Converse College Honors Joy Adams Bethea of Columbia with the Star Award

SPARTANBURG, SC (06/14/2013)(readMedia)-- Converse College honored Joy Adams Bethea, an alumna from the Class of 1993 and resident of Columbia, SC, for her active work in student recruitment for the college. The award was presented by Converse President Betsy Fleming and Converse Alumnae Association President Elisabeth Kinney McNeil during the college's reunion weekend.

Upon receiving a BA in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education from Converse, Joy went on to earn a Masters in Education specializing in reading from the University of South Carolina in 1996. Joy has taught off and on over the years at the prestigious Hammond School in Columbia, SC. 

Joy has been an active member of the Junior League of Columbia, Eastminster Presbyterian Church and has assisted her husband, Rob, with his volunteer efforts for EdVenture, the children's museum located in Columbia. She also earned her Master Gardener certification from the Clemson Extension in 2007 and volunteers for the Richland County Master Gardner Association.

Joy is a past member of the Converse Alumnae Association Board and has been passionate about referring students to her alma mater as well as corresponding with prospective students since she graduated in 1993.

About Converse College

Founded in 1889 and located in Spartanburg, S.C., Converse College is a master's university dedicated to developing adaptable leaders equipped with the creativity, character, knowledge and perspective to effect positive change in the world. Converse was ranked 3rd in the nation for research, service and social mobility by Washington Monthy and is a Best Value in the South by U.S.News & World Report.

Converse offers a wide range of academic programs for undergraduate women and coed graduate students through the School of Humanities and Sciences, School of Education and Graduate Studies, and School of the Arts. The Converse learning community is differentiated by the Nisbet Honors Program, Petrie School of Music, award-winning independent and collaborative research, leading national debate teams, study abroad and internship programs, and a 10:1 student/faculty ratio.