Limestone University recently named Anna Catherine English as the new Director of Alumni & Donor Relations, a role within the Department of Institutional Advancement.
“Limestone is just such a special place. I look forward to being able to be a part of such a tight-knit community,” English said. “I am just so impressed by how warm, welcome, and comfortable I already feel. My goal is for alumni, anyone who visits campus, and anyone who wants to be part of the Limestone family to feel the way that I felt the minute I started working here.”
English, a Greenville County native, began her career in education in the Greenville County School District, working in Attendance Intervention and Student Services. She also served as the Head Cheerleading Coach at Byrnes High School in Duncan, South Carolina, before moving to the same position at Eastside High School, her alma mater, in Taylors.
In 2019, English began a four-year stint at Furman University as the head cheerleading coach. During her time at Furman, she was promoted to Assistant Director for Athletic Business Operations, in addition to her coaching duties. Her most recent stop was Presbyterian College, serving as an assistant coach for the Competitive Cheer squad.
“Being a head coach in college athletics, we are constantly fundraising, we are constantly building relationships with alumni,” she noted. “So, for me, this has been such a fun jump, career-wise, but more importantly it has been a very comfortable career jump.”
Through her time working in athletics, she knows many people who call Limestone home, including longtime friends, former colleagues, and former student-athletes from her high school coaching days. Though she did spend one year as a judge for the Miss Limestone Pageant, it was these connections to the community that put Limestone on the map for her.
“There are such great people at Limestone. It has been amazing for me to now be a part of this, because I have seen what they have all done here,” she said.
English graduated from the University of Alabama in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in restaurant and hotel management before returning to South Carolina. While still a student in Tuscaloosa, she served as the Vice President of Alumni Relations for the Student-Alumni Association. She calls accepting a similar position, now in her home state, her “full-circle moment.”
In just a brief period of time, English has already been busy building relationships with many of Limestone’s alumni and supporters. She is also developing the activities and schedule for the University’s 2024 Homecoming scheduled for September 27-28. Homecoming will culminate with the Saints’ home football game against Emory & Henry College on Saturday, Sept. 28.
“Stay tuned, because we’ve got some exciting things in the works,” she explained. “Homecoming is always one of the most exciting times of year on a college campus, and it will be even more special for me this fall as I get to meet so many more of Limestone’s alumni.”