professor of physics and the 2025 recipient of the Robert H. Freymeyer Award for Meritorious Scholarship.

Speaking on the theme 鈥淗umility and Wonder in Scholarship,鈥� Owens challenged students to embrace uncertainty as a necessary part of learning.

He opened with a personal story about his young daughter insisting that he knew everything, a moment that forced him to choose between appearing knowledgeable and admitting he did not have all the answers.

Drawing on the teachings of the Stoic philosopher Epictetus, Owens emphasized that intellectual growth requires humility.

鈥淚t is impossible for anyone to learn what he thinks he already knows,鈥� he said. 

Owens encouraged students to be 鈥渃ontent to be thought foolish鈥� in the pursuit of knowledge, noting that discomfort and uncertainty are essential to discovery. 

He paired that humility with a sense of wonder, recalling childhood stories about Einstein鈥檚 theory of relativity that first sparked his curiosity about the universe. That same curiosity, he said, continues to drive meaningful scholarship across all disciplines.

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Dr. Doug Daniel has loved mathematics for as long as he can remember. 

As a child, Daniel had completed nearly every level of math his elementary school offered by the time he had reached 6th grade, and in high school, he had completed every math course available to him by the end of his junior year. 

鈥淚 went to college with the idea of being a math major,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 did end up declaring a math major, and I was very happy that I did.鈥� 

A family tradition

While in college away from home, Daniel spent much time with his grandparents. His grandfather, a retired chemistry professor, would often talk to him about his experiences at the small liberal arts college where he taught. 

As a graduate student, Daniel held a teaching assistantship, an experience which helped him decide to take on a full-time teaching position in between finishing his master’s and pursuing his Ph.D. 

鈥淚 drew on the discussions I鈥檇 had with my grandfather, and the experience that I was having as a full-time teacher, and I really, really liked it,鈥� he said. 

Daniel鈥檚 coworkers were highly supportive of him, encouraging him to take the leap and pursue a career as an educator, though he credits Dr. Jim Porter as his main source of support. 

鈥淲e had a lot of good conversations about how to make that happen, and I鈥檓 very grateful to him for that,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n many ways, it鈥檚 because of him that I鈥檓 here today.鈥� 

Since both of Daniel’s parents and his brother attended small liberal arts colleges, PC’s environment was one with which he was very familiar and with which he felt comfortable. 

He earned a teaching postdoc at Wake Forest University, and it was there that he earned the experience to make him a compelling candidate for a school like 小猪视频. 

Daniel has been teaching at PC since the fall of 2003, and the highlight of his experience has been the chance to interact and work with students over the years.聽

鈥淚鈥檝e had the joy of having some really curious, interesting people to work with,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had some majors who were maybe better at math than I am, in some ways, so it鈥檚 been really good getting to know them.鈥�

Hopes for the future 

When he thinks about the years yet to come, Daniel sees a future of overcoming challenges, starting with the small size of the mathematics department, both in faculty and students. 

鈥淚 like to think that I鈥檓 hopeful,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got some good students in the pipeline, and I鈥檓 hopeful that we can get some more.鈥� 

Another area of growth that Daniel hopes to see within the department is student-led research. Having recently attended a large regional conference for math educators, Daniel was left feeling inspired by the students and their research. 

鈥淚t was really heartening to me to see all of the projects and all of the enthusiastic young students,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 hope we can get a core group of those kinds of students in the future.鈥� 

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When Lois Cooper entered the ring at the XIX Festival H铆pico Internacional de Salto 鈥淗茅roes de Paz鈥� in Quito, Ecuador, she carried more than the expectations of competition. She carried the weight of adaptation, determination, and the quiet confidence forged through years of discipline.

A sophomore at 小猪视频, Cooper was one of just four riders from the United States invited to compete in the prestigious international show jumping event, hosted by Ecuador鈥檚 National Police. Riders from across the Americas gathered for the three-day competition, held at a training facility just outside the capital city.

By the end of the weekend, Cooper stood atop the field鈥攚inning her class after navigating not only a challenging course, but the complexities of riding an unfamiliar horse in an unfamiliar place.

Trusting the partnership

Unlike many competitions, Cooper did not travel with her own horse. Instead, she was paired with Lothbrock, a borrowed mount owned by a local rider.

With only a short window to prepare, Cooper had to do what elite equestrians are trained to do: build trust quickly.

鈥淵ou take it as a challenge,鈥� she said. 鈥淓very horse is different. They all have their own personalities, and you have to adapt the way you ride to fit them.鈥�

That adaptability proved critical. Show jumping is a precise and technical discipline, often compared to an obstacle course. Riders must memorize a course of jumps, measure distances between them, and execute a plan with speed and accuracy鈥攁ll while maintaining harmony with the horse beneath them.

It鈥檚 a sport that demands not just physical skill, but mental discipline.

鈥淭here鈥檚 a lot of technicality in it,鈥� Cooper said. 鈥淵ou want to be clear, and you want to be quick鈥攂ut especially on a horse you don鈥檛 know, it takes a lot of focus.鈥�

By Saturday, that focus paid off. Cooper delivered a clean and controlled ride, outperforming a field of roughly 20 competitors to claim first place in her division.

Resilience in motion

For Cooper, success in the ring is rarely defined by a single moment. It is built over time鈥攖hrough setbacks, adjustments, and persistence.

Her journey to Ecuador is no exception.

A lifelong rider, Cooper began taking lessons at a young age alongside her sister. By 14, she had committed fully to the sport, transitioning from gymnastics to competitive equestrian training. Since then, she has worked with multiple horses and trainers, refining both her technical skills and her mental approach.

That mindset has been tested repeatedly.

Her horse at home, a 12-year-old gelding named Impala, has been both a challenge and a reward. Injured in 2023, Impala was sidelined for nearly a year鈥攁 period that required patience and perspective.

鈥淭he challenge makes the reward with him,鈥� Cooper said. 鈥淭hat was a mental hurdle I had to get through. It taught me patience, which has never been my forte.鈥�

It鈥檚 a lesson that extends beyond the arena.

鈥淵ou think you鈥檙e doing great one day,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd then the next day you get thrown off. That鈥檚 true for everybody with horses.鈥�

Rather than discouraging her, those moments have reinforced a deeper resilience鈥攐ne that carried her through competition in Ecuador and continues to shape her outlook.

Learning beyond the saddle

While Cooper鈥檚 success in the ring is impressive, her journey at 小猪视频 reveals an equally important dimension of her growth.

The daughter of Chip and Miki ’95 Cooper of Clinton and a graduate of , Cooper chose to attend PC in part to remain close to her family鈥攁nd to her horse. But what she discovered on campus has expanded her vision in unexpected ways.

Initially focused almost entirely on equestrian pursuits, Cooper has since embraced the broader opportunities of a liberal arts education.

鈥淚 came into PC thinking that my only passion in the world was riding horses,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd I was wrong.鈥�

Now a biology major, Cooper credits her coursework鈥攁nd particularly the influence of biology professor Dr. Mike Rischbieter鈥攆or opening new pathways.

鈥淚 had a class that just made me realize how much I love natural science,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 something I didn鈥檛 expect.鈥�

That discovery has begun to shape her future goals. While she continues to compete at a high level, Cooper is also exploring careers that intersect her academic interests with her lifelong passion for horses.

鈥淚鈥檝e been thinking about working with horses in a clinical way,鈥� she said, citing fields such as equine chiropractic care and acupuncture. 鈥淪omething that keeps me active, working with people and with horses鈥攖hat鈥檚 important to me.鈥�

Balancing passion with purpose

In a sport where careers can be unpredictable, Cooper approaches her future with both ambition and pragmatism.

Riding at an elite level requires not only skill, but also resilience in the face of risk. Injuries are common, and long-term stability is never guaranteed.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a volatile thing,鈥� she said. 鈥淥ne bad fall, and you could be out for weeks. There鈥檚 no guarantee.鈥�

That reality has shaped her commitment to academics.

鈥淚 put school first,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou always have to have a backup for the backup.鈥�

At 小猪视频, she has found the space to pursue both tracks simultaneously鈥攄eveloping as a student while continuing to compete.

鈥淭he ability to do both is something I鈥檓 really grateful for,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檓 a very lucky person to have that opportunity.鈥�

A broader perspective

Traveling to Ecuador offered Cooper more than a competitive platform. It also provided a glimpse into a global community united by a shared passion.

鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to be around people who love their horses the same way you do,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat kind of connection goes beyond language.鈥�

The experience reinforced a perspective she continues to carry forward鈥攐ne shaped as much by the classroom as by the arena.

鈥淗orses teach you very much,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd very little of it has to do with horses.鈥�

It鈥檚 a lesson rooted in discipline, responsibility, and perseverance鈥攓ualities that define both her academic and athletic pursuits.

Looking ahead

As Cooper continues her journey at 小猪视频, her path remains open鈥攇uided by both experience and discovery.

Whether her future leads deeper into competitive equestrian sport, into a clinical field, or into a combination of both, she approaches it with the same mindset that carried her to victory in Quito: preparation, adaptability, and resolve.

For now, she returns to familiar ground鈥攂ack to Clinton, back to campus, and back to Impala鈥攃arrying with her the lessons of an international stage.

And perhaps most importantly, a clearer understanding of what drives her forward.

鈥淚鈥檒l always have a passion for horses,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut now I know I have other passions, too.鈥�

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小猪视频 welcomed educators from across the region for the 11th Annual Charles Chadwell Special Education Institute, an event dedicated to professional learning, collaboration, and advancing inclusive practices in education. This year鈥檚 institute featured nationally recognized speaker Jed Dearybury, a playologist, who led participants in an engaging exploration of the power of play for learners of all ages.

Dearybury鈥檚 session emphasized that play is not simply an activity, but a critical component of learning and development. Through a combination of research and hands-on experiences, participants explored how play supports cognitive, social, and emotional growth. Attendees actively participated in a variety of playful learning experiences, including recreating their learning environments using play-doh and engaging in the high-energy 鈥淎lleycat Dance.鈥�

These activities were intentionally designed to model classroom strategies that promote physical activity, collaboration, and student engagement while also supporting brain development.

Throughout the session, Dearybury connected playful experiences to neuroscience, explaining how play stimulates the release of key neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine, which support attention, mood, and motivation. In addition to hands-on activities, participants reflected on their own childhood experiences with play, fostering meaningful connections with colleagues and reinforcing the importance of joy and creativity in educational settings.

The institute brought together a diverse group of professionals, including general and special education teachers, related service providers, administrators, instructional coaches, and higher education faculty. The event continues to serve as a vital space for networking and professional growth within the education community.

Dr. Julia Wilkins, associate professor of education, established the institute 11 years ago after learning about the Charles Chadwell Endowment at 小猪视频, which was created to provide funding for workshops as well as scholarships for students who plan to continue their
education in the field of special education.

鈥淚 am incredibly grateful for the Chadwell Endowment,鈥� Wilkins said. 鈥淒r. Chadwell believed deeply in creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and he was always so appreciative of these institutes. He would be proud to see them still going strong鈥攂ringing educators together and continuing to promote inclusive practices for all learners.鈥�

The event honored the legacy of Dr. Charles Chadwell, a longtime advocate for individuals with disabilities. His daughter, Ann Chadwell Humphries, addressed attendees and shared that her father strongly believed in the importance of play鈥攏ot only for his own children, but also for individuals served in the residential centers where he served as superintendent, including Whitten Center in Clinton and the Midlands Center in Columbia.

The success of this year鈥檚 institute was supported by PC students who played a key role in organizing the event. Early Childhood Education majors Victoria Smith, Kacie Tharin, and Bea Polinario, along with Special Education major Sarah Elrod, demonstrated a strong commitment to the teaching profession through their leadership and involvement.

Their participation highlights the college鈥檚 emphasis on service and preparing future educators who value collaboration, professional learning, and innovative instructional practices.

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Dr. Katherine Hill discovered her passion for clinical oncology pharmacy by coincidence. 

Going into her first year at the , Hill always knew that she wanted to work in a hospital setting. But it was during her fourth year when her mom was diagnosed with breast cancer that her path became clear, and was further solidified by her field experience.聽

鈥淥ne day, I ended up shadowing an oncology pharmacist on rotation,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檇 already enjoyed learning about it in the classroom, and then during my residency, I decided that鈥檚 what I wanted to do.鈥�

Originally from Louisiana, Hill鈥檚 father, the Rev. Joseph Hill, a 1972 PC graduate, encouraged her to look into the pharmacy program. 

鈥淚 looked into it, and immediately everybody was so welcoming, so happy to see you, and it just felt good to be on campus,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 came back, and I was like, 鈥楧ad, I don鈥檛 know what it is, but I think I鈥檓 going to go there.鈥欌�� 

Following her father鈥檚 footsteps, Hill graduated in 2021, 49 years after her dad. 

Since graduating from PC鈥檚 School of Pharmacy, Hill has made a name for herself, currently serving as the lead outpatient oncology clinical pharmacy specialist at in Dallas, Texas, a position she鈥檚 held for just under a year.聽

鈥淚t鈥檚 been fun to have different insight, not only when practicing, but through training my coworkers and being a resource and an aid for them as well,鈥� she said. 

Hill attributes her success in her career to her time as a graduate student at PC, expressing her gratitude for the school that made her feel at home while miles away from her own, and the program that went above and beyond to prepare her for the future. 

鈥淚f at any point I can give thanks to PC, I always do,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 really think that I wouldn鈥檛 be here doing what I鈥檓 doing if it wasn鈥檛 for PC.鈥� 

She credits the small class sizes, the close relationships she was able to build with her professors, and the endless opportunities for helping her transform into the leader she is today. 

鈥淭here are a lot of opportunities that PC offers to be involved with organizations, or even at the state level that you probably wouldn鈥檛 find elsewhere,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hose experiences develop you as a leader and as a professional, so I owe a lot of my successes to that.鈥� 

While her education was undoubtedly essential to her success, Hill also encourages students to take some of the pressure off themselves academically, because what happens outside of the classroom is just as important. 

鈥淭ake those opportunities to get to know people, to network, to step out of yourself and your comfort zone,鈥� she encouraged. 鈥淭he academics are important, but they鈥檙e not everything.鈥� 

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Dr. Christine Boone discovered her interest in occupational therapy through the process of earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree in sports medicine and athletic training.聽

As she progressed through her schooling, she realized that her heart wasn鈥檛 set on working with athletes in that capacity, and at the suggestion of her professor, she began to observe various rehabilitation services, including occupational therapy. 

Boone鈥檚 鈥渁ha鈥� moment hit her during one of those sessions, in which a two-year-old boy was receiving early intervention services. 

鈥淭here was a moment when the occupational therapist put the child on a large ball and was bouncing him, and there was just so much joy there,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat was the moment I knew that that鈥檚 what I was going to do.鈥� 

From that moment forward, Boone鈥檚 path became clear. Putting all of her eggs in one basket, she applied to only one school and was accepted not long after. 

From the field to the classroom

聽As a pediatric OT, Boone frequently worked with students from a variety of programs, acting as their clinical educator during their field work.聽

While teaching level one and two PC students, Boone met Dr. Allie Turner, PC OTD鈥檚 field work coordinator, who encouraged her to consider pursuing an adjunct teaching position.

Turner put her in contact with assistant professor Dr. Courtney Addison, who reached out with an offer to adjunct for a few pediatrics courses offered at the college. That summer, a position opened up, and Boone seized the opportunity.聽

鈥淚t was kind of like the stars aligned,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was teaching PC students in the field, and then I was asked to come adjunct, and everything kind of fell into place.鈥� 

For Boone, now an assistant professor, this was a dream come true, as educating the next generation of clinicians was something she鈥檇 always known she wanted to do.聽

鈥淭hat was always my ultimate goal,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 had always known very early on, after I had gotten my feet wet and really understood OT in the field, that I wanted to teach future clinicians.鈥�

Since adding classroom teaching to her repertoire, Boone鈥檚 favorite aspect of educating students in this new environment has been the opportunity to watch them thrive in their learning. 

鈥淲hen they first come into the OT program, and then watching them over the course of the year, really applying everything that they鈥檝e learned 鈥� watching that growth has been incredible,鈥� she said. 鈥淲atching them turn into clinicians in front of your eyes is a really exciting thing.鈥� 

A future of growth

When Boone thinks about the next few years at 小猪视频, she鈥檚 most excited about the opportunity to continue growing and developing the Occupational Therapy Program, hoping to gain recognition within the OT educational community. 

PC鈥檚 OT program is still young and growing, with the incoming 2026-2027 cohort being only the seventh group since the program opened its doors. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 really exciting to be a part of the program and watching the growth at the same time as we鈥檙e educating our professionals who will go out into the field,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 feel confident knowing that the next generation will be successful practitioners.鈥�

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For two days, the聽Supreme Court of South Carolina聽traded its courtroom in Columbia for a stage in Clinton, offering students, educators and community members a rare opportunity to see justice unfold in real time at聽小猪视频.

The special session, held March 31鈥揂pril 1 in Belk Auditorium, marked a significant outreach effort by the state鈥檚 highest court 鈥� one Chief Justice John W. Kittredge described as a 鈥渃ivics lesson on the road.鈥�

鈥淭his is about bringing the court to the people,鈥� Kittredge said, noting the strong turnout of students from across South Carolina. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been blown away by the interest.

Justice for every corner

For PC president聽Dr. Anita Gustafson, the moment carried both institutional and civic significance.

鈥淲e are genuinely grateful you have chosen 小猪视频 for this historic occasion,鈥� she said in welcoming remarks. 鈥淥ur students are watching real arguments before the highest court of South Carolina. They are seeing 鈥� not just reading about 鈥� how justice is argued, decided and delivered.鈥� 

Gustafson framed the event as part of a broader mission to expand access to learning and civic understanding.

鈥淭his is a statement about who justice belongs to,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t belongs to everyone in every corner of this state.鈥� 

Drawing on her background as a historian, Gustafson also reflected on the court鈥檚 legacy, noting its origins in the 1868 state constitution and its role as 鈥渢he guardian of the rule of law鈥� for more than 150 years.

Learning in real time

The audience included students from across the region 鈥� from middle schools to high schools and college classrooms 鈥� many experiencing oral arguments for the first time.

That exposure, Gustafson said, is transformational.

鈥淪ome of them will leave this room and carry what they witnessed into careers in law, public service, medicine, education and business,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey will carry it into their communities and into the world to make a difference.鈥� 

That sentiment was echoed by聽, a 2007 PC graduate, trustee and appellate attorney with in Columbia. The sessions took place on the Whitney B. Harrison Stage, named in recognition of her support for the college.

鈥溞≈硎悠� is a place where people discover their calling,鈥� Harrison said. 

Harrison, who once clerked for the state Supreme Court, described appellate law as work that shapes legal precedent for generations.

鈥淎ppellate courts are not here to decide what happens,鈥� she said. 鈥淭heir job is to determine what the law should be and how it should be applied.鈥� 

For students in attendance, she added, the experience offers a glimpse into that process 鈥� one that demands precision, persistence and a deep sense of responsibility.

鈥淚 hope each of you finds your calling and has the courage to follow it,鈥� Harrison said. 

A community effort

Hosting the court required weeks of coordination across campus and beyond, with Gustafson and others recognizing the contributions of faculty, staff and community partners who made the event possible.

Local and state leaders also emphasized the broader impact of bringing the court to Laurens County.

鈥淭his is truly a great laboratory experience,鈥� said S.C. Sen. Danny Verdin, who represents District 9. 鈥淏less you for bringing the courthouse to Laurens County.鈥� 

Verdin placed the visit in a wider historical context, noting the long-standing importance of law and justice in shaping communities.

鈥淎n exceptional experience is before us today,鈥� he said, adding that its effects 鈥渨ill be long-lasting and measured in years to come.鈥� 

State Rep. Doug Gilliam echoed that sentiment, calling the event a rare opportunity for citizens to witness the judicial process firsthand.

鈥淭his is democracy in action,鈥� Gilliam said. 

Bridging classroom and courtroom

Throughout the sessions, the justices heard oral arguments in a range of cases, including civil and criminal appeals involving issues such as immunity under state law, jury procedures and post-conviction relief.

But for many in attendance, the substance of the cases was secondary to the experience itself 鈥� seeing how legal arguments are presented, questioned and weighed at the highest level.

Kittredge emphasized that point, encouraging students to engage with the process and recognize its relevance to their lives.

鈥淲e hope this is an enjoyable experience for you,鈥� he said, addressing the audience of students and educators.

Lasting Impact

For 小猪视频, the visit represented more than a two-day event. It was a convergence of mission, opportunity and public service 鈥� one that connected classroom learning with real-world application.

By bringing the Supreme Court to campus, Gustafson said, the college created a moment that could shape how students understand both their education and their role in society.

And for those who filled Belk Auditorium 鈥� from aspiring attorneys to curious middle schoolers 鈥� the experience offered something rare: a close-up view of how justice works, and who it serves.

As Verdin noted, the significance of that moment may not be fully realized until years later.

But its impact, he suggested, is already underway.

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