Presbyterian College

Presbyterian College student Warner Bush is the 2025 recipient of the Mary Jeanne Byrd Award from the South Carolina Political Science Association. The prestigious honor, presented at the association's annual conference, recognizes the top undergraduate political science paper in the state. Bush's award-winning paper, "Social Issues and Self-Identification: An Ideological Analysis of the 2020 Election,"examines how American voters define ideological labels like "liberal" and "conservative," and how those definitions shape the issues they prioritize. His research concludes that social issues-especially abortion and immigration-played a more defining role in ideological alignment in 2020 than traditional economic concerns.

Presbyterian College is proud to honor students who achieved a 4.0 grade point average for the Spring 2025 semester.

Jy Nunley's path to the stage at Presbyterian College's 2025 Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony wasn't just marked by discipline and determination. It was built on a deep, personal understanding of resilience-one shaped by her own childhood in a single-parent household and her growing desire to serve others, both in uniform and in her community. Nunley, a sociology major from Camden, South Carolina, graduated from PC on May 10 and was commissioned the day before as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army. She will serve in the transportation branch of the South Carolina Army National Guard.

Caroline Rairigh didn't expect to hear her name called when the Outstanding Senior Award was announced during Presbyterian College's annual Honors Day Convocation. But the psychology major and French minor from Dahlonega, Georgia, rose to her feet and walked across the stage-equal parts stunned and grateful. The award, one of the college's highest student honors, recognizes a graduating senior who exemplifies scholarship, leadership, character, and service. For Rairigh, the moment was the culmination of four years marked by academic exploration, athletic dedication, and unexpected opportunities.

Presbyterian College senior Abby Katz is the first Blue Hose to become an All-American in Acrobatics and Tumbling.

When Reece Bradberry first set foot on the campus of Presbyterian College, she never imagined she would one day be conducting microbiology research that could have implications for medicine and disease prevention. Now a junior biology major with a minor in public health, the Greenwood native has spent the past year working alongside Dr. Stuart Gordon, professor of biology, to better understand bacterial genetics and antibiotic resistance. Bradberry's research, funded through the South Carolina IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (SC INBRE) program, focused on identifying bacteria capable of undergoing transposon mutagenesis-a process that allows scientists to study gene functions by inserting transposable elements into bacterial DNA. Over the summer, she and her research team collected and screened approximately 30 bacterial strains to identify candidates for further study.

Presbyterian College junior Lydia Awadalla's internship with Prisma Health in Greenville is more than just a step toward medical school-it's a chance to make a real difference in patients' lives. A biology major with minors in both chemistry and Spanish, Awadalla exemplifies the power of a liberal arts education in preparing students to bridge cultural and professional divides. Awadalla, who was born in Egypt and now calls Greenville home, has been interning with Prisma Health since last summer. Her role involves shadowing interpreters in the Spanish department, assisting in critical areas such as emergency rooms and OBGYN clinics. She also uses her knowledge of the hospital layout from previous volunteer work to help connect interpreters with the patients and staff who need them most.

When Reece Bradberry first set foot on the campus of Presbyterian College, she never imagined she would one day be conducting microbiology research that could have implications for medicine and disease prevention. Now a junior biology major with a minor in public health, the Greenwood native has spent the past year working alongside Dr. Stuart Gordon, professor of biology, to better understand bacterial genetics and antibiotic resistance. Bradberry's research, funded through the South Carolina IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (SC INBRE) program, focused on identifying bacteria capable of undergoing transposon mutagenesis-a process that allows scientists to study gene functions by inserting transposable elements into bacterial DNA. Over the summer, she and her research team collected and screened approximately 30 bacterial strains to identify candidates for further study.

An English major with a concentration in communication studies and minor in creative writing, Presbyterian College senior Samantha Hauff built a toolbox of resources to have at the ready, no matter what life throws at her.

Presbyterian College junior Yasmeen Rasasi's road to higher education has been one of self-discovery, unwavering determination, and deep familial support. Born and raised in Greenville, Rasasi's journey has been shaped by her ethnic heritage, her mother's steadfast encouragement, and her relentless pursuit of a career in medicine.

Presbyterian College proudly announces the academic success of its students who were named to the Fall 2024 President's List after earning a perfect 4.0 grade point average for the semester.

Presbyterian College proudly recognizes the academic achievement of students who made the Fall 2024 Dean's List.

Presbyterian College senior Mackenzie Partsch is conducting ground-breaking research focused on creating a low-cost prosthetic hand that uses granular jamming to improve grip strength. This fall, her dedication was recognized with an honorable mention at the Annual Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society Conference for her poster presentation on a low-cost, functional prosthetic device.

Presbyterian College senior Cassidy Canfield is leveraging her academic journey to make a difference for veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Inspired by personal ties and a desire to help others, Canfield's psychology capstone project focuses on reducing stigma faced by veterans with PTSD in her hometown of Columbia, S.C. Her dedication to understanding mental health and her enriching college experience exemplify the transformative impact of a Presbyterian College education.

For Presbyterian College physics student Jacob Clerc, research is more than a requirement. It is the gateway to hands-on learning and a future in scientific exploration. Supported by a NASA-affiliated grant, Clerc's work on magnetic granular materials allows him to collaborate closely with his faculty mentor, associate professor of physics Dr. Eli Owens, and gain valuable insight into the field while experiencing the depth of a research-focused education. Clerc, a senior from Aiken, S.C., was awarded a South Carolina NASA Space Grant Consortium's Undergraduate Research Fellowship to study the behavior of magnetic granular materials-substances that, unlike water, shift between solid- and liquid-like states without temperature changes. The project holds promise for applications in robotics, such as creating adaptive, "soft" grippers that could one day help astronauts manage delicate equipment or samples in space.

Presbyterian College senior Samantha Hauff '25 presented her senior capstone research on Honors Day during the Spring 2024 semester. Her research centered on a protest song covered by Pink Floyd and how it has become a rallying point for the war-torn nation.

Presbyterian College sophomore Charlie Villeda-Nube gets firsthand experience in Korean culture during travels to South Korea.

In the course of one year, Presbyterian College senior Patrick Buchanan had his first academic article published, conducted multiple symposium presidentations, and completed two summer felllowships, the second hosted by the University of Chicago

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the recipients of a 2024 Love of Learning Award. The awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and career development for active Society members.

Presbyterian College proudly celebrates the graduating Class of 2024.

At Presbyterian College, junior chemistry major Lasha Facey '26 is breaking new ground in carbon monoxide research alongside her professor, Dr. Kimberly De La Cruz. Their work focuses on developing prodrugs that could revolutionize the use of this typically feared gas.

Presbyterian College proudly recognizes the academic achievement of its students who were named to the Spring 2024 President's List.

Presbyterian College proudly recognizes the academic achievement of students who made the Spring 2024 Dean's List.

Presbyterian College senior Avery Long was awarded Best Paper and Best Research Presentation in the Data/Analytics category at the Southeast Decision Sciences Institute annual conference in Charleston this semester.

Presbyterian College students recently elected new Student Government Association officers this spring. The newly-elected student leaders were sworn in this semester.

Three Presbyterian College students have stepped into leadership roles in the student-led Hispanic Appreciation Organization on campus. The active group has held a number of events that highlight the culture, language, and contributions of Hispanic students on campus.

Two Rock Hill, S.C., undergraduates at Presbyterian College had their work on cancer research published in microPublication Biology. Senior Charlotte McGuinness and sophomore Margaret Leonard have been working with PC biology professor Dr. Austin Shull on research comparing nicotine receptors on head and neck cancer patients between previous and current tobacco smokers.

Presbyterian College congratulates more than 80 students who were named to the Fall 2023 President's List.

Presbyterian College is proud to recognize the supreme academic achievement of students who made the Fall 2023 Dean's List.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, celebrates students who are serving as circle (chapter) presidents. Students who serve as circle presidents are leaders amongst leaders. Members of ODK must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class and embrace the Society's ideals. They also must demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars of campus life celebrated by ODK: academics and research, athletics, service to campus and community, communications, and creative and performing arts. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.