New arts and sciences graduates turn internships into careers, start businesses, pursue advanced degrees, and serve communities around the world
From Clinton to Edinburgh, Charlotte to Belfast, the newest Blue Hose alumni are wasting no time. The Class of 2026 is opening businesses, entering professional sports, commissioning as Army officers, and earning spots in some of the country’s most competitive graduate programs— demonstrating the power of a transformative liberal arts education and the prodigious talent cultivated at Presbyterian College.
Presbyterian College president Dr. Anita Gustafson said the Class of 2026 reflects the institution’s mission of preparing graduates for lives of leadership, service, and purpose.
“The Class of 2026 has distinguished itself through its ambition, character, and willingness to embrace opportunity,” Gustafson said. “They have excelled in the classroom, served their communities, conducted meaningful research, competed at the highest levels of athletics, and supported one another along the way. We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and excited to see the impact they will make in their professions and throughout the world.”
Entrepreneurs and Innovators
Several members of the Class of 2026 are creating opportunities not only for themselves, but for others as well.
Business administration graduates Payne Davis, Wiley Crittenden, and Andrew Coddington transformed a friendship into a business venture, establishing AAA Site Development shortly after graduation.
Another business administration graduate, Evie Collins, is investing in her hometown by opening Press & Pointer Coffee House in Laurens, bringing a new small business to the local community.
Their entrepreneurial spirit reflects a growing trend among PC graduates who are applying classroom knowledge and practical experience to build something of their own.
Internships Become Careers
One of the defining characteristics of the Class of 2026 is how many graduates translated internships and experiential learning opportunities into full-time employment.
Vanessa Palisin, a business administration graduate and a co-valedictorian in her class, earned a highly competitive business analytics internship with the Green Bay Packers, continuing a trajectory of professional success that began during her time at Presbyterian College.
Ayden Rudder, a biology graduate, accepted a full-time position with the Laurens County Water and Sewer Commission after completing an internship there.
Business administration graduate Isabel Grace Whitman turned her internship into an analyst position with Network Designs Inc., while history graduate Micaiah Bourknight accepted a management position with Palmetto Garage Works following an internship experience.
Morgan Farthing leveraged internship experience into a commercial underwriter position with Starr Insurance, and Blair Darby accepted a position as a pharmaceutical sales representative with Viatris.
Business administration graduate Cade Lewis also transformed an internship connection into a career opportunity, accepting an analyst position with Central Electric Power Cooperative in Columbia.
Computer science graduate Morvens Saint Jean accepted a position in the Leadership Development Program with Restaurant Brands International, one of the world’s largest restaurant companies.
The Class of 2026 has distinguished itself through its ambition, character, and willingness to embrace opportunity. They have excelled in the classroom, served their communities, conducted meaningful research, competed at the highest levels of athletics, and supported one another along the way. We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and excited to see the impact they will make in their professions and throughout the world.”
Dr. Anita Gustafson, President
Graduate School and Professional Programs
Members of the Class of 2026 are continuing their educations at respected universities in the United States and abroad.
Kait Haston McAllister, a political science and public policy graduate, will pursue a master’s degree in international public policy at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland.
History graduate Izzy Lasota is heading to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland to pursue a master’s degree in history.
Mahala Lackey will continue her education at the University of South Carolina, where she will pursue graduate studies in speech-language pathology.
Margaret Leonard will begin her post-undergraduate journey at the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Fla., through the University of South Florida.
Several graduates are continuing their studies in law.
Ashley McAtee will attend law school at Northern Illinois University, while Aliza Hart is bound for Stetson University College of Law. Alexus Hashey and Olivia Ballard will attend the College of Charleston School of Law, and George Hopkins will continue his legal studies at Samford University.
Biology graduate Kinsley Roark earned admission to Clemson University’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program, becoming one of the latest Blue Hose graduates to pursue advanced training in the health sciences and a member of Clemson’s inaugural cohort.
Teaching, Leadership, and Service
The Class of 2026 is also answering the call to serve.
Graduates are making an immediate impact in classrooms across South Carolina and beyond. Presbyterian College’s Education Department reported that 100 percent of its teacher candidates secured teaching contracts before graduation, a testament to the strength of the college’s teacher preparation program and the demand for its graduates. Many members of the graduating class are teaching in Laurens County and surrounding school districts, continuing Presbyterian College’s longstanding tradition of preparing educators who serve their communities and shape the lives of future generations.
Madison Crumpton is teaching at Laurens Elementary School, while Collin Dudley and Victoria Weaver began their careers at Clinton High School. Molly Mattas teaches kindergarten at Joanna-Woodson Elementary School, and Caleb Rentz joined the faculty at Laurens District 55 High School. Together, their placements continue Presbyterian College’s strong presence in schools throughout Laurens County.
Other members of the Class of 2026 took their talents to classrooms across South Carolina and beyond. Abigayle Ferris teaches at Eastside Elementary School, Lawson James at Newberry High School, Margaret Judd at Fairforest Elementary School in Spartanburg School District 6, and Caden Stonell at Greenwood High School in Greenwood School District 50. Lyle Jones traveled the furthest from PC, heading to Tampa, Florida, to teach mathematics at LLT Academy.
Three graduates commissioned through the Army ROTC program – Wysor Saber winner Ashley Flynn, Nizeyimana Aristide, and Joshua Williams – will begin their careers as officers in the United States Army, continuing a longstanding Presbyterian College tradition of military leadership and service.
These graduates represent the college’s commitment to preparing students not only for successful careers, but for meaningful lives of service to others.
Blue Hose Go Pro
The Class of 2026 has also produced several athletes who are continuing their careers at the professional level.
Business administration graduate Reudd Manin signed with Charlotte Independence, moving from collegiate competition to the professional soccer ranks.
Psychology graduate Steven Cordova signed with One Knoxville, while English graduate Nile Nguidjol is competing professionally in the United Premier Soccer League.
Their success continues Presbyterian College’s tradition of student-athletes excelling both on the field and in the classroom.
A Class to Remember
Though only a snapshot of a graduating class whose members are pursuing a wide variety of paths, these stories highlight the breadth of opportunity available to Presbyterian College students and graduates.
Whether launching businesses, entering classrooms, pursuing advanced degrees, serving in the military, beginning professional careers, or competing on professional athletic stages, the Class of 2026 embodies the college’s mission of developing the whole person through a transformative liberal arts education.
They leave campus prepared not only to succeed, but to lead.
“The future is bright because of graduates like these,” Gustafson said. “They are thoughtful, resilient, and determined. Wherever they go next, they carry with them the values of Presbyterian College and the confidence to make a difference.”
