South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities

A Voice for Independent Higher Education in South Carolina

Wofford College Awards Honorary Doctorate to Mike LeFever, SCICU President & CEO

By

Wofford College conferred an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree upon Mike LeFever, SCICU President and CEO, during its 2018 Commencement Exercises on May 20. LeFever has championed independent higher education advocacy efforts in South Carolina and nationally for more than ten years.

(L-R) Mike LeFever, SCICU President and CEO; Dr. Carol Wilson, Professor, Wofford College; Dr. Nayef Samhat, President, Wofford College.

SPARTANBURG, SC — In recognition of his significant contributions to independent higher education in South Carolina, Mike LeFever, SCICU President and CEO, was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree by Wofford College during its 2018 Commencement Exercises on May 20. LeFever has championed independent higher education advocacy efforts in South Carolina and nationally for more than ten years.

In addition to his leadership in South Carolina higher education, LeFever was recognized for his long career in state government, including deputy chief of staff for Gov. Jim Hodges, 13 years as director of the Workers’ Compensation Commission, and as director of three other state agencies. Prior to joining SCICU, LeFever was principal of MG&C Consulting Services, LLC, a governmental relations firm representing businesses, non-profits, and professional associations before the South Carolina General Assembly.

A cum laude graduate of Presbyterian College, LeFever holds a master’s degree in public administration from the University of South Carolina. LeFever’s alumni involvement with Presbyterian College includes serving as president of the Alumni Association and as a member of the Presbyterian College Board of Trustees. He was also honored with Presbyterian College’s Young Alumnus Award.

LeFever’s contributions to higher education in South Carolina were also recognized by Allen University in 2014 (Richard Allen award), by the Columbia College Board of Trustees in 2013, and by the Partnership Among South Carolina’s Academic Libraries (PASCAL) in 2009.

Other civic and business involvement for LeFever include serving as president of the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions and the International Workers’ Compensation Foundation; president of the South Carolina Agency Directors Organization; chair of the National Youth Works Alliance; and chair of the Center for Cancer Treatment and Research at Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia, S.C. The South Carolina Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration named him Public Administrator of the Year in 1986 and again in 2003.

More information on Wofford College’s 2018 Commencement Exercises may be read at http://www.wofford.edu/newsroom/2018/Wofford-holds-164th-Commencement-Exercises/.

SC Senate Recognizes LeFever’s Years of Public Service

By

SC Senate Recognizes LeFever's Years of Public Service. (L-R) Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr., Sen Nikki G. Setzler, Mike LeFever, Malissa Burnette, Sen. Mia S. McLeod

(L-R) Sen. John W. Matthews, Jr., Sen Nikki G. Setzler, Mike LeFever, Malissa Burnette, Sen. Mia S. McLeod

COLUMBIA, SC — SCICU President and CEO Mike LeFever was honored by the State Senate for his public service with a ceremony in the Senate chambers on May 3, 2018. A Senate Resolution (S. 1198) authored by Sen. Nikki Setzler and co-sponsored by the members of the Senate recognized LeFever for the passion and dedication that he has shown in serving the people and the State of South Carolina.

The Resolution took note that during LeFever’s 10 years as president and CEO of SCICU he sought to advance independent higher education in South Carolina in collaboration with individual colleges and universities. During his tenure, LeFever boasted substantial achievements for students through programs and funding, including over $5 million for student scholarships, student research projects, and teaching awards; $83.5 million in state merit and need based aid; and $73 million in federal grants annually.

Prior to joining SCICU, LeFever spent almost three decades in state government as the director of four different state agencies, including the Workers’ Compensation Commission for thirteen years, and as Deputy Chief of Staff for Executive Office Programs and Cabinet Affairs for then-Governor Jim Hodges.

LeFever will retire on August 31, 2019. An executive search for his replacement is being led by Chair-elect Jerry Cheatham of the SCICU Board of Trustees.

SCICU Chief Academic Officers Honor Mike LeFever at 2018 Excellence In Teaching Dinner

By

Chief Academic Officers at SCICU member colleges and universities honored SCICU President and CEO Mike LeFever for his leadership and service to independent higher education at the 2018 Excellence In Teaching awards dinner.

(L-R) Dr. Karen Gainey, Executive Vice President, Limestone College; Mike LeFever, President & CEO, SCICU; Dr. Anita Bowles, Executive Vice President, Spartanburg Methodist College.

COLUMBIA, SC — Chief Academic Officers at SCICU member colleges and universities honored SCICU President and CEO Mike LeFever for his leadership and service to independent higher education at the 2018 Excellence In Teaching awards dinner.

LeFever has served as President and CEO of SCICU since January 2008. He has announced that he will retire from the position on August 31.

SCICU CAOs, represented by Dr. Karen Gainey, Executive Vice President at Limestone College, and Dr. Anita Bowles, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at Spartanburg Methodist College, honored LeFever at the Excellence In Teaching dinner with an engraved tray commemorating his many years of service and leadership in South Carolina higher education.

Chief Academic Officers at SCICU member colleges and universities honored SCICU President and CEO Mike LeFever for his leadership and service to independent higher education at the 2018 Excellence In Teaching awards dinner.

Mike LeFever, SCICU President and CEO, reflects upon award from Chief Academic Officers.

Upon presentation of the CAO award, LeFever was honored by the 2018 Excellence In Teaching award recipients and guests with a standing ovation.

SCICU honors the top professors and faculty members at the twenty member colleges and universities at the annual Excellence In Teaching awards dinner. Chief Academic Officers and other faculty leaders select one award recipient per member college/university who will be recognized at SCICU’s annual Excellence In Teaching dinner. Each of the 20 recipients also receive a $3,000 professional development grant.

The 2018 Excellence In Teaching awards dinner marked the 13th year that SCICU honored professors and faculty members at member colleges and universities.

Please click here to read more about the 2018 Excellence In Teaching Awards Dinner and the twenty award recipients.

Duke Energy Renews Scholarship Program with SCICU

By

COLUMBIA, SC – The Duke Energy Foundation has renewed its commitment with SCICU to fund merit scholarships for students who attend the 11 member colleges and universities in Duke Energy’s service area in South Carolina. This $79,200 total scholarship commitment is the largest award by a single entity in SCICU’s Named Scholar Program. Duke Energy has supported South Carolina independent higher education via SCICU since 1956, and has participated in the present SCICU scholarship program since 2005.

“Education has always been a focal point of our commitment to corporate giving,” said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy’s state president in South Carolina. “We are proud to continue our decades-long partnership with SCICU – an organization that continues to make a difference in the lives of so many students in the Palmetto State.”

“Duke Energy has been a supporter of South Carolina’s independent colleges and universities since 1956, and we are extremely grateful to again receive such a generous gift to provide scholarships to talented students with financial need,” said Eddie Shannon, executive vice president of SCICU.

The $79,200 gift will provide $1,100 scholarships in the 2018-19 academic year in the name of Duke Energy to 66 students attending SCICU’s eleven member colleges located in the Duke Energy service area.

Duke Energy’s SCICU scholarship program is designed to help students who are majoring in math and/or science, have a permanent residence in the company’s South Carolina service area, and attend one of the 11 SCICU colleges and universities in the service area.

The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of communities where its customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $33 million annually in charitable gifts. The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career – particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) – as well as early childhood literacy and workforce development. The foundation also supports environmental projects and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.

The 11 SCICU member colleges and universities in the Duke Energy service area include Anderson University, Coker College, Converse College, Erskine College, Furman University, Limestone College, North Greenville University, Presbyterian College, Southern Wesleyan University, Spartanburg Methodist College, and Wofford College.

About Duke Energy – Headquartered in Charlotte, NC, Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States. Its Electric Utilities and Infrastructure business unit serves approximately 7.5 million customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. The company’s Gas Utilities and Infrastructure business unit distributes natural gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Its Commercial Renewables business unit operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the United States. Please see duke-energy.com for more information.

 

SC Budget Conferees Need More Time to Reconcile Differences

By

In a joint statement released on May 16, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Hugh Leatherman and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Brian White announced that the differences between the House and Senate versions of the FY 2018-19 state budget are so numerous and complex that House and Senate budget negotiators will not reach a consensus by the time the General Assembly returns to the State House on May 23 and 24. The revised schedule means that legislators will not adopt a budget before the June 12 primaries and any subsequent runoffs, which will be held June 26.

The Budget Conference Committee will continue to meet in the coming weeks in an effort to present a budget recommendation to lawmakers when they return to Columbia a second time on June 27 and 28. It is very likely that the ordinary expenses of state government beginning with the new fiscal year on July 1 will be funded by a Continuing Resolution while lawmakers ratify the budget and address the inevitable line-item vetoes by Governor McMaster.

The Senate members of the Conference Committee are Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Hugh Leatherman (R-Florence), 2018 SCICU Legislative Champion Sen. John Mathews (D-Bowman), and Sen. Sean Bennett (R-Summerville). Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Brian White (R-Anderson), Rep. Durham Cole (R-Spartanburg) and Rep. Bill Clyburn (D-Aiken) represent the House.

There are significant differences between the two budget proposals, especially when it comes to funding higher education. The Senate proposed increased funding for need-based grants— both Tuition Grants for students attending private non-profit colleges and the Commission on Higher Education (CHE) program for public colleges—the academic library consortium (PASCAL), and recurring funds for public colleges and universities. The House proposed no such increases, but agreed with the Senate to fully-fund the Merit Scholarships.

Given the broad differences in the two budgets, SCICU’s advocacy efforts are focused on the Senate’s proposal to increase funding to need-based grants by over $11 million. Under the Senate plan, the Tuition Grants Commission would receive a direct increase of about $1.2 million and an indirect increase of approximately $1.6 million from its share of the almost $10 million increase proposed for the CHE need-based grant program.

Need-based grants are essential for promoting access and affordability to higher education, especially for low income, first generation, and minority students. If the Senate version becomes law, the maximum Tuition Grant could increase more than 6% from $3,200 to $3,400 per year for more than 13,600 Tuition Grant recipients attending independent colleges and universities. Depending on the cost of tuition and fees, more than 16,000 students attending public colleges and universities could see similar increases.

Advocates for student financial aid and independent higher education are encouraged to contact members of the Budget Conference Committee in support of the Senate budget proposal for funding need-based grants. Please refer to the links above for contact information for Budget Conference Committee members.

State Budget Negotiations Extended — Impact on Higher Ed Support

By

COLUMBIA, SC — The South Carolina House and Senate agreed to extend the 2018 legislative session beyond the May 10 statutory adjournment date and return to Columbia on May 23 and 24. When the legislators return, their actions will be limited by the Sine Die Resolution to include consideration of the General Appropriations Bill, legislation concerning the V.C. Summer Nuclear units, and other defined matters.

During the recess, the Budget Conference Committee appointed to reconcile the differences in the House and Senate versions of the Appropriations Bill for FY 2018-19 will continue to meet. The Senate is represented by Finance Committee Chairman Sen. Hugh Leatherman (R-Florence), 2018 SCICU Legislative Champion Sen. John Mathews (D-Bowman), and Sen. Sean Bennett (R-Summerville). Ways and Means Chairman Rep. Brian White (R-Anderson), Rep. Durham Cole (R-Spartanburg) and Rep. Bill Clyburn (D-Aiken) represent the House.

There are significant differences between the two budget proposals, especially when it comes to funding higher education. The Senate proposed increased funding for need-based grants— both Tuition Grants for students attending private non-profit colleges and the Commission on Higher Education (CHE) program for public colleges—the academic library consortium (PASCAL), and recurring funds for public colleges and universities. The House proposed no such increases, but agreed with the Senate to fully-fund the Merit Scholarships.

Given the broad differences in the two budgets, SCICU’s advocacy efforts are focused on the Senate’s proposal to increase funding to need-based grants by over $11 million. Under the Senate plan, the Tuition Grants Commission would receive a direct increase of about $1.2 million and an indirect increase of approximately $1.6 million from its share of the almost $10 million increase proposed for the CHE need-based grant program.

Need-based grants are essential for promoting access and affordability to higher education, especially for low income, first generation, and minority students. If the Senate version becomes law, the maximum Tuition Grant could increase more than 6% from $3,200 to $3,400 per year for more than 13,600 Tuition Grant recipients attending independent colleges and universities. Depending on the cost of tuition and fees, more than 16,000 students attending public colleges and universities could see similar increases.

Advocates for student financial aid and independent higher education are encouraged to contact members of the Budget Conference Committee in support of the Senate budget proposal.

SCICU President & CEO Search – Updated May 3, 2018

By

The Presidential Search Committee is actively accepting nominations, referrals, and applications for SCICU’s next President and CEO. Mike LeFever, SCICU’s current President and CEO, will retire on August 31, 2018 after more than a decade of service to South Carolina’s independent colleges and universities.

Please go to the SCICU President and CEO Search page for more details and updated information regarding the Search Committee activities.

Huge Week of News for 2018 SCICU Independent College/University Week

By

The 2018 SC Independent College and University Week (April 9-13, 2018) began and ended with huge news for SCICU’s 20 member colleges and universities. The newsworthy week featured a student advocacy day at the SC State House, an awards dinner honoring faculty at SCICU member institutions, a transfer agreeement signed between 17 SCICU institutions and the SC Technical College System, a president’s op-ed regarding the value of Christian higher education, and three presidential announcements and events at member colleges and universities.

Each year, the Governor of South Carolina proclaims a week in April as Independent College and University Week, with Wednesday designated as Independent College and University Day.

Monday, April 9 – SCICU Member Institutions Sign Partnership Agreement with SC Technical College System

SC Independent College and University Week began with the signing of a historic, game-changing transfer agreement between seventeen (17) SCICU member colleges and universities and the SC Technical College System on Monday, April 9. The agreement provides for a clear path for two-year graduates from the 16 SC technical colleges to transfer in as juniors at seventeen SCICU member colleges and universities.

Wednesday, April 11 –
SC Independent College and University Day–SCICU Students Rally at SC State House
AU President’s Op-Ed – Christian Universities Offer Good Return on Investment

Wednesday, April 11 found both students and presidents advocating regarding the value of higher education in South Carolina. A large delegation of students from SCICU member colleges and universities converged on the State House April 11 in support of funding for need-based tuition grants and merit scholarships.

Dr. Evans Whitaker, president of Anderson University, penned an op-ed Christian Universities Offer Good Return on Investment that ran in the April 11 editions of both The Greenville News and the Anderson Independent Mail.

Thursday, April 12 – SCICU Honors Top Professors – 2018 Excellence In Teaching Awards Dinner

Top professors at SCICU member colleges and universities were honored at the 2018 Excellence In Teaching Awards Dinner on April 12. The 2018 event marked the 13th year that SCICU has recognized top faculty members for their vast achievements at their respective colleges and universities.

Friday, April 13 –
North Greenville University and Benedict College Install Presidents
Charleston Southern University Announces Third President

2018 Independent College and University Week concluded with a huge day of presidential installations and announcements.

On Friday, April 13, North Greenville University installed Dr. Gene C. Fant, Jr. as its 8th President, while Benedict College installed Dr. Roslyn C. Artis as its 14th and 1st female President.

Charleston Southern announced the selection of Dr. Dondi E. Costin as its third President.

SCICU Honors Top Professors at 2018 Excellence In Teaching Awards Dinner

By

SCICU honored top college and university professors at the 2018 Excellence In Teaching Awards Dinner on April 12, 2018.

2018 SCICU Excellence In Teaching Award Recipients


Please click here to view a gallery of photos from the 2018 Excellence In Teaching Awards Dinner. Photos may be downloaded from the gallery.

COLUMBIA, SC — Top professors at SCICU member colleges and universities were honored at the 2018 Excellence In Teaching Awards Dinner on April 12. The 2018 event marked the 13th year that SCICU has recognized top faculty members for their vast achievements at their respective colleges and universities.

The twenty Excellence In Teaching award recipients represent a wide diversity of academic disciplines. While many of the professors honored are leading academicians in the sciences, others are noted for their excellence in the humanities, including English, foreign languages, mass communications, history, and anthropology. The twenty Excellence In Teaching award recipients bring a wealth of knowledge, compassion, and enthusiasm to the students attending SCICU’s member colleges and universities throughout South Carolina.

More information on individual award recipients and info on the event’s generous donors/sponsors may be read in the 2018 Excellence In Teaching Awards section.

SCICU Students Rally at SC State House In Support of Grant/Scholarship Funding

By

2018 State House Day Group Photo

Please click here to view a photo gallery for the 2018 South Carolina Independent College and University Day.


COLUMBIA, SC — SCICU college/university students converged on the SC State House April 11 for a single purpose–support of continued funding of need-based tuition grants and merit-based scholarships. With increasing pressure on all state appropriations, student advocacy and support are more important and critical than ever.

Students from the twenty SCICU member colleges and universities traveled to Columbia on Independent College and University Day to present a unified voice in support of independent higher education in the South Carolina General Assembly.

This annual rally represents the culmination of a four-month statewide letter-writing campaign in which SCICU students thank members of the South Carolina General Assembly for their tuition grants and merit scholarships.

The April 11 rally started with a warm-up session at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, just across Sumter Street from the State House. The first order of business in the pre-rally gathering was the honoring of Sen. John L. Matthews, Jr. as the 2018 SCICU Legislative Champion. Sen. Matthews has been a staunch advocate for higher education throughout his 43+ years in the South Carolina General Assembly.

Katie Harrison, Executive Director of the SC Tuition Grants Commission, presented attendees with an update on tuition grants funding and support.

SCICU Lobbyists Derial Ogburn and Darrell Campbell then presented students with suggestions and recommendations for talking with their Senators and Representatives.

SCICU EVP Eddie Shannon recognized the colleges and universities for their efforts and participation in the annual letter writing campaign. In total, SCICU students wrote over 7,300 letters to their respective Senators and Representatives in the 2018 SCICU SC General Assembly Letter Writing Campaign. With a total of 1,762 letters written, Anderson University won the contest for the most total letters written among SCICU colleges and universities. Erskine College and Allen University again tied for the highest percentage of tuition grants recipients writing letters to their respective members of the General Assembly. Both institutions are to be commended for having 100% of their respective tuition grants recipients participating in the 2018 Letter Writing Campaign.