Dear Converse Alumni,



As I reflect on my two years serving as President of the Alumni Association Board, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity to represent and serve this remarkable community. Over the past years, our Board has focused on strengthening alumni connections and engagement. The true power of philanthropy is not measured solely by the size of a gift, but by the number of alumni who choose to participate. Every gift—regardless of amount—demonstrates belief in the people, places, and programs that make Converse the extraordinary institution it is today.

As you read on, I hope you will consider how you can help us continue building an even stronger alumni community. We are always seeking talented and passionate alumni to serve on the Alumni Association Board. Likewise, we welcome your nominations for Alumni Achievement Award recipients.

Most of all, I am thrilled to welcome our new Alumni Association Board President, Cary Perkins '96. Cary has long been a dedicated champion for Converse and played an instrumental role in the renovation of Cudd Hall. Her passion for this institution, combined with her commitment to alumni engagement, will serve our community well. I know she will be an outstanding advocate for Converse alumni and an inspiring leader for the Board.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Alumni Association Board President. It has been an honor to work alongside so many devoted alumni, volunteers, university leaders, and friends of Converse. I am excited about the future of Converse and grateful to remain part of this incredible community.

Sincerely,

Valerie Dowling ’07

Immediate Past President of Alumni Association Board

As we start a new academic year, we’re still energized by the momentum of Reunion Weekend! More than 200 alumni and guests joined us to celebrate. Whether it had been five years or 50, one thing was clear - Converse still feels like home! 

That’s why we hope you’ll make plans now to come back home

April 16-17 for Reunion Weekend 2027! We will induct the Class of 1977 into the Golden Club and will celebrate milestone years ending in 2 and 7, along with the Class of 2026 and their first Reunion! Keep an eye on your email, mailbox, and social media for more details!

And don’t forget the Class Act and Spirit of Giving Awards! Any gift you make to the Converse Fund today counts towards your class goal for Reunion!

The Converse Legacy Club is an esteemed group of graduates with a family legacy. Graduates whose parent, grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, uncle, or sibling attended Converse are considered part of this group and are given the unique opportunity of being hooded during the Commencement ceremony by their legacy relative.

Congratulations to our 2026 legacies! View the full list in our event recap.

MEET YOUR 2026-2027 ALUMNI BOARD

CARY PERKINS ’96

President

VALERIE DOWLING ’07

Immediate Past President

SUSAN MISKELLY ’97

Communications Strategist

GWEN STEMBRIDGE ’10

Connecting Alumni to Converse (CAC), Chair

CIMONE FRANCIS ’16

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee (DEIC), Chair

ADDIE LEDBETTER ’17

Converse Alumni Recruitment & Retention Effort (CARRE), Chair

AMANDA NEWELL ’12

Recognition Committee, Chair

SANDY KOPP ROBERTS ’75

Giving Strategist

Stephanie O. Crofton ’96

Molly Fortune ’93

Brandi N. Icard ’04

Caroline Posey ’20

Jennifer Ross Washburn ’07

New Members At-Large

THANK YOU TO OUR OUTGOING MEMBERS!

Diane Pickens O'Connell '94 (2018-2026) | Lashenna Yoka Gaines ’13 (2018–2026)

Kathryn “Katy” Kline Tyndall ’13 (2018–2026) | Allison R. Benton ’21 (2024–2026)

Jacqueline "Jackie" Jones Putnam ’75 (2024–2026) | Jessica Case Holland ’03 (2024–2026) 

Robbie Moseley Richards ’92 (2024–2026)

Spring 2026 was a season of celebration and community! We are so grateful to all those who hosted and attended these events. You can view photo highlights from all of our spring alumni gatherings here. A very special thank you to all of our gracious hosts:

WASHINGTON, DC | Hosted by Katy Kline Tyndall ’13 and Valerie Dowling ’07

CHARLESTON, SC | Hosted by Elizabeth Finlay Vingi '87, Cassidy Rindge '19, Kitty Shertzer Robinson '68, and Margaret Rinehart Smith '79

NASHVILLE, TN | Hosted by Mindy Thompson Orman '71

ATLANTA, GA | Hosted by Gay Simmons Colyer '73 with Sandra Greene Blalock '71, Mary Jane Simmons Candler ‘77, Sarah Mercer Chatel '79, Shannon Givens Jaynes '93, Diane Moffett Kellum '73, Sally Lockwood Mitchell ‘69, Candy Moore ‘93, Sandra Shearouse Morelli '78, Susanna Knight Roberts ‘00, Alice Rogers ‘83, and Jean Thomas Russ '66

CLASS OF 1977



Susan Beckham Zurenda launched her new book, No Way Out but Through, at Converse on August 18, 2026. This is a story of hope, resilience, and two women healing each other.

CLASS OF 2010



Ashleigh Ledford (Sieradzki) was one of 30 educators nationwide to receive the CMA Music Teachers of Excellence. She is the first female in South Carolina to receive this distinction.

TELL US YOUR STORY!

Class Notes are an important part of the Converse connection, and we want to make it even easier to stay engaged with your classmates! Share your news with us! You may be featured on our social media pages or in upcoming issues of Your Connection and Converse Magazine!

Stay connected with your fellow alumni by following the Converse Alumni Association social media pages:

And, be sure to follow the official Converse University social media pages: