Mayor Billy

As you may recall, last spring I wrote in this column that to demonstrate support for USCB’s burgeoning Arts Program at the Beaufort College, we should rally the community to demonstrate broad community support.

With USCB having invested in excess of $2 Million in capital improvements to ready the campus, it dawned on me that a scholarship program to help USCB recruit students would be the best boost we could make.

Accordingly, I assembled a team to solicit individuals, businesses and families to contribute $1000 a year for four years to support a full time scholarship exclusively for students at the Beaufort College Campus.  Our initial goal was to get 25 commitments. 

Thanks in large part to Brantley Harvey and Colden Battey, who agreed to help chair a small band of fundraisers, we set out on the journey.

Yesterday USCB President Harris Pastides, USCB Chancellor Jane Upshaw and Beaufort Jasper Higher Education Commission Chairman Tim Pearce announced we had more than doubled our goal and raised 54 scholarships, the equivalent of $216,000. 

The even better news is that David Lott challenged us to raise an additional thirty scholarships and, if we meet his challenge, he will contribute $30,000 or $1,000 for each additional scholarship.

If we are able to achieve this goal, we will have raised in excess of $350,000 allowing the number of scholarship students to rise to up to 90 over time.

The challenge:  If you have not been asked and would like to help meet this challenge, please email me at billyk@islc.net.

I believe an expanded college presence in downtown Beaufort is critical to the future growth of our community and encourage you to consider helping if you are able.

If you are not able to contribute at this level any contribution is more than welcome and will be greatly appreciated.

Thank You Beaufort for your Support!