President Glenn McConnell Interview

Glenn McConnell, president of C of C

The College of Charleston's newest president, Glenn McConnell, sat down with a local reporter and discussed his excitement for the future of the College's men's basketball team, his reasoning behind steering away from the College's merger with MUSC, and what the College's newest graduate school component, the University of Charleston, means for the school.

Glenn McConnell has “moved on” from the men's basketball coaching debacle, and is looking forward to working with Earl Grant, the new head coach, with no anchors from the past. “He exudes confidence, he's about character, he's about creating a team we can be proud of, he's about academics,” McConnell said in excitement for Grant.

He went on to discuss Joe Hull, the athletic director. McConnell stated that he has only had the chance to work with Hull for three months, and that he was a tremendous help in the search for a new head coach. “We've got a changed set of dynamics here at the college now,” McConnell said. “We are gonna be doing things a little differently this coming year, but that's not a lack of confidence in anybody.”

In regards to the possible C of C and MUSC merger, McConnell said that it was mainly a vision of the Benson administration and that he sees things a little differently. “I was afraid that the college would get gobbled up by MUSC,” he said.

McConnell went on to ensure that the college's new graduate school, the University of Charleston, will remain a component of the college and not the other way around. The college will continue to give students a well rounded education and will continue to aim to be a premiere, flagship, and liberal arts and sciences institution.

“This is my alma mater, I don't want it absorbed, I want it to last, and I want it to be strong,” McConnell said.   

Hope for Healing Walk

This Saturday, Oct. 10, 2014, the North Charleston Dream Center, an affiliate of Seacoast Church, hosted the first ever Hope for Healing Walk to raise awareness and funds for the Dream Center Clinic which offers full medical, dental, and surgical services to the community completely free.

Hope for Healing Walk Walkers

The Hope for Healing Walk was a 1.5 mile walk around Park Circle and was followed by games, activities, food, and entertainment at North Charleston High School. The walk was held to raise awareness for the Dream Center Clinic which provides free medical services to the community. Over 200 doctors volunteer at the clinic, and it is funded 100 percent by donations and sponsors.

T-shirt (Front)

T-shirt (Back)

The Hope for Healing Walk was also an awesome fundraiser for the Dream Center Clinic by selling t-shirts and other small gifts. In fact, the walk met 92 percent of its donation goal before the event even started. “This event is a tangible effort to love your neighbor as yourself,” said Noah, a longtime volunteer for the North Charleston Dream Center and the Dream Center Clinic.

Noah, Dream Center Volunteer (right)

Noah told me a story about a woman and her son who donated medical supplies to the Dream Center Clinic, unaware of the center's capabilities and free services. Upon the discovery that the clinic offered free medical care, the woman's son got a check up as he had a pain in his chest. Turns out, the son had stage 4 lung cancer, and if it were not for the Dream Center Clinic he probably would not have been diagnosed as he had no health insurance. The son is currently under treatment and doing very well.

The Hope for Healing Walk gave people the opportunity to get involved with the community and be a part of a charitable cause. “This is my first ever charity walk, and I am really excited to be a part of it,” said Grace Tsai, a registered nurse at MUSC. She plans on volunteering at the Dream Center Clinic as often as she can. 

Grace Tsai, R.N. at MUSC

There were a lot of people at the event, including some of the doctors that volunteer at the Dream Center Clinic. “We love volunteering at this clinic, we love everything it stands for, and we cannot wait to see how much this event will benefit it,” said Michelle Rodriguez, a resident at MUSC and long time volunteer for the Dream Center Clinic.

Volunteer Doctors for the Dream Center Clinic

The North Charleston Dream Center hopes to host another Hope for Healing Walk next year, but in the mean time, check out their weekly events, like Adopt a Block, here. Also, a Dream Center Clinic is currently under construction in West Ashley near the Seacoast West Campus. Look for it to be up and running in the next couple of months!