Coker College
Encyclopedia
Coker College offers a four-year program that emphasizes a practical application of the liberal arts as well as hands-on and discussion-based learning within and beyond the classroom. Coker is ranked among the "Best Colleges" in the South by U.S. News & World Report as well as The Princeton Review
. Located in Hartsville, Darlington County, South Carolina
, Coker is within two hours of the cultural, financial and recreational resources of Charlotte
, Columbia
, Charleston
and Myrtle Beach
.
Founded in 1908, Coker is a private, co-ed four-year liberal arts college
. It is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
. Coker's sports teams, nicknamed the Cobras, compete in NCAA Division II.
The LASP is divided into different baskets of knowledge, and the student chooses the available classes from each basket that most interest them. The baskets are Core Skills (21 semester hours), Knowledge of the Arts (6 hours), Knowledge of the Behavioral Sciences (6 hours), Knowledge of the Humanities (6 hours), Knowledge of the Natural Sciences (7 hours), Knowledge of the United States (3 hours) and Knowledge of the Wider World (3 hours). As the students progresses through school, they may select classes to fulfill basket requirements that are in tune with their interests. For example, in the Knowledge of the Wider World baskets, students could choose a class on Latin-American Literature, World Religions, International Politics, Musics of the World, Modernization and Social Change or African Geography, among others. The classes offered under each basket allow for a host of different options, with no two students ever really taking all the same classes.
Coker also boasts two endowed scholarships to aid students in their quests to study abroad. The Susan Coker Watson Scholarship awards money to rising juniors and seniors hoping to study in a European nation, while the Malcolm Doubles Scholarship awards funds to study anywhere in the world.
"Preparing our students for the world as it was, or even as it is, does them a serious disservice," said Dr. Wyatt during his inauguration speech. "We have to help them to succeed regardless of what the future brings. We have to Redefine Ready. Instead of our graduates wondering, 'Am I ready for the real world?' we want them asking, 'Is the real world ready for me?"
The [Re
veteran, Major James Lide Coker (1837–1918). In 1908, when South Carolina
created a statewide public school system, Major Coker led the effort to convert the school to Coker College for Women.
From the 1920s until just after World War II
, it was the only college between Columbia
and Charleston
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
.
Coker was once affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention
, but has been non-denominational since 1944. It officially became co-ed in 1969, although men had been attending since the end of World War II
.
From 1988 to 2003, Coker students often interacted with students from South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
(SCGSSM) who lived and took their own courses on campus. In 2003, the SCGSSM moved to its own campus a few blocks away.
The Financial Aid Office is dedicated to helping each family navigate the financial planning process.
Coker awards more than $5.7 million annually in scholarships and grants in addition to federal and state aid.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
has given Coker special commendations for the quality of interaction between faculty, students and staff and the attractiveness of the campus grounds and facilities.
U.S. News & World Report
ranks Coker #17 in the Top Baccalaureate Colleges in the South for 2011. The magazine has named Coker a "Best College" for 15 consecutive years.
The Princeton Review
selected Coker College a “Best Southeastern College” in its 2011 rankings based on academic excellence and student satisfaction; this is Coker's seventh consecutive selection to this honor.
Barron’s consistently names Coker one of the nation's 300 Best Buys in College Education.
The National Survey of Student Engagement
ranked Coker in the top 10% of all institutions for providing students with a supportive campus environment, enriching educational experiences, student-faculty interaction, active and collaborative learning and a high level of academic challenge.
. The Alumni House (Drengaelen), The President's House, The Dean's & President's Offices (David & May Coker House) and The Registrar's Offices (Lawton-Wilson House) are all located in old mansions along the northern edge of campus.
Hartsville and Coker College owe much to the generosity of the Coker family, founders of Sonoco and Coker's Pedigreed Seed Company. The Coker family's patronage of the college has led the vast majority of buildings on campus having Coker somewhere in the name. Students often joke to freshmen or visitors that they'll meet them "in the Coker" building as a way to gently initiate newcomers to campus.
In the Coker Residence Hall's basement one finds The Cobra Den and The Cobra Pit — the on-campus spot for night life. Open nightly, The Pit offers students the luxury of playing pool or watching television without having to leave the residence halls. The Cobra Den serves as the venue for the faculty Academic Karaoke lectures, and on the weekend, The Den has resident DJs.
The residence halls are protected by locking rooms, ID card swipe building entry and 24-hour security guards that patrol the campus.
The college has 12 varsity athletics programs which compete in Conference Carolinas
. They include Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, Tennis, Golf, Soccer and Cross Country. As Coker was originally a Women's college, there was no history of a football squad; this, along with the high costs of starting and maintaining a team, helps explain why Coker has no varsity football team today. Coker will have a men's lacrosse team competing in the spring of 2012.
As part of its focus on the future, Coker plans to build a brand-new Athletics facility on the south side of campus (Carolina Ave).
Notable alumni include:
Coker’s 2007-08 day students hail from 27 states and 7 foreign countries (Canada, Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, Finland, Guatemala and Lithuania); 61% are women, and 39% are men. 27% of all students declare themselves as being from a minority ethnic group, with African-American holding the largest share at 23% of the student body.
Bonfire and Homecoming Court
Held in early October, Homecoming Week consists of a formal welcoming of the alumni, a homecoming soccer game and a competition between classes. Some of the competition activities include class cheers, class comedian competitions and the Hunk Contest. A bonfire is always held (drought-permitting) as a capstone event.
Winter Formal
A recent addition to campus traditions, the Winter Formal dance is held at the Hartsville Country Club.
C.O.W. Days
The Coker Olympics of Winter is a weeklong event held beginning the first weekend in February. Events include the hotwing eating contest, tug-o-war and the ever-popular musical water buckets. Competition is arranged by class (school year), and the winner earns the highly coveted title of C.O.W. Days Champions.
Crew Race
Each Spring at the Sory Boathouse on Prestwood Lake (just blocks from Coker's campus), teams made up of sister classes race across the lake in canoes. Teams practice for weeks ahead of time to continue a tradition that dates back to 1919.
Late-Night Breakfast
Just before finals each semester, the faculty and staff cook a free, late-night breakfast for resident students studying for their final exams. Aramark
Corporation donates the food, and the college's employees provide the free labor. This popular event is attended by the majority of resident students.
Coffee at the Courtyard
During Fall and Spring semesters, in front of Davidson Hall at 9:15 AM every Thursday morning, Coker provides students, staff and faculty with free coffee
, hot chocolate
, juice and pastries. A brief ceremony is usually held to honor people's recent accomplishments, but the main benefit is a chance to chat and socialize with people outside one's normal sphere. The Evening School has a similar program, but it only happens once a semester.
BandFest
One of the students' favorite events is BandFest, a concert festival consisting of bands invited from around the country. BandFest usually lasts for an entire evening.
The fourth weekend of every March, the RenoFest comes to Hartsville with excellent bluegrass music from a wide variety of bands from around the country.
Because of the enormous wealth that Sonoco and other industries have brought to the town, there are many businesses that one would not normally find in a town of this size. Also, Coker students help invigorate the downtown economy, attracting businesses that lend it a young and vibrant atmosphere. Most notable among these locations is the Midnight Rooster, a downtown Hartsville coffeeshop.
of Coker College. The Sory Boathouse is equipped with several canoes, tandem kayaks and associated equipment. Students can borrow the key and enjoy all South Carolina blackwater
has to offer, free of charge. Kalmia Gardens
is a mature botanical garden
. It is home to the Hart House (built in 1820) and adjoins the 796 acres (322 ha) Segars-McKinnon Heritage Preserve, a blackwater swamp and forested wildlife reservation. The two properties comprise 831 acres (336 ha), roughly equal in size to New York City
's Central Park
. Kalmia Gardens hosts numerous community events and contains biking and walking trails that are open to the public.
will build the Vista Railyard Project. It will be filled with greenspace, a park and municipal buildings. The project will connect Coker College and the Governor’s School for Science and Math to downtown Hartsville and provide an educational corridor
when completed.
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review is an American-based standardized test preparation and admissions consulting company. The Princeton Review operates in 41 states and 22 countries across the globe. It offers test preparation for standardized aptitude tests such as the SAT and advice regarding college...
. Located in Hartsville, Darlington County, South Carolina
Hartsville, South Carolina
Hartsville is a small city in Darlington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,764 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hartsville is located at ....
, Coker is within two hours of the cultural, financial and recreational resources of Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
, Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
, Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
and Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is a coastal city on the east coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It is situated on the center of a large and continuous stretch of beach known as the Grand Strand in northeastern South Carolina. It is considered to be a major tourist destination in the...
.
Founded in 1908, Coker is a private, co-ed four-year liberal arts college
Liberal arts college
A liberal arts college is one with a primary emphasis on undergraduate study in the liberal arts and sciences.Students in the liberal arts generally major in a particular discipline while receiving exposure to a wide range of academic subjects, including sciences as well as the traditional...
. It is fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
. Coker's sports teams, nicknamed the Cobras, compete in NCAA Division II.
Academics
As a Liberal Arts institution, Coker declares that its mission is to be a student-centered, comprehensive, degree-granting college. Coker's goal is to graduate students with the ability to think analytically and creatively, and to write and speak effectively. It strives to provide every student with an academic curriculum based upon a liberal arts core, known as the Liberal Arts Studies Program (LASP).The LASP is divided into different baskets of knowledge, and the student chooses the available classes from each basket that most interest them. The baskets are Core Skills (21 semester hours), Knowledge of the Arts (6 hours), Knowledge of the Behavioral Sciences (6 hours), Knowledge of the Humanities (6 hours), Knowledge of the Natural Sciences (7 hours), Knowledge of the United States (3 hours) and Knowledge of the Wider World (3 hours). As the students progresses through school, they may select classes to fulfill basket requirements that are in tune with their interests. For example, in the Knowledge of the Wider World baskets, students could choose a class on Latin-American Literature, World Religions, International Politics, Musics of the World, Modernization and Social Change or African Geography, among others. The classes offered under each basket allow for a host of different options, with no two students ever really taking all the same classes.
Majors
Coker offers 29 majors and 23 minors of study that will prepare students for careers in any number of industries. The college also offers individual majors and double majors; self-designated degree programs; specializations; and pre-professional programs. Some of the currently offered majors include: Education (several options), Business Administration, Communications, Spanish, Criminology, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Philosophy and Religion, Pre-Law, Art (Photography, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Art Education), Music (Voice, Piano, Musical Theater, Music Education), Dance, Theatre (3 options), Computer Science, Physical Education, Sport Management, Medical Technology, Biology, Chemistry and English.Round Table
Instituted in 1985, Coker’s unique, interactive "Round Table" teaching style is recognized as a model learning experience in Smart Parents Guide to College (© Peterson’s, 1997) for promoting the discussion of ideas while building leadership and communication skills.Summer Programs
Coker offers summer programs for high school students in partnership with Blueprint Summer Programs. In summer 2011, the program begins on June 26 and July 10 with four courses available: Studio Arts & Photography, Creative Writing, Acting and Production Design or Social Psychology. Students live and study on campus and go on field trips to Charleston, Charlotte and other destinations.Study Abroad
Coker encourages students to study abroad through its Center for International and Experiential Education (CIEE). Coker views international experience as an essential part of any liberal arts education and has established relationships with partner schools to facilitate students' desires to study abroad. In addition to student/advisor prepared individualized semester abroad programs, Coker offers faculty-led Spring Interim and Summer Term trips.Coker also boasts two endowed scholarships to aid students in their quests to study abroad. The Susan Coker Watson Scholarship awards money to rising juniors and seniors hoping to study in a European nation, while the Malcolm Doubles Scholarship awards funds to study anywhere in the world.
The Four Year Program
Coker utilizes a distinctive four-year program that emphasizes a practical application of the liberal arts as well as hands-on and discussion-based learning within and beyond the class room.- Year 1: Students connect with classmates and explore interests in freshmen seminars and activities.
- Year 2: Students receive the advice they need to choose a major or design one that fits.
- Year 3: Students discover the wider world through an internship, study away or abroad, community service or special project.
- Year 4: Students complete their personalized, well-laid plan to be accepted to the career or degree program of their choice.
Redefining Ready
Since the inauguration of Dr. Robert L. Wyatt as Coker College's 16th president on July 1, 2009, the college has been putting forth efforts to "[Re]define Ready.""Preparing our students for the world as it was, or even as it is, does them a serious disservice," said Dr. Wyatt during his inauguration speech. "We have to help them to succeed regardless of what the future brings. We have to Redefine Ready. Instead of our graduates wondering, 'Am I ready for the real world?' we want them asking, 'Is the real world ready for me?"
The [Re
- 10. We must redefine what it means to say, "A Coker student is ready."
- 9. We must redefine what we mean when we say, "A Coker student leads by example."
- 8. We must redefine, "A Coker student drives change."
- 7. We must redefine, "A Coker student solves big problems."
- 6. We must redefine what we mean when we say, "A Coker student lives long, happily and well."
- 5. We must redefine what it means to be student-focused.
- 4. We must redefine our intention when we affirm, "A Coker student has multiple educational options."
- 3. We must redefine our claim, "A Coker student learns by doing."
- 2. We must redefine our assertion, "A Coker student makes all the difference."
- 1. Finally, we must redefine and make good our promise when we say, "A Coker student is ready for the world."
History
Coker College began in 1894 as Welsh Neck High School, founded by a local businessman and American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
veteran, Major James Lide Coker (1837–1918). In 1908, when South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
created a statewide public school system, Major Coker led the effort to convert the school to Coker College for Women.
From the 1920s until just after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, it was the only college between Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
and Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
.
Coker was once affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention
South Carolina Baptist Convention
The South Carolina Baptist Convention is a group of churches affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention located in the U.S. state of South Carolina...
, but has been non-denominational since 1944. It officially became co-ed in 1969, although men had been attending since the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
From 1988 to 2003, Coker students often interacted with students from South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics provides advanced educational opportunities for highly successful high school students who demonstrate interest and talent in pursuit of science and mathematics...
(SCGSSM) who lived and took their own courses on campus. In 2003, the SCGSSM moved to its own campus a few blocks away.
Financial Aid
Approximately 80% of Coker students receive need-based financial aid in addition to academic, athletic and other talent-based scholarships.The Financial Aid Office is dedicated to helping each family navigate the financial planning process.
Coker awards more than $5.7 million annually in scholarships and grants in addition to federal and state aid.
Laurels
Coker's average class size is 12, one of the smallest in the nation; many classes have fewer than 10 students.The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
has given Coker special commendations for the quality of interaction between faculty, students and staff and the attractiveness of the campus grounds and facilities.
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report is an American news magazine published from Washington, D.C. Along with Time and Newsweek it was for many years a leading news weekly, focusing more than its counterparts on political, economic, health and education stories...
ranks Coker #17 in the Top Baccalaureate Colleges in the South for 2011. The magazine has named Coker a "Best College" for 15 consecutive years.
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review
The Princeton Review is an American-based standardized test preparation and admissions consulting company. The Princeton Review operates in 41 states and 22 countries across the globe. It offers test preparation for standardized aptitude tests such as the SAT and advice regarding college...
selected Coker College a “Best Southeastern College” in its 2011 rankings based on academic excellence and student satisfaction; this is Coker's seventh consecutive selection to this honor.
Barron’s consistently names Coker one of the nation's 300 Best Buys in College Education.
The National Survey of Student Engagement
National Survey of Student Engagement
The National Survey of Student Engagement is a survey instrument used to gauge the level of student participation at universities and colleges in Canada and the United States as it relates to learning. The results of the survey help administrators and instructors to assess their students' student...
ranked Coker in the top 10% of all institutions for providing students with a supportive campus environment, enriching educational experiences, student-faculty interaction, active and collaborative learning and a high level of academic challenge.
Campus
The 15 acres (6.1 ha) main campus contains mostly Georgian-style brick buildings, some of which (e.g., Davidson Hall, home to the college's famed round table classrooms) are listed on the National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. The Alumni House (Drengaelen), The President's House, The Dean's & President's Offices (David & May Coker House) and The Registrar's Offices (Lawton-Wilson House) are all located in old mansions along the northern edge of campus.
Hartsville and Coker College owe much to the generosity of the Coker family, founders of Sonoco and Coker's Pedigreed Seed Company. The Coker family's patronage of the college has led the vast majority of buildings on campus having Coker somewhere in the name. Students often joke to freshmen or visitors that they'll meet them "in the Coker" building as a way to gently initiate newcomers to campus.
Residence Halls
There are six student residence halls including Memorial (1914), James Lide Coker III (1962), Belk (1916), Coker (1916) and Grannis (1969), which all adjoin the Linville Dining Hall (1916). Richard and Tuck Coker Hall (1988), commonly called the RTC, lies between the library and the other residence halls. Despite the age of these structures, most have been recently remodeled and are fully modernized. The Dining Hall offers three meals a day that range from light healthy fare to hearty "homecooking." Memorial Hall houses the Drawing Room, a ballroom/dining hall for special events.In the Coker Residence Hall's basement one finds The Cobra Den and The Cobra Pit — the on-campus spot for night life. Open nightly, The Pit offers students the luxury of playing pool or watching television without having to leave the residence halls. The Cobra Den serves as the venue for the faculty Academic Karaoke lectures, and on the weekend, The Den has resident DJs.
The residence halls are protected by locking rooms, ID card swipe building entry and 24-hour security guards that patrol the campus.
Library
In January 2008, students began using the Charles W. and Joan S. Coker Library-Information Technology Center. This 40000 sq ft (3,716.1 m²) state-of-the-art building replaces the James Lide Coker III Library, which will be remodeled into an upscale residence hall. The new library was built entirely from donations from a capital campaign and is an example of Coker alumni generosity to the college.Health Services
Coker Student Health Services is housed in the residence halls, near the Dining Hall. An RN is on-site to aid with general injuries and treatments and to make referrals to physicians as needed.Athletics
Adjacent to the main campus is a 22 acres (8.9 ha) athletics complex with baseball, softball, soccer and tennis facilities. Near the athletics fields on East Carolina Avenue are the Saleeby House, home to Coker's athletics program, and the Department of Education Building.The college has 12 varsity athletics programs which compete in Conference Carolinas
Conference Carolinas
Conference Carolinas, formerly known as the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference , is an intercollegiate athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA’s Division II. Conference Carolinas reached its modern incarnation in 1994. Member institutions are located in the southeastern United States in...
. They include Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Volleyball, Tennis, Golf, Soccer and Cross Country. As Coker was originally a Women's college, there was no history of a football squad; this, along with the high costs of starting and maintaining a team, helps explain why Coker has no varsity football team today. Coker will have a men's lacrosse team competing in the spring of 2012.
As part of its focus on the future, Coker plans to build a brand-new Athletics facility on the south side of campus (Carolina Ave).
Alumni
Coker’s alumni giving percentage - a gauge of alumni satisfaction - recently reached 52%, highest among all of South Carolina's colleges and universities and equal to the top 25 liberal arts colleges nationally. Coker’s alumni giving percentage is typically 24% to 34% - higher than most of the South’s Best Comprehensive Colleges.Notable alumni include:
- Dr. Bonnie Ethel ConeBonnie Ethel ConeBonnie Ethel Cone was an American educator best known as the founder of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.-Early life:...
, a renowned educator who founded the University of North Carolina at CharlotteUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteThe University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
.
- Dr. Ruth Patrick, a famous botanist who received her bachelors degree from Coker College in 1929. Her work has been widely published, and she has received numerous awards for her scientific achievements, including the National Medal of ScienceNational Medal of ScienceThe National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral and social sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, mathematics and...
in 1996. The Ruth Patrick Science Education Center is named after her. On April 4, 2008, she was named Coker College's Alumna of the Century.
- Poet Terrance HayesTerrance HayesTerrance Hayes is a prize-winning American poet. His recent poetry collection Lighthead won the National Book Award for Poetry...
, winner of the National Book AwardNational Book AwardThe National Book Awards are a set of American literary awards. Started in 1950, the Awards are presented annually to American authors for literature published in the current year. In 1989 the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization which now oversees and manages the National Book...
, Kate Tufts Discovery Award, Whiting Writers Award, a Pushcart PrizePushcart PrizeThe Pushcart Prize is an American literary prize by Pushcart Press that honors the best "poetry, short fiction, essays or literary whatnot" published in the small presses over the previous year. Magazine and small book press editors are invited to nominate up to 6 works they have featured....
, a 2009 Best American Poetry selection and a National Endowment for the ArtsNational Endowment for the ArtsThe National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
Fellowship, earned his B.A. from Coker. He is the authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
of Wind in a Box (Penguin, 2006), Hip Logic (2002), which won the National Poetry SeriesNational Poetry SeriesThe National Poetry Series is an American literary awards program.Every year since 1979 it has sponsored the publication of five books of poetry...
and Muscular Music (1999). Terrence is an Associate Professor of Creative WritingCreative writingCreative writing is considered to be any writing, fiction, poetry, or non-fiction, that goes outside the bounds of normal professional, journalistic, academic, and technical forms of literature. Works which fall into this category include novels, epics, short stories, and poems...
at Carnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegie Mellon University is a private research university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States....
in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaPennsylvaniaThe Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
.
- South Carolina State Representative Denny Woodall Neilson (Mrs. David S.), representing District 56, ChesterfieldChesterfield County, South Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 42,768 people, 16,557 households, and 11,705 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 18,818 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile...
& Darlington counties. She is a member of both the Rules and the Ways & Means House committees.
- Marvin Legrand "Le" Flowers, a county council member of Darlington, SC
- Contemporary figurative artFigurative artFigurative art, sometimes written as figurativism, describes artwork—particularly paintings and sculptures—which are clearly derived from real object sources, and are therefore by definition representational.-Definition:...
ist Patrick Earl HammiePatrick Earl HammiePatrick Earl Hammie is an American painter best known for monumental portraits that adopt body language and narrative to reinvent and remix ideal beauty and heroic nudity.-Early life:...
graduated from Coker College in 2004 with a bachelors degree in Fine Arts. After graduating from Coker College, Hammie received his MFA degree from the University of ConnecticutUniversity of ConnecticutThe admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
. In 2008, he was the inaugural recipient of the Alice C. Cole Class of 42 Fellowship in Studio Arts at Wellesley College. He currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Painting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignThe University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
.
Presidents
- Major James Lide Coker
- Dr. E. V. Baldy (1909–1911)
- Dr. Arthur Jackson Hall (1911–1914)
- Dr. Howard Lee Jones (1914–1915)
- Dr. E. W. Sikes (1916–1925)
- Dr. Carlyle Campbell (1925–1936)
- Dr. C. Sylvester Green (1936–1944)
- Dr. Donald C. Agnew (1944–1952)
- Dr. Joseph C. Robert (1952–1955)
- Dr. John A. Barry, Jr. (1955–1959)
- Dr. Fenton Keyes (1960–1968)
- Dr. Wilfrid H. Callcott (1968–1969)
- Dr. Gus Turbeville (1969–1974)
- Dr. C. Hilburn Womble (1975–1980)
- Dr. James D. Daniels (1981–2002)
- Dr. B. James Dawson (2002–2009)
- Dr. Robert L. Wyatt (2009–present)
Faculty
Coker has 68 full-time faculty, and 88% hold the highest degree in their field. In addition to these professors, Coker utilizes more than 70 adjunct and part-time faculty.Students
Coker College's Fall 2009 enrollment is 1156 full- and part-time students. The average GPA is 3.2, and the average SAT score is 1004.Coker’s 2007-08 day students hail from 27 states and 7 foreign countries (Canada, Czech Republic, Ecuador, England, Finland, Guatemala and Lithuania); 61% are women, and 39% are men. 27% of all students declare themselves as being from a minority ethnic group, with African-American holding the largest share at 23% of the student body.
Traditions
Traditions of the college include:Bonfire and Homecoming Court
Held in early October, Homecoming Week consists of a formal welcoming of the alumni, a homecoming soccer game and a competition between classes. Some of the competition activities include class cheers, class comedian competitions and the Hunk Contest. A bonfire is always held (drought-permitting) as a capstone event.
Winter Formal
A recent addition to campus traditions, the Winter Formal dance is held at the Hartsville Country Club.
C.O.W. Days
The Coker Olympics of Winter is a weeklong event held beginning the first weekend in February. Events include the hotwing eating contest, tug-o-war and the ever-popular musical water buckets. Competition is arranged by class (school year), and the winner earns the highly coveted title of C.O.W. Days Champions.
Crew Race
Each Spring at the Sory Boathouse on Prestwood Lake (just blocks from Coker's campus), teams made up of sister classes race across the lake in canoes. Teams practice for weeks ahead of time to continue a tradition that dates back to 1919.
Late-Night Breakfast
Just before finals each semester, the faculty and staff cook a free, late-night breakfast for resident students studying for their final exams. Aramark
Aramark
Aramark Corporation, known commonly as Aramark, is an American foodservice, facilities, and clothing provider supplying businesses, educational institutions, sports facilities, federal and state prisons, and health care institutions. It is headquartered at the Aramark Tower in Center City,...
Corporation donates the food, and the college's employees provide the free labor. This popular event is attended by the majority of resident students.
Coffee at the Courtyard
During Fall and Spring semesters, in front of Davidson Hall at 9:15 AM every Thursday morning, Coker provides students, staff and faculty with free coffee
Coffee
Coffee is a brewed beverage with a dark,init brooo acidic flavor prepared from the roasted seeds of the coffee plant, colloquially called coffee beans. The beans are found in coffee cherries, which grow on trees cultivated in over 70 countries, primarily in equatorial Latin America, Southeast Asia,...
, hot chocolate
Hot chocolate
Hot chocolate is a heated beverage typically consisting of shaved chocolate, melted chocolate or cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and sugar...
, juice and pastries. A brief ceremony is usually held to honor people's recent accomplishments, but the main benefit is a chance to chat and socialize with people outside one's normal sphere. The Evening School has a similar program, but it only happens once a semester.
BandFest
One of the students' favorite events is BandFest, a concert festival consisting of bands invited from around the country. BandFest usually lasts for an entire evening.
Community
Coker College founded, and still co-hosts, the annual and free Jazz! Carolina Festival.The fourth weekend of every March, the RenoFest comes to Hartsville with excellent bluegrass music from a wide variety of bands from around the country.
Because of the enormous wealth that Sonoco and other industries have brought to the town, there are many businesses that one would not normally find in a town of this size. Also, Coker students help invigorate the downtown economy, attracting businesses that lend it a young and vibrant atmosphere. Most notable among these locations is the Midnight Rooster, a downtown Hartsville coffeeshop.
Sory Boathouse & Kalmia Gardens
Through generous donations, Coker also owns the Sory Boathouse on Prestwood Lake and the Kalmia GardensKalmia Gardens
Kalmia Gardens is a mature botanical garden located at 1624 West Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, South Carolina. Part of Coker College, it is open daily without admission....
of Coker College. The Sory Boathouse is equipped with several canoes, tandem kayaks and associated equipment. Students can borrow the key and enjoy all South Carolina blackwater
Blackwater river
A blackwater river is a river with a deep, slow-moving channel that flows through forested swamps and wetlands. As vegetation decays in the water, tannins are leached out, resulting in transparent, acidic water that is darkly stained, resembling tea or coffee. Most major blackwater rivers are in...
has to offer, free of charge. Kalmia Gardens
Kalmia Gardens
Kalmia Gardens is a mature botanical garden located at 1624 West Carolina Avenue, Hartsville, South Carolina. Part of Coker College, it is open daily without admission....
is a mature botanical garden
Botanical garden
A botanical garden The terms botanic and botanical, and garden or gardens are used more-or-less interchangeably, although the word botanic is generally reserved for the earlier, more traditional gardens. is a well-tended area displaying a wide range of plants labelled with their botanical names...
. It is home to the Hart House (built in 1820) and adjoins the 796 acres (322 ha) Segars-McKinnon Heritage Preserve, a blackwater swamp and forested wildlife reservation. The two properties comprise 831 acres (336 ha), roughly equal in size to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
's Central Park
Central Park
Central Park is a public park in the center of Manhattan in New York City, United States. The park initially opened in 1857, on of city-owned land. In 1858, Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux won a design competition to improve and expand the park with a plan they entitled the Greensward Plan...
. Kalmia Gardens hosts numerous community events and contains biking and walking trails that are open to the public.
Vista Railyard Project
Along the campus's eastern edge, through the cooperation of several entities, the City of HartsvilleHartsville, South Carolina
Hartsville is a small city in Darlington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,764 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Hartsville is located at ....
will build the Vista Railyard Project. It will be filled with greenspace, a park and municipal buildings. The project will connect Coker College and the Governor’s School for Science and Math to downtown Hartsville and provide an educational corridor
Hall
In architecture, a hall is fundamentally a relatively large space enclosed by a roof and walls. In the Iron Age, a mead hall was such a simple building and was the residence of a lord and his retainers...
when completed.