SWU Division of Science

09/04/2026

☀️ **What Did You Do This Summer? — Dr. Jeffrey Mohr**

Nothing like waiting until the Friday before Labor Day to squeeze in a “What Did You Do This Summer?” post. Technically, summer isn’t over yet. We checked. 😎

And Dr. Mohr had quite a summer to squeeze into one post.

🏔️ It started in **Maine**, exploring Acadia National Park and the rocky coast of New England.

🐍 Next came a trip to **Indiana**, where Dr. Mohr helped a former SWU student with research for her master’s project. Then it was a quick turnaround back home in South Carolina before things got considerably more ambitious.

✈️ Dr. Mohr headed west for a **28-day adventure** that began in British Columbia, with time in **Vancouver and Victoria**, followed by a cruise north along the coast to **Alaska**. Glaciers, mountains, wildlife, temperate rainforests, and a whole lot of coastline made for a pretty spectacular journey north.

🌲 After Alaska, the adventure continued in **Washington State**, including time in the incredible Hoh Rain Forest with the big trees and along the wild beaches of the Olympic Peninsula.

🌊 And because apparently that still wasn’t enough coastline, the summer travels wrapped up with a few beach treks along the **Oregon Coast**.

From Acadia to Alaska and from research snakes to rainforests, it was a summer full of wildlife, wild places, research, and plenty of miles.

Now it’s back to SWU, where Dr. Mohr gets to spend the semester telling students to go outside and look at things. Somehow, that seems appropriate.

And stay tuned...some of his treks are scouting trips for future study away opportunities! Follow his many adventures on the many socials...all places, same name:

Happy Labor Day weekend! Summer post submitted with *just* enough time left on the clock. ⏱️

08/31/2026

**Inside the Division: Monday Meet and Greet 🎓**

Meet Dr. Rosita Sivaraj, Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Southern Wesleyan University!

Joining the SWU family this fall, Dr. Sivaraj brings an impressive blend of research, industry experience, and a passion for teaching. She earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Clemson University, where her research explored polymer physics, molecular dynamics simulations, and neutron scattering to better understand the behavior of soft materials. She also holds an MBA from Cardiff Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom and a B.Sc. in Chemistry from the Institute of Chemistry Ceylon.

Before pursuing her doctorate, Dr. Sivaraj worked in research and development for a Nike manufacturing facility, helping develop sustainable materials, innovative products, and environmentally responsible manufacturing practices. Her research has also included collaborations with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies.

When she's not in the classroom or laboratory, Dr. Sivaraj enjoys traveling, exploring national and state parks, painting, participating in church activities, watching soccer and cricket, playing badminton and chess, and spending time with family and friends.

📚 She teaches: General Chemistry I & II, Organic Chemistry I & II, and their accompanying laboratory courses.

08/25/2026

☀️ **What Did You Do This Summer? — Professor Rebecca Fort**

Some friendships are measured in years. These are measured in decades!

This summer, Professor Rebecca Fort traveled to Charleston for a four-day reunion with seven of her Kappa Delta sorority sisters from Clemson University. The group first met as students and graduated together in 1996, making this summer a celebration of **30 years of friendship**.

Eight friends, one big house in Charleston, and four days filled with laughter, hugs, memories, and even a few tears. Thirty years later, the Clemson connection is still going strong! 🐾

08/24/2026

**Inside the Division: Monday Meet and Greet 🎓**

We are very excited and blessed to welcome Dr. Walter Sinnamon back to the classroom at Southern Wesleyan University!

Calling Dr. Sinnamon a familiar face at SWU might be an understatement. He first taught as an adjunct from 1982 to 1984 before joining the faculty full time in 1984. Although he retired from full time service in 2021, he continued teaching as an adjunct and returns for 2026-2027 to teach Anatomy & Physiology and Applied Anatomy & Physiology for our nursing students.

Dr. Sinnamon earned his PhD in Physiology and Zoology from Clemson University in 1985. During his remarkable career at SWU, he taught courses ranging from Anatomy & Physiology and Biochemistry to Zoology, Microbiology, Environmental Science, and Scanning Electron Microscopy.

His contributions extend well beyond the classroom. Dr. Sinnamon served SWU as Professor of Biology, Science Division Chair, Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, Director of Research for LEAP, and Assistant to the President for Institutional Effectiveness. He even started SWU's intercollegiate baseball program in 1985 and coached the team for seven years! ⚾

📚 This year he teaches: Anatomy & Physiology and Applied Anatomy & Physiology for Nursing.

Welcome back, Dr. Sinnamon! We are grateful to have your experience, knowledge, and decades of SWU history back in the classroom. 💙

08/21/2026

A common question this first week back at SWU...

What Did You Do This Summer?

**A summer with Dr. Kelly Grogan**

Dr. Kelly Grogan packed quite a bit into his summer—and somehow still found time to take on a new job at SWU!

The Grogan family started close to home, hosting plenty of gatherings at their farmhouse filled with pickleball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, bonfires, s’mores, and just about every backyard game imaginable. Dr. Grogan and his wife, Ashley, also slipped away to Blue Ridge, Georgia, for an anniversary weekend of hiking, shopping, good food, and, of course, a good coffee shop.

Then came a 10-day family road trip through Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee. Stops included Cumberland Falls State Park, the Kentucky Horse Park, the Newport Aquarium, a Cincinnati Reds game, time with extended family in Ohio, the Ark Encounter, and the Smoky Mountains. The family also made their annual July trip to Ormond Beach for some time along the Florida coast.

Dr. Grogan even wrapped up July by celebrating the wedding of former SWU Division of Science student Cameron Davis!

And after all those miles, there was one more adventure waiting back at Southern Wesleyan. 🎉 **Dr. Grogan begins this academic year as the new Chair of the Division of Science!**

We’re excited to have Dr. Grogan leading the Division—and judging by his summer, we’re pretty sure he doesn’t mind staying busy.

Welcome back, Dr. Grogan, and congratulations on your new role!

08/13/2026

The SWU Division of Science faculty and staff joined our campus colleagues today to begin the new academic year together. Faculty and Staff Chapel included a message from University Chaplain Heath Mullikin and the celebration of communion as we reflected on this year’s theme, “Rooted.”

Following chapel, we gathered for lunch, fellowship, and a message from Provost Dr. Rob McFarland as SWU launched the Fidelitas Strategic Plan and recognized long-serving employees for their investment in the university.

We are grateful to begin another year firmly rooted in Christ, connected in community, and ready to grow together!

08/03/2026

Dr. Mohr started his summer off with an exciting project!

05/22/2026

Yay! Dr. Eller!!!

Congratulations to Dr. Michele Eller who was recognized as the recipient of the 2026 South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) Excellence in Teaching Award.

Read the full article at swu.edu/news

05/21/2026

From Dr. Johnson: After 21 years, I have some news to share with our Division of Science community.

I have accepted a position as Clinical Associate Professor in the Biomedical Sciences Department at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, and I will be transitioning into that role this summer. It has been an honor to teach, mentor, and build programs alongside so many talented students and colleagues here. I carry this chapter with me with great pride.

To our Division of Science students, past and present — I am so proud of you. Keep going.

If you want to stay connected, please follow my personal page so we don't lose touch. I would love to continue cheering you on from my next chapter. 🎉

04/28/2026

🧠 Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Staci Johnson at the 2026 American Physiology Summit!

Dr. Johnson represented SWU at the 2026 American Physiology Summit in Minneapolis, MN, where she had an incredible week of scholarship and service. She moderated the Concept to Classroom pre-conference workshop, presented two research posters, and participated as a panelist in a session on AI in the college classroom.

And if that wasn't enough — while at the conference, Dr. Johnson received final proof approval on her invited review article in Current Opinion in Physiology on assessment design in the era of generative AI! 🎉

We are so proud of the work Dr. Johnson is doing to advance physiology education nationally. Way to represent the Division of Science, Dr. Johnson! 👏