The students developed technology to make caring for the red wolves more seamless. This has given them the opportunity to apply what they have learned in the engineering classroom to create systems that can be used beyond campus.

The students worked in two groups, each working on a different system to help the Animal Forest. One group developed a system to remotely open a gate between two parts of the enclosure. The other group worked on a method to obtain the weight of a wolf as they walk across a scale without disrupting their routine behavior. The students have also collaborated with the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) – Atlantic to manufacture parts for the systems they designed.

Engineering student Matthew Lauer is in the scale group. He explained how having this opportunity has helped to prepare the students for jobs they may have in the workforce, and for working as a team.

“A cool aspect of the program is that we are obtaining a general engineering degree, but we are concentrating on particular things for the project. We are able to come together better because we all have a foundation of general engineering knowledge. It makes the dynamic good to ping ideas off of each other,” said Lauer.

Throughout the project, students have been able to bring their individual strengths and perspectives together to be able to move the design forward, practice trial and error, work on coding, and more. Lauer focused on the mechanical side of the project, and another member of his group, Esdras Juarez, focused on the electrical side.

“If you don’t plan for things to go wrong, you’re not really planning,” said Juarez.

Dr. Joel Chapman, associate professor of mechanical engineering and project supervisor, shared how real-world responsibilities help the students, and what he hopes students gain through this experience.

The connection between the CSU engineering program and Charles Towne Landing first came about when Chapman reached out to Dr. Todd Heldreth, CSU professor of biology and the veterinarian at the Charles Towne Landing Animal Forest.

Heldreth said the project helps bring awareness to the national effort through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore the red wolf population.

“Education is critical in saving a species,” Heldreth said.

Not only are CSU’s engineering students gaining significant experience through this opportunity with Charles Towne Landing to develop these impactful systems but also the project helps to bring awareness to the red wolf program.

Technical aspects of the engineering projects:

One group developed a new system for remotely operating a gate between two portions of the red wolf enclosure. The current manually operated gate requires staff to approach the enclosure, creating safety risks and increasing domestication of the critically endangered wolves. Through extensive background research, ethical analysis, and engineering evaluations, the design team identified the need for a remote or autonomous gate system that enhances safety, reduces human-animal interaction, and aligns with legal regulations.

The second group worked on a method of obtaining weight of the red wolves in a noninvasive manner while the wolves go about their business in the enclosure. The project addresses the need for a noninvasive method of obtaining health data on the red wolves at Charles Towne Landing, where the wolves are intentionally kept nondomesticated due to the possibility of future release into the wild. Because the wolves’ handlers wish to avoid sedation or other disruptive handling that would typically be required for obtaining weight measurements, the team sought a weighing system that allows the wolves to be weighed autonomously while still providing accurate, usable data.

Dr. Michael Wilder, vice president for academic affairs, was the keynote speaker for the ceremony honoring the 55 students inducted into the South Carolina Zeta Chapter of Alpha Chi. The achievements of these scholars indicate they understand and uphold the ideals of Alpha Chi – truth and character. 

Alpha Chi, founded in 1922, is celebrating its 104^th anniversary in 2026. It is a coeducational society whose purpose is to promote academic excellence and exemplary character among college and university students and to honor those who achieve such distinction. Alpha Chi is a general honor society that admits students from all academic disciplines and is a member of good standing of the Association of College Honor Societies.  To qualify for an invitation, students must be in the top 10% of their junior or senior class.

Dr. Andrew Blauch, chair and professor of engineering, said to qualify for ABET accreditation, the program had to graduate its first students, complete a readiness review right after those first students graduated, and have a site visit. Blauch said the accreditation is retroactive to Oct. 1, 2022, and covers all CSU engineering graduates.

Blauch said, “Accreditation is important because it affects the kind of job graduates can apply for and enables students to pursue licensure. It adds legitimacy to the program.”

CSU engineering currently has close to 90 students and is growing faster than anticipated. Blauch said, “We have 11 seniors, our largest senior group, and we have a strong freshman class.” As Blauch looks back over his career, he is amazed at how the Lord has orchestrated his path. He expected to teach engineering straight out of college and has been at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern teaching in the College of Science and Mathematics since 2007. He said, “God took what we had at CSU and turned it into an engineering program. It is humbling to look back on what God orchestrates.”

The project seeks to address a critical challenge in AI: the automated creation of ontologies, structured frameworks for representing knowledge, by integrating multiple data types such as text, code, and diagrams. As artificial intelligence techniques advance, this is considered a core issue in how knowledge is represented. Since the target domain of building ontologies is software engineering, the project has the potential to significantly enhance automated software evolution, opening avenues for further research. 

“This project has the potential to create broad and lasting impact across key areas,” said Yue. “By developing an automated workflow for ontology generation using large language models, we aim to support the research community, improve software responsiveness, and enhance workforce development through education and training.”

As part of the project’s outreach, Yue will develop educational materials on knowledge representation and train students in applying ontologies and LLMs. “The results of this study will be disseminated widely, ensuring that the benefits of this research reach both academic and nonacademic audiences,” said Yue.

CSU President B. Keith Faulkner praised the achievement, “We commend Dr. Yue for his dedication and are proud of his success in securing this prestigious National Science Foundation grant. His work exemplifies the culture of research and innovation we are building at CSU. We are also grateful to the NSF for their continued investment in research that shapes the future and drives meaningful advancement in science and technology.”

Yue holds a Bachelor of Engineering in software engineering from East China Normal University in Shanghai and earned his PhD in computer science from the University of Alabama in 2019. He has over five years of industry experience in web application development and data analysis, including leading agile teams as a software engineer in California’s Bay Area. His research interests include software engineering, automation, artificial intelligence, context-aware systems, IoT, smart cities, and software privacy and security. He is also an active peer reviewer for leading journals such as IEEE Internet of Things Journal, IEEE Access, Computer Communications, and Pervasive and Mobile Computing.

The NSF CISE Research Initiation Initiative is designed to support early-career researchers in launching their first independent research efforts, particularly at institutions with emerging research programs.

The ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern aeronautics program began in 2021 with 19 students and one faculty member and has grown to 170 students and several faculty members, all U.S. Air Force combat pilot veterans.

President B. Keith Faulkner said, “This is a historic day for ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern and for our burgeoning aeronautics program,” as a plane bearing the CSU aeronautics logo of Semper Altius was visible behind him.

Faulkner said, “We are privileged to train pilots to go out and represent CSU.”

David Chinnis, chairman of Dorchester County Council, said Dorchester County is proud to host CSU’s collegiate flight program at the Summerville Airport. He said Dorchester County has invested $4.8 million in the Summerville Airport recently and plans to continue its investment.

Lloyd Richardson, chair of the CSU aeronautics program and a U.S. Air Force veteran, said the program has grown into a flight school fueled and inspired by the Board of Trustees confidence and the bold leadership of President Faulkner. 

Richardson said, “We have had many people tell us they see something different in our CSU graduates – character. CSU creates men and women of character and attracts men and women of character.” He said the faculty has pledged a commitment of safety in all they do to keep students safe. 

In addition to the professional pilot track, CSU Aeronautics also offers programs in aerospace management, and aviation maintenance management in conjunction with Trident Technical College.

ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University has purchased Chucktown Flight Training, LLC DBA Carolina Sky Flight Training, a local group based in Summerville, SC,  to further its mission of providing a high-quality flight training experience for its fast-growing aeronautics program. The university began its partnership with the flight school in 2021 to offer CSU’s inaugural professional pilot degree—the only 4-year collegiate program in the state of South Carolina. 

“This is a historic and transformative moment in the life of our university,” said CSU President B. Keith Faulkner. “This acquisition allows us to reach greater heights and excellence in our education of the next generation of pilots and managers. Whether they dream of flying for commercial airlines, service in Air Force or Space Force, or using their talents to serve in missions, ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern’s aeronautics program is ready to deliver an outstanding course of study for driven and bright students. Whether on ground or in the sky, we integrate faith in each student learning experience while preparing them for the workforce of tomorrow in the high-demand aerospace industry.” 

The CSU aeronautics program that started less than four years ago has grown from 19 students to more than 150 students. Year over year, the program has seen a 33% enrollment growth in its three degree tracks: professional pilot, aerospace management, and aviation maintenance management.����

“This is truly a thrilling time for CSU Aeronautics,” Lloyd Richardson, chair of the CSU Department of Aeronautics, said. “The program reflects the growing need for quality education in the aerospace industry. We look forward to witnessing what God will do next at CSU!” 

As a result of this growth, ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern has committed to a multi-million-dollar investment in the aeronautics program for 2025. In addition to the flight school, the university is providing a centralized location for the aeronautics faculty and staff in its second construction phase for the science and engineering building this summer. A new flight simulation lab will also be installed in the space.   

“ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern took a major step today to ensure the continued viability and growth of its new aviation program,” CSU Board Chair Dean Murphy said. “This acquisition ensures that the university will be able to provide stellar training for new pilots, as well as for others interested in avionics as a future career. As a university, we remain committed to offering educational opportunities which will afford our graduates with immediate employment opportunities. Exciting times to be a Buc!” 

The acquisition also brings exciting opportunities for veterans enrolled at CSU. Veterans will soon be able to apply U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Post 9/11 benefits to private pilot flight training. Owning the flight school also makes the professional pilot program eligible to be considered for approval to enroll international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  

Through diligent efforts, CSU is working with Congress for additional equipment funding that will increase the training pipeline capacity and enhance the degree program experience. Richardson said that formal partnerships are also in the queue. “In the future, expect to see program additions and expansions as CSU Aeronautics leads the way in collegiate flight training in South Carolina.” 

ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University will complete its second construction phase to fill out the 28,000-square-foot science and engineering building. In conjunction with CSU’s rapid growth in engineering and aeronautics, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the next phase of the project with completion expected in summer of 2025.  

“We are thrilled to continue building—both figuratively and literally—for programs that attract and engage servant-minded, scholarly leaders who are seeking careers in high-demand fields,” CSU President Keith Faulkner said. “The growth we continue to experience in programs such as aeronautics, cybersecurity, engineering, and other STEM-focused degrees are matching the demands of the marketplace. Our goal is to launch these students into the world to positively impact their areas of influence while fulfilling their purpose.” 

The first phase of the science and engineering building was completed in 2021, with classrooms and office space. The second phase will house South Carolina’s only four-year collegiate aeronautics program, flight simulators and labs, additional labs to support engineering and cell genetics, and classroom auditoriums.  

Aeronautics��
Currently, the aeronautics program, , is housed in a hall on the other side of campus. The simulation lab, office space, and classrooms will relocate to a wing of the new building, which will allow continued expansion of this popular and in-demand program.��

“In three short years, the aeronautics program has experienced tremendous growth—which will only continue to climb,” said Dr. Michael Wilder, CSU provost and vice president for academic affairs. “The faculty in this program are all retired combat-seasoned aviators with over 20 years of service and education in flight. Our students are getting top-tier educational flight experience. Whether they are flying or managing, they will be the best of the best in commercial, military, or corporate settings.” 

CSU saw a 33% increase in enrollment within aeronautics this year. There are three options available within the program: professional pilot, aerospace management, and aerospace maintenance management. The latter is a unique opportunity for those who would like to start with a 2-year program at Trident Tech and transfer into a 100% online format at CSU. 

Engineering 
In fall 2019, the College of Science and Mathematics launched a Bachelor of Science in engineering to meet the industry demand locally and nationally for engineers. Recent studies have shown that the need for engineers in the South Carolina Lowcountry and across the region is exploding. 

Three engineering options are available to students at CSU, with concentrations in computer, electrical, and mechanical. Graduates have their pick of companies in the ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ area—such as Boeing, Bosch, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo.  

Students and faculty have been housed in the science and engineering building since it opened in 2021; however, the next building phase will allow additional access to special labs and additional classroom space. ��

CSU has been a supporter of this organization since its early days. Affiliate Professor of Computer Science, Dr Valerie Sessions, was one of its founding members. 

“CSU has been a proud supporter of many CHSWIT’s initiatives – from hosting CodeON Hour of Code nights on campus to supporting the Women in Industry Day conferences. ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern’s own Women in STEM club volunteer during the events and you will always see CSU faculty members like Andrea Glover, Emory Hiott, and alumni Napiya Nubuya (and even hall of famer Karan Sorenson)”, says Sessions. 

“We are incredibly proud of the work of CHSWIT and pledge our support for future programs and initiatives. Organizations such as CHSWIT are changing the face of tech in the Lowcountry, and we are honored to play a part,” says Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics, Dr. Todd Ashby.

A scholarship has been named in Dr. Valerie Sessions and Mary Beth Westmoreland’s honor – two long serving founding members of CSHWIT. This scholarship provides a hand up to women looking for new opportunities in tech by funding attendance at code camps, leadership forums, conferences, and more. You can donate !��

Mazyck is president and chief executive officer for the South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development.

This year is the  30^th Anniversary of the S.C. Association for Community Economic Development, and Mazyck has served as its first and only president and chief executive officer. SCACED is the state’s trade association and funding intermediary for community-based economic development and financial institutions focused on building wealth in low-wealth communities in South Carolina. 

Mazyck helped to launch SCACED in 1994 with four organizations. Now SCACED has 200 member organizations serving all 46 counties of South Carolina. Through its network of members and partner organizations, SCACED strives to improve the quality of life for poor families and communities by providing innovative and sustainable solutions to low-wealth communities in South Carolina.

SCACED and its member organizations have developed projects valued at over $200 million, with an economic impact in South Carolina of over $400 million. Through SCACED’s members and partners, over 2,500 families purchased their first home, CED organizations created over 6,000 jobs, and thousands of poor families built wealth in rural and distressed communities in South Carolina. Mazyck also served as the chief architect of the passage of the South Carolina Community Economic Development Act. This landmark piece of legislation authorizes the South Carolina General Assembly to provide grants, loans and tax credits to certified community economic development organizations in South Carolina. This is one of the first pieces of legislation that provides state support directly to community-based organizations working in poor and rural communities of South Carolina.

Mazyck is also a graduate of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia with a Master of Divinity degree, with a concentration in ministry with the poor. In 2000, he completed the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School at Harvard University.

Currently he serves on the following Boards: Chairman, Charlotte Branch Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (Richmond, Va.); Coastal Community Foundation (ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ); Rural Resource Coalition of South Carolina, South Carolina Community Capital Alliance, The Opportunity Center (ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ); Office of Rural Health (Lexington, S.C.); Connectional Ministries of the United Methodist Church of South Carolina, and Epworth Children Center.

Mazyck is the recipient of numerous awards including the 2024 Joseph P. Riley Leadership Award from the ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Metro Chamber of Commerce, 2021 and 2022 50 Most Influential by��ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Business Magazine, 2023 Emanuel Nine Award for Volunteerism from the S.C. Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 2020 Community Development Association Leadership Award from the National Alliance of Community Economic Development Associations, and the 2021 Servant Leadership Award from the S.C. Commission for Minority Affairs. He is also the 2004 recipient of the Order of the Silver Crescent from Governor Mark Sanford and the 2014 recipient of the Order of the Palmetto from former Governor Nikki Haley. The Order of the Palmetto is the state’s highest civilian honor for service to the state.

Jackson Link was chosen to represent the CSU team and won the capture the flag competition. “The team is looking forward to using the server to practice their skills for future competitions,” said Dr. Julie Henderson, associate professor of computer science. “The team competed against many large universities from the Southeast and placed in the middle of the pack overall.

Link is a senior majoring in computer science and Christian studies with an emphasis in biblical languages, Greek and Hebrew. Logan Ferguson was captain of the team, and other competitors were Jaye Engelhardt, Joshua Menard, Riley Osborne, and Zach Weaver.

Ten teams are invited to compete at each level: high school, college, and pro. The CSU team qualified to compete through the Southeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition.