Limestone Establishes New Communications & Marketing Department

Limestone’s Board of Trustees recently voted to establish a new department to raise the awareness and reputation of the College by uniting its communications and marketing efforts.

The new Vice President for Communications and Marketing is Charles Wyatt, who has served as the Director of Communications at Limestone for the past four years. K.C. Barnhill, a 13-year Limestone staff member who has been the Assistant Director of Communications for Publications and Graphic Design for the past three years, has been elevated to Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing/Director of Creative Services.

“To further strengthen Limestone’s brand, the Board saw the need for the College to pull its communications and marketing efforts together into one streamlined department,” said Limestone College President Dr. Walt Griffin. “The Trustees felt strongly, as did I, that we had the right person on campus to lead this new team. Charles has done a tremendous job over the past few years in taking our communications efforts to a whole new level. He has strong ties to not only Limestone, but also to this community. He has the public and media relations experience, along with a strong management background, to build a successful department that is essential as Limestone moves forward. In addition, thanks to K.C.’s efforts, our publications and graphic designs have been enhanced immensely and he is going to be a great asset to this new department.”

Griffin added that Wyatt and Barnhill are working together to further develop the Communications and Marketing Department strategic vision and construct a staff.

Wyatt, a native of Gaffney who earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Limestone, worked for a combined 13 years at Cherokee County’s two newspapers, The Cherokee Chronicle and The Gaffney Ledger. During his stints with the media, he captured numerous South Carolina Press Association awards for both writing and photography.

Serving as a high school football radio analyst for WAGI and WZZQ, Wyatt has 18 years of experience in broadcast journalism. He also serves as the co-host of the WZZQ “Saints Tailgate Show” prior to Limestone home football games, a role he has occupied for the past four seasons. Before returning to his alma mater, Wyatt served as the Marketing and Business Development Director for Hollywood’s Productions, an experiential marketing agency based in Cherokee County. Prior to that, he served for 14 years as the Director and Marketing Coordinator for a sports and entertainment venue.

“I am honored to be a part of this new department and to continue to be part of Limestone’s growth,” Wyatt said. “Limestone College has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, and this latest opportunity is very exciting. I appreciate the confidence that the Board and Dr. Griffin have shown in me. In the coming months, we will work diligently to build a department that will provide excellent storytelling, brilliant design, and unique marketing.”

Charles and his wife, Dawn Bland Wyatt, have 17-year-old twin daughters, Ashton and Grace.

Barnhill, who graduated from Clemson University with a bachelor’s degree in Management, served as Limestone’s Director of Alumni Affairs for several years before joining the Communications office. His graphic design work has been emphasized in recent editions of Limestone Today and Report To Investors magazines.

“It’s one of the best jobs in the world to be able to help tell Limestone’s story to the world and to support our students, faculty, staff, and alumni,” Barnhill said. “I cannot say enough about how thrilled I am to be a part of this team.”

K.C. and his wife, April Yeargin Barnhill, have three children, 5-year-old daughter Charlie, 4-year-old son Conrad, and 2-year-old son Collin.

Rick Jiran, Community Relations Vice President for Duke Energy South Carolina, has been named the Board of Trustees liaison for Communications and Marketing as the new department is developed.