Gary Kooper ’91 came to Coker University with a soccer dream and left with something far more lasting.

Originally from Ross, Ohio, Kooper’s path to Hartsville began on the soccer field. Encouraged by his high school coach and a connection between his goalkeeper coach and former Coker coach Griggs, he started looking at colleges across the Carolinas. After several visits, one campus stood out.

From the moment Kooper arrived at Coker, he knew he had found the right place. The view of Davidson Hall, the original campus entrance, and the genuine welcome from Coach Griggs, teammates, and fellow students made an immediate impression. Coker felt personal, and it felt right.

That sense of connection only deepened during his time on campus. Kooper credits much of his leadership foundation to former Coker president Dr. Jim Daniels, whose presence shaped the student experience in lasting ways. Daniels was known for knowing students by name, offering a firm handshake, and carrying a deep love for the University. Those small but meaningful interactions left a lasting impact on Kooper’s approach to leadership.

Equally important were the relationships he built with classmates and teammates. Many of those friendships began in 1987 and have continued ever since.

“There is something about Coker that will always live in my heart,” Kooper said.

Inside the classroom, Coker’s academic environment pushed students to be engaged and accountable. The roundtable-style classes encouraged discussion, collaboration, and connection, preparing Kooper for professional life beyond college.

Outside the classroom, he took advantage of leadership opportunities through athletics, student government, residence life, and campus involvement, as well as creative experiences that challenged him to step outside his comfort zone.

One internship during his time at Coker proved especially influential. That opportunity helped launch a 30-year career with Sonoco Products Company, where Kooper held a variety of leadership roles and continued to develop the skills first nurtured at Coker.

Today, Kooper’s commitment to giving back is rooted in a belief that students need both character and confidence to succeed in an increasingly competitive world. Through the Kooper Leadership Academy, he works closely with Coker students to help them develop the mindset and skills necessary for personal and professional growth. The Academy’s mission closely mirrors Coker’s values, making the work especially meaningful.

Support from across the University has encouraged Kooper to expand the Academy’s reach to benefit more students, faculty, and staff.

Recently, he committed to the Kooper Leadership Academy full-time and is focused on growing its impact. Plans include expanding the Performance Coaching Program, building on the Academy’s “Becoming the Best Version of You” framework, and launching a new initiative, “The Four-Hour Accelerator,” a personal excellence bootcamp designed to jump-start individual growth.

Kooper’s work reflects a belief that investing in people creates a lasting impact that extends far beyond the classroom.