Converse Announces New Director of Alumnae
Converse College announced today that Elizabeth A. Oswalt, member of the class of 2002, will return to her alma mater as director of the College’s alumnae office. She will begin her duties August 5th.
"I am very excited to be coming home to Converse and taking on the amazing opportunity of the director of alumnae position. There are Converse alumnae throughout the world and my vision includes building on the incredible work the Alumnae Office is accomplishing now, and increasing alumnae connection to the future of the college through interaction on-campus, in the hometowns of alumnae and in the virtual world across the globe," said Oswalt, who graduated with magna cum laude honors while earning her bachelor of fine arts in studio art. "Being a student at Converse was one of the best experiences of my life, and gave me lifelong friendships, a unique education, and the confidence to take on new challenges with the knowledge that I could do anything I put my mind to."
Since leaving Converse, Oswalt has worked primarily in the fields of art and technology. She currently works as a fundraising systems consultant for the software giant Blackbaud. She previously worked for the Columbia (S.C.) Museum of Art as development manager and member associate, the Spartanburg County Museum of Art as an instructor, and the North Carolina Pottery Center as an instructor.
"We are thrilled that Elizabeth is returning to Converse to lead the Alumnae Office," said Betsy Fleming, president of the school. "Her experience in art and technology may seem like polar opposites, but both share a nature of discovery, of creative thinking and new ideas based upon historical precedents."
Oswalt will replace Jane Marion Wilson, a member of the Converse Class of 2004, who has been appointed to the position of director of prospect research and campaign coordinator for the Converse Development Office. Wilson’s three-year tenure in the alumnae office can be summed up with words like momentum and energy. Under her leadership, Converse
- Increased attendance at alumnae events year after year, with record attendance of over 500 alumnae and friends at Reunion 2009
- Developed new and varied programs: for alumnae and their families an annual event at Riverbanks Zoo; for networking a luncheon featuring alumnae and women leading in the energy field in Columbia, South Carolina
- Expanded connection with students, our future alumnae, including increased recognition of our legacy students at formal Converse gatherings and advising the Senior Class as they prepare for graduation
“It has truly been a joy serving as the director of alumnae at Converse for the past three years," said Wilson. "Converse is lucky indeed to have found such a visionary in Elizabeth. With her strong background in both the arts and technology, Elizabeth is poised to create innovative and exciting connections for our alumnae, and we expect lots of new and exciting things for alumnae from her leadership!”