Coker College, the City &
Chamber of Commerce Honor
Olympian Shannon Johnson

For more information, contact James Jolly, director of marketing
and communications, 843.383.8018

A billboard honoring Shannon Johnson was recently installed on South Fifth Street in Hartsville. Pictured left to right: Coker provost Dr. Ron Carter; Coker president Dr. Jim Dawson; Hartville mayor Bill Gaskins; Shannon Johnson; and Jerry Kershner and Diane Wall of the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce.

Hartsville, SC - Coker College, the City of Hartsville and the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a luncheon in honor of 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist Shannon Johnson.

A native of Hartsville, Johnson helped lead the U.S. Women's Basketball team to a gold medal in Athens this year. Her Hartsville High School coach, Patricia Stevens Hewitt, a 1969 Coker graduate, traveled to Athens in support of Johnson's Olympic dream.

While on campus, Johnson also met with the Cobras Women’s Basketball team and coach Katie Pate.

At the luncheon, which was held in the College's Drawing Room, Johnson was named the first Ambassador for the City of Hartsville by Mayor Bill Gaskins. She also received a special letter of commendation from Senator Lindsey Graham's (R-SC) office. Additional remarks were delivered by Diane Wall of the Chamber of Commerce, Coker president Dr. Jim Dawson, Coker provost Dr. Ron Carter, Pate, Hewitt, and Johnson's mother, Joann Bennet.

Johnson is currently playing professional basketball in Poland.

 

 

 

 


Shannon Johnson receives a Coker sweatshirt from college president
Dr. Jim Dawson.

Shannon Johnson with former coach Pat Hewitt, Coker Class of 1969.

 

 

Dec. 7, 2004