South Carolina State University News April 28, 2015 National Alumni Association endows $100,000 for scholarships SC State University will award more financial support to its young scholars after receiving a generous donation from alumni. The SC State University National Alumni Association contributed $100,000 in scholarship funds to SC State, university officials announced Tuesday during a press conference held at the South Carolina State House. The sizeable donation, which was contributed in support of the university's three-year capital campaign, Preserving the Legacy, is the association's first endowed scholarship fund. SC State University National Alumni Association member Senator John W. Matthews Jr., '67, along with the association's president Vernell Brown, '71, presented the check to SC State University Acting President Dr. W. Franklin Evans. "We are so proud today to establish the South Carolina State University National Alumni Association's first endowed scholarship fund," said Brown. "The contribution represents the national alumni association and the 35 alumni chapters' collective commitment to ensuring that the legacy of our beloved institution continues for generations to come," said Brown. Brown further stated that the gift is an installment of additional monies that will be raised through the chapters and presented at the 26th National Alumni Convention, which will be held on campus July 23 through 26. "The donation gifted by the national association demonstrates to the public that the SC State family has a sense of responsibility for the well-being of the university and a vested interest in the lives of the young scholars whom will benefit significantly from the funding," said Matthews. As the Palmetto State's only state-assisted historically black institution, SC State University's student population, while diverse and representing 25 countries, educates primarily first-generation, underserved students, who require some form of financial assistance. In fact, 97 percent of the students receive financial aid. "We are so pleased to receive this generous contribution from the South Carolina State University National Alumni Association," said Dr. Evans. "The scholarships the university will be able to award will help to fulfill students' dreams of earning a college degree. We are glad to know that alumni recognize the urgent need to invest in the lives of these young people, who are the next generation of leaders destined to make a difference in the world." As the university progresses with the capital campaign, alumni are encouraged to make contributions to the university. Giving is available online at www.scsu.edu<http://www.scsu.edu/"http:/www.scsu.edu"> or by contacting the Office of Institutional Advancement at (803) 536-8742. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.