College of Charleston Announces 2024 Alumni Awards Recipients

The College of Charleston Alumni Association will honor eight distinguished alumni during Homecoming at the Alumni Awards ceremony at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. This year’s ceremony marks the first time the Alumni Awards will be presented in the College’s beautifully restored Sottile Theatre.

The ceremony will be followed by a celebratory oyster roast in Cistern Yard from 7-10 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online or in person at the George Street Box Office.

The Alumni Awards recognize alumni whose achievements reflect honor upon their alma mater.

H. Biemann Othersen Jr. ’50, M.D.
Alumni Award of Honor

The Alumni Award of Honor is the highest honor awarded by the College of Charleston Alumni Association. It is presented to those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the Association and/or to the College. 

Born and raised in Charleston, Dr. H. Biemann Othersen Jr. ’50 graduated from the High School of Charleston in 1946. Initially accepted at Clemson University with plans to become an electrical engineer, his path shifted when he and many other students were asked to defer enrollment for a year to accommodate the influx of World War II veterans using the GI Bill. During this time, Othersen enrolled at the College of Charleston, where he discovered a passion for medicine while pursuing pre-medical studies.

After three transformative years at the College, he was accepted to the Medical University of South Carolina. Following his first year of medical school, he earned his B.S. in medicine with the College’s Class of 1950 and went on to receive his M.D. in 1953. Othersen continued his training for nine years, which included two years of service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.

In 1965, Othersen made history by returning to MUSC to establish the Pediatric Surgery Service as South Carolina’s first pediatric surgeon and one of the first in the Southeast. He played a pivotal role in founding the MUSC Children’s Hospital, which opened in 1987, ensuring that children received top-tier care. His dedication and leadership in pediatric medicine have had a lasting impact on the state and beyond. In recognition of his contributions, the H. Biemann Othersen Jr. M.D. Pediatric Operating Suite at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital was named in his honor.

A devoted alumnus, Othersen has remained closely connected to the College of Charleston through his service on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Cougar Club Board of Directors. He was awarded an honorary degree in 2017 and was the inaugural recipient of the Outstanding Service Award in Medicine.

Though retired from clinical practice, Othersen continues to teach. He and his wife, Janelle, reside in Charleston and have four children and eight grandchildren. They are passionate supporters of the College, contributing to the H. Biemann Othersen Jr. Annual Scholarship Fund and the Cougar Club Fund.

Cheryll Novak Woods-Flowers ’81 (M.S. ’99)
Karen Burroughs Jones ’74 Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award was established in 1983 to recognize graduates who have made significant contributions to their professions and/or their communities over an extended period of time, thus reflecting honor upon the College of Charleston. In 2024, the award was renamed in honor of the Alumni Association’s executive secretary emerita, Karen Burroughs Jones ’74, who dedicated more than 30 years in service to the College.

Cheryll Novak Woods-Flowers ’81 (M.S. ’99) is renowned for her incredible record of public service and devotion to the College of Charleston. Born and raised in Mount Pleasant, she earned her B.S. in business administration with an emphasis in accounting and later completed a Master of Science in Accountancy.

Woods-Flowers began her political career in 1986, when she was elected to the Mount Pleasant Town Council. She was then elected mayor in 1992, a role she held for two terms. Her public service extends beyond elected office: She chaired the Town of Mount Pleasant Shem Creek Task Force, leads the Disabilities Board of Charleston County, serves as an Alzheimer’s appointed ambassador to the 1st District member of Congress and chairs the S.C. Advisory Council on Aging.

In her professional career, Woods-Flowers has held key roles, including senior accountant at Hyland Rudd Garbett and CFO of the Carolina Youth Development Center. She transitioned to real estate in 2002, becoming a top producer with Coldwell Banker Realty.

Woods-Flowers’ dedication to the College of Charleston is exemplified through her serving three terms on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, as past president of the Cougar Club and as a member of the School of Business and Economics Advisory Board. Her support for the College continues through her generous contributions to various funds, including the Alumni Association Fund and the Cougar Club Fund.

Her leadership and contributions have earned her numerous accolades, including the College’s Alumna of the Year Award, the S.C. Order of the Palmetto and the Lowcountry Girl Scouts’ Woman of Distinction award. She resides in Mount Pleasant with her husband, Harold, and is the proud mother of two daughters and three grandchildren.

Canyon Berry ’16
Alumnus of the Year

The Alumna/Alumnus of the Year award recognizes a graduate who has achieved a significant accomplishment in the previous 18 months, thus reflecting honor upon the College of Charleston.

Canyon Barry ’16 is an accomplished systems engineer at L3 Harris Technologies in Melbourne, Florida, and represented the United States of America in Paris on the 2024 Olympic Team in 3×3 Men’s Basketball. A summa cum laude graduate of the Honors College, he earned his degree in physics with a perfect 4.0 GPA, while simultaneously excelling as a member of the men’s basketball team.

Originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Barry played three standout seasons for the College, leading the team in scoring his junior year. He earned a spot on the 2014 CAA All-Rookie Team and received numerous accolades, including the CAA Winter Sports Scholar-Athlete Award and CoSIDA Academic All-American honors. His achievements extended beyond the court, as he was awarded the prestigious John Lewis Gervais Jr. Award for academic excellence.

After graduating, Barry transferred to the University of Florida to pursue a master’s degree in nuclear engineering and used his final year of collegiate eligibility to help the Gators reach the NCAA Elite Eight in 2017. He set school records for consecutive free throws made (42) and most 20-point games off the bench in a single season, earning the title of Southeastern Conference Sixth Man of the Year.

Barry’s professional basketball career has been equally remarkable, with international stints in China, Finland and the Czech Republic, alongside playing for the Iowa Wolves of the NBA G-League. His prowess in Team USA 3×3 basketball has led to multiple gold medals, including the 2019 3×3 World Cup and consecutive AmeriCups, where he earned MVP honors in 2022. He was a key player in winning the 2023 3×3 Men’s Pan American Games gold medal and the 2023 FIBA 3×3 World Cup silver medal.

Beyond his professional and athletic achievements, Barry enjoys golf, pickleball, surfing, yoga and playing the violin and guitar.

Otis Robinson ’90
Howard F. Rudd Jr. Business Person of the Year Award

The Howard F. Rudd Jr. Business Person of the Year Award recognizes graduates who have made significant contributions as business leaders to their industries or professions, communities and the College of Charleston, and who have exhibited great integrity in their business and personal lives. The School of Business selects this award recipient.

Otis Robinson ’90 is the founder and managing principal of Robinson Business Consulting LLC, a certified minority-owned business that provides business and supply chain process improvement services as well as coaching for supervisors, managers and executives. After earning his B.S. in business administration, he went on to earn his MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in 1993.

With more than 25 years of experience in supply chain and business improvement practices, Robinson formed RBC to help companies promote growth, reduce costs, increase profits and improve service levels. His industry experience and expertise include consumer products, wholesale distribution, transportation management and paper manufacturing. His skill set includes senior management coaching and identifying and resolving issues hindering growth and performance.

Since 2021, Robinson has served on the College of Charleston Alumni Association Board of Directors and currently holds the positions of vice president and chair of the Finance Committee. He and his wife, Angela Cooper-Robinson, reside in Chapin, South Carolina, with their dog, Maxx, and are stalwart supporters of the College. Their endowment of the J. Waties Waring Scholarship has inspired many other alumni to give back to the College, fostering the next generation of leaders.

Joel Cook ’88, M.D.
Jonathan Cook ’88, M.D.
Outstanding Service Award in Medicine

This award is sponsored by the Alumni Association, the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, and the Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Honor Society. The award recognizes graduates whose practice of medicine, including dental, veterinary and related medical sciences, represents remarkable achievements, and who demonstrates an enduring commitment to the College and their communities. The members of Alpha Epsilon Delta select the recipient.

Drs. Jonathan and Joel Cook, twin brothers originally from East Tennessee, are being honored by the College of Charleston’s Pre-Health Honor Society for their outstanding service as nationally recognized leaders in dermatologic surgery. Their contributions to medicine and their commitment to education exemplify the spirit of service for which the College of Charleston is renowned. 

Dr. Joel Cook ’88 is a full professor of dermatology and dermatologic surgery and the division head of dermatologic surgery at MUSC. Joel graduated from the College magna cum laude with his B.S. in biology. He remained in Charleston for his medical school education at MUSC, where he graduated second in his class and was elected into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Following medical school, Joel completed an internship in internal medicine at the University of Virginia. After completing his dermatology residency at MUSC, he completed the prestigious fellowship in Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh, Shadyside, in 1997.

Upon completion of his fellowship, Joel returned to MUSC and joined the faculty of the Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery. He has held many national appointments, including the board of directors of the American College of Mohs Surgery. He has published extensively on varied topics in cutaneous oncology and reconstructive surgery and has a nationally renowned surgical fellowship training program.

Joel is regarded as one of the country’s leading experts on Mohs and reconstructive dermatologic surgery and frequently lectures at national and international meetings. His area of expertise is Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstructive dermatologic surgery. His special interest is flap reconstruction of post-surgical facial defects. Joel is currently active in several clinical trials for Mohs surgery, melanoma treatments and others.

Joel resides in Daniel Island, South Carolina, with his wife, Christi – an obstetrician-gynecologist – and two stepchildren, Marshall, a junior at Clemson University studying biomedical engineering, and Madeline, a senior at Bishop England High School. The family also enjoys the company of their two Coton de Tuléar dogs, Will.he and Jack.

Dr. Jonathan Cook ’88 is a full professor and division head of dermatologic surgery at Duke Medical Center. Jonathan studied German literature at the College and went on to graduate magna cum laude and finished first in his class. He completed his medical education at MUSC, where he again graduated first in his class. Following medical school, he completed his internship in internal medicine at Harvard’s Deaconess Hospital in Boston. He then moved to Atlanta to complete his dermatology residency at Emory University. He completed his Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Upon completion of his fellowship, Jonathan joined the Department of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania for two years. He was soon recruited to Duke Medical Center in 1999. He has published extensively on various topics on cutaneous oncology and reconstructive dermatologic surgery.

Jonathan is considered one of the country’s leading experts in Mohs and reconstructive dermatologic surgery and frequently lectures nationally and internationally. His areas of expertise are Mohs microscopic surgery and facial reconstructive surgery. He holds certifications from the American Board of Dermatology, Microscopic Dermatologic Surgery and the American Board of Dermatology.

Outside of his medical practice, Jonathan enjoys classical music, reading and travel, and he also has an interest in Scottish bagpiping. He competed for over 20 years as a solo player as well as in a Scottish pipe band. He and his wife, Anita, reside in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with their son, Angus, and two West Highland white terriers, Captain James and Tennille. The couple recently made a generous gift to CofC’s German Program Fund.

Derrick L. Williams ’99
Honors College Distinguished Alumni Award

This award recognizes Honors College alumni for their professional achievements, contributions to society, and exceptional service to the College of Charleston.

Derrick L. Williams ’99 is a founding partner of Williams & Roche, a law firm based in Columbia, South Carolina, that specializes in representing injured workers and mediating civil litigation matters. Recognized as Lawyer of the Year in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers for Claimants Workers’ Compensation Law, Williams has built a distinguished legal career while maintaining a deep commitment to public service and to the College of Charleston.

A native of Florence, South Carolina, Williams graduated from the Honors College with a B.A. in English. During his time at CofC, he was active in the Black Student Union and served as team captain for both the cross country and track teams. He went on to earn his juris doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 2002.

In 2007, Williams was appointed as one of the youngest-ever commissioners of the South Carolina Workers’ Compensation Commission, serving until 2013. He spearheaded the introduction of mediation for complex injury cases in the state, significantly impacting the workers’ compensation landscape.

He has served as president of the Riverbanks Zoo Society Board and on the executive committees for the Richland County Bar Association and the Central Carolina Community Foundation. Williams resides in Columbia, South Carolina, with his wife, Alana, and their daughters, Regan and Deana. They are dedicated supporters of the College, generously contributing to key initiatives such as the 1967 Legacy Program Fund and the Otto B. German ’73 Endowed Alumni Scholarship in Athletics Fund.

Williams’ dedication to the College is exemplified through his service as president of the Alumni Association from 2020–22. He has also served on the Honors College and English department alumni advisory boards and was elected by the South Carolina General Assembly to the College’s Board of Trustees in 2023.

Maggie Panetta ’17
Young Alumnus Award

This award recognizes an alumnus who has expressed the finest of CofC traditions through service to his or her community and/or profession within 10 years of graduating. The recipient’s class year must be within the past 10 years.

Maggie Panetta ’17 is a dedicated humanitarian professional serving as a program officer for grant coordination and post-award management for the International Rescue Committee. Since joining IRC in 2018, Panetta has made significant contributions to global humanitarian efforts, particularly in conflict-affected regions. She initially worked as a program manager for the Middle East and North Africa region, where she focused on fundraising, program quality and financial management. Her work supported IRC’s response to crises in Syria, Libya, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2021, Panetta relocated to Iraq to take on the role of grants coordinator for IRC’s operations in the country. During her tenure overseas, she managed the funding portfolio and led business development efforts while strengthening partnerships with Iraqi humanitarian organizations. She recently returned to New York City to contribute to IRC’s domestic programs, assisting refugees in resettlement and addressing migration issues at the southern U.S. border.

Panetta is a graduate of the Honors College at the College of Charleston, where she earned degrees in public health and international studies. During her time at the College, she was actively involved in the Charleston Fellows and International Scholars programs. Additionally, she completed internships with nonprofit organizations and studied French to prepare for a career in humanitarian work. Panetta resides in New York City, where she continues to improve the lives of displaced and vulnerable populations through her work with IRC.