AlumniNotes 1959


Dr. William “Bill” McManus [and his wife Jean Brown McManus (’57)] was honored during Homecoming 2024 with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Dr. McManus served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy for 25 years. He is former chair of NGU’s Psychology Department and a graduate of Furman University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.


1978


Lonnie Wilkey who served in denominational journalism posts for 45 years, received the Paula and Ken Hemphill Denominational Leadership Award from North Greenville University during the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. The Marietta, SC, native served as editor of the Baptist and Reflector, Tennessee Baptists’ news journal, for 27 years, after serving for 10 years as associate editor. He retired at the end of 2024. The Hemphill Award recognizes “servant leadership empowering Southern Baptists’ kingdom growth.” It is named in honor of noted Southern Baptist ministry leaders Paula and Ken Hemphill. With careers spanning global missions, local pastorates, a seminary presidency, and writing books on varied Christian topics, the Hemphills are engaged in developing resources that enhance strategic work in evangelism and church revitalization.


1999


Carrie Buchanan was named executive director of Learning Pathways at the William Randolph


Campus for Asheville City Schools. She recently was honored as the district’s Principal of the Year for her work at Hall Flecther Elementary, where she served for five years. She has been recognized for success in improving student achievement,


20 | NGU.EDU


teacher retention, and community building.


Jeremy Luther is the head basketball coach at Gardner Webb University. He is a former NGU assistant basketball coach.


2000


Erin Pruitt Pearson (MBA ’07) is the client relations/business development


manager at Willson, Jones, Carter, Baxley Law Firm.


2001


Corey Fountain is head football coach at Clinton High School in Clinton, SC. Corey marked his 100th career coaching victory with the Red Devils’ 35-8 win over Laurens District High School on August 30, 2024. The victory added to his impressive coaching record, which now stands at 100-27. Corey joined Clinton High School in 2019 after a successful tenure at Lamar High School, where he served as head coach from 2014 to 2019, following two years as an assistant coach. His time at Lamar was marked by a string of winning seasons, guiding his teams to become Region and Upper State Champions in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Under his leadership, Lamar’s 1-A team also clinched the 1A Division II State Championship titles in 2015 and 2017. Fountain’s coaching prowess has earned him multiple accolades, including Region Coach of the Year, SC High School Sports Report Regional Coach of the Year, Class A Upper State Coach of the Year, and SC High School League Coach of the Year. A graduate of Lamar High School, Coach Fountain’s coaching journey began as an assistant at Laurens High School and Hillcrest High School before he returned to Lamar. His record now includes a remarkable 58-10 mark at Lamar and a 42-17 record at Clinton.


Chris Moody is a Fort Mill, SC, Town Councilman for Ward Four. He began his duties in January 2024 and his term will expire in January 2028.


2002


Dawn Hooker began duties as the new principal at Alexander Elementary School in Greenville County. Before this appointment, she was the principal of East North Street Academy, where she worked for nine years. Under Hooker’s leadership, East North Street, which receives Title I funding, has performed well above schools of similar poverty levels. Dawn previously served as an assistant principal at Welcome Elementary with Greenville County Schools and at A.R. Lewis Elementary in Pickens County. She was also recognized as Teacher of the Year when teaching third grade at Powdersville Elementary.


2003


Dr. Walter Pym (MCM ’08, DMin ’15) [and his wife Jessica Atkins Pym (’05)] received the Alumni Service Award at Homecoming 2024. Walter is senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Warrenville, SC, where he has served since 2022. His commitment to ministry extends beyond his pastoral duties as he has been an active member of NGU’s Christian Ministry Scholarship Fund, serving on the board as chair and chair-elect. He also has served in the roles of president and vice president of NGU’s Alumni Association. A three- time graduate of North Greenville University, Walter earned his bachelor’s degree in 2003, a master’s degree in 2008, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2015.


2005


Daniel Eskew was promoted to chief revenue officer at US Signal in Grand Rapids, MI. In his new role, Daniel is responsible for overseeing and directing US


Signal’s sales strategy and


operations. He has been part of US Signal since 2023 and has played a role in shaping the company’s sales approach and driving overall business growth as the senior vice president of sales.


Jessica Atkins Pym [and husband Dr. Walter Pym (’03, MCM ’08, DMin ’15)] received the Alumni Service Award at Homecoming 2024. Jessica earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from NGU in 2005. She completed her master’s degree from Converse College in 2009, and an education specialist degree from the University of the Cumberlands in 2020. She has 19 years of teaching experience in the public school system and has served as fine arts coordinator for Barnwell County School District and head director for Barnwell County Bands. She is the current teacher of the year for Williston Elko High School.


2008


Joshua Black (MCM ’14) was called as the associate pastor of students for First Baptist Church in Memphis, MO, in 2018. In 2021, Josh moved into the senior pastor role.


2009


Chasity Black (MEd ’12) is teaching first grade at Scotland County R-1 in Memphis, MO. She has recently been named the director of music at First Baptist Church in Memphis, MO.


2012


Jennifer Hatchel Stom was selected by the Spartanburg County Foundation as one of “Spartanburg’s finest.” She was recognized for her philanthropic work in collecting backpacks and school supplies annually and founding the girls walking club to mentor female students.


Rebekah Wright was promoted to chief operating officer of Springbrook Autism Behavioral Health, a renowned


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