Local Residents Named Honorary Alumni at PC

October 13, 2020

Dee Nichols, of Clinton, and Ray and Scott Bunting, of Mountville, have been named honorary alumni at PC. The honor recognizes those who treat PC as their alma mater.

Nichols Named Honorary Alumna

Dee Nichols has long served a key role in the Presbyterian College Department of Athletics. She oversaw various aspects of the internal athletics operations as interim athletic director and now serves as the senior associate athletic director for operations and senior woman administrator.

“I want to thank those who thought me worthy of this honor,” Nichols said. “To be recognized by the people that make Presbyterian College such a special place is humbling. My cup runneth over!”

Dee Nichols

Nichols has made an impact at PC within the athletic department and across the entire campus community since arriving at PC in 2009. An instrumental piece of the department’s behind-the-scenes operations, Nichols has served various stints supervising athletic offices responsible for NCAA compliance, scholarships, programming, and facility operations.

Nichols has risen from assistant athletics director to her current post. She has played an integral role in several influential periods in the department’s history, including the Division I transition and the addition of four varsity sports.

Over the past eleven years, Nichols has grown the department’s first NCAA Division I compliance program with a focus on education and monitoring. She has aided in the creation and development of the academic services position to provide resources to student-athletes.

Nichols works diligently to oversee student-athlete welfare as it relates to athletic, career and personal pursuits to support the college mission of educating the whole mind, body and spirit.

During her tenure, Nichols has held titles of assistant athletic director (2009-12), associate athletic director (2012-15), senior associate athletic director (2015-2019) and interim athletic director (April to August 2019), as well as the senior woman administrator role she was appointed to in 2010 and still holds today.

She also holds numerous other leadership positions on campus, from her post on the Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, Student Athlete Advisory Council Advisor to her position as a liaison to various campus departments, including Residential Life, Financial Aid, Conduct, and Title IX.

In her role as senior woman administrator, she serves on:

  • the Big South Board of Administrators
  • Strategic Planning Committee
  • Chair of the Women’s Soccer Committee
  • Hall of Fame Committee
  • Awards Committee
  • Women’s Wrestling Working Group
  • Chair of Compliance Oversight Committee for Women’s Wrestling

Before PC, Nichols was the Assistant Compliance Director at University of Rhode Island. She began her athletics career in coaching in 1992 as an assistant volleyball coach at Georgia Southern University. She became the head volleyball coach in 1994.  Nichols moved over to women’s basketball as the recruiting coordinator at Georgia Southern in 1997.

“Even though Dee went to Georgia Southern, her blood runs blue,” said Leni Patterson ‘83, executive director of alumni relations.

“The way she engages with our students, especially our student-athletes, is the ultimate example of the PC way and the strong relationships our students have with faculty and staff.

“She is always available to them and is on the sidelines cheering them on as loudly as any fan would.”

A Georgia native, Nichols graduated from Georgia Southern in 1991 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education and was a four-year starter in volleyball for the Eagles. She completed her Master’s in Physical Education in 1992.

Nichols now resides in Clinton with her husband Harold, and their three children, Cassie (21), Cameron (18) and Corey (18).

Buntings Named Honorary Alumni

Brothers Ray and Scott Bunting have combined for nearly 70 years of loyal service to PC. This year, the two have been named honorary alumni for treating the College like their alma mater.

Ray Bunting

Ray, craftsman supervisor, has been making PC feel like home for students for the past 35 years. He has painted and done carpentry work in every building on the PC campus.

“Ray takes pride in what he does and always has the best interest of our students at heart,” said Leni Patterson ‘83, executive director of alumni relations. “Everyone on campus knows that Ray is extremely reliable and knows that whatever he does is done well.”

Sixteen buildings or additions have been built since Ray first arrived on campus in 1983. Two years ago, Ray received a Golden Paintbrush, PC rocking chair, and a commemorative plaque for his service to the College.

“I was humbled and honored to receive it because I look at it as just doing my job, but taking pride in your work.

“The thing I like most about my years at PC is the friends and relationships I’ve made over the years. From growing up on a dairy farm to working the better part of my life at PC, I have to say I’ve been a blessed man.”

Scott Bunting

Ray’s brother, Scott, has served in various roles at PC since 1988 and has served as the athletic facilities supervisor since 2008. As athletics facilities supervisor, Scott is in charge of the maintenance of the facilities, field painting, and event staff management.

“If you have been to any athletic event in the past 32 years,” Patterson said, “you can thank Scott for having the lines on the field painted straight and the Block PC and Big South logos carefully painted into the grass.”

Scott does more than take care of the football field. He prepares all courts and fields for competition, from setting up Templeton Gymnasium for a basketball, volleyball, or wrestling match to making sure the baseball complex is ready for a game.

Scott began at PC in the maintenance department, working as a carpenter until 1997.  He served as housekeeping supervisor from 2005 to 2008 before transitioning to the Department of Athletics.

“Looking back over the years, I have been blessed in so many ways,” Scott said. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my years at PC and have had the privilege to work with and work for some outstanding individuals. I dare not start naming them for I would surely leave many out!

“Many things have changed over the years that I’ve been here, but one thing remains constant: The people of PC make the difference and make it a special place. It has been an honor to serve the PC community especially in the Department of Athletics with our coaches, staff and student-athletes!”

After working on his family’s dairy farm as a child, Scott graduated in 1985 from Master’s Institute in Lock Haven, Pa., with a degree in dairy herd management.

Ray and Scott moved to South Carolina when their father moved the family dairy farm in 1978. Scott and his wife, Cheryl (Butler), of Knoxville, Pa., still reside in Mountville.

“The Buntings are true Blue Hose,” Patterson said.