Coker College Honors Two Distinguished Alumni

Hartsville, S.C. ­ The Coker College Alumni Association honored two of its members at Alumni Day on April 10. Katherine Still Campbell of Orangeburg received the 2006 Distinguished Service Award and educator Madge Windham Zemp of Hartsville was presented with the 2006 Distinguished Achievement Award.

“Madge brings great dignity to title of teacher. She knows the value of teaching, caring and molding the young men and women who will become tomorrow’s leaders,” said Dr. James Dawson, president of Coker College. “Katherine has been a truly dedicated alumna. A tireless promoter of her alma mater, she has always made this school one of her primary interests.”

Zemp graduated from Coker College in 1987 with a degree in history education. She later earned a master’s in education with a concentration in counseling and guidance services from Clemson University and she holds a professional counselors license.

For 20 years, Zemp has taught U.S. history and psychology at Hartsville High School where she also serves as chair of the Mentoring Committee for new teachers. In 2004, the Darlington County Education Foundation presented Zemp with the Making a Difference Award for being a positive influence in the lives of students through effective, creative and innovative teaching.

In addition to teaching, Zemp is a counselor at the Medical Group and the Morphis Pediatric Group in Hartsville. She also works with the Thad Saleeby Developmental Center in Hartsville.

A member of the Coker College Board of Trustees, Zemp is a former president of Coker College Alumni Association. She is also a past recipient of the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce’s “Woman of Achievement Award.” Zemp’s son, Michael Camak, is 2001 graduate of Coker College.

A native of Greenwood, S.C., Campbell graduated from Coker College in 1945 with a degree in mathematics. She went to work for the Tennessee Valley Authority in Oakridge where she met her late husband, Mike, an employee of Colgate-Palmolive. The Campbells moved to Orangeburg, where Mike served as city treasurer for many years, and raised two sons.

Campbell was instrumental in establishing the Wade Hampton Academy, now Orangeburg Preparatory Schools, in 1964 where she worked until her retirement in 1984. Campbell is an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Orangeburg and she has volunteered in the Orangeburg community. Campbell has also worked as a freelance newspaper photographer for The State and the old Columbia Star.

Campbell has been involved in the Coker College Alumni Association for decades. She has served as a class representative, keeping in touch with classmates on behalf of the college, and she recently provided key support for Coker’s successful $22.6 million fundraising campaign.

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