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.
2024 Alumni Achievement Award Winners
Our Alumni Association Board is honored to recognize our outstanding Alumni with the following awards:
The 2024 Recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award Recipient (Undergraduate) is Marlyn Canero Ciesla ’89
Marlyn Ciesla has been a pathologist in private practice with Alliance Pathology Consultants for over 20 years. She serves at Ascension Alexian Brothers Medical Center which is located outside of Chicago, Illinois.
After graduating from Converse in 1989 with a chemistry degree, she worked for one year at Kraft Foods before she attended the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. Initially intending to become a family physician or pediatrician, she soon discovered she was best suited for pathology and laboratory medicine. Thus, she completed residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology, serving as chief resident, and then completed a subspecialty fellowship in Cytopathology.
In 2000, Marlyn joined the faculty of Loyola University Medical Center as an Assistant Professor of Pathology, where she published and presented research articles, abstracts, and other scholarly works. While at Alexian Brothers, she was the Director of Microbiology for many years before becoming Director of Cytology, a role in which she currently serves. Marlyn is a member of the College of American Pathologists and the American Society of Clinical Pathology.
Having lived now for almost 30 years in Naperville, IL, she spends time with family, especially her mother and daughter, and with friends through her church. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and discussing children’s books and science fiction/fantasy books, movies, or TV shows, and most recently she participated in the Naperville chapter of the American Association of University Women and Library Group discussion, Great Decisions Foreign Policy Association.
The 2024 Recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Award (Graduate) is Thomas Webster ’96
I attended school in Spartanburg District 7, the district where I now work. While attending McCracken Jr. High School, I had the good fortune of meeting my future wife, Bonnie. I graduated from USC Upstate with a BA in English and Bonnie and I married in 1994. I completed an MEd at Converse in 1996. Bonnie and I have three children: Ella, a second-year teacher at Spartanburg Day School, Mae, Education Director at the Spartanburg Science Center, and Finch, a musician who will attend Converse’s Petrie School of Music in the fall.
I taught 4th grade, 5th grade, have been a Science Coach, served as Director of Science Education, was principal of Jesse Bobo Elementary, and was most recently principal of Drayton Mills Elementary. I was a National Board certified teacher for twenty years, helped author South Carolina’s science standards, was honored as Spartanburg District Six’s Teacher of the Year, helped establish Dorman High School’s STEM Program, worked with colleagues to have Jesse S. Bobo Elementary designated as the world’s first LEGO Education School, and was the founding principal of Drayton Mills Elementary. I am especially proud of the fact that, since we opened in 2018, the faculty and staff of DMES have taken our school from a rating of “Below Average” to “Good.” We have our eyes on “Excellent,” only four points away!
After 28 years of working in public education, I am retiring at the end of this school year. However, I am returning as a “working retiree,” teaching 3rd grade at Mary H. Wright Elementary. I am so grateful for and flattered by this recognition – thank you!
The 2024 Recipient of the Community Service Award Recipient is Amy Cantrell ’94
Amy Cantrell lives in Asheville, North Carolina and is founder and Co-Director of BeLoved Asheville; dedicated to creating home, health, equity, and opportunity for all. BeLoved is a community of people putting love into action every day. We bring people from all walks of life together to create innovative solutions to some of the most challenging problems of our time, which include housing and food insecurity, poverty, lack of healthcare, systemic racism, and climate change.
BeLoved’s projects include BeLoved Villages of deeply affordable homes; rapid relief, community health, and vaccination equity efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic; the first homeless/formerly homeless Street Medic Team in the nation; Racial Healing & Cultural Organizing; creating healthy food access through Free Farmer’s Markets, Plants for the People and community gardens; as well as advocacy campaigns around affordable housing, homelessness, food equity, gentrification, and systemic racism. Our projects work at the intersections of community, creativity, and equity.
Amy was school-educated at Converse College (BA) and Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA (MDiv.) and was “street educated” at the Open Door Community in Atlanta and at BeLoved Asheville. In 2020, she passed the NASCLA national licensing exam and became a general contractor to help support BeLoved’s project to build deeply affordable homes. She received the Western North Carolina Peacemaker of the Year Award in 2017 and was recently named one of the USA Today Network’s Women of the Year, 2024. She is married to Adrienne Sigmon and loves being mom to twin 10-year-olds, Myla and Eleecia. She loves the color purple, playing guitar, making art, and studying movement history.
The 2024 Recipient of the Career Achievement Award is Joy Stoney-Reid ’00
Joy Stoney-Reid is a Johns Island, South Carolina native who graduated from Converse College and the University of South Carolina School of Law. Upon obtaining her law degree, Joy embarked on a distinguished legal career, initially working for a prominent law firm. She then founded the Stoney Law Firm LLC in 2006 where she quickly earned a reputation for excellent representation of clients. She has expanded the firm to Stoney & Walker LLC with offices in Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina now serving as the firm’s Managing Partner. Joy demonstrates an unwavering commitment to justice, advocating for clients with tenacity and integrity.
Over the years, she’s represented clients in civil litigation, workers’ compensation, and probate administration, garnering clients millions of dollars in settlements while simultaneously earning the respect of peers and adversaries alike. Joy became known for her strategic legal thinking, effective courtroom presence, and dedication to upholding the principles of justice.
In recognition of her legal acumen and commitment to justice, Joy was appointed as a Magistrate Judge in Charleston County in 2019 where she serves on a part-time basis. Serving in this role, she contributes to the legal system by presiding over cases with fairness and impartiality. She brings her wealth of legal knowledge to the bench, ensuring that the principles of justice are upheld in every case.
Beyond her legal practice and work on the bench, Joy has been involved in the community. She has volunteered her time with various local organizations, serving on the Board of the Trident Area Agency on Aging and Disability Rights SC. Joy is committed to making a positive impact on her community, demonstrating a sense of social responsibility that extends beyond the courtroom. Outside the legal realm, Joy enjoys spending time with her husband Kenta and their toddler girls Zoe and Olivia.
The 2024 Recipient of the Career Achievement in Music Award is Laura Alley Dietrich ’74
It seems that both music and Converse were a part of my DNA before my eyes were opened to the world. By the time I was born, my mother had completed her BM in vocal performance at Converse and had begun work on her master’s degree. My parents, both students at the time, lived in a duplex that nearly bordered the Converse campus, which became my first playground.
Following the completion of my BM in Vocal Performance, I attended The Manhattan School of Music, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous angel who helped to finance my studies. The only stipulation was that I “help others pursue their dreams,” which has been a passion for me. I left MSM and completed my studies at the University of Mississippi. By this time, I had shifted my focus to directing; a decision I have never regretted. Shortly after receiving a MM in Opera Production, followed by a MFA in Theater and Music, I received a grant from what was then called the National Opera Institute to pursue a career in opera directing. Thus began my 40+ years working in a field that I love. I have been fortunate to work in many major opera houses, including the New York City Opera, the Metropolitan Opera, and the San Francisco Opera.
My career has taken me to opera companies from coast to coast and in Alaska directing the contemporary and standard repertoire. The most rewarding aspect of my work has been working with young artists in master classes, workshops and full productions in colleges and conservatories, including Converse and Manhattan School of Music. For over 20 years I directed productions and taught Acting for Singers at the Mannes College of Music in New York City. I would like to think that I have at least partially fulfilled that obligation to “help others pursue their dreams.”
It is difficult to describe how much my studies at Converse prepared me for my career. This is mainly because it took me quite a while to truly appreciate the deep well of knowledge that I gained from all of my undergraduate experiences from which I have been able to draw
throughout my life. I can now say “if I only knew then what I know now,” I may have been more grateful to the enormously talented professors, mentors, and gifted fellow students who guided me on my path. My hope is that students today will realize their dreams and acknowledge their roots, and find their joy on the paths they choose.
The 2024 Recipient of the Mae Elizabeth Kilgo Spirit of Converse Award is Jody Cole ’84
Jody Cole is the owner and private guide of Wild Rainbow African Safaris. Wild Rainbow African Safaris began as the direct result of Jody’s unbridled passion for Africa. Jody has one simple philosophy: ensure every traveler has the time of their life and returns home changed. The company operates on the unique business model of never offering the same safari twice. This incredible level of detail is possible because Jody accompanies her guests on every safari to share her expansive knowledge of Africa.
Jody has been a philanthropic activist for over 30 years encouraging, coaching, and advising donors, especially women, to contribute to their passions. She has served on over 15 boards of directors. She is a founding donor of The OTHER Foundation, an African trust established to advance the human rights of LGBTI people across Southern Africa. In 2022, Jody founded WISE: Women In Safari Excellence. WISE Women are a community of dynamic women leaders in the safari and conservation world of East & Southern Africa setting a higher standard of guiding, leadership, and stewardship in our beloved Africa.
The 2023 Recipient of the Young Alumni Award is Amy Grace Peele Donahue ’12
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’s of Public Policy with an emphasis in national security from George Mason University’s School of Public Policy. She is currently a Senior Program Analyst at the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Office of Inspector General. She leads evaluations to improve the effectiveness of ongoing and future DoD operations and activities.
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 previously worked on four Congressionally-mandated blue ribbon panels reviewing Air Force force structure, Army force structure, DoD efforts to address adult sexual assault, and military aviation safety.
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. Amy Grace’s career has allowed her to serve the public interest, explore a wide range of defense and national security areas, and travel to interesting places around the country and world.
The 2024 Recipient of the Young Alumni Award is Laurann Gallitto Patel ’09
Laurann Gallitto Patel currently works with the Carolina Family Engagement Center as the Family Engagement Liaison and Project Lead for the Midlands which is housed at the SC School Improvement Council (SC-SIC) at the University of South Carolina College of Education. Prior to her work with CFEC, she received both a BA in History and Modern Languages in 2009 and a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy in 2015 from Converse. She also worked with the International Rescue Committee in New York and served newly resettled refugee students and families in South Carolina as Education Coordinator with Lutheran Services Carolinas in Columbia, SC.
Laurann was born in Pesaro, Italy, and raised in Myrtle Beach, SC, but currently resides in Columbia, SC with her husband, Rohan, and 3-year-old daughter, Arya. She is also in the current cohort of the SC Education Policy Fellowship Program (SC-EPFP) and serves on the Advisory Council for the Clemson University College of Education Building Capacity for Early Multilingual Learners (CU Bridge ESOL & RR) Program.
The 2024 Recipient of the Converse 100 Award is Nina Markette Baker ’94
Nina Markette Baker is a distinguished legal professional currently serving as a Superior Court Judge in the Coweta Judicial Circuit in LaGrange, Georgia. She was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp in June 2019 and subsequently elected in 2020, earning recognition for her exceptional service to the judiciary. Prior to her esteemed judgeship, Judge Baker garnered extensive experience in various legal capacities. Notably, she served as the Troup County Solicitor-General and as the Associate Municipal Judge for the City of LaGrange. After graduating from Converse in 1994, she received her Juris Doctor from the Mississippi College School of Law and began her legal career with a specialization in domestic relations and bankruptcy law.
Her professional achievements have been widely recognized, including accolades such as the 2017 Georgia Solicitor-General of the Year and being named among the 2006 Georgia Trend Top 40 Under 40. Beyond her legal career, Nina is deeply engaged in civic and professional activities, demonstrating her commitment to community betterment. She has held positions on the State Bar of Georgia’s Board of Governors and the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, among others. She has also held leadership positions within organizations like the Lafayette Society for Performing Arts, Harmony House Domestic Violence Shelter, and the Troup County Historical Society.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Nina cherishes her role as a wife and mother. Married to attorney James G. Baker, she is a proud parent to two children; Jack – a freshman at Furman University with interests in International Relations and Political Science, and Nina Frances – a high school sophomore and accomplished ballerina.
The 2024 Recipient of the Converse 100 Award is Sarah Mercer Chatel ’79
Sarah Mercer Chatel is an accomplished realtor, author, and trainer with a dedication to serving her community. From 2004 to 2014, Sarah served as a Deacon at Morningside Presbyterian Church, embarking on a journey of service that would continue for many years. Her philanthropic efforts within Atlanta Habitat for Humanity from 2008 to 2020 are particularly noteworthy, where the Chatel Group Real Estate notably contributed over $200,000, assisting in the construction of 14 homes.
Throughout the years, Sarah has been hands-on with her volunteerism. She has been a regular food server for Hosea Feed the Hungry and has shared the joy of singing with women at the Shearith Isreal Homeless Shelter during Christmas. Her involvement extended to family work days with Clifton Sanctuary Ministries and providing and serving food monthly at Journey Men’s Shelter through her church. With an evident passion for education and mentorship, Sarah served on the Board of Visitors for Converse from 2011 to 2017, followed by a role on the Alumni Association Board until 2021. She also supported refugees as an ESL tutor and contributed to raising significant funds for various organizations, including Every Woman Works and Fugees Family Academy.
In addition to her volunteerism, Sarah has held leadership roles such as chairing KW Cares, the charity arm of Keller Williams for the Buckhead office, and actively participating in the battle against Alzheimer’s with Dancing Stars of Atlanta. In 2023, she even served as the Co-Chair of Dancing Stars Atlanta and helped raise $1,250,000 for Alzheimer’s research. Her efforts garnered recognition, winning the “Good Neighbor Award” by the Atlanta Board of Realtors in 2019 and being named “Most Charitable Agent” by Modern Luxury Magazine the same year. As the Membership Chair for the Morningside Lenox Park Neighborhood Association, she continued to influence her community positively.
The 2024 Recipient of the Converse 100 Award is Jed Dearybury ’03
Jed Dearybury began his education career in 2001. He was featured in GQ Magazine as Male Leader of the Year, got to meet President Obama as the South Carolina honoree of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, and was named a top 5 finalist for SC Teacher of the Year. He was also the very first Milken Fellow from South Carolina in 2016. Since leaving 2nd grade in 2015, he has been leading professional development across the country, and training the next generation of educators through teaching in Higher Ed. He published his first book, The Playful Classroom, coauthored by Dr. Julie P. Jones, Converse Alum and Faculty, in June 2020. His second book, The Courageous Classroom, was released in July 2021. Book number three, The Playful Life, also coauthored with Dr. Jones, was released in October 2022.
The 2024 Recipient of the Converse 100 Award is Stacey Mulligan ’01
I came to Converse from Beaufort, SC in 1997 and graduated with a double major in English and Theatre, and a certificate in Leadership from my participation in the South Carolina Institute for Leadership, in 2001. I’m 22 years into my journey as an editor with the Office of the Federal Register (OFR) at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC. I’ve had the pleasure of working on various publications during my time at the OFR, including the Public Papers of the Presidents, and most recently the Federal Register, the Federal Government’s daily newspaper. I’m a proud cat mom, avid reader, seasoned traveler, lover of good food and beverages, and a patron of the arts and my alma mater.
The 2024 Recipient of the Converse 100 Award is McKenna Sloan ’14
McKenna Sloan is a passionate English teacher who has dedicated the last decade to nurturing a love for literature and empathy in her students. She is currently teaching at Woodmont High School and actively fosters an inclusive class environment that prioritizes empathy, diversity, and accountability.
Her deep passion for storytelling and diverse books has led to many achievements, opportunities, and hobbies. She has pursued extensive studies in Shakespeare, performance, and storytelling through programs with the National Endowment of Humanities and completing her master’s at Converse. McKenna`s creative spirit also extends to her involvement in producing, organizing, and contributing to numerous theatrical productions at both her school and local community theaters.
Outside of the classroom and theater, McKenna finds joy in learning new crafts such as pottery and crochet, as well as spending quality time with her beloved 8-year-old dog, Tippie. She often jokes that she spends more time buying the craft materials than using them, much like her habit of buying more books than she can read.
McKenna is grateful that her passion for education and the arts has not gone unnoticed by her peers and colleagues, and she is thrilled to be receiving an award from her alma mater on the 10-year anniversary of graduating. Every day that she teaches, she attempts to embody Converse`s mission to see clearly, decide wisely, and act justly.
The 2024 Recipient of the Honorary Alumni Award is Robert Powell
Dr. Robert W. Powell, Jr., also known as “Botany Bob,” served as a Biology professor at Converse for 36 years. Born on November 11, 1929, in Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Powell’s journey in academia began with a B.S. from Memphis State College, followed by an M.S. at the University of Houston, and culminating with a Ph.D. from Duke University.
His career is marked by a diverse range of experiences, including serving as a Forest Pathologist at the Southeastern Forest Experimental Station for the USFS and dedicating four years as a Clinical Laboratory Specialist with the rank of Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Dr. Powell’s teaching career began at Memphis State College and Humboldt State College.
He then arrived at Converse, where he served as a faculty member and Chair of the Biology department, retiring in May 1999. During his time at Converse, Dr. Powell taught a variety of courses as the Charles A. Dana Professor of Biology, ranging from General Biology to Ornithology. His dedication to teaching was recognized with accolades such as the Sears Roebuck Faculty Leadership Award in 1990 and the Spirit of Converse Award in 1999. Described by students as “a tough professor with a heart of gold,” Dr. Powell was known for his deep commitment to academic excellence and compassionate mentorship.
Dr. Powell was married for 62 years to his beloved wife, Sandra, whom he met on a blind date at Duke. Together, they raised four children, all of whom pursued higher education and are now leaders in their professions and communities.
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