Presbyterian College

🎓 Faculty Friday: Meet Dr. Kirk Nolan! 🎓

“It really is kind of that liberal arts approach of being able to examine your own life and your place in the world and being able to be flexible about changing your mind.”

For 18 years, Dr. Kirk Nolan, professor of religion, has helped PC students explore life’s big questions, challenge their assumptions, and connect what they learn in the classroom to the world around them.

Nolan’s path to teaching took several turns, from working as a computer consultant to studying divinity and teaching at an international school in India. Since joining PC in 2009, he has found a home in the college’s close-knit community, where he builds meaningful relationships with students and colleagues.

Beyond the classroom, Nolan coordinates PC’s Civil Conversations initiative, encouraging students to engage thoughtfully with complex issues and learn from different perspectives. He hopes students leave PC with the character, flexibility, and understanding to navigate difficult decisions and make a difference in their communities.

Thank you, Dr. Nolan, for helping Blue Hose students ask meaningful questions, engage in thoughtful conversations, and connect their education to the world around them! 💙

🔗 https://www.presby.edu/news/faculty-friday-kirk-nolan/

Congrats to all of these amazing alumni! Go Blue Hose! 🎉💙

🎓 **Meet Alex Melgar, SCICU’s 2026 Student of the Year!**

South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) is proud to recognize Presbyterian College senior Alex Melgar as the recipient of the 2026 McLean-Smith SCICU Student of the Year award.

A first-generation college student double majoring in Political Science and History, Alex serves as Student Body President and has demonstrated a strong commitment to campus leadership, civic engagement, and public service.

Congratulations to Alex on this well-deserved honor!

Read more about Alex’s accomplishments and future plans on our website:

🔗 https://scicu.org/presbyterian-college-senior-alex-melgar-named-2026-mclean-smith-scicu-student-of-the-year/

Congratulations to Presbyterian College senior Alex Melgar ’27, named the 2026 McLean-Smith SCICU Student of the Year! 🎉

Alex is a political science and public policy and history double major from Lancaster, S.C. Alex was recognized by SCICU for his academic achievement, leadership, public service, and commitment to community. As president of our Student Government Association and vice president of the Hispanic Appreciation Organization, he exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose and live out our motto, “While We Live, We Serve.”

We’re proud to celebrate Alex’s statewide recognition and the positive impact he continues to make on our campus and beyond! 💙

🔗 Read more about Alex’s journey:
https://www.presby.edu/news/scicu-student-of-the-year/

The reveal is here!
You guessed, and now it’s time to see which shade is the one and only PC blue!💙
Did you guess right?🤔

LET’S GO BLUE HOSE! 💙⚔️🏈

The NEW longest streak in program history 🥇

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👏👏👏

A Dub in the Downpour 🌧️

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🎓Faculty Friday: Meet Jim Slagle! 🎓

“If you neglect the newest technologies in design, you’ll quickly fall behind.”

For Jim Slagle, associate professor of art, design is an ever-evolving field that offers endless opportunities to learn, create, and help students prepare for their futures. Now in his second year at Presbyterian College, Slagle brings decades of professional design experience into the classroom.

Before entering higher education full-time, Slagle spent more than a decade working in the design industry, including as a creative director for a marketing firm. He discovered a passion for teaching while working as an adjunct professor and went on to establish and grow a university-level graphic design program.

At PC, Slagle is building on that experience to expand opportunities for students interested in graphic, interactive, and digital media design.

His classroom goes beyond traditional lectures. Slagle structures his design studio courses to mirror a real-world creative workplace, helping students develop technical skills alongside the professional habits that will serve them throughout their careers.

“Of course, I want my students to understand design and know how to use the software. But I also want them to develop skills like problem-solving, time management, communications, punctuality, and going beyond the minimum expectation.”

Outside the classroom, Slagle continues his own creative work through graphic design and sports and nature photography. He’s even working on a passion project: a calendar featuring the birds of Greenwood! 📸

Looking ahead, Slagle hopes to keep growing digital media design at PC, giving students across disciplines the chance to explore their creativity and build skills that make them more versatile in their future careers.

Thank you, Jim, for bringing your professional experience, creativity, and passion for design to PC and helping Blue Hose students prepare for what’s next! 💙

🔗 https://www.presby.edu/news/faculty-friday-jim-slagle/