What a wonderful Family Weekend we had at Southern Wesleyan! It was a joy to see families and students enjoy a weekend full of community, excitement, and Warrior spirit — from men's and women's soccer and the Showstoppers Spectacular to all the great food and fun. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back next year!

👉 More information at www.swu.edu/clayclassic

Come celebrate camaraderie, faith, and purpose—while helping our student veterans succeed.

Join Southern Wesleyan University for the 8th Annual Sporting Clay Classic on November 7 at Evergreen Plantation! This event brings together supporters for one cause—to support our Warriors CARE Center, which serves SWU’s military and veteran students and families.

Guests will hear from Andrew Beckwith, SWU’s Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, and Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, as he shares about the mission of Warriors CARE and SWU’s commitment to those who’ve served. 

Enjoy four shooting stations for all skill levels, followed by a Low Country Boil, fresh oysters, raffles, prizes, and great fellowship.

SAVE $25 by entering the discount code ALUMSCC25OFF when you register. 

We invite you to join us just for dinner - Low Country Boil, fresh oysters, raffles, prizes, and great fellowship.

$60 (includes raffle entry)

You're invited to an afternoon of biblical insight and meaningful reflection. We are honored to welcome renowned scholar Dr. Elaine Phillips to campus on Tuesday, October 28, at 4pm for a lecture examining biblical and modern perspectives on the ongoing conflicts in the Holy Land.

We’re proud to announce that Daniel Watson (’24) has been selected to commission in the United States Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps following law school. Daniel’s journey from SWU’s close-knit community to USC Law is marked by pivotal moments, faithful mentors, and a calling to serve.

From a last-minute letter of recommendation that opened doors at the Army JAG Corps, to the support of professors who recognized his calling, his story is a powerful reminder of how God uses our experiences at Southern Wesleyan to prepare us for lives of impact.

"I am honored to share our first graduate school acceptance of the 2025-26 school year! Bryanna Pickens, a 2023 Division of Science graduate (Biology major and Chemistry minor), has been accepted to the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program at Wingate University," stated Dr. Michele Eller, Associate Professor of Biology.

"We are so very proud of Bryanna and look forward to seeing how the Lord uses her to serve him through her career as a physician assistant."

Alumni Board President Sandra Morgan

The Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) Alumni Board is actively engaging in campus life and invites YOU - our alumni, friends, and community to join in upcoming events. From the November Sporting Clay fundraiser, the Military Appreciation gathering, and cherished Christmas celebrations at SWU, the Alumni Board is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for connection. 

We ask you as a SWU Alum to share SWU with your churches, friends, businesses, and potential students with SWU, ensuring that the Warrior spirit continues to thrive for generations to come.

Please feel free to reach out for more information.

Sandra Morgan - Alumni Board President -  alumni@swu.edu
Rev. Emily Holley -  Office of Advancement - eholley@swu.edu . 

Each month, we honor members of the Southern Wesleyan family who have passed away. We celebrate their lives, give thanks for their contributions, and hold their loved ones in our prayers.

Bruce Caldwell was a band director of more than 30 years in South Carolina, beginning his career at South Florence High School and completing it at Wren High School. He became the adjunct Professor of Saxophone at SWU upon his retirement as a public school teacher 12 years ago. Professor Caldwell was described by his students as "one of the most positive people any of us had ever known, and he was clearly filled with the fruits of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." He was a joy to many students, faculty, and staff members over his years at SWU; when touring with the SWU Jazz band he was jokingly referred to as "Doctor Bruce Caldwell, Mayor of Pelzer." He was a joy to be with, to be taught by, and to know. He was always available to help with anything student-related, including adjudication on juries and recital prep. He recently collaborated with other woodwind instructors to help put together a revised Woodwinds Methods curriculum, which he was teaching at the time of his untimely passing. 

Professor Caldwell rehearsed and performed with the SWU Jazz Band every year of his adjunct appointment, and was the principal saxophonist in this year's Showstopper Spectacular: Jukebox Junction until his unexpected passing after the final dress rehearsal. We are very sad at his passing, and take solace in the fact that the last beautiful notes from his beautiful horn were played by this beautiful man for and with the students of SWU. The Division of Music and Fine Arts mourns the passing of Professor Caldwell, and take comfort in the legacy students have said that he provided to them: to be more like him through his un-egotistical excellence in performance, his unassuming leadership skills, and, most importantly, his positivity and kindness. We at SWU were truly blessed to have been able to have this man share his life with us. View Obituary

Joan Mackey McKnight, 95, of Easley, passed away Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Born in Locke, NY, she was a daughter of the late George Stephen Mackey and Carlene Simon Mackey

Mrs. McKnight attended Tusculum College and later graduated from Central Wesleyan College. She worked for many years in the mental health community, where she was loved and admired by all her residents.  View Obituary

Paul Edward “Eddie” Allred, Jr., 88, of Lexington, North Carolina, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on September 21, 2025. Born on April 1, 1937, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Reverend Paul and Florice Allred, Eddie was guided throughout his life by faith, family, music, and service. 

A gifted singer, Eddie was part of a deeply musical family. He sang with the Quartet of Central Wesleyan College, the men’s quartet of First United Methodist Church, and was a longtime and devoted member of the First United Methodist Church Choir.  View Obituary

Gwen Anne Campbell Sheriff, 84, of Clemson passed away peacefully September 23, 2025, after a battle with cancer.

After graduating from high school in Zanesville, Ohio, Anne went to Indiana Wesleyan University and Southern Wesleyan University in Central South Carolina graduating in 1963 with an A. B. Degree.

Her faithful contribution of time as curator of the Faith Clayton Genealogy Room and her resources to establish the Sheriff National Guard Memorial Flag Plaza are reminders of her passion and interests. Southern Wesleyan University continues to benefit from her spirit of philanthropy and her desire to give to others. View Obituary

Kristen Ravan Cobb, 50, of 168 Hillcrest Drive, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at Spartanburg Medical Center.

  Born in Greer, she was the wife of Michael Allen Cobb Jr. and the daughter of Michael Ray Ravan and Ann Workman Ravan of Inman. She was a graduate of Chapman High School, Lander University and Southern Wesleyan University. View Obituary

Rachel Alice Kincaid (Neun), born on December 12, 1950, passed away peacefully with family at her side on September 24, 2025, after some unexpected medical complications.

Rachel graduated from Northfield High School in 1968, after which she worked in accounts payable/receivable/office management for most of her career. She went on to get her bachelor's degree in business administration later in life at Southern Wesleyan University in South Carolina, graduating Magna Cum Laude, and finished out her career at Cancer Centers of South Carolina. View Obituary

Magdalene A. Long,74, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, entered her heavenly home after a life filled with faith, love, and service on Friday, September 26, 2025.

Magdalene had an enthusiasm for learning
and education and held a B.A. in English, Masters in Social Work, Masters in English, and Doctorate in Pastoral Counseling. Magdalene held positions as a Social Worker and Director of social work during her career, as well as being a professor of English Literature and Speech for Southern Wesleyan University LEAP program and Spartanburg Community College.  View Obituary

SAVE THE DATES

Please make sure to mark your calendars and join us for a year of fellowship and celebration of what God is doing at Southern Wesleyan University. 

Every contribution has an immediate impact on students and supports our mission to provide a Biblically faithful, academically rigorous, vocationally effective, and financially affordable education. 

2025-2026 Alumni Board

The Southern Wesleyan University Alumni Association is here to assist all alumni in a spirit of Christian service. 

Need your mailing address, email or phone updated? Or just want to be added to our list? Let us know so we can stay in touch!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NIV‬‬