Employees Recognized at the 32nd Annual Back-to-School Picnic
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, 30 and even 40 years.
For 32 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 2025 was no different.
On Thursday, Aug. 14, 2024, 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, 30 and even 40 years.
“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.
President Andrew T. Hsu kicked off the appreciation by thanking employees for their continued hard work and all that they do to support CofC students. Hsu then welcomed the year’s new employees before recognizing the recipients of the 2025 Distinguished Faculty Awards and the 2025 Staff Awards.
“The College of Charleston is extraordinary because of its extraordinary people,” Hsu concluded before turning the mic over to Pope to recognize the 2025 state service award recipients, including Jerry Baker ’74, executive director of the Cougar Club and the College of Charleston Athletic Fund, who joined CofC Athletics as assistant athletics director in 1985.
Congratulations, and a huge thank-you to the following employees recognized this year!
40 Years
- Jerry Baker ’74, Cougar Club
30 Years
- Jack DiTullio, Department of Biology
- James Hittner, Department of Psychology
- Lee Lindner, Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Jerry McClary, Facilities Management Custodial Services
- Cassandra Runyon, Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences
- Andrea Washington, IT Enterprise Systems
- Wendy Williams, Office of Procurement and Supply Services
20 Years
- Claire Bassin, IT PMO Team
- Raul Carrillo-Arciniega, Department of Hispanic Studies
- Christian Coseru, Department of Philosophy
- Elizabeth Dixon, Counseling Center
- Adam Doughty, Department of Psychology
- Lauren Duffie ’99, Department of Theatre and Dance
- Mike Duvall, Department of English
- Merissa Ferrara, Department of Communication
- Bruce Fleming, Office of New Student Programs
- Chris Fragile, Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Antoinette Greene, Office of Enrollment Information
- Melanie Greene, School of Education
- Devon Hanahan, Department of Hispanic Studies
- David Katz, Treasurer’s Office
- Natalia Khoma, Department of Music
- Deb McGee, Department of Communication
- Rick Mims, Controller’s Office
- Courtney Murren, Department of Biology
- Sorinel Oprisan, Department of Physics and Astronomy
- Robert Podolsky, Department of Biology
- Amanda Ruth-McSwain, Department of Communication
- Emily Skinner, Department of Teacher Education
- Erik Sotka, Department of Biology
- Kendra Stewart, Department of Political Science/Riley Center
- Ale Torres, IT Support Services
- Anthony Varallo, Department of English
- William Veal, Department of Teacher Education
- Anastasia Zimmerman, Department of Biology
10 Years
- Karyn Amira, Department of Political Science
- James R. Barnhart, Division of Institutional Advancement
- Chris Bond, Office of Student Life
- Mckelvy (Ellie) Conlin, Treasurer’s Office
- John Curtis, IT Security
- Garrett Davidson, Department of Asian Studies
- Irina Erman, Department of German and Russian Studies
- Mary Jo Fairchild, College of Charleston Libraries
- Allison Foley, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
- Zontavious Ford, Controller’s Office
- Catherine Friedman, Division of Institutional Advancement
- Jennifer Gerrish, Department of Classics
- Rodney Govan, Facilities Management Housing Maintenance
- Michael Guillano, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Marlo Hansen, Central Energy Plant
- LaToya Harris, Campus Housing
- Leslie Hart, Department of Public Health Sciences and Administration
- Sarah Hatteberg, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
- Lauren Hernandez-Rubio, Department of Biology
- Amber Howard, Facilities Management Administration
- Grace Hubel, Department of Psychology
- Christy Kollath-Cattano, Department of Public Health Sciences and Administration
- Terri Mattie, Athletics Administration
- Michelle McGrew, President’s Office
- William (Ian) O’Byrne, Department of Teacher Education
- Melinda Patience, Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management
- Antonio Perez-Nunez, Department of Hispanic Studies
- Maria Philpot, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Timothy Ravenel, Facilities Management Housing Maintenance
- Elena Rodriguez, College of Charleston Libraries
- Jessica Streit, Department of Art and Architectural History
- Geoff Timms, College of Charleston Libraries
- Wanda Whitley, President’s Office
- Joshua Williams, Controller’s Office
