President's Report 2007 - Benedict College

BENEDICT
COLLEGE
The Half Century Club also continues its outstanding support for Benedict College.
Several club members purchased naming rights to the five new, specialized labs
in Alumni Hall. Members of the Heritage Society, not to be outdone, contributed
generously, as well. To date, nearly $70,000 has been bequeathed to Benedict
College.
Benedict’s Charter Club welcomed both Steve Roberts, author, businessman and
owner of WZRB-TV in Columbia, and former “The Apprentice” contestant Kwame
Jackson to help kick off recent Charter Day fundraisers for the College. This annual
event each year celebrates the chartering of Benedict College by the South Carolina
Legislature back in 1894.
Members of the Benedict family are increasingly as generous, their giving reflecting
their support of the mission of the College. Faculty donations have tripled, and both
businesses and religious organizations have significantly increased their financial
support of the College.
Finally, the College Fund/United Negro College Fund – in a partnership with South
Carolina Governor Mark Sanford – continues to support Benedict student success.
Their combined efforts have produced more than $6.4 million in assistance during
the past decade.
A PATH WORTHY OF A LEGACY
Future paths leading to fundraising successes are literally being paved by each
successive graduating class. The new Benedict College Millennium Walk is a
testament to the effort of touching tomorrow-today. The Seniors gives are constant
reminder of the dedication by our newest alumni to the College’s future.
More than $100,000 in gifts have been given by graduating Benedict
seniors, now on their way to helping to ensure their gifts and the future
of their College. The Class of 2001 funded Antisdel Chapel’s melodious
chimes. A classic, bronze bust of our illustrious founder – Bathsheba
Benedict – came from the Class of 2002.
The Class of 2003 contributed a pair of magnificent, solid-orange
marble tiger sculptures honoring the school mascot. Benedict College’s
Alumni Commons and the prized Van Bergen clock within its center
are a gift of the Class of 2005. Finally, the two life-sized, bronze tigers
adorning the entrance to Charlie W. Johnson Football Stadium are
legacies of the Class of 2006-2007.
President Swinton poses with Governor Mark
Sanford at the first UNCF Governor’s Luncheon
which was created for the UNCF member
institutions in South Carolina. The event raised
$75,000 for the five historically Black colleges in
the state.
Supporters from the Columbia Business
community pose for a photo at the Annual
Charter Day dinner, which celebrates the
1894 chartering of the College by the SC
Legislature.
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