By ANNA BROWN

CARLISLE — Ann Stevens says the time she spent as a student at USC-Union helped prepare her for the leadership roles she assumed in the future.

Mrs. Stevens graduated from Sims High School in 1966. She wanted to further her education. Already married and with a small child, USC-Union was a logical choice.

“USC-Union was convenient for me because it worked out that I could be at home, a stay-at-home mom and continue my education, that was my goal,” she said. “If USC-Union had not been here, I could not have pursued higher education at that time. It was convenient for me. It’s just a tremendous asset for our county. For any student who can’t afford to go off and pay the high costs of college, USC-Union is affordable. I’m very proud of it and I would encourage anybody to do all they can to fight to keep our campus here.”

She began classes in 1967 and graduated in 1969. She earned her bachelor’s degree at USC-Spartanburg and her master’s degree in business and organizational management from Southern Wesleyan University.

She said still today she is thankful to her mother, the late Lillian Jeter Lyles, for helping take care of her children, Hillard Stevens Jr. and April Stevens Watkins, while she worked and furthered her education.

Mrs. Stevens said the professors at USC-Union were interested in the students and wanted to see them succeed. She counts Betty Martin, Dr. Julia Long, Dr. John Wright and the late Margaret Kurtz as some of the biggest influences and most encouraging. She remains in contact with Ms. Martin today.

Another of her teachers, John Casoria, later became dean of USC-Union. When he did, he offered her a job in the admissions office Over the years she wore many hats at the school and held various positions, including assistant director of graduate studies, assistant director of admissions/registrar and financial aid director.

Prior to running for town council, Mrs. Stevens was secretary during the Janie Goree administration.

She also has served as an instructor/lecturer at USC-Union, has been a teacher in Union County Schools Adult Education program, has been an administrative assistant at Perry Correctional Institution in Pelzer and a teacher at Piedmont Wilderness Institute in Clinton.

She now is a substitute teacher in Chester, Laurens and Newberry county schools.

Mrs. Stevens is a candidate for treasurer of the Connectional Lay Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The election will be held in July in Portsmouth, Va.

Gov. Mark Sanford’s plan to close USC-Union is very disturbing, Mrs. Stevens said.

“I just wonder about the mindset of individuals who would think about cutting education,” she said. “Education is the key to all survival. USC-Union really helped to shape the mold and prepare me for life and for the positions I have held and still currently hold. It certainly prepared me for leadership and to be a good role model and mentor, especially for our young people who are facing the current economic crisis and things that exist in the world now and society. And education is certainly the key to being a well-rounded individual.”