SCICU News

SCICU Celebrates Independent College and University Day

Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell presents to SCICU CEO Mike LeFever

Speaker of the House Bobby Harrell presents a Concurrent Resolution recognizing Independent College and University Day to SCICU President and CEO Mike LeFever and students.

As proclaimed by Governor Mark Sanford and memorialized in a Concurrent Resolution of the South Carolina House and Senate, April 16, 2008 was designated as Independent College and University Day. On this special day, the Governor and General Assembly encourages all South Carolinians to recognize South Carolina’s  independent colleges and universities for their positive contributions in ensuring our state’s continued status as a leader in higher education. Serving nearly thirty-three thousand students across the state, independent colleges and universities are dedicated to providing high quality, post-secondary educational opportunities to a diverse group of traditional and non-traditional students in a manner that meets their academic, social, cultural, and financial needs.

More than seventy students assembled in Columbia on April 16 to learn about the process of legislative advocacy and to thank their representatives and senators for supporting independent higher education through the Higher Education Tuition Grant Program and other scholarship programs. Lottery scholarships, such as the LIFE and Palmetto awards, and need-based Tuition Grants provide financial assistance to over 12,000 South Carolina students who attend one of  SCICU’s twenty colleges or universities. Earlier in the session, students from SCICU schools wrote over 700 letters of appreciation to members of the House and Senate.

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Students from SCICU member institutions celebrate Independent College and University Day on April 16, 2008 with a visit to the State House.

During their day at the State House, the student-representatives heard from Rep. Bob Walker, chairman of the House Education and Public Works Committee before visiting with individual members. They also met with Speaker Bobby Harrell who presented them with the Concurrent Resolution.

South Carolina’s independent institutions of higher learning share a common commitment to promoting critical thinking and creativity by preparing students for full lives, and productive careers.