Todd Caldwell considers displaying pride in SC State a must for alumni.
Computer science graduate Todd Caldwell says the university prepared him for opportunities
in technology, leadership and community service.
I’m all about promoting my school, and I want my fellow alums to do the same" — Todd
Caldwell.ORANGEBURG, S.C. —Todd Caldwell has used a mastery of social media and system analysis to excel and
lead in a multitude of areas, including project management, but has never forgotten
the foundation that was laid for him at South Carolina State University.
“I think the biggest thing South Carolina State taught me in my career was that I
can fit in in any circle. The training that I got taught me that there was a place
for me. It made me more well-rounded than just the average person,” Caldwell said.
He graduated from SC State in 1996 with a degree in computer science.
Caldwell now works in Charlotte, North Carolina, at Bank of America, where he serves
as a project test manager.
He previously worked at Wells Fargo in Charlotte as a business systems consultant
and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina as a business systems analyst, roles that
also allowed him to demonstrate his skill sets.
In addition to working at Bank of America, Caldwell is the owner and primary photographer
for MoSeawell Photography. He also serves as the lead videographer at Brookland Baptist Church in West Columbia,
a basketball official with the South Carolina High School League, and as a brand ambassador
for Brooks Running.
Todd Caldwell captured the above image of Magic Johnson when the basketball great
visited the university in 2015.Bulldog tenacity and confidence
Caldwell said while some resources were limited at SC State, he was still motivated
to thrive.
“We were not at the top of the mark for our technology. So what it taught me at the
time was you could have the basics, you could know your computer science, but it also
taught me to have confidence. It taught me how to fit in. It taught me that I was
just as important as the next person — I just had to sell myself,” he said.
The legendary Bulldog tenacity and grit was on full display in Caldwell’s life.
“Whenever I interview, I tell people, ‘All I need is the interview,’ because once
I get the interview, I can sell myself. So my experience at SC State taught me pretty
much confidence and showed me that I can fit in anywhere,” he said.
He said his instructors at SC State were well organized and systematic.
“It taught you that systems work and organization is key. A lot of my instructors
would make sure that you did your
work and what was required by the syllabus. There was no reason why you couldn’t get
in and out in four years, and I’m a testament to that,” Caldwell said.
Giving back to SC State
He gives back to his alma mater in meaningful ways.
“Well, I started off doing a lot financially, trying to give as much as I could. My
financial giving kind of went to the wayside, but I still did as much as I could as
far as promoting the university, being a season ticket holder, still attending conferences,”
Caldwell said.
He is a member of the Greater Columbia Chapter of the SC State National Alumni Association,
where he has served as a membership chairperson.
“When I was the membership chairperson the first time, we were able to become the
second largest chapter behind the D.C. chapter. I’m a worker. So I had no problems
reaching out and saying, ‘Hey, let’s get involved.’ So I’m very active inside of the
alumni association and very active in events that are happening around the school,”
Caldwell said.
He is also the race director for Bulldogs on the Run, a nonprofit organization.
“Its primary responsibility is to provide scholarships for individuals that attend
South Carolina State University, bring awareness to the City of Orangeburg, and to
promote health. I do that from a place of no pay. I’ve done that for five years. At
our biggest year, we gave $10,000 to scholarship recipients,” Caldwell said.
His vision for the university is bright but one which he knows will take work.
“I want us to really get back up in the Orangeburg community to where we are the best
school. I want to see a greater connection between the City of Orangeburg and South
Carolina State,” Caldwell said.
He said increasing enrollment at the university, for example, is a job that is rooted
in individuals having pride in the school and wanting to promote it.
“I feel like if my fellow alums will give back, then we can continue to do things
around the school and get us to a point where they’ll be proud enough to wear a T-shirt
every now and then and send their kids there. I’m all about promoting my school, and
I want my fellow alums to do the same,” he said.
The 51-year-old Orangeburg native said he remembers SC State fondly, including as
a place where his mother worked.
“That was my first introduction to then South Carolina State College. That’s how long
ago it was, but some of my best years have been at SC State. South Carolina State
gives you the tools to be your best self, and it gives you the support to show that
the sky’s the limit,” Caldwell said.Caldwell often brings his camera to SC State, where he captures campus life.An example of Caldwell's work with MoSeawell Photography.
