Converse University: A Legacy of Excellence and Notable Alumni

Converse University, a private institution nestled in Spartanburg, South Carolina, boasts a rich history and a commitment to empowering students. Founded in 1889, the university has evolved from a women's college to a co-educational institution offering a wide array of undergraduate and graduate programs. In the 2025 edition of Best Colleges, Converse University is ranked No. #45 in Regional Universities South and No. #15 in Best Value Schools. This article explores the university's history, academic environment, and some of its most accomplished alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields.

A Historical Overview

The first step towards the founding of Converse College was taken in 1889 when a prominent attorney assembled a group of Spartanburg citizens to discuss the project. The doors of Converse opened October 1, 1890, with a student body of 168 women and 16 faculty members. Initially, the college was operated as a stock company and Mr. Converse headed the first board of directors, comprised entirely of Spartanburg citizens. They elected the Rev. Benjamin F. Wilson as the first president. Dexter Edgar Converse, a native of Vermont who had settled in Spartanburg before the American Civil War and had become a successful pioneer in the cotton mill industry, served as the head of the first board of directors. Mr. Converse was especially interested in establishing a college for women because his daughter, Marie, was approaching college age and he wanted her to have every possible educational advantage. His initial and subsequent contributions to the cause were so valuable that the college was given his name. On January 2, 1892, the main building was destroyed by fire, but was immediately reconstructed and enlarged. The work of the college hardly suffered interruption. In 1896, by the voluntary act of the stockholders, Converse College was incorporated under the laws of the state of South Carolina and a self-perpetuating board of trustees was established. This meant that Converse was converted into a permanent gift to the cause of higher education for women. The Converse College Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It encompasses eight contributing buildings dated between 1891 and 1915.

Beginning in the 1900s, Converse matured into one of the leading colleges for women in the South. Academic requirements were strengthened, the ablest teachers supplemented the faculty and new buildings were constructed. It was during this period that the College’s Petrie School of Music received a national rating as a professional school of music. In 1964 Converse introduced graduate programs, including the Master of Art in Teaching (MAT) program, the first degree of its kind in South Carolina. The graduate program would later become the School of Education and Graduate Studies and offer a wide range of degrees in fields such as music, education, the liberal arts, and marriage and family therapy. In 2003, the college completed the most successful capital campaign in its history with $82.5 million in private gifts. In 2019 marked a historic milestone as the College announced its new status as a doctoral degree-granting institution following approval of its request for a level-change by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). In addition, SACSCOC approved Converse’s first doctoral program, a Doctorate of Education in Professional Leadership. On February 7, 2020, after many months of careful deliberation and research, Converse College decided to expand its undergraduate residential program from single-gender to co-ed beginning in Fall 2020. The Board of Trustees also approved a name change from college to university, effective July 1, 2021. On July 1, 2021, Converse officially changed its name to Converse University.

Academic Environment and Student Life

Converse University provides a personalized learning environment with a student-faculty ratio of 12:1. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 852 (fall 2023), its setting is city, and the campus size is 70 acres. The university utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. Converse University accepts the Common Application and has a test-optional admissions policy. The school's tuition and fees are $25,240. Seventy-six percent of first-year students receive need-based financial aid, and the average net price for federal loan recipients is $19,737. The four-year graduation rate is 52%. The Alumni Association Board recognizes and celebrates outstanding alumni who demonstrate high levels of achievement and/or service in one or more of Converse’s Seven Core Values: Excellence, Integrity, Exploration, Diversity, Respect, Community, and Progress. Converse offers over 100 majors, minors, certificates, and graduate programs. Converse puts you in the middle of it all. Converse athletic teams are called the Valkyries. The inaugural men's sports are basketball, cross country, soccer, tennis, track and field (indoor and outdoor) and volleyball. Converse's equestrian program is coeducational, though only women participate in NCAA-recognized competition.

Notable Alumni

Since the college’s founding, graduates have used their Converse experience as launching pads for successful careers and active citizenship. The Office of Alumni Relations begins working with students as freshmen, sponsoring events to increase their awareness of the Association and of their responsibilities as future alumni. Our alumni are a highly engaged, vibrant community of friends who span the globe, yet sustain lifelong relationships with one another and with their alma mater. The energy and enthusiasm of Converse graduates are evident as the momentum of our Alumni Association continues to build; making new connections, growing a stronger network, and hitting new milestones at every turn. Because of your efforts in communicating with Converse and with each other, our alumni network remains strong and united. We encourage you to explore your options for reconnecting, rediscovering, and returning home to Converse; consider joining us at an upcoming alumni event, like Reunion. Events on campus and in your area are the perfect opportunity to be a part of the Converse story and to continue lifelong friendships with your amazing Converse classmates. Among Converse alumnae are a Pulitzer Prize winner, a renowned heart researcher, a Texas Supreme Court Justice, a prominent civil rights attorney, Broadway performers, the deputy crew commander for Titan IV Rocket launches at Cape Canaveral, and the first female circuit court judge in South Carolina. The following are some examples of Converse University's notable alumni:

Arts and Culture

Elizabeth Williams Taylor: A soprano and actress with an extensive professional career in Broadway/Musical Theatre, Opera, Classical/Pops Symphonic Concert stage, and TV/Film. Touring across the USA and Canada, Elizabeth starred as Guenevere opposite Sir Richard Harris as King Arthur in the National Broadway Tour of Camelot. On the Opera stage, Elizabeth has sung the role of Musetta in Puccini’s La Boheme with North Carolina Opera and Opera Carolina. She also sang the role of Valencienne in The Merry Widow with North Carolina Opera. Other opera credits include Jackie in Michael Daughterty’s Jackie O and Ariel in Lee Hoiby’s “The Tempest” with Long Leaf Opera Festival. She was also privileged to perform the Southern Premiere of At the Statue of Venus by world-renowned American Opera composer Jake Heggie, with Jake accompanying her at the piano.
Franklyn Noll Skidmore: In 1961, on graduation day, Franklyn Noll Skidmore asked John McCrae, her Converse voice teacher, “Should I go to Juilliard now?” and he responded, “You’ve got your voice performance degree; get out there and sing!” So she set off to New York City. A Converse Board member arranged an audition with Metropolitan Opera star Jan Peerce, who encouraged and guided her early studies in New York. Franklyn has been the recipient of many honors: a winner of the Metropolitan Opera Regional Auditions, The Liederkranz Opera Award, The National Arts Club Award, and recognition by the Poulenc Foundation in Paris. She has appeared in operas and concerts at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the National Gallery, the Smithsonian, Le Capitole in Toulouse, and Le Cirque Royal in Brussels. She says her most exotic performing venue was singing for the Chief of The Figians in the South Pacific. Always a voice teacher with many successful students, as well as being an adjudicator for the National Association for Teachers of Singing, she has been associated with many groups offering scholarships for young emerging musicians. In 1997, a Lenoir High School Band reunion renewed Franklyn’s passion as a former first chair clarinet. She got out her old clarinet, took a few lessons from the principal clarinetist of the Atlanta Symphony, and has been playing clarinet ever since. She currently participates in two concert bands, two orchestras, and several chamber groups.
Sureka Amerasinghe: Sri Lankan musician, educator, and researcher Sureka Amerasinghe earned her Master of Music in Flute Performance with distinction from Converse in 2013. Mentored by Dr. Chris Vaneman, she was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda’s Rho Chapter. A second-generation Fulbright Scholar in 2010, Sureka researched Music in Conflict Resolution at Mannes School of Music, New York. She studied with Robert Dick on contemporary flute techniques during this period. Sureka’s composition Sri Lankan Choral Fantasie was premiered by the Royal College Choir at the World Choir Games in 2018. Her latest choral and instrumental work, Come! Sureka was chosen as a distinguished State Department Alumni to represent Sri Lanka in a regional TED Talk to help ‘Unleash South Asia’s Potential’ in 2016. Many of Sureka’s award-winning students have been global prize winners pursuing international music careers and several have been distinguished alumni of Converse. She has also been actively involved with music at St.

Community and Leadership

Grazier Rhea: A 1974 graduate of Converse, Grazier Rhea has been employed by the Catawba Regional Council of Governments for 46+ years and works with local governments in Chester, Lancaster, Union, and York Counties to develop strategies to address community needs. As Community Development Director, Grazier oversees projects and preparation of applications for the Community Development Block Grant program, the SC Rural Infrastructure Authority, the Economic Development Administration, SC Parks, Recreation & Tourism, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and other State and Federal programs. She served two terms as President of the SC Community Development Association and received their Leadership Award. Grazier has been active in her community as the founding President of Historic Rock Hill, Board member of the Junior Welfare League, Chair of Rock Hill’s Jubilee Arts Festival, Vice-Chair of Rock Hill’s Historic Review Board, Co-Chair of the York County Museum’s Gala, and Co-Chair of Rock Hill’s Empowering the Vision Historic Committee. She was a founder and served as President of the Women’s Art Initiative and is currently a Board member of the Arts Center at Fountain Park. She is also a member of Rock Hill’s Placemaking Committee and attends Episcopal Church of Our Saviour.
Missy Craver Izard: Born and raised in Charleston, S.C., Missy has called Flat Rock, N.C. home for almost three decades. A retired Summer Camp Director and art teacher, Missy has a passion for working with children. She is an entrepreneur, speaker, author, journalist, community leader, and the recipient of the White House Champions of Change for engaging the next generation of conservation leaders. Her professional achievements include serving in various board positions with the American Camp Association as well as receiving The American Camp Association National Service and Distinguished Service Awards. Missy has also received the Carolina Mountain Land Conservancy’s Lela McBride Award for Conservation. In her twenty years of teaching art in public and private elementary schools of Charleston County, she was named Teacher of the Year in 1996, served on Mayor Riley’s curriculum team for the Charleston Aquarium, and was a member of the Leadership Charleston class of 1998. She has held many board positions including President of Historic Flat Rock, The Flat Rock Playhouse, and President of the Ashley Hall Alumni Association. She was instrumental in the founding of two local Henderson County non-profits, Hand’s On! Missy’s love for Converse began at a young age with her grandmother, Katharine Everett McDonald, class of 1914, who was also a recipient of the Converse 100 Award at the Centennial Celebration of Converse. Both of her sisters, Ginny Craver Good and Ellen Craver Young as well as her aunt Myrtle Craver Riggs, all attended Converse.

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Lindsay A. Daniel: Serves as the Deputy University Counsel for East Tennessee State University where she advises the University and its thriving Academic Health Sciences Center on a wide range of legal issues that arise in the educational, clinical, and research setting. Ms. Daniel is a native of Northeast Tennessee where she is active in her community. She coaches the award-winning ETSU Mock Trial team where she very much enjoys mentoring students. She is a past President of the Washington County Bar Association and is a member of the Tri-Cities Women Who Care.
Joey Murphy Fowler: Began her career in IT in 1997 and joined the Denny’s team as a Lead Software Engineer in 2000; she now serves Denny’s Corporation as Senior Director Technical Services. During her 23 years with Denny’s, Joey has been very successful, despite the challenges she has faced as a diverse female in a traditionally male dominated field. Joey serves on several boards and committees in the Upstate area, including United Way of the Piedmont Board of Directors, African American Leadership Society, Women United of Spartanburg, Denny’s African American Leadership Group and Women’s Leadership Group. Joey was the recipient of the 2021 United Way of Piedmont Tomeka Pierce African American Leadership Society Award and the 2023 Women in Food Service Forum (WFF) Change Maker Award.

Education

Rev. Dr. P. Alice Rogers: The 2023 Recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award Recipient (Undergraduate) is Reverend Dr. P. Alice Rogers ’83Rev. Dr. P. Alice Rogers ’83 has served in the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church for 38 years in a variety of church contexts: inner city, rural, suburban, small membership, and large congregations. Alice’s teaching and research there culminated in two publications: “Equipping the Saints: Best Practices in Contextual Theological Education” (Pilgrim Press, 2010) and “Contextualizing Theological Education” (Pilgrim Press, 2008). She has represented the North Georgia Conference at the last six Jurisdictional and General Conferences of the United Methodist Church and serves on the United Methodist General Commission on Communications and on the North Georgia Conference Committee on Finance and Administration.
Dr. Telena Woody: For more than 18 years, Dr. Telena Woody has served Spartanburg as an educator for Spartanburg School District 7. She currently serves as an assistant principal at Spartanburg High School.
Amy Downey: Has spent thirty years as an educator focusing on supporting students with intellectual, orthopedic, autism, traumatic brain injury, vision, and other health impairments. She has served Greenville County School District for 29 of her 30 years at two middle schools, League Academy and Beck Academy. During her career, she has received various awards including, School Teacher of the Year, PTA Teacher of the Year, Golden Apple Top 5 finalists, Southwest Council District 1 PTA Teacher of the Year, and was named by Upstate Parent Magazine as one of 10 Educators Who Make a Difference. Possessing a deep connection to the students and their families, she has created a positive environment throughout the school and community. Her passion is to empower her students to develop confidence, a sense of purpose, and independence. Amy has worked to build strong, lasting relationships with students and their families, due to the belief that education is a collaborative effort. Each day brings new challenges and triumphs, but for Amy Downey, teaching is more than just a career-it’s a calling.

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Dr. Keshia Jackson Gilliam: The 2023 Recipient of the Mae Elizabeth Kilgo Spirit of Converse Award is Dr. Keshia Jackson Gilliam is the Director of the online Master in Management (MiM), the Professional Leadership Program (PLP) and the Doctorate in Professional Leadership Program at Converse University. Between 2017 and 2021, Keshia served as the Human Resources Director at Converse, including serving as Title IX Coordinator, HIPAA Compliance Officer, Benefits Administrator, Retirement Plan Sponsor, Employee Relations Manager, Unity in Diversity Coordinator, Risk Management Representative, President’s Cabinet and Direct Report. She has more than 30 years of professional human resources, leadership, and management experience while serving in various industries, including hospitality, non-profit, retail, corporate sales, higher education, and K-12. She is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), CUPA-HR, Spartanburg (SHRA), and the Greenville Human Resource Association (GHRA).

Healthcare

Dr. Pickenpaugh: Since graduating from Converse in 2015, Dr. Pickenpaugh has earned a masters degree in mental health counseling from UNC Charlotte and a PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Northern Colorado. She works as a psychology attending at Denver Health Hospital on the psychiatry consult liaison service. Denver Health is a level one trauma safety net hospital and the majority of patients are underserved and underinsured. Many patients are unhoused, struggle with substance misuse, and/or are members of marginalized communities. She helped form an innovative proactive service that screens trauma patients in the hospital for the risk of developing PTSD and provides early intervention to those at risk. This service had 3,143 encounters in the first two years and Dr. Pickenpaugh is conducting ongoing research on its effectiveness. She is the co-principal investigator for a 3-year, $1.5 million HRSA grant that currently funds 10 psychology residents. She serves as a faculty member at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and the psychology residency training program at Denver Health.

Other Fields

Amy Grace Peele Donahue: Amy Grace Peele Donohue lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her husband and three young children - a son and twin daughters. Amy Grace has a Master of Public Policy with an emphasis in national security from George Mason University’s School of Public Policy. Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General. Amy Grace has years of research, program evaluation, and project management experience supporting the DoD as a public servant and from the private sector. She has also worked in support of DoD projects at the RAND Corporation and Deloitte Consulting. During her years working at RAND, she conducted qualitative and mixed methods research resulting in numerous peer-reviewed publications.
Natalie Gilmore: Natalie Gilmore is from Valencia, California and graduated from Converse College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. While at Converse, Natalie played four years with the women’s soccer team and was a part of the school’s first-ever conference championship team in 2014. Natalie was named to the Dean’s List and Conference Carolinas Presidential Honor Roll from 2014-2017 and was selected as Defensive Player of the Year by her coaches in 2016. Natalie currently works as Communications Manager for SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. Additionally, Natalie works in communications for the LA Bowl, an annual collegiate football bowl game held at SoFi Stadium, and is responsible for game day media relations and year-long communication strategies around the bowl game.

Honorary Alumni

Janis Dengler: Before there was a Department of Theatre and Dance at Converse, Janis Dengler cultivated the talent, skills, and interests of students wishing to pursue their love of dance. Arriving on campus in 1960, Janis taught dance and physical education. Along the way, she produced 41 Converse Dance Ensemble Spring performances. Affectionately known as “Ms. Since her retirement in 2001, Janis has done volunteer work with Mobile Meals, and Mary Black Hospital, and taught an aerobics class at the Shepherd’s Center for 15 years.
Dr. Spence Mathews: Dr. Spence Mathews joined the Converse faculty in January 1967, and he taught until his retirement in August 2004, with the exception of time spent completing post-doctoral leave at Florida State University during the summer of 1968 and a six-month sabbatical leave at UCLA in 1996. During his tenure at Converse, Spence served as department chair from 1974 through 1999. He served the South Carolina Psychological Association for one year each as Secretary then as President, and he served for several years as a member of the Spartanburg Regional Hospital Institutional Review Board.
Dr. John Theilmann: Andrew Helmus Distinguished Professor of History and Politics John Theilmann came to Converse in fall 1985 after teaching at the University of Missouri-Rolla. Since then, he has taught more courses in history and political science than he can count, worked with several students on research projects, and even sat in on several SGA budget hearings and honor board deliberations. He has also hiked with some students and drank beer with others. John is dedicated to the idea that students and faculty engage in joint learning, and he puts that belief into practice by mentoring student research projects. He is on the editorial board of Journal of Political Science, the journal of the South Carolina Political Science Association, and he has been a political consultant and campaign manager.

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