Ben Lippen Alumni Association

Alumni sweethearts Jonathan Cochrane ’09 & Alex (Stoker) Cochrane ’09 met in 6th grade but didn’t start dating until junior year. Jonathan thought Alex was smart, pretty, and athletic. Alex thought Jonathan was funny, sweet, and adventurous. That’s a strong start. 💚

One of their favorite early memories was a special prom scavenger hunt around campus that ended at the CIU reflection pond, where Alex had to cast a fishing pole to reel in balloons holding Jonathan’s invitation (see photo). Game days were a highlight. Jonathan says seeing Alex, a cheerleader, wear his football jersey on Fridays was basically the coolest moment of his teenage life.

Jonathan knew within a few months that Alex was the one, while Alex says it took her just a little bit longer 😉. She loved his kindness, adventurous spirit, and heart for God and family.

They began dating at 16 and married five years later in 2012. After another scavenger-hunt proposal at Clemson’s Lake Hartwell (complete with a guitar serenade), they officially began forever. Jonathan had carved their initials into a tree when they first started dating in high school, and the night before the proposal, he cut the tree down and brought the initialed cross-section to the proposal spot! The couple still has it in their home.

Now they live in Greenville with their four kids. Alex teaches at a homeschool co-op and homeschools their children, and Jonathan works in real estate development.

Richard Van De Water ’08 didn’t plan on becoming a photographer.
Like many careers, his path had its share of ups and downs, and one of those turns became the catalyst for what he’s doing now. During COVID, Richard traveled to Hawaii for a few weeks after a job transition. He borrowed a friend’s “very basic, nothing-fancy camera,” and while he was there, he thought: “Maybe I should try this.”
Looking back, he believes the Lord used that season to redirect him. Learning photography from the ground up, he began navigating the uncertainty that comes with breaking into a creative industry, putting in the work, and trusting God with the outcome.
That outlook eventually opened doors he never could’ve planned, including working with Tara-Leigh Cobble on a project that took him to Israel in 2021. The subsequent book, Israel: Beauty, Light, and Luxury, hit the NYT bestseller list, and the whole Israel experience left a lasting mark. “It reframed the Bible for me. Less like something distant and more like something textured and real.” He shared that professionally, it changed everything.
Now living in Charleston, South Carolina, Richard’s work is known for being emotional, honest, and alive. His goal remains the same: “I want every image to carry the essence of a real moment and spark something in the viewer.” That desire for connection is also what led him to begin sharing more of his journey on TikTok.
“So I took the risk and started posting. I wanted people to get a sense of who I am, because connection is what makes art land. If someone connects with you as a person, they’ll connect with your work on a deeper level, too.”

Stay tuned! You can read Richard’s full feature in our upcoming Alumni Newsletter!

www.richardvandewater.com

As Ben Lippen marks 85 years of Christian education, we celebrate stories that bridge our past and present, like that of Patrick Major ’65.

Patrick first came to Ben Lippen in 8th grade when his missionary parents entrusted him to the school. “My classmates truly were my new brothers and sisters,” he recalls. The rhythm of dorm life, devotions, and friendships deeply shaped his faith.

After graduation, Patrick devoted more than 40 years to Christian education as a teacher, principal, and leader with ACSI. This fall, he and his classmates are returning to Columbia for their 60th reunion during Homecoming on October 3, a milestone that reflects the lasting impact of the Ben Lippen experience.

“This year we wanted to not only get together but also show appreciation to the school, as it is now, for the impact it’s had on our lives,” Patrick explains.

We can’t wait to celebrate this class and their classmate Steve Gay, who is being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame this year. It will be a very special Homecoming!

Read the whole story at the link below:

Patrick Major ’65: A Legacy of Faith and Friendship Posts Landing Page - Ben Lippen School