Southern Wesleyan University: Notable Alumni Shaping Diverse Fields

Southern Wesleyan University (SWU), a private Christian institution located in Central, South Carolina, has been shaping minds and fostering talent since its establishment in 1906. With a commitment to providing a Christian perspective in education, SWU has produced alumni who have made significant contributions across various fields, ranging from arts and sciences to business, ministry, and public service. This article highlights some of the university's most notable alumni and their remarkable achievements.

Academics and Sciences

SWU has a strong tradition of producing accomplished academics and scientists who have made significant contributions to their respective fields.

  • Kenneth G. Carpenter (1976, M.A.) has made significant contributions to astronomy.
  • Charles Manning Child (A.B. 1890, M.S.) contributed to the field of zoology.
  • Russell Doolittle (1951), a biochemist, co-developed the hydropathy index.
  • Leslie Greengard (B.A. 1979), a physician, mathematician, and computer scientist, co-invented the fast multipole method.
  • Jim Kurose is a renowned computer scientist.
  • Albert L. Lehninger (B.A.) made significant contributions to biochemistry.
  • Jerry M. Melillo (B.A. 1965, M.A.T.) has excelled in the field of ecosystem ecology.
  • Frank W. Putnam (B.A. 1939, M.A.) contributed to the field of molecular biology.
  • Alfred Charles True (1873) was an agriculturalist and director of the Office of Agricultural Experiment Station, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
  • Nicholas Turro (1960) is a chemist at Columbia University.

Arts and Media

Southern Wesleyan University alumni have also made their mark in the arts and media, showcasing their creativity and talent to a wide audience.

  • Becky Albertalli (2004) is a celebrated writer, best known for her young adult novels, including Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda.
  • Amy Bloom (1975) is an accomplished author, with her novel Away making The New York Times Best Seller list.
  • Elizabeth Graver (1986) is a talented writer, recognized with the Drue Heinz Literature Prize.
  • Kevin Prufer (1992) is a poet, essayist, editor, and novelist, and a winner of five Pushcart Prizes.
  • Carlo Rotella (1986) is a writer who received the Whiting Writers' Award for nonfiction in 2007.
  • Joyce Sidman (B.A.) has gained recognition as a children's book author.
  • Paul Yoon (2002) is a writer who received the 2009 John C. Zacharis First Book Award.
  • Joss Whedon (1987) is an Emmy Award-winning writer, creator, producer, and director.

Business and Leadership

Southern Wesleyan University has produced numerous alumni who have excelled in the world of business and leadership, demonstrating their entrepreneurial spirit and strategic vision.

  • Alberto Ibargüen (1966) serves as the CEO of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.
  • Laura Ruth Walker (1979) is a prominent figure in the media industry.
  • Marc Davis (1989) is the founding director of Yahoo!.

Ministry and Theology

As a Christian university, Southern Wesleyan has a strong emphasis on ministry and theology. Many of its alumni have gone on to serve in various religious capacities.

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  • John C. Cavadini (B.A. 1975) is a professor and chair of the Theology Department at the University of Notre Dame and a Vatican advisor.
  • Bishop Charles Henry Payne (A.B.) served as a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
  • Bishop John W. Vickerman was a bishop in the Methodist Church.
  • Bishop Erastus Wentworth (B.A.) served as a bishop in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
  • William Xavier Ninde (A.B. 1855, D.D.) was a Methodist bishop.
  • Charles Francis Rice (B.A. 1872, M.A. 1875, D.D.) was a prominent Methodist minister.
  • Matthew Richey (M.A. 1836, D.D.) was a Methodist minister and educator.
  • James Strong (A.B. 1844, D.D.) was a Methodist biblical scholar and educator.

Public Service and Military

Southern Wesleyan University alumni have also dedicated their lives to public service and military, demonstrating their commitment to serving their communities and the nation.

  • Denise Jefferson Casper (B.A.) is a federal judge.
  • Edward G. Biester, Jr. served as a U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania.
  • Brigadier General Allen Fraser Clark, Jr. was a distinguished military leader.
  • Major General Myron C. Cramer (B.A.) achieved the rank of two-star general in the U.S. Army.
  • Rear Admiral Marshall E. Cusic Jr. MD (B.A.) attained the rank of two-star admiral in the U.S. Navy.
  • Brigadier General Alonzo Jay Edgerton (B.A.) served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
  • Brigadier General John E. Hutton MD (B.A.) was a medical officer in the U.S. Army.
  • Lieutenant General Adolph G. Schwenk (B.A.) reached the rank of three-star general in the U.S. Air Force.
  • Rear Admiral (Ret.) R. Dennis Sirois (M.A.) served as a two-star admiral in the U.S. Coast Guard.
  • Brigadier General John B. Van Petten (B.A. 1850, M.A.) was a military leader.

Sports

Southern Wesleyan University alumni have also achieved success in the world of sports.

  • James Wendell (1913) was an Olympic silver medalist in the 110-meter hurdles at the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm.
  • Tobin Anderson (1995) is the head coach of the Iona Gaels men's basketball team (2023-present) and previously coached the Fairleigh Dickinson Knights men's basketball team (2022-2023).

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tags: #southern #wesleyan #university #notable #alumni

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