People & Events Dec. 30

People in Uniform
Captain John A. Lane, formerly of Hartsville, was recently recognized and decorated for two counts of heroism while assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command Africa.

Second Annual Chili Cook-Off Jan. 9
The Hartsville Downtown Development Association (HDDA) and the City of Hartsville have announced plans for the Second Annual Good Living Marketplace Chili Cook-Off and awarding of the People’s Choice Award for Best Chili in Hartsville from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 9 on Cargill Way between Fourth and Fifth streets in conjunction with the monthly Good Living Marketplace.
The event is open to all Hartsville area restaurants. Deadline for applications is Thursday. Interested establishments should contact the HDDA at (843) 332-1600 for further details and application information.
Truly a “People’s Choice,” visitors to the Good Living Marketplace taste and vote for their favorite with the largest vote getter being crowned Best Chili in Hartsville.
“Come taste these delicious offerings, vote for your favorite, and enjoy the wares of our Good Living Marketplace vendors,” HDDA Director Judi Elvington said.

Coker Selects New Business Vice President
Gerald O. Silver has been named Vice President for Business Operations at Coker College. Silver was formerly the vice president for finance and administration for The Sage Colleges in New York.
At Coker College, Silver will serve as the chief financial officer of the college. His responsibilities will include oversight of budgeting and financial processes, the college’s endowment, campus construction and infrastructure, human resources, the campus bookstore and post office, security and Kalmia Gardens of Coker College.
Silver holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Sienna College. He is a founding member and former chairman of board of trustees of the Empire State Education Trust, and he is a member of the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

Umfress Named Coker College Dean of Students
Jason Umfress has been named dean of students at Coker College. A candidate for a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Clemson University, Umfress was previously the assistant to the vice president for student affairs and the director of career services at Delta State University in Mississippi.
As Coker’s dean of students, Umfress will supervise the college’s Office of Campus Life. This includes the areas of residence life, orientation, intramurals and wellness, community service and leadership programs, student events and organizations, student government, multicultural affairs and disciplinary matters.
Umfress has held positions in student services at the University of Georgia and DSU, and he was a graduate teaching assistant at Clemson. He is currently the managing editor of the “Journal for the Study of Sports and Athletes in Education.”
Umfress holds a master’s degree in college student affairs administration from the University of Georgia. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from DSU, and he is a 2001 inductee of the DSU Student Hall of Fame.

Excellence in Human Resources Management Award
Do you know professionals in the human resources field who have made significant contributions to both their organization and community? If so, the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and the South Carolina SHRM State Council invite you to participate in the 22nd Annual Human Resources Professional of the Year Awards by nominating a deserving individual by Jan. 8. The reception and dinner will be held Feb. 9 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center in Columbia.
Nomination forms are available at www.scchamber.net by clicking on the "Events and Seminars" and "Applications and Recognition" tabs. Nominations should be submitted by fax to (803) 343-5885 or e-mail to andi.gougarty@scchamber.net.
Info: Andi Gougarty at (803) 255-2615.