Tradition of Leadership Continues for My Carolina Alumni Association Board
June 5, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – The leadership for My Carolina Alumni Association was recognized at the State House on Wednesday, June 4, as incoming board president Paula Harper Bethea, ’75, and incoming president-elect Tommy Preston, ’07, ’11 law, were honored with a pair of resolutions read by Senator John E. Courson, ’68 (Republican, District 20, Richland and Lexington Counties), who authored the bills that were passed by the House and Senate. Building on the momentum that includes the beginning of construction for the University of South Carolina’s first ever Alumni Center, both Bethea and Preston have a long history in their voluntary support of the university and will begin their leadership terms on July 1.
The Board of Governors is the Alumni Association’s governing body, setting policy and advising the staff of the 501(c)(3) organization.
Paula Harper Bethea, becomes Alumni Association president, replacing outgoing president Eddie Brown, ’69, who will continue to serve on the board as the Immediate Past President.
Ms. Bethea is the Executive Director of the South Carolina Education Lottery. She has previously served as chair of the Boards of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Columbia College and the Centers of Economic Excellence. In addition to attracting alumni of all ages to remain connected to the University, Bethea looks forward to the challenge of raising funds for the Alumni Center which is scheduled to open its doors in June 2015.
“Buildings are nice and offer opportunities to do things you can’t yet do or perhaps allows you to do things better,” Bethea said. “But it’s those who inhabit that building at events or through service and working with other alumni and students that give it life. We will be successful because I see the Alumni Association as that catalyst which is overarching for the entire University. The Alumni Association is that which connects us all.”
Following elections during the Alumni Association’s annual meeting in April, Tommy Preston will assume the role of president-elect, and he will become the youngest individual to serve in that role, as well as the first African American, when his term as president begins on July 1, 2016.
Preston, an attorney with Nexsen Pruet in Columbia, was recently named to The State newspaper’s “Top 20 under 40” for 2014. Preston is a former Student Body President who founded Cocky’s Reading Express literacy initiative at the University of South Carolina and has been a member of My Carolina Alumni Association’s Board of Governors for the last three years as the President’s appointee.
“My ultimate goal as President-Elect and eventually as President is to ensure that our Association is inclusive, innovative, and relevant,” Preston said. “We need to make sure that all alumni see the value of being a member of the Alumni Association. My Carolina is in the midst of a great period of progress and change, and I want to position us to better serve our alumni members and create an environment where all alumni will want to remain connected to this special institution.”
Because they both have already been active supporters of the University and the Alumni Association, Eddie Brown expressed his confidence in the leadership qualities of both individuals.
“Paula brings a wealth of knowledge about and experience with the Association as well as the University,” Brown said. “She has been very active in developing opportunities for our alumni. Paula is well known throughout the State as a well-versed business person who is committed to improving higher education.
“Tommy’s leadership ability and working knowledge of the entire Carolina family makes him uniquely qualified to lead the Alumni Association.”
My Carolina Alumni Association’s Board of Governors is comprised of one governor from each of South Carolina’s seven Congressional Districts, four members at-large outside the state, one in-state at large member, and the following five officers: President, President-elect, Past-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Director of My Carolina, Vice President for University Development and Alumni Relations and one person appointed by the President.
Deepal Eliatamby, ’88, ’89 Masters, was re-elected as the Board Secretary, while John Wentzell, ’74, was re-elected as Board Treasurer. Both will serve two-year terms. Additionally, incumbents Frances E. Ashe-Goins, ’75, ’80 Masters, Dr. Lisa A. Bishara, ’88, ’93 MD, Amy B. Faulkenberry, ’96, and the Honorable Robert V. Royall, ’56, were re-elected to three year terms to serve on the Board.
My Carolina Alumni Association Board of Governors – Fiscal Year 2014-15
- Frances E. Ashe-Goins, ‘75, ‘80 Masters – At-Large National
- Paula Harper Bethea, ’75 – President
- Dr. Lisa A. Bishara, ’88, ‘93 MD – Congressional District 7
- W. Michael Bond, ’77 – At-Large National
- Robert Eddie Brown, ’69 – Past President
- Jack W. Claypoole, ’87 – Executive Director
- Clarence Davis, ’79, ’82 JD – At-Large South Carolina
- Robert F. Dozier, Jr., ’90 – At-Large National
- Deepal S. Eliatamby, ’88, ’89 Masters – Secretary
- Amy B. Faulkenberry, ‘96 – Congressional District 5
- John W. Fields, ’70, ’73 JD – Congressional District 3
- Gregory B. Foster, ’05 – Congressional District 2
- Julie J. Horton, ’85 – Congressional District 4
- Jancy L. Houck – Vice President, Development and Alumni Relations
- Tommy D. Preston, Jr., ’07, ’11 JD – President-Elect
- Kathy A. Randall, ’77, ’94 JD – Congressional District 1
- Robin D. Roberts, ’76 – At-Large National
- The Honorable Robert V. Royall, ‘56 – Congressional District 6
- C. John Wentzell, ’74 –Treasurer
My Carolina Alumni Association exists to lead our alumni, students and friends in service to the University of South Carolina and its global community. We work to accomplish this through a variety of innovative programs, activities and services focused on alumni, students as future alumni, friends, and supporters. Join My Carolina and find your role as an alumnus of the University of South Carolina.
