Class Notes
Alumni Profiles
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Alumni are important to the CCU impact
Spring has been a wonderful time of year to engage our alumni near and far. Your alumni association hosted 20 events for students, alumni, friends and fans of Coastal Carolina during the last four months. It has been a wonderful time to talk about the growth and changes at CCU while remembering what makes this place so special. In my conversations with alumni, the dominant theme has been the impact of the CCU experience on their lives and careers.
It’s that experience our alumni and friends can continue to impact today. Every year, our University earns more recognition and prestige than the year before. As we grow, it’s imperative that our alumni involvement does the same. How can you support CCU right now?
- Visit campus. As we like to say, “If you haven’t seen Coastal lately, you haven’t seen Coastal.” Our campus is growing and rivals any public institution in the South. Come see us.
- Attend an athletic event and bring your friends. If you can’t attend, ensure your tickets go to someone who can be there with full Chanticleer pride.
- Find a fund that you are passionate about and give. There are more than 500 named funds at CCU to match your interest.
- Mentor a student or hire a graduate. Show the value of the Coastal network.
- Increase the value of a Coastal degree by giving back, staying connected and showing the influence of CCU alumni.
We all hope to see you soon either locally or on campus. Visit coastal.edu/alumni for upcoming events and opportunities. Stay in touch!
Julie Cheney, Executive Director
1974
Wayne George is the new executive director of the Municipal Association of South Carolina. He served two terms as a state legislator and was a member of Coastal Carolina University’s board of trustees from 2006 to 2012.
1977
Rebecca T. Godwin, author of the novel Keeper of the House, recently gave a presentation at the Kaminski House Museum in Georgetown to help raise funds for the museum.
1978
Al Anch was a member of the inaugural class of the Athletic Hall of Fame at Broad Run High School in Loudoun County, Virginia. He was a four-year baseball letterwinner.
Herman Senor has announced his campaign for the Illinois House of Representatives. He has spent more than 25 years at the Illinois Department of Transportation, where he analyzes contractors’ financial statements.
1987
Andy Rosenbaum is a civilian paralegal for the U.S. Navy at the SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic in North Charleston. He is married to Lisa Briggs Rosenbaum ’88.
1988
Lisa Briggs Rosenbaum is married to Andy Rosenbaum ’87.
1990
Jeanine Powalie is a human resources generalist with Blue Cross Blue Shield of South Carolina.
1991
Trent Chambers has received advanced training from the American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys on defending against hospital blood tests. His firm, Chambers Law Firm, is located in Myrtle Beach. He earned a law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University.
1992
Sigga Sigurdardottir, chief customer and innovation officer at Santander U.K., was recently named to Brummell’s list of the top 30 inspirational women in London. She was cited for her work as a digital change agent who is driving innovation-led transformation across the U.K.
1993
Christopher Boyle recently signed copies of his latest work, The Road to Secession in Antebellum Georgetown and Horry Districts, at a book signing at Waterfront Books in Georgetown. Boyle is a social studies teacher at Socastee High School and a teaching associate at CCU.
1994
Sarah Loudin Thomas’ latest novel, The Sound of Rain, set in Myrtle Beach in the 1950s, was published in November 2017.
1995
Rev. David Ward is serving as moderator for the Maury Baptist Association in Middle Tennessee for 2017-2019. Ward is pastor of Allensville Baptist Church in Mt. Pleasant, Tenn., and is also a CW4 warrant officer with the Tennessee Army National Guard.
1996
Robert Bacon and his wife, Nicole, welcomed their first child, Ronin Robert Bacon, on Aug. 21, 2017.
Spyros Charalambous, a member of the International Tennis Federation, was recently ranked No. 22 in the Over-40 category. He is the logistics manager at Ermes Department Stores in Greece.
1999
Connie Willoughby was promoted to vocation manager at The Arc Southern Maryland, where she is working to advance the organization’s mission to create opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
2000
Christy Evans is Teacher of the Year at the Alternative Center for Education in the Florence County School District. She has been a math teacher for 16 years.
Tyler McCart was named the national champion in the hammer throw at the USA Track and Field Masters National Championships in Baton Rouge, La., in July 2017.
2001
Matthew Maas has been appointed to the position of director of the Environmental Resource Training Center at Southern Illinois University’s Edwardsville School of Engineering.
John McAllister is a residential sales agent at Coldwell Banker Caine in Spartanburg, S.C.
Kevin Schnall, the associate head baseball coach at CCU, was recognized for the second time by Baseball America as a top 10 assistant coach with a bright future as a head coach. He is regarded as a top-flight recruiter and hitting coach.
2002
Allison Chapman is a sixth-grade teacher at Long Middle School in Cheraw, S.C.
Jamal Kinlaw was promoted to principal examiner with the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
2004
Amber Campbell recently spoke to a group of 50 Conway High School ninth-graders as they embarked on their Advancement Via Individual Determination program, which prepares students for academic success. She was named one of 2018’s Inspiring Women at this year’s Women’s Leadership Conference and Celebration of Inspiring Women in February.
Josh Rush has joined CresCom Bank as a new mortgage loan originator in the Myrtle Beach area. He originates permanent FHA/VA and conventional residential mortgage loans, and takes part in related business development activities.
2005
Lucas Bohn recently performed his one-man show, Lesson Plans to Late Night, at Kent State University at Tuscarawas. The show depicts his transition from an elementary school teacher to a national touring comedian. Bohn has performed with comedy icons such as Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle and Jimmy Fallon.
In 2013, he was nominated Comedian of the Year by Campus Activities Magazine.
Capt. Brandon Green is an air battle manager for the U.S Air Force. He is stationed at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia.
Jessica Henson is a veterinarian at Banfield Pet Hospital. She lives in Union, Ky.
Mark Kerr is a global cyber security risk manager for Bank of America in Charlotte, N.C.
Jessica Matthews teaches kinesiology and integrative wellness at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, Calif.
Spencer Reuter is business analyst at Duke Energy in Charlotte, N.C.
2006
Jeff and Jayme Thurber Biggs live in Orlando, Fla., with 3-year old son Miles and daughter Madelyn, born in April 2017. Jeff is the head golf professional at the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club in Orlando.
Jae Hatchett is the owner of Two Scoops Homemade Creamery in Charlotte, N.C.
Emily Strayer Otto is an associate with RE/MAX Southern Shores in Myrtle Beach.
Brittany Kepple is a national account executive with ARYZTA, a global baking company. She lives in Myrtle Beach.
Matthew Starr is an associate at Stantec in Naples, Fla., where he oversees the coastal engineering services program.
2007
Shannon Cook is the administrative specialist for the Department of Communication, Media and Culture at CCU. She previously worked at WMBF-TV in Myrtle Beach in news production and marketing.
Ebony Hills is an occupational health and safety technician with the U.S. Air Force.
Moses Sonko is the director of basketball operations and recruiting coordinator at the University of Maine.
Shelley Stoecker is the human resources manager at Hillphoenix in Centerville, Iowa.
2008
Ashleigh Gunning Alcorn, a member of the CCU Athletic Hall of Fame, has been named director of major gifts for the Chanticleer Athletic Foundation.
John Armbruster Jr. was promoted to the rank of corporal with the Lower Township Police Department in New Jersey.
Zebeth Fowler has joined CresCom Bank as a project manager. Fowler previously worked as a project manager at the Bank of North Carolina.
Brent Harrison is a senior airman deployed in Kuwait. He works in aircraft maintenance with the U.S. Air Force as a member of the North Carolina Air National Guard.
2009
Ashley Felter and Nick Maietta were married at Pine Lakes Country Club in Myrtle Beach on Sept. 8, 2017. She works in real estate in Naples, Fla.
Micah Lillard is the communications manager at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Ashley McCleary works for Calvert County Library in Maryland. She lives in Chesapeake Beach.
Rachel Mackles and Charles Davis III were married on Oct. 20, 2017, at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens in Charleston. She is co-founder and partner at Matchstick Social in Charleston.
Christi Rippy is the owner of the new AR Workshop in Myrtle Beach, a Do It Yourself (DIY) boutique that specializes in custom home and office decor. The franchise opened in July 2017 and is one of only three in South Carolina. Rippy is the prospect research coordinator in CCU’s Office for Philanthropy.
Andrea Rudder is a facilitator of various youth programs in Oahu, Hawaii. She also is a personal trainer.
Jason Wilkes is the new head football coach at Cary High School in North Carolina. He joined the school in 2015 and previously served as offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. He earned a master’s degree in sport and human performance from Delta State University in 2011.
2010
Bryan Kamerzel is a sales manager at Vetus-Maxwell Inc., where he handles accounts in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. He previously worked as a sales manager at Zodiac Nautic.
Larry Rice was inducted into the Greenwood High School Hall of Fame in September. He won state championships in football in 1999 and 2000.
Tracey Waters is a graphic designer for the South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, S.C. She was recently promoted to senior graphic designer, responsible for the design of all public facing advertising communications.
2011
Cal Goodell is the new general manager at NICO Oysters + Seafood in Mount Pleasant, S.C. He is pursuing a Level 2 Sommelier certification. Goodell earned a degree in culinary arts, baking and restaurant management from the Arizona Culinary Institute.
Cyprian Hedrick was re-signed by San Antonio FC for the 2018 United Soccer League season. He started 13 of the 14 games he played for the club last season.
Keith Hessler has signed with the Colorado Rockies organization. Since 2015, the left-handed relief pitcher has split time between the Triple-A and MLB level with the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres.
Kate Kucinsky and Quentin Canty ‘09 have a 6-year-old son. Canty is a truck driver for United Road.
Katherine Mann is an environmental health manager for the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control.
Daniel Obremski played in The Greenbrier Classic, a PGA Tournament held in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va.
Caitlin Sweeney is a second-grade teacher at Canarsie Ascend Lower School in Brooklyn, N.Y. She previously worked in charter schools that served low-income communities in Brooklyn.
Elizabeth Podmore is an analytical chemist with Shealy Environmental Services in Columbia, S.C.
Joshlyn J. Wilson, D.M.D., recently graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina, where she received a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. She is practicing general dentistry in Greenville, S.C.
2012
Brittany and Jeff Hines live in Horry County with their daughter Teegan. They are expecting their second child this May. Brittany is a teacher at Aynor Elementary School.
Jennifer N. Hudson was named the 2017-2018 Teacher of the Year for the Georgetown County School District, where she is a fourth-grade teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary School. For the past two years, she has served as the acting school principal for the school’s United Way summer SAIL (science and inquiry learning) reading enrichment program.
Joseph Hurley is the new head athletic trainer and conditioning coach for the Spokane Chiefs. He was most recently the head athletic trainer for the Amarillo Bulls of the North American Hockey League.
Lauren McElroy and Alex Levy have announced their engagement. They live in Charleston and plan to marry in August 2018.
Eileen O’Donnell has been named Teacher of the Year at Conway Elementary School, where she teaches special education.
Santuan Stanley co-owns Myrtle Beach High Performance Center, a strength and conditioning facility.
Robert Stetson and Meredith Gratton were married at Hidden Acres in Marion, S.C., on Jan. 20, 2018. He is employed with the U.S. Postal Service, and she works in costume design and vintage clothing curation. They live in Conway.
2013
Michael Giangregorio and Ben Harris ’14 have started Nickel & Dime Supplement Club, which ships personalized supplement boxes to members on a monthly basis.
Woody Goff is the new executive director of the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County in Camden, S.C.
Charles Grace is the founder, front man and songwriter for the solo act Sleeping Policeman. He has been making music on the Grand Strand for more than seven years.
Keyanna Hampton is the Teacher of the Year at Main Street Elementary School in Florence County, where she is a fourth-grade math teacher. She also is the dance team coach and head sponsor for the Beta Club. Hampton is a member of the Palmetto Teacher’s Association and South Carolina Education Association. In addition, she is active in From Princess to Queen Rebirth, a nonprofit organization she started in 2009 that mentors young females.
Christine Po graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina with a master’s degree in physician assistant studies. She is now a practicing physician assistant at Atlantic Dermatology in Longs, S.C.
Ellen Baltz Susral works at River Oaks Elementary School in Myrtle Beach. She recently married Daniel G. Susral. She has completed both the Master of Education and Educational Specialist online programs at CCU, each one with an instructional technology emphasis.
2014
Rachel Bisesi is the coastal education coordinator at the North Carolina Coastal Federation. She joined the federation in 2013 after volunteering for several years. Bisesi earned a master’s degree in coastal marine and wetland studies from CCU.
Daniela Corona is engaged to Justin Priddy. They live in Charleston, where she is a recruiter with Aerotek.
Ben Harris and his business partner Michael Giangregorio ’13 have started Nickel & Dime Supplement Club, which ships personalized supplement boxes to members on a monthly basis.
Cameron Lentz is the Teacher of the Year at Ten Oaks Middle School in the Carolina Forest community, where he teaches English and honors social studies.
Wilmot Thompson Merchant III is a volunteer teacher in the Philippines. He previously worked in Japan for the Asian Rural Institute.
Sarah Miller, who is employed by Thomas & Hutton in Savannah, Ga., has recently earned the Society for Human Resources Management–Certified Professional credential.
Allison Roof is a school counselor at York Middle School in York, S.C. She earned a master’s degree in school counseling from Winthrop University.
2015
Jennifer Cangeme presented her graduate research, titled Bridging the Gap: Therapeutic Death Notifications, in April 2018 at the American Counseling Association’s national conference.
Briana Dinkins is an admissions counselor and multicultural recruiter at the University of South Carolina. She recently earned a master’s degree in higher education administration from Columbia College.
Laura Donato lives in Norfolk, Va., where she is a graduate assistant for fraternity and sorority life at Old Dominion University.
Erin Ellis is the technology coordinator at Waccamaw Elementary School in Myrtle Beach.
Justin Ferrarella was promoted to general manager of the Sussex County Miners, a minor league baseball team in New Jersey.
Timothy Forline, the choir director at Waccamaw Middle School, was part of the musical group that presented Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana at the Myrtle Beach High School Music and Arts Center in September 2017.
Megan Hucks is a reporter and weekend anchor at Fox 21 KXRM in Colorado Springs, Colo. She previously worked at NBC affiliate WITN-TV in Greenville, N.C.
Matt Huss is a manager assistant at Enterprise Holdings. He lives in Wall, N.J.
Marissa Kohan lives in Pittsburgh, Pa., where she is the healthy lifestyles director at Elmcroft of Allison Park, a senior living community.
Sean McCarthy and Kelly Ryan Judge were married on Oct. 12, 2017, in Philadelphia, Pa. He is a principal fiscal analyst for the State of New Jersey.
Kathryn Shuford and U.S. Army Capt. Matthew Fanning were married Nov. 11, 2017, at the Grande Dunes Ocean Club in Myrtle Beach. She is a middle school math teacher with Lee County Schools in North Carolina.
Katie Thompson was named the Teacher of the Year at the Academy for the Arts, Science and Technology in Myrtle Beach. She lives in Murrells Inlet.
Holly Willwerth is a photo editor for Event Fotos in Myrtle Beach.
2016
airman, recently graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in San Antonio, Texas.
Evan Broderick received his real estate licence immediately after graduation and is now an agent for Reality Real Estate in New Jersey. He also invests in real estate, flipping houses with his father.
Jalacy Green is the health careers program coordinator at the Lowcountry Area Health Education Center in Walterboro, S.C.
Kristen Kibblehouse is an educator with the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in Chatham, Mass. She is also the event coordinator at the Cape Cod Regional STEM Network.
Ashley Studebaker is a fan services representative for the Cleveland Indians. She lives in Lakewood, Ohio.
Danielle Walters is the case manager/shelter manager at the New Directions Family Shelter in Myrtle Beach.
Alex Wood is an adviser at SVN/Parsons Commercial Group in Boston, Mass.
2017
Sara Becker is one of five national winners of the #ThisFirst contest sponsored by Volcom, a Southern California-based lifestyle brand and sports company. Her ‘this’ is using art to advocate for mental health. Becker is a member at Second State Press, a communal printmaking workshop where she has started two paper sculptures and a drawing.
Katherine Hunt is the new manager at Ingram Planetarium in Sunset Beach, N.C.
Adrianna Seals is a news and digital producer at WBTW News 13 in Myrtle Beach.
Alumnus of the Year
D. Wyatt Henderson
Stacy Henderson, D. Wyatt Henderson ’98 and CCU President David DeCenzo
D. Wyatt Henderson of Greer, S.C., earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1998. After graduating from Coastal, he worked for Deloitte & Touche in Greenville before opening Henderson Accounting, a full service accounting and financial services firm, in Greer in 2000.
Henderson has served on the CCU board of trustees since 2009, including a stint as chairman from 2011-2017. He and his wife, Stacy, have been generous supporters of the University. They have funded spaces in both Brooks Stadium and Springs Brooks Stadium and established the Cecil H. Black Scholarship Fund, named in memory of Henderson’s grandfather. Henderson is a charter member of CCU’s Beta Alpha Psi, an honorary organization for financial information students and professionals. In recognition of his service and ongoing support of CCU, the University named its accounting department the D. Wyatt Henderson Department of Accounting in 2017.
Henderson is a certified public accountant, certified in financial forensics, a certified fraud examiner and a certified divorce financial analyst. He is an expert in financial analysis, forensic accounting, tax planning and preparation, business consulting, litigation support, asset division, and management advisory services. Henderson is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, S.C. Association of Certified Public Accountants, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, South Carolina Tax Council, Institute of Divorce Financial Analysts and the Association of Divorce Financial Planners.
As board chairman, Henderson focused on fiscal responsibility and keeping down tuition costs.
Young Alumnus of the Year
Sadara Shine
Sadara Shine ’14 with Alumni Relations Executive Director
Julie Cheney and CCU President David DeCenzo
Sadara Shine of Washington, D.C., earned a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in global studies in 2014. While at CCU, she was a member of the Dalton and Linda Floyd Family Mentoring Program, which provides an opportunity for students to serve as role models for children (K-8) in area schools. She was also the chapter secretary for Circle K International and helped plan Chauncey’s Challenge, a 5K obstacle race on campus.
Shine is a government relations manager at Joint Aid Management (JAM), a South African-founded registered nonprofit, humanitarian relief and development organization with 30 years of experience in relief and sustainable development. She helps develop relationships with U.S. government agencies that pertain to JAM’s programs to ensure grant funding and expanded support. In addition, she represents the organization at functions, conducts research related to funding opportunities, and provides technical guidance and support to grant and program development.
Her background also includes serving as an operations assistant with Lowcountry Orphan Relief in Charleston, S.C., as a research intern with United Way Ghana and a global programs intern with Vital Voices in Washington, D.C.