Aug. 15, 2006

Four Presbyterian College alumni are putting their passion for their alma mater into action as they take on new fundraising responsibilities beginning this summer.

Alan Smith

Alan Smith, who joined the advancement staff in 2001 as director of the Scotsman Club, has been promoted to executive director of the PC Fund and Scotsman Club and major gifts officer. A 1977 graduate of PC, Smith has raised record amounts in support of the college's athletics programs, including funds raised to construct the new Bailey Memorial Stadium and in support of the Blue Hose' move to Division I-AA.

A gridiron standout and captain of the Blue Hose during his senior season under Coach Cally Gault, Alan Smith was a successful businessman in Greenville prior to coming to work for his alma mater.

"Alan Smith has proven his love for his alma mater in many ways, including on the football field and as a fundraising professional," said Jan Roberts, interim vice president of development. "His integrity is unquestionable."

Spearman named assistant director of planned giving

Mitchell Spearman, a 2003 graduate of PC, has joined the advancement office as assistant director of planned giving.

Mitchell Spearman

Spearman, a native of Saluda who earned his juris doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law this summer, graduated cum laude with honors in political science and was the college's student body president in 2001-02 and 2002-03. PC's Student Leader of the Year in 2002, he earned the Joseph O. Nixon Leadership Award in 2003 and this year earned the G.G. Dowling Student Award, which is presented to a law student who exhibits unwavering care and compassion for others.

"Mitchell is a devoted PC alumnus," said Roberts. "He is on the cutting edge of new law regarding estate giving and will be an invaluable resource to us in that area. His leadership skills have already been demonstrated and he has a great work ethic. Mitchell is full of great programmatic ideas and will bring new insight into the planned giving functions of this office."

Spearman said he is happy, too, to have made his return to PC.

"I never knew how much I loved Clinton until I got to Columbia (for law school)," he said. "I'm thrilled to be back with friends and familiar faces. I also look forward to combining my love of PC and my legal skills to benefit the college and our dearest friends, who leave a lasting legacy through giving."

Co-assistant directors named

Robert Cook

Robert J. Cook and Hannah M. Smith also join the advancement staff as the co-assistant directors of the PC Fund and Scotsman Club.

"I have known both Hannah and Robert as students and as student-athletes," said Alan Smith. "Both will bring high energy and enthusiasm to their work for PC and its hopes for the future. I look forward to working with them and I am excited about bringing them on board as part of the PC team."

Roberts added that the college is fortunate to have added Cook and Hannah Smith to its staff.

"Hannah Smith and Robert Cook are committed to the values and the culture of PC," she said. "They plan careers in the fundraising field and want to pursue their careers at the place they love. The college is fortunate to have people of their character working in this arena and we look forward to what they can accomplish as PC's newest fundraising team."

Cook, a native of Clinton and the son of PC alumni Danny and Hunt Cook, graduated from the college last spring with a degree in business administration. Prior to joining PC, he served as a service account representative for W.B. Guimarin in Greenville and as an intern with the Adams Group in Columbia. The captain of the Blue Hose baseball team in 2005 and 2006, he also served as assistant to the sports information director during his college career and was a member of the Society for the Advancement of Management and the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.

Hannah Smith

"Being able to contribute to a school that gave me so much is very important to me," said Cook. "Having been a part of it and understanding the time and energy and enthusiasm that goes into making PC a great school, I'm passionate about being a part of it. I love PC – it's a integral part of my life."

Hannah Smith, a resident of Greenville, graduated from PC in 2005 with a degree in business administration. A member of the Blue Hose women's soccer team, she was a team captain during her senior year, during which she also earned the team's Leadership Award. She also was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and earned the U.S. Army ROTC Athletic Leadership Award in 2004.

"The projects I'm working on are things I'm really passionate about," said Hannah Smith. "Working with young alums, getting them excited about the PC Fund and the Scotsman Club is very rewarding. My athletic scholarship allowed me to come to a school that I love and I want to give that opportunity to others. I'm just really lucky; this is an ideal place for me to work."

President welcomes appointments

PC president Dr. John Griffith welcomed the quartet to their new roles and responsibilities.

"I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Alan Smith as a major gifts officer and his promotion to executive director of the PC Fund and Scotsman Club," he said. "Alan's work over the last five years speaks for itself. His skills as a communicator and passionate advocate for his alma mater have strengthened the college's ability to provide a top-notch education for today's student-athlete and I am confident that those same skills will play a vital role in creating new and broadened relationships with alumni and friends of the college."

Spearman, who served as an intern to the president's office during his student days at PC, also earned high praise from Griffith.

"Mitchell Spearman's leadership ability is well-known throughout the college community," he said. "While he was here and away in law school, we always anticipated great things in his future. It is thus my great honor to welcome him home to PC. Mitchell understands and embraces that element we call the 'PC Spirit' and I have no doubt that he will spread it abundantly amongst our supporters."

The president added that he also expects great things from the college's new assistant directors of the PC Fund and Scotsman Club.

"It is always a pleasure to welcome Blue Hose back to their alma mater, especially when they come here to make PC their career choice," he said. "Hannah and Robert already bring a wealth of experience as both students and athletes and I am certain those experiences and their passion for the college will energize the many people whose support is so critical to the future of Presbyterian College."