Erskine honors 2026 graduates

More than 170 college and seminary graduates were honored at a ceremony under the towers of the Erskine Building on Saturday, May 9. Erskine College President Dr. Steve Adamson (shown at top) welcomed the graduates and their guests and introduced the commencement speaker, former U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein Edward T. McMullen, who challenged students to live lives of integrity, humility, and courage.

“In a world that often celebrates speed over substance, noise over wisdom, and popularity over principle, Erskine has prepared you for something far greater than just making a living,” McMullen told the students. “It has prepared you to live a life of meaning.”

The former ambassador acknowledged the challenges facing graduates, including “extraordinary innovation and extraordinary uncertainty” and cultural division, and encouraged graduates to be “people of conviction…willing to stand firm in principle and still extend grace” in a society where civility is sometimes abandoned.

“Some of the strongest people I have ever known were also the most gracious. Some of the most effective leaders were those who listened before they spoke,” McMullen said. “People remember how you make them feel long after they forget what you said. Treat people with dignity. Lead with humility.”

Now a senior policy advisor with Adams and Reese LLP, McMullen serves on the board of a Paris-based communications firm as well as on the North American boards of several Swiss companies as he continues to build relationships among investors and corporate leadership in Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Europe.

Prior to his appointment as ambassador, he founded and served as president of McMullen Public Affairs, a South Carolina-based corporate advertising and public relations firm. His clients have included Fortune 25 companies and associations operating in the aerospace, high-tech, data analytics, pharmaceutical, finance, and biotech sectors.

“In my experiences as an ambassador, and as a businessman, I’ve engaged with some of the world’s most powerful people, presidents, CEOs, religious leaders,” he said. “What I’ve witnessed is that often, the greatest leaders are not the loudest people in the room. They are the calmest, the steadiest, and the most dependable.”

McMullen, who received the Order of the Palmetto for his leadership and public service, challenged graduates to be civic-minded, remembering that “freedom…is not automatic…every generation is called to preserve it.”

Telling students that Erskine “has shaped not only your mind, but your faith and your character,” McMullen said, “In the years ahead, faith and character will matter more than you know. Your degree may open doors, your ambition may create opportunity, your talent may earn attention, but your faith in Christ gives you life’s roadmap.”

College awards were announced by the provost, Dr. Edward Clavell. The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award was given to Noah McMicken of Lakeland, Fla., a magna cum laude graduate who completed a major in History with minors in Political science and Philosophy; the Mary Mildred Sullivan Award was given to summa cum laude graduate Rachel Jordan of Loris, S.C., who completed a double major in Chemistry-Biochemistry and Music and minored in Biology; and the H.M. Young Ring, the highest honor for a member of the senior class, was given to Tomas Salcak of Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, a summa cum laude graduate who completed majors in Accounting, Business Administration, and Digital Marketing.

Dr. Seth Nelson, Dean of the Seminary, presented the Erskine Theological Seminary awards. The Bruce G. Pierce Award for Christian Leadership was given to Edward G. Manger of Moncks Corner, S.C. The Loyd D. Melton Doctor of Ministry Award was given to Eldon Charles Manning of Norristown, Pa.

Nelson also announced the Distinguished Counseling Student Award, given to Conner Cochran, Greenville, S.C., who completed her studies in the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling (MACC) program at Erskine.

Dean of the College D. Shane Bradley presented the candidates for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. Dean of the Seminary Dr. Seth J. Nelson presented the candidates for counseling and seminary degrees and offered the invocation and benediction. Dr. Edward Clavell and Board of Trustees Chairman C. Alan Runyan conferred the degrees.

Serving as faculty marshals were Dr. George Schwab, crucifer, and Dr. Kokou Abalo, mace bearer.

The graduates were inducted into the Erskine Alumni Association by its president, James H. Moore ’77.

Each graduating student wore a “Stole of Gratitude” to be presented to a family member or another person who had offered them support and encouragement during their college years.

Music for the event was provided by the Erskine College Choraleers, directed by Dr. Keith Timms and accompanied by Prof. Sharalyn Hicks. Rachel Jordan, who graduated summa cum laude with a double major in Chemistry-Biochemistry and Music, led the singing of the alma mater.

This year’s graduates are listed below:

Note: more commencement photos to follow.

Bachelor of Arts

Graduates, January 28, 2026

Maxwell Joshua Garrido, Summerville, S.C.; Miguel Angel Gutierrez, Jr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Corey Rabon Johnston, cum laude, Snellville, Ga.; Benjamin Charles Knotts, Greenwood, S.C.; Jaheim Trea‘van Scott, Greenville, S.C.

Candidates, May 9, 2026

Garrison Sloan Bradley, magna cum laude, Due West, S.C.; Jackson Cole Edwards, Laurens, S.C.; Allen D. Faison, Orlando, FL; Jacob Bruce Hall, Clinton, S.C.; Ethan George Harper, magna cum laude, Belton, S.C.; Kaleb Christopher Hinson, Rock Hill, S.C.; Hailey Renée James, Belton, S.C.; John Alexander Janco IV, Blythewood, S.C.; Ariana Jativa, cum laude, Guayaquil, Ecuador; Braeden Trinity Johnson, cum laude, Greenville, S.C.; Caroline Margaret Kelly, magna cum laude, Anderson, S.C.; Gavin Michael Lamb, summa cum laude, Abbeville, S.C.; Peyton Thomas Mathis, Lexington, S.C.; Noah Ellis McMicken, magna cum laude, Lakeland, Fla.; William David Moore IV, summa cum laude, Iva, S.C.; Ricardo David Rivera, Ponce, Puerto Rico; Peter Lloyd Sims, magna cum laude, Lancaster, S.C.; Katherina Grace Van Horn, magna cum laude, Spokane, Wash.; Chloe Rae Vaughn, Starr, S.C.

Candidates, August 12, 2026

Brianna Nicole Beyerle, Glencoe, Ala.; Derrick Douglas, Jr., Greenville, S.C.; Paige McKenzie Patten Garcia, Abbeville, S.C.; Alejandro Jose Gonzales, Gilbert, S.C.; Tallis Hayes Morrison, Royston, Ga.; LaMiracle Tykesha Splan, Easley, S.C.; Chad Stark, Boiling Springs, S.C.; Gavin Montgomery Tillison, Mableton, Ga.

Bachelor of Science

Graduates, January 28, 2026

Duvine Jevontae Beebe, Huntsville, Ala.; Alexis Keyonna Burce, summa cum laude, Lula, Ga.; Jayden Meadows Byrd, Spartanburg, S.C.; Johnmond Malachi Howard, Conyers, Ga.; Paige Nicole Knotts, Belton, S.C.; Grace Ann McClendon, Madison, Ga.; Abby Cathryn McElveen, Anderson, S.C.; Aricka Simone Moore, magna cum laude, North Augusta, S.C.; Chloe Alyssa Mumaw, York, S.C.; Dylan Joshua Rye, Gilbert, S.C.; Josean I. Sánchez Miranda, San Juan, Puerto Rico; Cole Bryant Sheppard, Charleston, S.C.; Kylan La’Trey Simmons, Bluffton, S.C.; Brooke Stanifer, Largo, Fla.; Pablo Afif Zamar, summa cum laude, Jujuy, Argentina

Candidates, May 9, 2026

Ara Acha Lucas, Santander, Spain; Quinn Joshua Irving Allen, cum laude, Germantown, Md.; Ali Brianne Angell, cum laude, Mocksville, N.C.; Ethan Ryan Bain, Williamston, S.C.; Anika Lizelle Barker, cum laude, Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Sarah Meckenzie Barrientos, Irmo, S.C.; Rafael Andres Barrios Dentes, Caracas, Venezuela; Quincy Remond Bias, Bamberg, S.C.; Jeremy Tamarcus Bland, Greenwood, S.C.; Elijah William Botelle, Palm City, Fla.; Adam Branchedor, Naples, Fla.; Alex Cole Branham, Piedmont, S.C.; Valerian Alexander Bruce, Florence, S.C.; John Marshall Bunch II, Bamberg, S.C.; Gabriela Galya Elizabeth Burroughs, Greenville, S.C.; Jessy David Camiré, Kingsey Falls, Québec, Canada; Gracie Michelle Carver, Travelers Rest, S.C.; Amber Marie Clark, magna cum laude, Pickens, S.C.;Lane Dalton Clark, Anderson, S.C.; Abby Elizabeth Cooper, summa cum laude, Belton, S.C.; Ruth Ann Corn, summa cum laude, Anderson, S.C.; Addison Bailey Crawford, magna cum laude, Simpsonville, S.C.; Leah Abigail Dawson, Charleston, S.C.; Meghan Anne DeWalt, summa cum laude, Indian Land, S.C.; Jacob Clayton Driggers, Greenville, S.C.; Noah Matthew Duprey, Casco, Maine; Hampton Gregory Evans, Newberry, S.C.; Raleigh Dianna Faulkner, magna cum laude, Spartanburg, S.C.; Luke Garabedian, cum laude, Fort Mill, S.C.; Joseph Martin Gizinski, Forest Hill, Md.; Christopher Andrew Gray, Lexington, S.C.; Bailey Hall, cum laude, Cheshire, England, United Kingdom; Nicholas Jaray Jefferson, Sumter, S.C.; Emily B. Johnson, cum laude, Irmo, S.C.; Quintel O’Neal Johnson, Longs, S.C.; Rachel Lucille Jordan, summa cum laude, Loris, S.C.; Savanah Elizabeth Koester, summa cum laude, Summerville, S.C.; Clair Campbell Lewis, Greenwood, S.C.; Miguel Angel Llamoza Ochoa, magna cum laude, Caracas, Venezuela; Aimee Loj, summa cum laude, Davie County, N.C.; Gracie Elizabeth Mason, summa cum laude, Greer, S.C.; Dylan Walker McLaughlin, Olanta, S.C.; Selma Brittain McMurry, summa cum laude, Lawndale, N.C.; Alcinda Lynn Meeker, magna cum laude, Sumter, S.C.; Andrew Joseph Melton, Inman, S.C.; Mariah Kashell Moody, Marion, S.C.; Arin Celeste Moore, North Augusta, S.C.; Paige Marie Nims, Loris, S.C.; Seima Nishihara, Tokyo, Japan; Gabriel Alejandro Pardo, Sumter, S.C.; Mckenna Elaine Phillips, magna cum laude, Elgin, S.C.; Sullivan Clarke Pinson, Laurens, S.C.; Nolan Easton Prince, Donalds, S.C.; Cody Lane Quarles, Honea Path, S.C.; Jaquez Jatavius Randolph, Brunswick, Ga.; Suniyah Rosland Rollins, North Augusta, S.C.; Tomas Salcak, summa cum laude, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Colin Steele Sanders, Anderson, S.C.; Jefferson Miller Shouse, Tega Cay, S.C.; Margaret Cora Simmons, cum laude, Central, S.C.; Jordan Taylor Stoll, cum laude, Due West, S.C.; Tristan Henry Stroud, Greenville, S.C.; Cornelius Jackson Sullivan, Newnan, Ga.; Mckinna Lea Taylor, cum laude, Inman, S.C.; Dameion Deiondre Thompson, Holly Hill, SC; Dontrell Omar Thompson, Holly Hill, SC; Mallory Michaelah Truesdale, magna cum laude, Lugoff, S.C.; Thom Johannes Jacob August van der Sluijs, summa cum laude, s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands; Cameron Dale VanGeison, Ridgeland, S.C.; Hanna Valentina Vasconez Teran, Riobamba, Ecuador; Ethan Wayne Wilford, cum laude, MacClenny, Fla.; Hunter Brycen Williamson, Aiken, S.C.; Landon Robert Zeigler, Liberty, S.C.

Candidates, August 12, 2026

Gino Briglio, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Eric Henry Bronovitskiy, Surfside Beach, S.C.; Andrew Michael Chandler, Marshville, N.C.; Trevion Jikwez Devaux, Anderson, S.C.; Camden Elijah Earls, Boiling Springs, S.C.; Adolfo Angel Espino, Hanahan, S.C.; Tristan Scott Gaddy, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Jonah Michael Garren, Simpsonville, S.C.; Elias Herbert Hachem, Oak Park, Fla.; Noah William Hill, Archdale, N.C.; Ethan Holcombe, Inman, S.C.;  Harmon Lewis Jackson, Hephzibah, Ga.; Elizabeth Patricia Jordan, Lugoff, S.C.; David Chandler Leach, Florence, S.C.; Murry Marvin Legette IV, Twin City, S.C.; Chad Jackson Lowe, Batesburg-Leesville, S.C.; Zackary T. Mathis, Estill, S.C.; Larson Reid McMaster, Mount Dora, Fla.; Tanner Ray McNeal, Currituck, N.C.; Summer E’owyn Nelsen, Beaufort, N.C.; Hunter Vaughn Pankey, St. Augustine, Fla.; Jacob Jeremy Platt, Prescott Valley, Ariz.; Matthew Anthony Richmond, Jacksonville, Fla.; Matthew Joseph Rotkis, St. Petersburg, Fla.; Elliot Douglas Sanders, Charleston, S.C.; Garrick Joseph Schwartz, Ormond Beach, Fla.; Wyatt Jackson Smith, Johnsonville, S.C.; Charlotte Lily Stiles, Charleston, S.C.; TaBethea Danielle Thompson, Piedmont, S.C.; Dylan John Wanat, East Amherst, N.Y.; Albany Kirsten Wilson, Florence, S.C.; Sydney Kate Woodrow, Blythewood, S.C.

Master of Arts in Christian Counseling

Candidates, May 9, 2026

Conner Anderson Cochran, Greenville, S.C.; Divinelove Chidimma Mmaduka, Greenville, S.C.; Katelyn Marie Suttles, Gray Court, S.C.; Toby Kyle Woodward, Travelers Rest, S.C.

Candidates, September 1, 2026

Charles Scott Lindstrom, Greenville, S.C.

Master of Arts in Practical Ministry

Candidate, May 9, 2026

Michael Eugene Addison, Columbia, S.C.; Sarah Bendle Warren, Greenville, S.C.

Master of Arts in Theological Studies

Candidate, May 9, 2026

Jonathan M. Butcher, Greenville, S.C.

Master of Divinity

Graduate, January 1, 2026

Joshua Maynard Monson, Springfield, Mo.

Candidates, May 9, 2026

Bryan Fries, Hartfield, Va.; Edward George Manger, Moncks Corner, S.C.; Christopher van Dalen, Greenville, S.C.

Candidates, September 1, 2026

Alexander David Brickey, Columbia, S.C.; Christopher Robert Duke, Las Vegas, Nev.; Corey Alfphonso Edwarren Moss, Greenville, S.C.

Master of Theology

Graduate, January 1, 2026

Benjamin Paul Glaser, Clarksburg, W.Va.

Candidate, May 9, 2026

Timothy John Carroll, Dale City, Va.

Doctor of Ministry

Graduates, January 1, 2026

Allen E. Clardy, Greenwood, S.C.; Myong (Kim) Clardy, Greenwood, S.C.; Eric Sheldon Charles Manning, Norristown, Pa.

Candidates, May 9, 2026

James Anthony Duck, Inman, S.C.; Andrew W. Forester, Ashland, Mo.; Amy Mun Zoboblish, Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan