33rd Annual Back-to-School Picnic Honors CofC Employees
College of Charleston employees came together to celebrate the start of another year, welcome new colleagues and recognize employees who have served the State of South Carolina for 10, 20 and even 30 years.
For 33 years, College of Charleston faculty and staff have started the fall semester with a back-to-school picnic and presentation of service awards to College employees. And 2026 was no different.
“This annual event is a great way to kick off the new school year, enjoy the company of colleagues and show our appreciation to those who have reached career service milestones,” says Ed Pope, vice president of human resources.
On Thursday, Aug. 13, 2026, CofC employees came together in TD Arena to mark the beginning of another academic year, welcome new colleagues and celebrate employees who have served the State of South Carolina for 10, 20 and even 30 years.
State Human Resources representatives also joined this year’s zero-waste event – as did Clyde the Cougar, who pushed an ice cream cart full of cold treats for everyone to enjoy.
But first, President Andrew T. Hsu welcomed employees, including those who have joined the Cougar community this year, and thanked them for all they do for the College.
“I also want to thank everyone for their efforts this summer and for putting the College in a position for another successful academic year,” he said. “Now, as we celebrate the beginning of a new academic year, we honor many of our colleagues for their years of service. The College of Charleston is extraordinary because we are made up of extraordinary people. And today, we will get a chance to recognize a few of our extraordinary faculty and staff.”
Congratulations, and a huge thank-you to the following employees recognized this year!
30 Years of Service
- Jaap Hillenius, Department of Biology
- Sheridan Hough, Department of Philosophy
- John Huddlestun, Department of Religious Studies
- Stanley James, Facilities Management
- Ralph Muldrow, Department of Art and Architectural History
- Brenda Sanders, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
- Rhonda Swickert-Hittner, Department of Psychology
- Laura Turner, Department of Theatre and Dance
20 Years of Service
- Timothy Agee, Fire and EMS
- Sonya Allen, Parking Operations
- John Bruner, Athletics Department
- Meredith Chance, Alumni Relations
- Jarod Charzewski, Department of Studio Art
- Wendy Cory, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Adrianne Davis, Facilities Management
- Wesley Dudgeon, School of Health Sciences
- Bryan Ganaway, Honors College
- Lakeisha Halls, Office of Admissions
- Delia Johnson, Facilities Management
- Kimberly Knox, Information Technology
- Brian Lanahan, Department of Teacher Education
- Jiexiang Li, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
- Alicia Lutz, Office of University Communications
- Georgette Mayo, Avery Research Center
- Janine McCabe, Department of Theatre and Dance
- John McInnis, Office of Budgeting and Payroll Services
- Peter Meier, Grice Marine Lab
- Garrett Mitchener, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
- Shirley Roberts, CofC Library
- Michael Ruscio, Department of Psychology
- Lasha Smalls, Department of Public Safety
- Arthur Vartanian, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
- Vijay Vulava, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
- Christopher Warnick, Department of English
- Henry Xie, Department of Management and Marketing
10 Years of Service
- Jim Allison, Career Center
- Brenda Anderson, Office of University Communications
- Joshua Bloodworth, Campus Services
- Brian Bossak, Department of Public Health Sciences and Administration
- Brian Brady, Career Center
- Dawn Brandt, Office of Budgeting and Payroll Services
- Joyce Chisolm, Facilities Management
- Stephanie Colombo, Center for International Education
- Jacob Craig, Department of English
- Mouna DiBenedetto, Department of Biology
- Rebecca Drewry, Office of Admissions
- Robert Fields, Center for Sustainable Development
- Samuel Flores, Department of Classics
- Jay Forsythe, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Jennifer Gillespie, Mail Services
- Jason Hardesty, Institutional Advancement
- Aaisha Haykal, Avery Research Center
- Anja Kelley, Campus Services
- Kaitlyn Lamontagne, Center for Student Learning
- Mike Ledford, Institutional Advancement
- Cheryl McClary, Facilities Management
- Jarrell McCray, Facilities Management
- Josette Pelzer, Department of Accounting and Business Law
- Carline Pruitt, New Student Programs
- Philip Rockefeller, Information Technology
- Tamara Rosas-Bossak, CofC Library
- Aicko Schumann, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
- Quanequa Simmons, Facilities Management
- Wayne Smalls, Department of Public Safety
- Arnetta Smith, Office of the Provost
- Thomas Spade, Department of Accounting and Business Law
- Taryn Sprankles, Office of Enrollment Information
- Paulette Stanley, Guest Houses
- Mary Trent, Department of Art and Architectural History
