Alumnus Lee Hunter ’94 to speak on Oct. 22

Presbyterian College alumnus Lee Hunter ’94, chief operating officer of Hunter Hotel Advisors, will return to campus on Oct. 22 to deliver the Truist Lecture on Free Enterprise, opening the 2025–26 Presbyterian College Lecture Series.

His lecture begins at 7 p.m. in Edmunds Hall and is free and open to the public.

Hunter’s lecture will explore the principles of free enterprise through the lens of the hospitality industry and the real-estate finance markets that sustain it. With more than two decades of experience in hotel asset acquisition, development, financing, and repositioning, Hunter has worked with virtually every major hospitality brand—including IHG, Hilton, Hyatt, and Marriott—while helping shape the investment landscape for hotels nationwide.

As chief operating officer of Hunter Hotel Advisors, Hunter oversees operations across seven national offices, including Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Miami. His firm has built a reputation as a leading brokerage and consulting group specializing in the sale of hotels and resorts across the United States.

Beyond his corporate leadership, Hunter serves as conference chair of the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, one of the nation’s most influential gatherings for hotel owners, investors, and developers. Now in its fourth decade, the conference brings together senior industry leaders to discuss market trends, capital structures, and emerging opportunities in hospitality real estate.

Hunter earned his master’s degree in hotel finance and real estate from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. A respected voice in the field, he serves on the board of directors of the Atlanta Hospitality Alliance and is recognized for his strategic insight into real-estate investment and hotel valuation. His return to PC marks a homecoming for a graduate whose career reflects innovation, resilience, and the entrepreneurial spirit of the liberal arts.

Dr. Booker T. Ingram Black History Month Lecture

The Dr. Booker T. Ingram Black History Month Lecture will feature Darrin Goss Sr., president and CEO of the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina, on Feb. 5, 2026, at 7 p.m. in Edmunds Hall.

Since 2016, Goss has led the Coastal Community Foundation (CCF)—one of the Southeast’s largest philanthropic institutions—through a period of extraordinary growth and transformation. Under his leadership, CCF’s assets have expanded from approximately $221 million to more than $500 million, allowing the foundation to fund initiatives that promote equity, civic engagement, and regional economic resilience.

A native of James Island, Goss brings a deep understanding of the Lowcountry’s history and culture to his work. His multi-capital approach to philanthropy—one that values moral, intellectual, and social capital alongside financial resources—has redefined how foundations can serve as catalysts for systemic change.

Before joining CCF, Goss served as president and CEO of the Capital Area United Way in Baton Rouge, La., where he led recovery and rebuilding efforts following the devastating 2016 floods. He previously worked with the United Way of Greenville County and Wofford College, his alma mater, where he was assistant dean of students and director of career services.

Goss earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wofford College and a master’s degree in Christian ministries from North Greenville University. He is a Liberty Fellow (Class of 2018) and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network, affiliations that reflect his commitment to ethical leadership and civic innovation.

A U.S. Army veteran, former athlete, and lifelong advocate for education, Goss serves on the boards of MDC, Inc., in Durham, N.C., and the Tri-County Cradle to Career Collaborative in Charleston.

Robert M. Vance Lecture on Business Ethics

The Robert M. Vance Lecture on Business Ethics will feature Matt Navarro ’99, global president of PMI WW Brands, LLC, the company behind Stanley 1913, on Feb. 12, 2026, at 7 p.m. in Edmunds Hall.

Navarro’s innovative leadership has transformed Stanley 1913 into a global powerhouse and lifestyle brand known for its durable drinkware and sustainability ethos. Under his guidance, the 110-year-old company has experienced record-breaking revenue growth and redefined its relationship with consumers through a mix of innovation, brand storytelling, and environmental responsibility.

As global president, Navarro oversees strategy, operations, and partnerships for Stanley’s North American and international divisions. His tenure has included collaborations with retailers such as Target, REI, and Scheels, as well as industry honors from Fast Company and the NPD Group recognizing Stanley’s meteoric rise in the consumer goods sector.

Before joining Stanley, Navarro held senior leadership roles with Amer Sports, a global corporation whose brands include Salomon, Arc’teryx, Peak Performance, Atomic, Suunto, and Wilson. As vice president of sales for North America, he served as a key member of the company’s senior leadership team and oversaw business development across multiple outdoor and performance brands.

A 1999 graduate of Presbyterian College, Navarro’s return to campus reflects the College’s enduring influence on his career. His lecture will examine how ethical decision-making and purpose-driven leadership can elevate both business success and social good.

Samuel Calvin Waters Lecture in Political Science

The Samuel Calvin Waters Lecture in Political Science will conclude the series on March 5, 2026, at 7 p.m. in Edmunds Hall, featuring Ben Rhodes, political commentator, author, and former deputy national security advisor and speechwriter for President Barack Obama.

Rhodes was a central figure in shaping foreign policy and communication strategies during the Obama administration. He helped draft major presidential addresses, including the historic 2009 Cairo speech, “A New Beginning,” and was instrumental in the diplomatic process that re-established U.S.–Cuba relations after more than five decades.

Before joining the White House, Rhodes served as an assistant to former Congressman Lee Hamilton, contributing to the Iraq Study Group Report and the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. A graduate of Rice University with a master’s in creative writing from New York University, he began his career in speechwriting and foreign-policy analysis after working on New York City political campaigns.

Following his time in government, Rhodes became a leading public voice on global democracy and U.S. foreign policy. He is the author of two New York Times bestsellers—The World as It Is: A Memoir of the Obama White House (2018) and After the Fall: Being American in the World We’ve Made (2021)—and serves as co-chair of National Security Action with Jake Sullivan.

Rhodes is also a contributor to NBC News, MSNBC, and Crooked Media, where he co-hosts the popular foreign policy podcast Pod Save the World. His lecture will offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at diplomacy, leadership, and the evolving role of the United States in a changing international order.

Continuing a Tradition of Inquiry and Dialogue

The Presbyterian College Lecture Series brings distinguished speakers to campus each year to engage students, faculty, and the broader community in meaningful discussions that reflect PC’s liberal arts mission and its motto, “While We Live, We Serve.”

“These lectures exemplify the kind of intellectual curiosity and civic engagement we encourage in every member of our community,” said Dr. Anita Gustafson, president of Presbyterian College. “By bringing leaders who embody excellence in business, public service, and ethical leadership, we invite our students to see how their own education can make a meaningful difference in the world.”

The 2025–26 series underscores PC’s commitment to exploring ethics, enterprise, philanthropy, and public policy through dialogue with influential leaders whose work reflects the College’s enduring values of integrity, service, and intellectual curiosity.