Elevate, CSU’s midweek corporate worship gathering, used their last meeting of fall semester to host an Operation Christmas Child packing party.

After a time of worship, students and local OCC volunteers started packing boxes – 391 in all. Operation Christmas Child, a worldwide Samaritan’s Purse project, planned to deliver 8 million shoe boxes to children in 100 countries.

Taylor Bass, a freshman music and worship leadership major from Marion, S.C., said, “At Operation Christmas Child, I got the feeling that the gospel was being shared through the love the children are receiving and just the unselfishness of every single person that packed a shoebox.”

Reverend Jon Davis, campus minister, said, “The chance for students to impact the world globally is what it’s all about. And so for students to be able to do something locally that affects the whole world, that just stirs their passion and heart for the Lord. That’s what excites everybody about Operation Christmas Child because it’s not confined just to America.”

Amy Funderburk, a sophomore English major from Neeses, S.C., said she “got the fulfillment of knowing that God’s love would be shared to those kids who maybe don’t have people to love them and help them to know that someone does love them, even if they don’t see it. “

Operation Christmas Child volunteers were thrilled with the event and hope to make it an annual event at Charleston Southern.

“It is always a blessing to help those who need to be helped, and sharing the gospel with them as well takes it to a whole different level,” said Mike Woodard, a freshman communication major from Goose Creek, S.C.  “As Christians, we are called to go to the ends of the earth to show God’s love and make disciples in His name. And this event helped us all take another step toward that calling.”

Cutline: Charleston Southern University students packed 391 boxes for Operation Christmas Child at a packing party. Photo by Emily Weston

D45: A Haitian child received a box in 2010. Photo courtesy of Operation Christmas Child

Five in-service teachers, six preservice teachers, three undergraduate education majors and two professors worked with rural schools in Akotokyir and Efutu-Koforidua villages outside Cape Coast, Ghana.

The education students who traveled to Ghana took part in research and teaching children in classroom settings. In addition to teaching, the team engaged in narrative biographical writing, Fante language learning, field visits to historic locations and the developing of Ghana-related lessons and activities to share with colleagues at home.

The children at St. Cyprian’s, the school where the CSU students taught, became comfortable around the CSU team very quickly. The children began asking questions, playing and teaching games and hoping to make their way into a picture or two.

The CSU team made lasting relationships with the St. Cyprian children despite only being with them for a week. Many left with tears in their eyes as they pulled away from the school. Aubree Lindamood ’12, said, “I am so thankful I came on this trip. No matter what chaos lies ahead, I know I was supposed to be in Ghana this summer. Thank you Lord for this, the trip I’ve prayed for.”

The trip was impactful in the lives of the children in Ghana as well as the lives of the team who made the journey. Amanda Hobson ’07 got to know one of the children well. She shares her experience as the students were leaving, saying, “As we turned the corner, everyone full of tears, I saw my sweet Simone. He ran across the field to wave goodbye. Goodbye for now, my sweet friend.”

Lindamood said, “When I think of Africa my heart will always be with one little Ghanaian boy, Obed.”

Davey West ’13, explains his feelings toward the children in Ghana, “My hands feel so empty. Already I long for one of theirs to reach for it. There were so many times when I had one on each finger, but right now one is all I need. Just to stand beside me content as they so often did. Not just to hold it, but to rub the back of my hand, to pull my arm hair, to study me while they infiltrated my life. I love them. I knew it would be hard, but before hard was only a word. Now it is hard and it hurts. I’m afraid of losing their faces.”

Hilary Griffin ’13, talks about her struggles to convey her time spent in Africa. “I find it difficult to explain my experiences in Ghana. How can I put into words the impact these beautiful people have made in my life? The people I have met and friends that I have made will forever have a place in my heart. Saying goodbye was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, especially because I felt like I’d just said hello.”

The team also took part in adventuring through a safari and canoeing through the Hippo Sanctuary, which are classic African attractions.

They visited Cape Deaf, one of 10 schools for the deaf and blind in Ghana. Katie Bowman ’11, and Griffin communicated with the blind students by holding hands, and it melted their hearts to see “huge smiles on their faces” as they interacted with them. When visiting a few classrooms for the deaf, the students weren’t able to use sign language but were able to communicate by smiling. They called smiling the “universal language.”

Dr. Don Clerico, professor of education, has directed undergraduate and graduate programs in Ghana for 10 years and was the project director. Dr. Celeste Pottier, assistant professor of English, was the curriculum coordinator and writing instructor.

A total of 69 applications were submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, and CSU was chosen as one of the 22 projects from around the world to receive the Fulbright-Hayes Group Projects grant.

L.C. Knight ’73, received the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year award. Knight is the

Sheriff of Dorchester County, a position he has held since 2009.

Prior to his election to Sheriff, he was a Dorchester County magistrate and held several positions in the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. After his son, Troy Knight, died, the Knight family created the Troy Knight Endowed Scholarship at CSU.

Knight is a member of the CSU Board of Visitors and is active in the community serving in the Summerville Exchange Club, Ancient and Accepted Masonic Lodge, member of Knightsville United Methodist Church, Summerville Boat Club, Kiwanis Club of Summerville, Omar Shrine Temple and the S.C. Sheriff’s Association. He has been named to the Summerville High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Rev. Shaun Burn ’04 received the University Mission award. He has been minister of worship at Deer Park Baptist Church in North Charleston since 2004.

The music program at Deer Park has grown since his arrival, and he has started a Singing Christmas Tree and a yearly mission trip. Burn and his wife, the former Kristen Murray, also a 2004 CSU alum, provide a one-week music camp for first through sixth graders through the church. The music camp is open to community children for a minimal cost, and the Burns make scholarships available for those who cannot pay.

David S. Cobden ’01 received the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award. Cobden is the national accounts manager – clinical lead for AstraZeneca LP. He received the 2010 Excellence Award for leadership and innovation from the U.S. Medical Affairs.

Currently, he is a PhD candidate in health policy, management and economics at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, Holland. He holds a master of public health with concentration in economics and outcomes research from Dartmouth College and a master of science in biochemistry with concentration in marketing and entrepreneurship from Georgetown University.

Cobden has published extensively in peer-reviewed scientific journals as well as numerous abstract presentations at national and international scientific conferences. While at CSU, he was a member of the Honors Program inaugural class and was the first person to graduate from the Honors Program.

“Is that the song your mom used to sing to you Ms. N?” asks Hunter.

“Yes ma’am, I believe it is,” said Ms. N.

Hunter, a music therapy student, is just beginning her weekly clinical visit with the 94-year old Hospice patient. Hunter lifts her acoustic guitar from her beaten, black case and sits on the couch across from Ms. N as she affectionately called her.

For the next hour and 15 minutes Hunter and Ms. N laugh and sing songs from Ms. N’s childhood.

“When I’m singing with patients it’s all therapeutic; it’s all about them,” said Hunter after the session. “It’s a glimpse into how they’re feeling, and maybe into their past. It’s a fabulous way to share, connect with her through music … Is she feeling ok? Is she enjoying where the song is going? Does she not want to go where the song is taking her in her mind? It’s very reciprocal.”

Hunter and Ms. N sing When We All Get to Heaven and Shall We Gather at the River before Ms. N announces her throat is sore.

Without a fuss, Hunter switches gears and tells Ms. N to get comfortable and she will sing to her. By the time Hunter reaches the chorus of The Old Rugged Cross, Ms. N is singing along again.

Ms. N’s voice is getting stronger as they reach the chorus of In the Sweet Bye and Bye. After, Ms. N confesses her mother used to sing that song to her too, when she was a child. “She was sure there was a sweet bye and bye for her someplace,” she whispers.

“Keep a going,” Ms. N tells Hunter, approvingly. “I sure love to hear you sing.”
“ It …,” Hunter says, pausing to collect herself. “It takes my breath away. It’s just beautiful. It’s a beautiful witness, especially with a woman I’ve gotten so attached to. This woman is a woman of such tremendous faith and when she raises her hand and begins to worship, there’s nothing like it. I feel like this is holy ground. I feel like this is such an honor and privilege to be with her. It touches my heart very deeply.”

Hunter earned her undergraduate degree in music (vocal performance). After completing her degree and later starting a family, she decided to return to college to get her degree equivalency in music therapy at Charleston Southern University.

The equivalency music therapy program is for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in a related field who come to CSU to take only the courses necessary (including the minimum of 180 clinical hours, followed by internship).

By the time she completes her clinical internship work, Hunter will have completed approximately six months (and 1200 clinical hours) before taking the national music therapy board exam. Those who pass the board exam are then considered board certified music therapists (MT-BC).

For just over two months, every Tuesday around 12:30 Hunter pulls up to a modest brick house in a North Charleston subdivision. “It’s like a fast-forward in a friendship,” she said later. “You get to know so much about them one session at a time. You get to know them and their families so quickly in such a short time.

“I get to know their likes, their interests, their past and the things going on in their hearts right now. The things that are on their minds, especially during this precious time; I connect with them as a therapist, a musician and as a friend.”

Two more songs: Swing Low Sweet Chariot and Irish Blessing fill the room.

“She is so happy on the days she knows they (Hunter and Dr. Julie Stordahl) are coming,” said Ms. N’s daughter Dorothy, who sang along with each song.
“ I believe this is such a precious honor to have this time with Hospice patients who are in their last months of life,” Hunter said after the session. “I feel it’s a tremendous honor and privilege to go in and get to know their families; get to learn their music; get to speak their musical language with them. It’s priceless.”
Hunter and Ms. N pause for a photo after the session. A smile 94-years wide stretches across Ms. N’s face. Clinical: 1,200 hours. Class: 180 hours. A smile from Ms. N after music therapy: priceless.

CSU students serving in the Community

Charleston Southern students enrolled in the music therapy program participate in clinical settings across the tricounty area including:

• Medical University of South Carolina: (1) co-treating individual clients with medical and developmental needs with occupational & physical & speech therapists; (2) psychiatric group treatment
• Trident Medical Center and Summerville Medical Center Special Care Nurseries (developmental intervention with premature infants and their parents),
• North Charleston Elementary (1) Preschool Intervention, (2 & 3) two Hearing Impaired, and (4 & 5) two Autism Classrooms,
• Fort Dorchester Elementary (school age children with profound/multiple disabilities)
• HealthSouth rehabilitation hospital
• LifeCare of Charleston (a group for senior adults with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia)
• My Sister’s House (domestic violence shelter group for women)
• Carolina Youth Development Center (crisis intervention / psychosocial issues with adolescents in foster care)
• Palmetto Summerville Behavioral Health (adolescent psych, including male children and adolescents with oppositional defiant and conduct disorders, as well as adolescent males who are known sex offenders)
• Coastal Center (residential facility for adults with developmental disabilities)
• Charleston Cancer Center (outpatient chemotherapy)
• Trident Medical Center (general medical)
• Solaris Hospice
• Piedmont Hospice

On top of Chacha Mountain there is a revival in the making. The people of the church there are bursting to bring lives to Christ. Much of the prayer focus on the day we joined them surrounded a godly desire for land in order for the ministry to grow and to disciple more.

Pastor Maxeau and his men have committed to disciple the people of Chacha Mountain. They make the trip up the mountain at least once a week to spend time with the newly formed congregation of tried and true believers. This journey to disciple to the mountain people, however, is much easier said than done. The trek takes you up about 8,000 feet, and the land is rough. Many years ago a meager, winding road was carved out of the mountainside. Our mission team made the ascent by truck, foot and mule.

This trip each week is a huge sacrifice for the men of Valley of Hope Church. Nearly three hours from our start on this Tuesday morning we arrived at the top to hear praises in the air. Little did we know the sweet worship we were in for inside of this dilapidated mud and stick creation built to house the body of believers.

The congregation is led by Pastor Paul and his son, Julio Paul. The church is praying to send Julio Paul to Bible college for two years to prepare him to take over the ministries on Chacha Mountain. Julio Paul was amazing to watch as he led. He passionately moved around from praying to speaking to making beautiful music on the drums during the service.

The building was loud with voices of worship. By the time the worship was in full swing there was standing room only. In the front was a group of older ladies with children all around. To watch them praise Jesus so freely was a gift.

Coming down the mountain that day, my spirit was lifted in knowing that this group of believers exists. They want nothing more than to be able to proclaim Christ to all who will listen. Their determination and faith that God will provide is awe inspiring.

Editor’s note: Sarah spent two weeks in Haiti this spring with the mission group, Haiti Under God. The group relocated a girls orphanage to a safer location and encouraged Christian leaders in the country.

Charleston Southern was admitted to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for engaging its students, faculty and staff in meaningful service that achieves measurable results in the community.
CSU students, faculty and staff performed 12,431 community service hours during the 2009-2010 academic year.

“Our students provide literally thousands of hours of service to the community throughout the year,” said Dr. Bob Ratliff, dean of students. “One of the most gratifying aspects of my job as dean of students is hearing students talk about how helping others has impacted their lives in a positive way. Service is an integral part of the Charleston Southern experience. The life lessons our students learn while serving others will stay with them long after they have received their degrees.”

The Corporation for National and Community Service, which has administered the Honor Roll since 2006, admitted a total of 641 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from literacy and neighborhood revitalization to supporting at-risk youth.

Patrick A. Corvington, Chief Executive Officer of CNCS, said, “Congratulations to Charleston Southern University and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities. We salute all the Honor Roll awardees for embracing their civic mission and providing opportunities for their students to tackle tough national challenges through service.”

CNCS oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects, the extent to which service-learning is embedded in the curriculum, the school’s commitment to long-term campus-community partnerships, and measurable community outcomes as a result of the service. For a full list of recipients, visit www.NationalService.gov/HonorRoll.

The Teaching & Learning in Ghana 2011 team was in Ghana from June 16 through July 25. Dr. Don Clerico, who lead his eighth trip to Ghana, said, “It’s like going home.”

The group was comprised of in-service and preservice teachers and undergraduate education majors. The primary activity of the Teaching and Learning in Ghana Group Projects Abroad Program was a five-week program of classroom teaching experiences. Participants taught in pairs in two rural elementary-middle schools and worked directly with Ghanaian educators in their classrooms. The TLG teams developed life stories (both print and visual) of seven teachers and seven students in each of the schools as well as a general description of the two villages as a means of providing American teachers and students a unique and personal look at those who teach and those who learn in Ghana.

“The members of the team will bring all this knowledge back with them and share it with their students and colleagues,” said Clerico.

The project design had three phases: (1) predeparture training at CSU: (2) five weeks of teaching, language learning and cultural study in Ghana; (3) follow-up and dissemination of the village, teacher and student narratives and project evaluation.

“This is a cross-cultural experience in real school settings,” said Clerico, explaining the value the Ghana trip offers. “The team members worked directly with real teachers, in real villages, impacting real lives on a daily basis. It’s affirming and rewarding when you see the positive contributions that we make to their lives and that they make to ours.”

Charleston Southern’s proposal included a $94,300 budget. The GPA funded $91,586 – or 97 percent – of the entire request. The grant supported two CSU faculty members and 14 participants during the Ghana experience. The program’s post-trip activities, including the culminating Ghana is Alive and Well Conference in January 2012, will be underwritten by the University’s Office of International Programs.

A total of 69 GPA applications were submitted to the U.S. Department of Education. Charleston Southern’s School of Education was one of 22 projects located around the world selected to receive funding.

According to the Fulbright GPA Project Handbook, funded programs are determined by the “best qualified projects designed to develop knowledge and improvements in curriculum and instruction in area studies of the world and modern foreign languages.”

The ladies-only event included donated and handmade gifts and offered something for everyone – from gift baskets, jewelry and beach vacations to a golf cart sporting a huge red bow. After the bidders studied the silent and live auction items, the bidding began.

For the next several hours the auctioneer moved through the room full of treasures, reminding bidders that all proceeds go for student scholarships.

Several CSU students helped out at the auction: Brittany Fusco, Charleston; Nancy Castillo, Aiken; Kayla Bennett, Columbia; and Erica McDougall, N. Charleston (pictured). Weaving in and out of the tables showcasing the items, they were also a constant reminder of what the auction is all about.

The room was filled with a lot of laughter and good-hearted teasing, and most of all, at the end of the day, a total of more than $24,000 was raised to help CSU students.

Degrees held:

BA Economics Davidson College
MBA University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

How did you first become involved with CSU?

I began calling on CSU from a banking standpoint three years ago and have continued visiting regularly ever since. I have been very impressed with the strong management and fiscal responsibility of CSU, the variety and scope of programs offered and the foundational principles of the University. One of our children has also attended CSU and, as parents, we sensed a genuine warmth and caring for students that appealed to us.

Why do you think giving is important?

Giving can help CSU retain its strong financial base and help keep tuition down thus helping attract more students. Giving can help retain and attract quality staff and faculty to CSU.

What do you hope your gift accomplishes?

My hope is only that our gift can make a difference – for example, a student attends CSU and graduates, deriving a higher quality of life than otherwise would have been.

Family Information:

Spouse: Boo McGoogan
Children: Alex and Bonnie

The check in the amount of $7,000 reflects proceeds from the seventh annual Sheriff James R. Metts Golf Tournament, which was held Sept. 13 at the Country Club of Lexington.

The scholarship fund that Metts endowed currently provides scholarships for five students who are majoring in criminal justice at Charleston Southern University, Hunter said. In awarding the scholarships, the university gives preference to students from Lexington County.

Proceeds from the annual Sheriff James R. Metts Golf Tournament account for most of the money donated to the James R. Metts Scholarship Fund, Metts said. As a result of the generosity of business owners and golfers, a total of $153,980 has been donated since 2004 to CSU for the endowed scholarship fund.

” I remember being a student and working hard to keep my grades up. It is hard to go to college without receiving financial help. I look forward to the college scholarship fund growing,” Metts said. “The undergraduate program at Charleston Southern University produces great students. Students are here because they want to learn and make a difference in their community.”

Metts serves on the CSU Board of Visitors. Metts also serves as an adjunct professor in the university’s criminal justice graduate program.

“ Sheriff Metts is such a valuable asset to our department,” said Dr. Jacqueline Fish, chair of the criminal justice department. “Students enjoy the sense of reality that he brings to the classroom from his day-to-day responsibilities as sheriff.”