Opportunities>Academics>Capstone Conversations/Spring Times/News&Views/Global Perspectives

Capstone Conversations, taking place each Fall semester, are a series of discussions led by distinguished faculty and community members.  Scholars are required to attend at least one conversation a semester during each of their four semesters in the program as a requirement of the program. Conversations cover a wide range of topics and have featured:

• Soni Sonefeld, Drummer for Hootie & The Blowfish
• Bobby Kirby, U.S. Secret Service Agent
• Steven Garcia, USC Quarterback
• Walter Liniger, a Professor from the Institute of Southern Studies, who has traveled internationally as a traveling blues artist.

Conversations for Fall 2011 will feature:

• Charles Bierbauer, Dean of the College of Mass Communication and Information Studies, discussing his time as a CNN Correspondent
• Patrick Hickey, Capstone Scholars Principal, sharing his experiences climbing Mt. Everest, even though he was afraid of heights
• Mayor Steve Benjamin, Mayor of Columbia
• Bud Ferillo, an award winning documentarian
• Ray Tanner, Coach of the 2 time national championship gamecock baseball team
• Harland Cohen, author of the wildly successful first year student book "The Naked Roommate"

Head Baseball Coach Ray Tanner has visited the Capstone Scholars twice over the past few years talking about the importance of leadership and community involvement:

New and Views takes place every other Tuesday and features Assistant Principal David Deweil leading students in dialogue about current events.

Global Perspectives takes place every other Tuesday as well and features Program Coordinator Natalie Cruz leading students in dialogue about International Issues, and features guest international student speakers and internationally-interested professors.

Spring TIMES take place each Spring semester and feature faculty facilitating discussions on current events via articles from the New York Times.