All Gifts Can Make A Significant Impact: Meet Rose Buyck Newton ’92

Written by Amanda Mathis

A challenge during a Converse commencement speech made the world of difference for alum Rose Buyck Newton ’92.

“They challenged us to give back to Converse, to think of what a difference this college experience had on our lives and to invest in the future students of the college,” said Rose, who has degrees from Converse in finance and economics. “Their ask was simple – just give back.”

And that’s what she did – and it’s the only amount that has been consecutively drafted from her account since 1992.

Rose attended Converse on an academic scholarship, and, as someone who benefited from a donor’s forward thinking, she desires to do the same for this generation of Converse students.

For the past 33 years, Rose has donated to Converse each month via an automatic draft from her checking account, totaling nearly 300 gifts. As the chairman of the Bank of Clarendon in Manning, SC, Converse is the only organization that she supports each month automatically. Rose attended Converse on an academic scholarship, and, as someone who benefited from a donor’s forward thinking, she desires to do the same for this generation of Converse students.

“For me, it’s about seeing a need and doing what you can to help,” Rose reflected. “Whether it’s something big or small, financial or otherwise, it’s important for all alumni to give back, for so many reasons related to our family and faith, as well as our love for this community and institution.”

Rose says the desire to benefit her community is part of her DNA as a community banker, and she upholds a specific interest in improving financial literacy through education and training for both students and adults. “The soul of South Carolina lives in the rural areas of our great state, and it is our responsibility to ensure the viability of these communities for years to come,” she reflected. “It’s what makes South Carolina so special.”

A legacy student at Converse, Rose was familiar with the campus from stories her mother, Frances Reedy Buyck ’60, shared, but she did not visit it until her senior year in high school. While attending Converse, the administration team’s personal touch made the world of difference.

Reflecting on her experiences, Rose shares how her friendships, built through Converse, continue to strengthen our alumni community and foster belonging. “The school was a great place – small enough to learn from your classmates and teachers, which was important to my success,” she explained. “The 1:1 attention that you receive allows you to be on the trajectory of your own success.”

She fondly remembered Dr. Madelyn Young for bringing real-world situations into the classroom, preparing her for grad school, and for her travel abroad to London, which was life-changing.

“My advisor, Tom Maynard, made a profound impact on me. During a 1:1 session, he mentioned that if I kept up my great work, I could graduate with honors,” remembered Rose. “That one conversation inspired me not to make anything less than an A.”

Other professors also made an impact on Rose. She fondly remembered Dr. Madelyn Young for bringing real-world situations into the classroom, preparing her for grad school, and for her travel abroad to London, which was life-changing.

After graduation, Rose achieved a master’s in business administration from the University of South Carolina. A certified financial marketing professional, Rose has completed the American Bankers Association School of Bank Marketing. She has been the bank chairman of the Bank of Clarendon in Manning, SC, since 2017.

Rose embodies Converse’s mission to “empower students to become transformative leaders who see clearly, decide wisely, and act justly” through her volunteer work. A 2001 Leadership South Carolina, 2017 Liberty Fellowship Class graduate, and 2024 Furman University Riley Institute DLI Fellow, Rose currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the University of South Carolina and is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Novant Health Coastal Carolina Medical Center. She has previously served as director of the South Carolina Bankers Association.

“Our gifts can make a significant impact on the current lives of the students today,” said Rose. “If Converse has made an impact on your life, no gift is too small.”

As we celebrate the season of giving, we hope you will consider an end-of-year gift to The Converse Fund. With your support, Converse can continue to provide transformative programs and experiences that prepare students not only for careers but for lives of meaning and purpose.

Now is the perfect time to give, as you can double your impact thanks to two generous matching offers from Martha ’80 and Ken Howard, and trustee emerita Rose Montgomery Johnston. Between now and December 31, 2025, they will collectively match all gifts to The Converse Fund, dollar-for-dollar, up to $25,000.