Dear Converse friends,


Last week, the Board of Trustees held their first meeting of the new academic year. I am deeply grateful for the Board's commitment to empowering and transforming our students. Through proactive planning, engaging fundraising efforts and thoughtful stewardship of assets, under the guidance and direction of the Board, Converse is:



  • restoring and expanding campus infrastructure;
  • developing strong curriculums that serve highly in-demand industries; and
  • bolstering initiatives that help foster a culture of inclusivity and belonging.


Read on to discover how Converse is remaining relentlessly student-centered through initiatives that enrich our programs, empower our people, and enhance our places..


Together, WE WILL

President Hopkins

2023-2024 NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Converse University is pleased to welcome five new members to its esteemed Board of Trustees:

Dawn C. Davis Deck ’99

Executive Director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation Upstate SC

Kim Varnadoe Kent ’97

Chief Executive Officer of Kentwool

Brelan Riddle Montgomery ’06

Registered Nurse

Christy Davis Stoner ’87

Chief Executive Officer of Uwharrie Investment Advisors, Inc.

Dwight Van Inwegen

Vice President, Finance/Group CFO of the Pharmaceutical Services Group within Thermo Fisher Scientific

Immediate Past Board Chair Sandra Shearouse Morelli ’78 agreed to extend her term and serve for two additional years.


Departing Trustees

Converse University and its Board of Trustees extend a heartfelt thank you to the following members departing from the Board:

  • Randall K. Chambers
  • Christopher Dorrance
  • Lillian Montgomery Lilly
  • Elizabeth Finlay Vingi ’87


These members, who will join the vaulted ranks of our Trustees Emeritus, have served Converse with distinction and our campus community will remain forever grateful for the vision and passion that you have selflessly shared for Converse.

Read the full story

CAMPUS UPDATES

Academic Restructuring

The University has reorganized its academic offerings into four schools that launched this fall: the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences; the School of Business and Data Science; the School of the Arts, and the Graduate School. The restructuring allows Converse to better align with student demand, to be responsive to trends in higher education, and to maximize growth opportunities as we continue to champion a traditional education that equips our students to become transformative leaders.


Enhancements to the Center for Academic Excellence

The Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) was gifted $10,000 from the Cannon Foundation to address our technology needs. With the Cannon Foundations' grant, the CAE plans to update and revitalize its space with computer labs, monitors, and furniture that promotes collaborative work, along with charging stations and more school supplies to support our students and faculties everyday needs.


"Belong" Initiative

Developed as a partnership between the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE), Converse will join this nation-wide network of colleges and universities dedicated to making their campuses more welcoming and inclusive. This includes four foundational initiatives:

  • Six credentialed faculty and staff who are trained (annually) to be resources on campus
  • Quarterly webinars for all faculty and staff
  • Access to a suite of professional development resources
  • Nurturing a network of professionals who facilitate the sharing of best practices and communicate campus priorities


Cudd Hall Ribbon Cutting

On Thursday, September 21, members of the campus and local communities, as well as alumni and friends, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the revitalization of Cudd Hall. The renovation is a key accomplishment in line with Converse’s 2023 Strategic Vision Plan, which focuses on enriching programs, enhancing places, and empowering people. View photos from the ribbon cutting.


Opening Convocation

The Converse community celebrated the University’s 134th Opening Convocation on Friday, September 22, by gathering in Twichell Auditorium. Formally observing the start of our academic year, the program featured a keynote address by Dr. Joe Barrera, Assistant Professor of Mathematics and the the 2023 Kathryne Amelia Brown Award recipient for Excellence in Teaching. View photos from the event.


Inaugural Presentation of the Dr. Jeffrey H. Barker Academic Excellence Award

The Dr. Jeffrey H. Barker Academic Excellence Fund was established in remembrance of Dr. Barker and his passion for academic excellence at Converse University. The award supports Converse faculty who exemplify the teaching and learning relationship by broadening students' horizons and by challenging themselves as educators, particularly through travel and experiential learning experiences. The inaugural presentation of the Dr. Jeffrey H. Barker Academic Excellence Award was granted to Dr. Hatice Neval Ertürk, Associate Provost for Research and Engagement and Professor of Biology, during the Opening Convocation ceremony.


Investing in our Future

Your gift is an investment in Converse students. Explore ways you can ignite innovation, creativity, and transformation across campus.

SAVE THE DATE

Preview Day

Invite high school students to discover what Converse has to offer! Our fall Preview Day on October 14 is the perfect opportunity to meet the admissions team, hear about the application process, and learn about the various programs that we offer.

Support the Valkyries!

The men's and women's swim team will compete against King University on October 18 at 6:00 pm in the Montgomery. This home opener is the first swim meet in the history of the men's program. See the full schedule and come out to support our student-athletes!

MoseleyNext: The Akropolis Reed Quintet

MoseleyNext, a family-friendly concert microseries, kicks off with The Akropolis Reed Quintet on October 20 at 5:30 pm. Akropolis has “taken the chamber music world by storm” (Fanfare) as the first reed quintet to grace the Billboard Charts (May 2021). Tickets on sale now.

Rock the Tower

It's time to cue the confetti! Our annual day of giving, Rock the Tower is back! On November 2, grab your Converse swag, share a post online with the hashtag "Rock the Tower," and make a gift to one of our Rock the Tower projects. We need your support!

Light a Luminary

We invite you to light up the night and purchase a luminary to recognize a friend, mentor, professor, or family member. These meaningful tributes will line the walkway to Zimmerli Performance Hall's Twichell Auditorium for our beloved Festival of Lessons and Carols, which will be held on Thursday, November 30, 2023.


Luminary submissions that are received by Friday, November 10, 2023 will be recognized during this event. Proceeds from the sale of luminaries will go to support the Student Benevolence Fund. Purchase your luminary today!

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