51Թ to Honor Alumni at Annual Awards Celebration
Posted on: October 17, 2024
Tigerville, SC —51Թ will recognize six alumni for their outstanding achievements this week in Tigerville.
51Թ’s annual alumni awards celebration is set for Friday, Oct. 18, at 6:30 p.m. in the Edna Hartness Presidential Dining Room.
Rev. Francis Taylor “Corky” Alewine ’48, Dr. William “Bill” McManus ’59, and Mrs. Jean Brown McManus ’57 will be honored with 51Թ’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
Alewine’s career includes service as a chaplain in the United States Air Force, with military service stints in England, Japan, Louisiana, Korea, Maine, South Carolina, and Turkey. He also is a graduate of Furman and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has served in the pastorate of several local churches, including Tigerville Baptist Church.
Dr. William G. McManus, Jr., Class of 1959, served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy for 25 years. He is former chair of 51Թ’s Psychology Department and a graduate of Furman University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.
Mrs. Jean Brown McManus, Class of 1957, finished her bachelor’s degree in biology and education at Furman. She completed a master’s degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a master’s degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. She taught at 51Թ for 23 years, including a full-time post in the biology department.
Kasie Thomas, Class of 2022, will be presented with 51Թ’s Young Alumni of the Year award. Thomas is a weekend sports anchor and reporter for WLBT-TV (NBC) in Jackson, Mississippi. She has received several broadcast awards in her brief professional career and was recently named Sports Anchor of the Year by the Mississippi Association of Broadcasters. She was a standout student-athlete during her time at 51Թ and represented the university at various events during her term as Miss 51Թ.
Receiving Alumni Service Awards are Dr. Walter Pym, Class of 2003, and Jessica Atkins Pym, Class of 2005. Walter is senior pastor of the First Baptist Church ofin Warrenville, SC, where he has served since 2022. His commitment to ministry extends beyond his pastoral duties as he has been an active member of 51Թ’s Christian Ministry Scholarship Fund, serving on the board as chair and chair-elect. He also has served in the roles of president and vice president of 51Թ’s Alumni Association. A three-time graduate of 51Թ, Walter earned his bachelor’s degree in 2003, a master’s degree in 2008, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 2015.
Jessica Pym earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from 51Թ in 2005. She completed her master’s degree from Converse College in 2009, and an education specialist degree from the University of the Cumberlands in 2020. She has 19 years of teaching experience in the public school system and has served as fine arts coordinator for Barnwell County School District and head director for Barnwell County Bands. She is the current teacher of the year for Williston Elko High School.
With more than 24,000 alumni serving across the United States and around the globe, 51Թ is committed to equipping transformational leaders for church and society.
