鈥淭his opportunity extended to KION NA employees is a symbol of 草莓视频APP Southern鈥檚 dedication to meeting the needs of our workforce,鈥� Keith Faulkner, president of CSU, said. 鈥淏y partnering with KION NA, we are able to provide pathways in career advancement. This is an investment in 草莓视频APPand our community and furthers our goal to serve international businesses right here in the 草莓视频APP metro region.鈥�

All permanent, full-time employees of KION NA who are accepted by 草莓视频APP Southern University can enjoy a 25% reduction of tuition for all traditional on-campus undergraduate programs as well as CSU鈥檚 online undergraduate degrees including hospitality and tourism (BS), management (BS), professional studies (BS), project management (BS), and student ministry (BA). 

In addition to undergraduate degrees, employees can also choose from 17 online and on-campus graduate programs, including biology, business, business analytics, computer science, leadership, nursing, and supply chain management. For the full list of offerings, go to charlestonsouthern.edu/corporate-partnerships. 

 鈥淎t KION North America, we have a heavy focus on continuous improvement. Whether it鈥檚 related to our product, processes, or our people we encourage development. This agreement with 草莓视频APP Southern serve as both a reminder and resource for our people to prioritize their growth alongside that of our business,鈥� states Jonathan Dawley, president and CEO of KION NA. 鈥淚 hope that many of our team members take advantage of this unique program paired with our generous Tuition Assistance benefit. I am very excited to see what we accomplish having invested in ourselves.鈥�

In March, 草莓视频APP Southern launched Global 草莓视频APP, a center that serves international businesses and residents. It serves the community by supporting international residents who come to the 草莓视频APP area to establish internal companies through a variety of ways, including information about complex relocation processes, an online directory, learning opportunities, and more. KION NA began its relationship with CSU as a major sponsor of Global 草莓视频APP.

At the grand opening, Stephanie LeVan, president of Global 草莓视频APP, said, 鈥淭his center serves as a declaration to our global partners that the 草莓视频APP Metro area walks in the ancient, proven, well-worn paths of friendship, respect, trade, and diplomacy,鈥� LeVan said to a crowd of global leaders and supporters on Friday. 鈥淭hese pillars have built good will among nations for centuries, and we rely on these same pillars today as they have created the strong, vibrant, gloriously global community that we call home. Our mission at 草莓视频APP Southern and at Global 草莓视频APP is to strengthen these ties that bind us in our region and ensure that the global community is served well not only with the information they need to live, but with information they need to thrive.鈥�

Daniel Schlegel, vice president of operations and customer service for KION NA, said that Global 草莓视频APP is important to the community and to 草莓视频APP Southern. He shared a personal story of being an immigrant from Germany鈥攆irst on a work visa and, ultimately, successfully working toward American citizenship. During his acclimation to life in the United States, he had a few roadblocks due to lack of guidance.

鈥淚f you come here for business, and you have other things to worry about, it is great having a resource that can help you take care of things鈥攁nd having a place where you can talk to people who have experience and can guide you along,鈥� he said. 

To learn more about degree programs and tuition assistance opportunities at CSU, go to charlestonsouthern.edu/corporate-partnerships. KION NA employees may reach out to Student Accounts with proof of current employment to apply the tuition discount. 

About KION North America: Headquartered in Summerville, S.C., KION North America Corporation is a member of the KION Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial trucks. Their brand companies, Linde and Baoli, serve the specific industrial truck requirements of the US, Canadian and Mexican markets with a broad and complementary product portfolio. KION North America produces material handling equipment known for its innovative technologies, reduced energy consumption, and low operating costs. KION North America also works closely with its sister company, Dematic, a global leader in automated material handling that provides a broad range of intelligent supply chain and automation solutions.

This spring, the CSU Board of Trustees unanimously voted to name Mead Hall in honor of Mead鈥檚 55 years as a servant leader at the university. 

Mead died Oct. 10, 2021, after a lengthy illness. She began her career at CSU in 1967 in the admissions office, where she worked for more than 20 years. Her last 30 years of service were spent in student life where she was associate dean of students.  

Her years of service touched many lives through her work with the international program, dining etiquette sessions, organizing campus events such as CultureFest and Kuumba, and counseling students.  

Her love for 草莓视频APPwas demonstrated through her philanthropic efforts which included establishing the Student Emergency Care Fund during COVID, the P.O. Jr. and Margaret I. Mead Endowed Scholarship in memory of her parents, and in the countless ways she blessed those around her with financial support. 

B. Keith Faulkner, president and a 1998 alumnus, said that 草莓视频APP Southern 草莓视频APPfor years to come will be blessed by the $1.5 million gift from Mead鈥檚 estate which funded the Barbara 鈥淏inky鈥� C. Mead Endowed Scholarship. 鈥淚t was through the generosity of Ms. Mead and many other friends of the university that gave 草莓视频APPlike me a chance at a college education. The naming of Mead Hall symbolizes her legacy that continues to live on in our听university’s听life. We are grateful for her servant heart and leadership for so many years.鈥�

Retired Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Clark Carter said, 鈥淢s. Mead dedicated her life to serving others. She always made people feel so special. She would spend hours talking with our international 草莓视频APPand anyone else who might be struggling to fit in at CSU. She loved our 草莓视频APPso well that many of them called her Momma Mead.鈥� 

Mead was a graduate of Furman University and The Citadel and was a licensed counselor. 

Mead Hall opened in the spring of 2019 and has suite-style accommodations on its three floors, a full kitchen, large activity room, and houses just over 200 students. 

A celebratory event will be planned at a later date.

We are preparing for a wonderful outdoor event on Buccaneer Field this Friday evening and Saturday morning. Praise God! 

Here are some quick reminders to best prepare you for this momentous occasion.

Schedule
Friday, May 3
                  11:30 a.m. Bucky鈥檚 Bon Voyage (RSVP )
                  1:30 p.m. Undergraduate Rehearsal at Lightsey Chapel
                  5 p.m. Graduates Arrive/Rehearsal at Field House/Buc Dome
                  6 p.m. Graduate Commencement at Buccaneer Field
                  Reception with each college immediately following

Saturday, May 4
                  9 a.m. Undergraduates Arrive at Field House/Buc Dome
                  10 a.m. Undergraduate Commencement at Buccaneer Field
                  Reception with each college immediately following

Attire
Flat sole shoes are required in order to walk on the turf field for Commencement. Additional information about dress code and honor cords/stoles can be found at charlestonsouthern.edu/graduation.

Parking

Participants will park in the Women鈥檚 North Lot, walk over to the Buc Dome, and line up inside. Review the map and feel free to share with your guests here. 

New This Year

We want this to be a fun, memorable day for you and your loved ones! Enjoy the many new things we鈥檝e added to the experience, such as:

• A reception for all our grads and their guests with each college! Complimentary sweet treats and drinks provided. College tents will be set up at the north end of the stadium in the grass to help you easily find your faculty.
• A photobooth for you and your friends and family to enjoy 鈥� for free. 
• Free professional photos for download of each graduate! A gallery link will be provided within 10 business days to the same email you are currently receiving these email updates.

If you have further questions, please review the  and other FAQs here.

Go Bucs!

-Commencement Committee

After earning the No. 2 seed in the Big South Tournament and winning the program’s first conference title in 14 years, first-year Head Coach Chan Metts was named Big South Women’s Coach of the Year. The conference announced this on Thursday.
听
Metts led the Buccaneers to a nail-biting victory in the Big South semifinals against No. 4 Longwood on Wednesday followed by a victory over USC Upstate in the championship. This season, he picked up his first tournament victory in his head coaching career with a victory in the Pine Tree Intercollegiate in Kennesaw, GA back on March 25.
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In nine of the 10 tournaments that the team has played in, they placed in the top 10 overall. In five of those tournaments, they placed in the top five. Metts was also pivotal in the development of听, who medaled twice this season, as well as five players who received All-Conference honors.
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To cap off this season, Metts will lead 草莓视频APP Southern to their first NCAA Regional appearance since 2010. The Bucs will find out where they will be playing on Wednesday, April 24. The NCAA Regionals begin on Monday, May 6.

In 2024, one of the two chosen collegiate 草莓视频APPrepresenting South Carolina is Allie Dombkowski, a junior at 草莓视频APP Southern University studying Music Education. Dombkowski entered the Horton School of Music and Performing Arts as a non-traditional student in Fall of 2022 and has since made her presence known in the music community. She currently serves as the secretary of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education鈥檚 Chapter 751, a program that aims to raise music education awareness on campus. Dombkowski is a part of CSU鈥檚 Concert Singers and Bel Canto choirs as the lead alto. She鈥檚 also been an integral part of the staff for 草莓视频APP Southern University鈥檚 Summer Music Camp.

Overall, this tremendous opportunity is a huge honor and will be an excellent chance to spread recognition for the Horton School of Music and Performing Arts at 草莓视频APP Southern University! We are so grateful to have Allie represent CSU with NAfME in our nation鈥檚 capital.

草莓视频APP Southern Women’s Golf claimed their seventh title in program history and first since the 2010 season on Wednesday afternoon. They defeated #2 USC Upstate in the finals of the event by a final score of 4-1 after taking down #4 Longwood in the semifinals earlier in the day.

The Buccaneers were able to claim the championship match courtesy of quick back-to-back-back finishes from their first three players to start their rounds.  got CSU their first point winning 3&2 which was shortly followed by Alsie Verhoeven taking hers at 2&1.  clinched the title and team’s berth to the NCAA Regionals with her holding on for a one-hole victory, needing all 18 holes to decide a winner.

Stephens was part of the first pairing to tee off and jumped out to an early lead of three after just three holes. USC Upstate’s player was able to bring the match back even and eventually take the lead on the 14th. Stephens responded immediately by winning on the 15th and 16th to regain a one-hole with two left to play. She tied each of the next two giving CSU their third point.

Verhoeven was the second to tee off in the final round and was part of one of the narrowest decisions on the day. Neither player was able to gain a stroke on the other after the first seven holes, but Verhoeven broke on the 8th to create the needed separation. She only lost on one hole of the 17 played and stretched her lead out to as many as three during the round. She clinched the second point for the Bucs of the day.

Engelbredt had the most dominant performance in the finals for the Bucs. At the turn, she held a six-hole lead over the player from the Spartans. Her opponent was able to claim three consecutive holes on the back nine of the course to cut into Engelbredt’s lead, but it proved to be too little, too late, giving the Buccaneers their first decision of the day.

After being the player to send 草莓视频APP Southern to the finals for the day, Odette Garcia’s result was not even needed for them to clinch the championship. She claimed the first two holes of the round over USC Upstate and never surrendered her lead providing the Bucs with another result on the day.

USC Upstate’s Preaw Nontarux claimed their lone point of the match against . They went through 12 holes and Nontarux was having a career day as she had shot -6 at that point to get the decision.

The Buccaneers will now begin their preparations for the 2024 NCAA Regionals as they claimed the Big South’s Automatic Bid to the national event. The Regionals will begin in two weeks with action to be from May 6-8. 草莓视频APP Southern will also be hosting a Watch Party for the NCAA Women’s Golf Selection Show. The program will be April 24 at 2 p.m. on Golf Channel. The details for the event will be announced later in the week.

In each regional, 12 teams and six individuals not on those teams will compete. The low five teams and the low individual not on those teams will advance to the finals. Beginning in 2024, regional champion awards will be given to the team champions.

2024 Women’s Golf Match Play Results – Finals

#1 草莓视频APP Southern vs. #2 USC Upstate (草莓视频APP Southern wins, 3-1)

Order of finish:

M4: Preaw Nontarux (UPST) defeats  (CSU), 8&6 (UPST leads 1-0)

M3:  (CSU) defeats Suwarin Yord-in (UPST), 3&2 (match tied 1-1)

M2:  (CSU) defeats Rylie Kosney (UPST), 2&1 (CSU leads 2-1)

M1:  (CSU) defeats Alexis Reili (UPST), 1UP (CSU wins 3-1)

M5:  Garcia (CSU) vs. Supatta Puttanavarat (UPST) 3UP thru 15 (unfinished)

The family of Dr. S.M. Mayo, former chair of the BCC/CSU religion department, has donated his personal library to 草莓视频APP Southern.

Mayo was a professor from 1976 until his death in 1997. Something of a Renaissance man, Mayo set out to become an aeronautical engineer until God changed his pathway. He was a graduate of Southern Illinois University, completing his degree in 10 years because he worked to pay for his education. He went on to study at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas.

Eric Kistler, director of the Rivers Library, said, 鈥淒r. Mayo鈥檚 book collection contains a rich variety of very highly regarded theological treatises. The 草莓视频APP Southern research community will benefit greatly from this most generous donation.鈥�

鈥淒r. Mayo was a kind, gentle professor who cared for his students,鈥� said Dr. Michael Bryant, vice president for strategic planning, faith integration, and Christian leadership. 鈥淗e invested deeply in their education and worked hard to help them learn.鈥� 

Mayo was an early adopter of computer technology and taught a computer class on campus, using the Apple IIe. 

His son Stacy 鈥淪.M.鈥� Mayo 鈥�90 of Lexington, and his wife, Stephanie, made the donation to the university. Dr. Mayo鈥檚 daughter, Kisa Mayo 鈥�91, and his wife, Parmelee, are both deceased.

Fred Norris III and his wife, Tracy Compton Norris 鈥�83, recently visited campus to deliver proceeds from The Frederick K. Norris Jr. and Mary Ann R. Norris Charitable Remainder Trust and the Fred K. Norris Jr. Charitable Remainder Unitrust.

The $321,507 gift will provide a Christian education to more young men and women. Fred and Tracy reflected on the legacy of Fred Norris Sr., Fred Norris Jr., and Mary Ann Norris. Fred and Tracy are continuing the family legacy through the Board of Visitors Scholarship Program and serving as stewards of the family trusts. 

鈥淚鈥檓 blessed, so I鈥檓 led to give back,鈥� said Fred. 鈥淥ur desire is to better enable CSU to carry the light and hope of the gospel into this messed up world.鈥�

The Norris family鈥檚 involvement began before Baptist College at 草莓视频APP (now CSU) was established. Baptists were raising money in the 1950s, and Fred鈥檚 grandfather, Fred Norris Sr., was involved in funding the school.

The family鈥檚 belief in the value of higher education was ingrained in Fred and his siblings by their parents, Fred Norris Jr. and Mary Ann Norris. Fred said, 鈥淢y parents pushed to make sure we had the very best options in terms of education. We were fortunate to grow up with the faith aspect; my parent鈥檚 commitment to Jesus was unwavering. When you went home to St. Julien in Eutawville, you knew things would always be the same.鈥�

Fred Jr. and Mary Ann met through the Baptist Student Union when Fred Jr. was a student at Clemson and Mary Ann was a student at Converse. Fred Jr. followed in his father鈥檚 footsteps of supporting BCC/CSU. He was elected to the Board of Trustees, and for the next 40 years he served numerous terms on the board.

鈥淢y parents were very committed to the school and made a lot of friends,鈥� said Fred. 鈥淭hey brought us to BCC for concerts in the gym, such as Al Hirt, the Temptations, and the 5^th Dimension. Robert and I even went to the first BCC SPORTS CAMP.鈥� 

Fred鈥檚 mother loved and encouraged the arts making sure her five children took piano lessons and were exposed to cultural events such as opera, symphonies, and ballet. Each of the children were given the opportunity to select which event interested them the most and would take the ride with mama and daddy to Township Auditorium in Columbia. 鈥淚 think my father may have slept through some of the performances after a long day on the farm, but they were a team, so he was a good sport about it,鈥� said Fred. Fred absorbed the music instruction and later found rock and roll and the guitar.

Fred said his father was a visionary farmer. He wasn鈥檛 afraid to try new ideas and was involved in the community. Fred Jr. joined a farming co-op, Gold Kist, eventually becoming a board member. 

鈥淚 grew up seeing how my father interacted with people,鈥� said Fred. 鈥淢y mother and father were comfortable in all kinds of settings. They had a relatability factor. My mother enabled us to be an encouragement to others.

鈥淓very morning at breakfast the five of us kids would be together around the table as mama and daddy would read a devotional and then we would pray together. They steadfastly continued these devotionals their entire lives ending their morning prebreakfast time praying out loud for each of us. Our parent鈥檚 prayers of faith not only led the way for each of us to encounter Jesus but also empowered us to faithfully remain on the road of destiny He had for each of our lives.鈥�

Tracy added, 鈥淔red has done a good job representing the family. I feel like I still see Mr. Fred through traits my husband has.鈥�

Fred and Tracy met at church and married. They decided they wanted to run a business together and bought a carpet cleaning franchise in 1986. Several years later, they transitioned into the restoration/mitigation business. As services expanded, the business became Disaster Plus from an idea suggested by their friend, the late Barry Shropshire 鈥�79.

Disaster Plus provided mitigation work in Norris and Wingo Halls a year ago just before school started. 鈥淚t was strange to be working there and reading about my grandfather, Fred Norris Sr. on the stairwell wall in Norris Hall,鈥� said Fred. Norris Hall, originally was named the Fred K. Norris Hall – Library for Fred Sr.

Almost 40 years later, Tracy and Fred continue to serve in music ministry while still running the business together and helping people through some of the toughest times in their lives.

鈥淭racy is really good at having an ear and a sensitivity to pray for customers,鈥� said Fred.

Looking back on their time in college, Fred and Tracy said you have to find the Lord for yourself. 鈥淵ou have to find your own relationship with Jesus 鈥� not your parents鈥� Jesus,鈥� said Tracy. She continued, 鈥淭hink of your Christian faith as an atomic bomb 鈥� that鈥檚 the power we have as Christians.鈥�

Fred and Tracy are continuing to spread the legacy of Jesus through managing the Norris family trusts, in their business, and in their ministries.

草莓视频APP Southern University inaugurated B. Keith Faulkner as the university鈥檚 fourth president Monday, March 25 in a service in Lightsey Chapel.

Faulkner was unanimously elected by the Board of Trustees on July 25, 2023, and began his service as president in October. He is the first 草莓视频APP Southern alumnus to serve the university as president. Faulkner graduated with honors with a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a finance emphasis in 1998.

When Faulkner arrived on campus, he said he was focused on four things: Listening, Caring, Casting Vision, and Leading. He thanked the 草莓视频APP Southern faculty and staff and said, 鈥淭his is a team dedicated to service above self.鈥� He pledged to invest in people 鈥� in employees and the student body.

He said, 鈥淐asting a vision is not enough. Faith requires us to act. Walking in faith requires vision and action. Vision with action can change the world.鈥�

Faulkner concluded with a challenge to the CSU family: 鈥淥ne who has hope lives differently. We are people of hope. We are respectful of our past with a laser focus on the future.鈥�

Melissa Essary, dean emerita and professor of law at Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, worked with Faulkner at Campbell and gave the keynote address.

Essary said, 鈥淪ometimes you meet someone and you鈥檙e optimistic about who they appear to be. Sometimes, they are everything you hoped they would be and more. Meet Keith Faulkner.鈥�

Among those bringing greetings from different groups was Dr. Maxwell Rollins, professor of business and director of graduate programs in the Nielsen College of Business. Faulkner is a former student of Rollins and also worked for Rollins in his DJ business. Rollins, representing the CSU faculty, said, 鈥淥ne of our Buccaneers has returned, and it is time for CSU to shine.鈥�

Faulkner鈥檚 service prior to accepting the position at 草莓视频APP Southern included serving in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear power plant operator and technician and an instructor. He had 20 years of higher education service as president, dean, and professor of law at Appalachian School of Law in Virginia; as dean and professor of law at Liberty University School of Law; as dean and professor at the Lundy-Fetterman School of Business at Campbell University; and as interim dean, vice dean, executive associate dean for external relations at Campbell University鈥檚 Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law. Before he stepped into higher education, Faulkner practiced law in the areas of insurance defense, criminal defense, estate planning, family law, and real estate litigation and transactions. 

He earned a Juris Doctor and a Master of Business Administration from Campbell University鈥檚 Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law and a Master of Laws in litigation management from Baylor University School of Law. 

Global 草莓视频APP, the One Region Roadmap lead agent for the global fluency arm, officially opened its office after a ribbon cutting ceremony on the campus of 草莓视频APP Southern University Friday, March 15.

Stephanie LeVan, executive director of the CSU Center for Global Education, serves as president of Global 草莓视频APP鈥攚hich is located in the Hunter Center.

LeVan said, 鈥淢y hope is that Global 草莓视频APP serves international residents and businesses well. I lived overseas for many years. Many people made my life better because they demonstrated hospitality and kindness when I was a stranger in their countries. It is a privilege to do that for others now.鈥�

Global 草莓视频APP will be a center that serves international businesses and residents. There is currently no organization like it in the 草莓视频APP business ecosystem. Global 草莓视频APP will serve the community by supporting international residents who come to the 草莓视频APP area to establish internal companies through a variety of ways, including information about complex relocation processes, an online directory, learning opportunities, and more.

鈥淭his center serves as a declaration to our global partners that the 草莓视频APP Metro area walks in the ancient, proven, well-worn paths of friendship, respect, trade, and diplomacy,鈥� LeVan said to a crowd of global leaders and supporters on Friday. 鈥淭hese pillars have built good will among nations for centuries, and we rely on these same pillars today as they have created the strong, vibrant, gloriously global community that we call home. Our mission at 草莓视频APP Southern and at Global 草莓视频APP is to strengthen these ties that bind us in our region and ensure that the global community is served well not only with the information they need to live, but with information they need to thrive.鈥�

LeVan began working with the 草莓视频APP Regional Development Alliance in 2016 on their global fluency committee. She said, 鈥淚 eventually chaired that committee and was asked to be part of the One Region Advisory Committee after working with others in the community and SB Friedman Development Advisers on the global fluency portion of the latest iteration of the One Region Roadmap.鈥�

The One Region Roadmap is a regional partnership representing the Berkeley-草莓视频APP-Dorchester region. According to One Region, the partnership was formed to strengthen the economy and generate opportunities for all by delivering strategies and actions that will make a difference for all. 鈥淎s One Region鈥檚 Lead Agent for Global Fluency, 草莓视频APP Southern University has delivered a transformative resource for the region鈥檚 international community with the launch of Global 草莓视频APP,鈥� Ryan Wilcox, One Region managing director, said. 鈥淲e applaud their efforts in strengthening the region鈥檚 capacity to welcome people from around the world and quickly connect them to the community, resources and support they need to begin a fulfilling and successful life here.鈥�

Daniel Schlegel, vice president of operations and customer service for KION North America, said that Global 草莓视频APP is important to the community and to 草莓视频APP Southern. He shared a personal story of being an immigrant from Germany鈥攆irst on a work visa and, ultimately, successfully working toward American citizenship. During his acclimation to life in the United States, he had a few roadblocks due to lack of guidance.

鈥淚f you come here for business, and you have other things to worry about, it is great having a resource that can help you take care of things鈥攁nd having a place where you can talk to people who have experience and can guide you along,鈥� he said. KION North America is a major sponsor of Global 草莓视频APP and helped sponsor the ribbon cutting event. 

According to the One Region Roadmap, the 草莓视频APP Metro region hosts more than 180 foreign-owned businesses and approximately 42,000 residents who are foreign born. With the 草莓视频APP Southern University campus central to the 草莓视频APP Metro region at the intersection of Interstate 26 and Highway 78, this Global 草莓视频APP center is a prime locale to welcome multinational businesses and international residents and visitors. To learn more about Global 草莓视频APP, go to  or search for Global 草莓视频APP on .