Partnerships - The University of South Carolina Aiken

Proud Partner
T
his year, the Aiken Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW)
celebrates its 55 th year. From the beginning, this active and dynamic group of women
has reached out to the community in many ways. In fact, in the late 50s and early 60s,
the early leaders of AAUW played a critical role in the creation of USC Aiken. Partnering with the
local legislative delegation through the efforts of Senator Ed Cushman, the group worked tirelessly
to show the strong interest and need for higher education in this area.
rewarding
sense of pride
“The original premise of AAUW is to promote education for women and we have always taken this
charge seriously,” said President Bea Peyser. “We share a special relationship with the USC Aiken campus
and feel a great sense of pride for our part in bringing higher education opportunities to Aiken County.”
Their relationship with USC Aiken did not end with the creation of the campus in 1961. Over the years,
AAUW members have been supporters of the University including their work to begin the first library
for the campus and their creation of an annual scholarship.
The annual full-tuition scholarship is funded through one of the most successful events held by the
Aiken Branch of AAUW. The Books N’ Things Fair makes used books and attic treasures available to
the community over a two-day period. The Fair will be held for the 46 th consecutive year in 2008 and
has grown to be highly successful with enthusiastic support from the local community. “We have been
very fortunate to receive terrific support from the community for our book fair,” said Peyser. From the
proceeds, the group provides financial support through the AAUW Educational Foundation along with
USC Aiken scholarship and many other worthy community projects.
“Even though we have been giving a scholarship for many years, there continues to be a sense of
excitement,” said Peyser. “Having the opportunity to meet the young women receiving the scholarship
and knowing we have made a difference in their lives is quite rewarding.”
AAUW members (left to right) Ginny Brooks,
Deidre Martin, Bea Peyser, and Fern Brooks
Recently, the organization took their commitment a step further by creating a permanently endowed
scholarship fund with the Aiken Partnership. This endowed scholarship will benefit an Aiken County female student who transfers to USC Aiken from Aiken Technical
College. The scholarship is designed to reach out to students who may be “non-traditional” in their efforts to pursue their education.
difference in their lives
“Our members felt a strong desire to reach out to women coming into higher education through less traditional means,” said Peyser. “Having both the annual full-tuition
scholarship for a traditional undergraduate student and the newly created endowed scholarship for a non-traditional student allows us to expand our commitment to
providing educational opportunities for women. We are proud to partner with USC Aiken in both of these ways.”