Margolis began his studies in engineering, as math was his strong suit in high school. However, when he realized it was not a fit for him, he sought the Lord in pursuit of a Christian studies degree. When deciding his minor, he thought of incorporating business into his major after looking at its versatility.

Margolis’s advisor Dr. Peter Link, a professor of Christian studies, asked if he would be interested in a combined major that would marry both business and Christian studies. Margolis called it an “answered prayer.”

He became the first student to take classes for both as one curriculum, and the major was declared in 2020 officially as global marketplace engagement.

Entering an ambitious new major, Margolis’s focus became to graduate on time. With this in mind, both departments met often to line up his schedule accordingly. Dr. Mark Crawford assisted Margolis when it came to creating the master list of what classes he needed to take and when.

“CSU professors went above and beyond to make sure I was successful during my time here. I graduated in four years just as I was supposed to,” Margolis said.

After graduating in May of 2022, Margolis worked a semester as a graduate assistant at CSU and shortly after began his current position as residence life coordinator.

Margolis met his wife, Elizabeth, during his senior year at CSU, and they got married July of 2023. He began serving as a young adult leader at his local church to invest into young adults on campus and around the ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ area.

“My degree has set the foundation for all I have done since then,” he said. “It showed me how to have faith in people and be encouraged by them when things are hard. It showed me that I am not alone. It has helped me pour into people who have started on the same or similar journey and don’t know how it ends.”

Margolis shared that his initial plan after graduating was to serve in missions abroad. Yet the closer he got to that reality, the more the Lord revealed where he was truly supposed to stay.

“It is only by saying no to overseas missions that I was able to work for campus ministries, work as an RLC, marry my wife, and get a master’s degree,” he reflected.

He said, “Looking back, I see the fruit in these seasons since graduating. God was teaching me to lean not on my own understanding and to have faith in Him to lead.”

A celebration of relationships, friendships and connections, this event will be full of free activities and a special collaboration with the Black Student Union. Just donate five OCC donation items and admission is covered. The first 100 students to the event will get an exclusive Vals and Pals t-shirt.

Students can expect chocolate fountains, s’mores, a game truck, and a floral bar to make their own custom bouquets. Additional activities like bracelet making and board games are also included.

The Black Student Union will be selling “Rose Grams” for $1 each. These roses, which can be sent to friends across campus, will be delivered with a healthy relationship guide.

“We absolutely see this as something that could grow into an annual addition,” said Summer Cora, Title IX coordinator, who helped organize the week’s events. “In the future, we’d love to expand student organization involvement and add more interactive educational components.”

Head to BucNation to register and get updates!

Sessoms, 22, is from Fayetteville, North Carolina. Since graduating just a few months ago, she has stepped into a communications role with Capital Consultants Management Corporation and is also growing a freelance photography business.

Sessoms works with the Nexton Residential Association team as the communications coordinator in Summerville.

Sessoms said, “I manage all of the Association’s communication, including but not limited to creating and sending regular informational newsletters, managing and updating the POA website, and creating content for the POA’s social media platforms.”

In addition, Sessoms also attends board meetings, takes photos and videos of Association Lifestyle Events and helps new homeowners get started in the community.

Outside of her full-time job, Sessoms is also a freelance photographer. “It’s a very small business right now, and I am still figuring out the technicalities of running it.” She said, “Making contracts, clearly defining my services, and advertising are my next steps, so that I can branch out and start accepting clients that are outside of my family and friends.” 

She currently offers portrait services for individuals, families, couples, and pets. She shares her work on her website: .

Sessoms credits her time at CSU with preparing her for her current roles. “CSU prepared me for my career in a few ways. She said, “The classes I took allowed me to build my knowledge and skills I would be using for work, while being on my own for the first time taught me how to be independent and responsible.” 

She recalled two courses that had a lasting impact: Interpersonal Communication and Discipleship.

“Though communication may seem simple enough, since we are doing it every second of everyday, my interpersonal communication class reminded me just how complex and different human beings are in the way they communicate,” she said.

“Discipleship with Dr. Peter Beck was useful for my spiritual growth and taught me how important being disciples and discipling others is,” she said. 

For Sessoms, college was not just about academics—it was about learning how to appreciate the struggle. 

She referenced 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and said, “…remember that though we go through struggle, and loss and pain, ‘our momentary affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory.’” Her advice to current students is to get an eternal perspective and focus on eternal goals, not just worldly ones. 

Though she has personal goals—like traveling and getting married—Sessoms is currently content where she is. 

“I can definitely see myself exploring the world a little more and moving around a bit before settling down though. I gotta lot of life left to live! No need to have it all figured out yet,” she said. 

 Sessoms didn’t start out as a communication major. She originally pursued an English degree but soon realized it was not the right fit. She was looking for a field where she could express creativity while still engaging in her passion for writing. 

Communication is used in daily life—far beyond what many people recognize.

“Every second of every day. We all already know how to communicate; it is natural and unavoidable,” she said. “But doing it well and tailoring it to specific situations takes practice and awareness. Communication courses really open your mind to why people communicate the way they do and help you adapt your own responses for different situations. I find myself using those lessons constantly, whether I am figuring out my coworkers’ preferred communication styles, resolving conflicts with residents of Nexton, or just having everyday conversations.”

Looking ahead, Sessoms dreams of becoming an award-winning photographer. “But, honestly, if I don’t do anything else with my life, I want to become a Mrs. Marsha; the woman that mentored and discipled me for a large part of college.” Sessoms said, “She was one of the main influences in my life that helped me to realize I needed a relationship with the Lord. I want to remain strong in my faith and have a love so deep for Jesus so that I can do that for young women one day.”

According to Johnson, OCC began at CSU about 14 years ago with small groups packing only hundreds of boxes. The project expanded significantly during the 2018–19 school year when CSU’s Sweet 16 events were launched, and the OCC packing party became one of those highlighted activities.

In 2018, CSU packed a little over 5,000 boxes, a number that marked the beginning of the university’s rapid growth in participation. Johnson said, “People such as Laurie Diel and Clark Carter listened to the call of the Lord and continued to step out in faith each year, contributing to the project’s expansion.” 

She also said that each year OCC has continued to grow with the number of boxes, including numbers over 13,000 for the last three years. As a result, CSU has become one of the top shoebox packers in the nation.

Johnson explains that while the OCC process does not change, people’s motivations and passions for the ministry shift as new groups of students, faculty, and staff become involved. To help manage the increasing workload, a committee was formed this year to balance responsibilities related to OCC. 

The committee meets months in advance, both on and off campus, to plan and coordinate the project. Johnson notes that many people donate their time and money each year to support the organization.

Reflecting on her experience with the project, Johnson said being a part of OCC takes a village of people. She adds, “Nobody can do it alone.” 

Many hands touch the boxes before the children receive them, and all the boxes are individually prayed for. Johnson said the collaboration is “Truly the greatest representation of what the entire Christmas season is about.” 

Being a part of OCC, she notes, has brought entire CSU departments together. Johnson said, “I have seen God’s power every year exceed our expectations for the number of boxes we think we can pack.”

Johnson said, “God is the only reason that we can break records every year.” She said there are many stories of people on campus sharing what they have experienced at CSU to witness to others. “The loaves and fish metaphor that is used every year when it comes to the process of OCC,” she said. 

Although CSU is a small university, Johnson notes that it continues to be an OCC national leader, because of what God can do. She concludes that it is important to remember with OCC “that the Lord can do abundantly more than we ask, think or imagine, and He proves this every year.” 

Zucker joined the students to thank them for bringing her family’s story to life on stage with the fall production of “On the Other Side,” expressing deep appreciation for their dedication and sensitivity in sharing a narrative close to her heart.

“Thank you for telling this story,” Zucker told the cast. “It means more than you know.”

During her visit, Zucker spoke openly about her Jewish heritage and the importance of preserving culture through family, faith, and shared traditions. She introduced the students to several Yiddish words, teaching not only their meanings but also their spirit.

Words such as go don, meaning “go pray,” kinder, “children,” vail, “to be proud of someone,” and menshi, “a very good person” filled the room with laughter and curiosity. She explained that teaching these words was her way of keeping the language alive.

“It isn’t really taught anymore,” Zucker said. “But my grandchildren have learned a few words, and that means so much to me. Passing that on keeps a piece of who we are alive.”

She also shared about Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, describing the joy of gathering family together for celebration and reflection. The room grew quiet as she recalled celebrating with her loved ones.

“We come together to remind ourselves of where we’ve been and where we’re going,” she said. “That’s what family and faith do. They give you roots.”

Zucker’s reflections turned to her parents, both Holocaust survivors, whose courage and optimism shaped her life. She said her parents “chose joy,” even after loss and hardship, a lesson she carries in every part of her work and family life.

“I was lucky to know them,” she said. “They believed in joy, in laughter, in love. And I try to live that every day.”

Her connection to that legacy can also be found in ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ through , the restaurant named after her mother. Zucker described the restaurant as both a tribute and a love letter to her family.

“Every person who walks through those doors is welcomed like family,” Zucker said.

Before leaving, Zucker shared one of her late husband Jerry Zucker’s keys to success, a principle she continues to live by and encourages others to live by too.

“Have a sense of urgency and a bias for action,” she said, smiling. “When you care about something, do something about it.”

If you would like to see the story brought to life on stage and learn more about what the CSU Players are creating, performances of the fall play will be held Oct. 23 to 26 in Lightsey Chapel.

Performance schedule:
• Thursday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 24, at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 25, at 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 26, at 3 p.m.

Tickets:
General admission: $15
CSU students, faculty and staff: Free

Photo:Philanthropist Anita Zucker, third from left on front row, met with the CSU Players during rehearsal for the play “On the Other Side,” written by Professor Thomas Keating and the CSU Players about Zucker’s family.

Blanco, a longtime Spanish professor at CSU, has remained actively involved with the university and the community even in retirement. From 2010 until her retirement in 2024, Blanco built an impressive legacy of teaching, mentoring, and service. Her contributions ranged from creating new Spanish courses that highlighted Hispanic creativity and Latin American politics to leading mission trips where students applied their language skills in real-world settings.

In May 2018, she received CSU’s Excellence in Teaching Award in recognition of her dedication to students and excellence in education.

Faith plays a central role in Blanco’s life and work. She often emphasizes that her steps are guided by the Lord. “Lord, I’m willing, whatever I have to go through, even if it’s difficult, I will do it for your sake,” Blanco said. “Because I know you will put me in the right place where you want.”

Blanco said she hopes to fulfill God’s purpose for her life and bless others with what He has given her. “I want to contribute a little bit of what God has given me,” she said.

“We have to be willing to learn from one another,” Blanco said. “Yes, I’m a professor, but I’m also a sister in Christ.”

Blanco credits her passion for serving the Hispanic community to her faith. “When it comes to God, I give Him all the credit because everything has to come from Him,” she said.

While acknowledging that faith does not eliminate adversity, Blanco said she has experienced God’s faithfulness through every challenge. “God kept me,” she said. “You know, it’s credited to Him.”

Blanco often shared Romans 8:28 with her students as encouragement during difficult times. “You only see one little section of things; God sees the whole picture,” she said.

Her message to students is simple but enduring—always keep your focus on God.

In this leadership role, she will take on the challenge of guiding her colleagues and continuing to
teach, while focusing on enhancing the department’s programs and student opportunities.
A dedicated educator, Casas has been a college professor since 2003 and has been part of the
CSU faculty since 2021. She is the mother of two children—one who graduated from CSU and
another who is currently enrolled.

Her personal connection to the university and its community gives Casas a unique perspective on
student life and academic success. Casas has a strong passion for the field of communication,
especially the topics of conflict management and intercultural communication.

She credits her interest in intercultural communication to her husband’s background, which has
inspired her to explore diverse perspectives within the field.

She and her husband moved to the ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ area during Covid and felt at home with the
community they found, saying the move has helped them grow both personally and
professionally.

As she steps into her new role, Casas recognizes the work of her predecessor, Dr. Jason Peterson.
She said, “He laid a wonderful foundation for the communication department, and I’m excited to
build on that.”

Casas aims to continue developing programs that help students and faculty alike. One of these is Buc News Network, the all-student-led media, which Casas wants to keep moving in a positive direction.

She said that BNN is a terrific opportunity not only for communication students but for all students interested in expressing their skills through podcasting, live broadcasting, and multimedia production, providing real word experience.

Casas hopes to see BNN grow by involving more students and expanding its focus to include public relations and communication studies, playing a vital role in preparing students for a wide range of careers.

Casas is also promoting the new Communication Club. She said, “Comm club is specifically for those majoring or minoring in communication and allows students to get service opportunities, grow together by making connections, and listen to speakers in the field of communication.”

Casas is enthusiastic about the future, expressing excitement for what lies ahead for the club, BNN, and the department. She said, “It’s definitely been a learning curve,” but she is committed to improving the department by hiring more instructors, creating a clear graduation plan for communication students, and fostering unity within the team.

One of her goals is to make every communication class “as interactive and engaging as possible.” Casas teaches a variety of courses, including Interpersonal Communication, Intercultural Communication, Applied Communication Theory, Communication Ethics and Professional Development, and Public Speaking.

Casas said her favorite class to teach is Interpersonal Communication. “If students are in this class, it is like they have won the lottery! The knowledge and skills they gain are transformative and immediately applicable in both personal and professional life!”

Casas plans to build on Peterson’s foundation while introducing fresh ideas that meet the needs of today’s students. Whether through Comm Club, the rebranding and growth of BNN, or departmental initiatives, Casas is dedicated to creating an interactive classroom environment that supports student growth and career preparation.

Her passion for communication and commitment to her students position her well to lead the department into an exciting future.

ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University provides a myriad of events throughout the
year that help you foster community and make new, meaningful
relationships that you will carry with you throughout your four years as a
student.

Finding community and making new friends can come through taking classes
together, being roommates, sharing a dorm, or sitting with someone new at
lunch in The Caf. However, community can be found outside the walls of
classrooms and eating together.

ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University crafts specific events for students to thrive in
a new environment and make long-lasting friendships.

The most popular events on campus are our Sweet 16 Events which are on
and off campus depending on what the specific event is.

There are also tours and special events for students on campus throughout
the semester as well. Whether you prefer to stay on campus or go out on the
town, there are events for you!

One of the events that is specifically catered to the campus community is
Bingo for Groceries which is put on by Reslife for students who live on
campus. ResLife will be hosting Bingo for Groceries on Oct. 7 from 7-8 p.m.
This event is free of charge and will be in the Dining Hall.

One of our special events on campus is a tour of a few prominent, well-
known, popular Christian artists. These events are always sure to draw a
huge crowd!

The Ignite Tour with Danny Gokey, Mac Powell, and Colton Dixon will be on
Oct. 19 from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $27. Get ready for a lively night full of
praise and worship!

Giardinaville will be the first Sweet 16 event in October. Giardinaville is the
night before the Homecoming game every year. Students will camp out on
the football field all night. Tickets are $10, and the event is on Oct. 24 at 8
p.m. on the football field.

Boot, Scoot, and Bucky is CSU’s semiformal. The event is Oct. 26 at 6 p.m.
Tickets are $15, and the event will be held at the Dorchester Gatherings.
Don’t forget to bring your student id!

Buctober Fest is one of the events that ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern puts on for
students. It gets everyone into the Halloween spirit. Multiple clubs take part in creating
this event. SGA, Campus Rec, Residence Life, and CSU clubs and
organizations all partner together to bring you Buctober Fest.
There will be a costume contest so be sure to dress your best! Let your
creativity show. This event is Oct. 30 from 8-11 p.m. The event is free with the donation of an
OCC item.

These are a few of the many events to help you live the full college
experience! Be sure to stay up to date with all these events on BucNation!

Written and directed by Thomas Keating and Drew Heineman, the play was developed in collaboration with the CSU Players, which consists of 15 students. The plot is rooted in the powerful story of Zucker’s parents, Rose and Carl Goldberg. Both endured unimaginable hardships during the Holocaust. 

Rose survived forced labor camps and many attempts to evade Nazi-occupied Poland. Carl survived as well, and together the two rebuilt their lives in Jacksonville, Florida, after the war. Their resilience, faith, and work ethic became the foundation for their family’s future together.

Zucker often acknowledges that her mother, Rose, was her greatest teacher and a significant influence in her life. She recalls her mother’s advice: “Always take baby steps, but keep moving forward, not backwards. And as long as you are smiling, everything will be okay.” 

Zucker attributes much of her drive to her parents’ influence, noting that both Rose and Carl instilled in her a strong sense of determination and purpose. These values have guided Zucker throughout her personal and professional journey.

Her path as an educator and entrepreneur is intertwined with her family’s legacy. After marrying Jerry Zucker, she embraced the roles of both pursuing education and managing businesses. The principles instilled by her parents empowered her to navigate hurdles and thrive in building The InterTech Group, Inc., with her late husband, which has become a leading privately held corporation in the United States. 

Her philanthropic work reflects those same values, with significant contributions to education, the arts, and social causes. Zucker has become a driving force for good in the Lowcountry and beyond. 

Alana Lowery, a senior and member of CSU Players, said that the play is about more than one family’s story. It is a testament to resilience in the face of adversity, to the power of hard work, and to the importance of giving back. “Anita Zucker’s journey exemplifies the kind of perseverance that we all as students hope to achieve one day. She demonstrates courage when she speaks about her family’s story. Her story has taught us that we can celebrate the good but also to tell our stories of what we have been through,” Lowery said.

By bringing this story to the stage, the production aims to resonate with contemporary audiences, emphasizing the importance of sharing history to inspire future generations. “Even when the state of the world is difficult, I believe it’s important to use our voices,” Zucker said. “I tell this story because of my family’s perseverance and courage. It is why I am here.”

Keating added that the timing of the play is especially meaningful. “This story carries special significance. It serves as a reminder of why it is important to share stories of resilience and faith, so that we can all learn from them and be inspired to stand for what is right.” 

“On The Other Side” will premiere at Lightsey Chapel on Oct. 23-26. The production will feature original writing and performances by CSU students who have studied both the history and impact of Zucker’s legacy.

Performance schedule:

• Thursday, October 23, at 7:30 p.m. 
• Friday, October 24, at 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, October 25, at 7:30 p.m. 
• Sunday, October 26, at 3 p.m. (Includes a VIP preshow reception and postshow talkback)

General Admission tickets: $15

CSU students, faculty/staff are free.

Codrington has been roller skating for over 10 years, and his love for the sport has only deepened with time. 

He admits to previously trying hoverboarding but quickly realized that the battery life of newer hoverboards would not sustain him as he made his way around campus. 

By spring 2023, Codrington had worn out his initial pair and needed an upgrade. It was then that he was gifted his second pair of skates by Brittney Greer and the Residence Life team. 

Though many may view him as a celebrity on campus, Codrington is very humble in his abilities. 

“I don’t like the idea of being praised because of my roller skating,” he says, “I’m just a normal person with personality.”

To Codrington, roller skating is something he does as a means of transportation and to have fun. He finds the most enjoyment when he can add his own style to a seemingly simple activity. 

The best place for him to get into his element is at the front of campus during sunset. When the vibes are just right, he dances and listens to reggae music while getting lost in the mesmerizing world around him. 

Codrington, like so many, is not just involved in one thing. In fact, the former pianist admits he has been inspired by many of his friends to try other skills.

“One of my other friends plays guitar,” he continues, “Then, I have another friend, like I said, he makes beats, but he’s also a rollerblader.” 

In life, challenges are inevitable, and it is helpful to know how to overcome them. When it comes to roller skating, Codrington has found that balance is one of the most important parts of overcoming. 

While his first lesson in balance may have begun on eight wheels, it has taken him to greater heights as an aeronautics major.

“One thing we have to learn about flying a helicopter is keeping it balanced…like balancing a marble on the top of a platform,” he says.

Whether a student is trying out something new like roller skating for the first time or merely juggling a hefty workload, the best piece of advice is to master the art of balancing. Do not be afraid to step outside of what is comfortable to discover that inner passion. 

Codrington is the perfect example that when you find that niche, nothing can stop you from pursuing it.