Jay Bender
Attorney and professor at the University of South Carolina, serving in both the Law School and School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Jay has been a tireless advocate for First Amendment rights and has played a leading role in expanding South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act.
Anna Bigham
Founder and executive director of Hidden Wounds, a non-profit organization that provides interim and emergency counseling services to ensure the psychological health and well-being of combat veterans and their families.
Teresa Coles
Partner at Riggs Partners—a creative marketing brand consultancy—and co-founder of CreateAthon, a 24-hour creative marathon that provides pro bono marketing services to nonprofits nationwide.
Dr. Julius Fridriksson
Director of the Aphasia Laboratory at the University of South Carolina, where he seeks to clarify the relationship between brain damage and speech/language impediments. His work has led to significant breakthroughs in helping stroke victims regain their ability to speak.
Dr. Stuart Hamilton
Founder of the Eau Claire Cooperative Health Center, established to provide comprehensive, high quality, compassionate medical care in the spirit of the Good Samaritan. With minimal financial support, he has provided medical care for one-third of the poor in Lexington and Richland counties.
Christine Johnson
Executive director of SC Equality, the state’s leading GLBT advocacy organization. Before returning to S.C. to take this role, Christine served two terms as a member of the Utah House of Representatives.
Eric McClam
Co-founder and manager of City Roots, an urban farm focused on sustainable farming methods and supporting the local community.
Cheri Brown Thompson
Founder of The Healing Species, a unique educational program that uses rescued dogs to teach compassion and build character in at-risk youth.
Dr. John Zubizarreta
Professor of English and director of Honors and Faculty Development at Columbia College. In 2010, he was named U.S. Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation.
Bedrija Jazic
Bedrija Jazic is the director of refugee services for Lutheran Family Services, one of only 10 organizations in the US responsible for resettling displaced refugees from around the world. LFS provides assistance with housing, language learning, education, and job placement — giving hope and...



