The SCICU Presidential Search Committee interviewed candidates on August 8, 2018. The committee has identified its choice among the candidates, and the candidate has been vetted by executive search firm Coleman Lew + Associates. The Presidential Search Committee is expected to report to the SCICU Board of Trustees Executive Committee on September 12. The Executive Committee has the authority to extend an offer of employment to a candidate recommended by the Presidential Search Committee

Mike LeFever retired as SCICU’s President and CEO on August 31, 2018 after more than a decade of service to South Carolina’s independent colleges and universities. Please click here to read Mike’s message upon retirement.

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

The National Park Service has awarded Benedict College and Voorhees College $500,000 each towards historic structure preservation. The two SCICU member colleges are among eighteen (18) historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in nine (9) states chosen to receive historic preservation grant funding through an $8.6 million National Park Service program.

Benedict College’s grant is earmarked for the preservation of Morgan Hall. Constructed in 1895, Morgan Hall was originally intended for the Benedict president’s residence, and is the oldest remaining structure on the campus.

“Morgan Hall is a primary space where we welcome the community, and we’re excited to know now that we can restore it to its former glory,” said Leandra Hayes-Burgess, Benedict College Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

Benedict College President Dr. Roslyn Artis believes this will be a first step toward renovating the entire campus.

The Booker T. Washington Hall on the Voorhees campus will benefit from the NPS preservation grant funding. The hall was built in 1905 and was originally used as a hospital for the Bamberg County area.

“It is fitting that funding be provided to preserve such a significant and historic structure as the Booker T. Washington Hall,” said Voorhees College President W. Franklin Evans. “This building is the only structure currently on campus that Voorhees’ founder, Ms. Elizabeth Evelyn Wright, witnessed seeing.”

“HBCUs have played an important role in our country’s pursuit of equality, civil rights, and higher education for all Americans,” said National Park Service Deputy Director P. Daniel Smith. “These grants will help restore and enhance landmark buildings that are a source of pride on campuses in nine states.”

Historically Black Colleges and Universities Grants support the preservation of sites on HBCU campuses that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Eligible projects include pre-preservation studies, architectural plans and specifications, historic structure reports, and the repair and rehabilitation of historic properties according to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

Background – HBCU Historic Preservation Funding

In 1998, a US Government Office of Accountability study identified 712 historic properties on the campuses of 103 HBCUs. Nearly half of those buildings (323) are on the National Register of Historic Places, indicating significance in American history. The remaining properties were deemed eligible for the national register based on surveys by state historic preservation officers or considered historic by the colleges and universities.

The GAO survey estimated $755 million would be needed to fund restoration and preservation of the 700+ historical properties.

Through 2016, 59 HBCUs in 20 states received historic preservation funding via the HBCU Historic Preservation Program. The program has provided funding for the restoration of Chappelle Auditorium and Arnett Hall at Allen University. Claflin University’s Ministers’ Hall, built in 1913, was restored through the same grant program.

Rep. James E. Clyburn (D, SC 6th District) has consistently been a strong supporter of the HBCU Historic Preservation Program. Seven of South Carolina’s 8 HBCUs are located in Rep. Clyburn’s district. Most recently, Rep. Clyburn introduced H.R. 1135 (To Authorize the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Historic Preservation Program). Rep. Clyburn’s press release on the House passage of this legislation may be read at https://clyburn.house.gov/press-release/clyburn-statement-passage-hr-1135-reauthorize-hbcu-historic-preservation-program. Both H. R. 1135 and companion legislation S. 1446 were reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on March 8, 2018. The committee recommended Senate passage of H. R. 1135.

More information on HBCU Historic Preservation and SCICU member colleges and universities may be read in the following posts:

• Claflin President Testifies at Congressional Hearing in Support of HBCU Historic Preservation Program
• Boeing Donates to Allen University in Name of Rev. Clementa Pinckney
• Allen University Unveils Renovation of Historic Chappelle Auditorium

Information sources for this post include the National Park Service, Claflin University, Voorhees College, United Negro College Fund, WIS-TV, Voorhees College, SC Radio Network, Rep. James E. Clyburn, and
the Congressional Record.

While earning a college degree is a life-changing achievement for many students, other students miss out on graduation due to seemingly small but insurmountable financial shortfalls. These students come oh-so-close to graduation but get derailed by the compounding effects of unexpected expenses, such as a $500 car repair bill, balances due at their college, and minimal, if any, savings safety net available.

These financial shortfalls affect students throughout this country. Similar problems are experienced by students attending SCICU member colleges and universities.

Dr. Shari Garmise, Vice President for Urban Initiatives at the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (profile at aplu.org), recently published “Rethinking financial aid: Small grants make a big difference in college completion”, illustrating the importance of small emergency grants to struggling students. More information on Garmise’s work with completion grants and emergency aid can be read here.

While state and federal financial aid programs can start students on the path towards graduation, many students fail to reach the finish line when financial shortfalls arise late in their college careers.

The students most likely to drop out from financial distress are low income, under-represented minorities, or first generation college students. And, even though these students represent a large and growing presence on college campuses, the maximum financial aid available to them covers a shrinking share of the cost of college.

Recognizing this problem, many colleges have launched completion grant and micro grant programs to proactively identify academically successful students who are close to earning a degree, but have exhausted all known sources of aid and are on the brink of dropping out. Completion grants, usually ranging from $500 to $1,500, help struggling students meet their education expenses and finish their degrees. Garmise’s research showed that students who receive these small hardship grants have a 93% chance of completing their degrees.

SCICU’s Discretionary Scholarship Program for Supplemental Aid

Beginning with the 2016-17 academic year, SCICU restructured its Unrestricted Giving Program to form the new SCICU Discretionary Scholarship Program to supplement the completion grant programs offered by many SCICU member colleges and universities. Discretionary Scholarship funds raised each year by SCICU are distributed to the colleges based on a formula and the funds must be made a part of the college’s general scholarship fund and awarded at the discretion of the college to students with extenuating financial circumstances. In 2017, approximately $112,000 was distributed to the SCICU-member colleges that provided scholarships averaging about $550 to over 200 students.

Your Opportunity To Help With Emergency Grants at SCICU Member Institutions

The 2017-18 fiscal year fundraising campaign for the SCICU Discretionary Scholarship Program began on September 1, 2017 and will conclude on August 31, 2018. This year’s goal is to raise $125,000 from our Trustees, friends and advocates. As with each year, SCICU aims for 100% participation among the members of Board of Trustees.

Please help us reach this annual goal by going to https://www.scicu.org/donate today and making a generous gift to the SCICU Discretionary Scholarship Program. Every little bit helps!

SPARTANBURG, SC — The Milliken Foundation is continuing its long-standing support of undergraduate student research at SCICU’s twenty member colleges and universities with a $5,000 donation to SCICU for the 2018-19 academic year.

The SCICU Undergraduate Student/Faculty Research Program was started in 1995 with $25,000 in seed money donated by Roger Milliken. In addition to the Milliken Foundation’s operational funding support of SCICU student research projects, Milliken and Company has also hosted the SCICU Research Symposium over a number of years at their Customer Center on the Roger Milliken Campus in Spartanburg. They will also host the next SCICU Research Symposium scheduled for February 21, 2019.

Each year students from SCICU’s twenty member colleges submit research proposals to SCICU for funding consideration. The proposals include explanations of the proposed research, research methodologies, statements of importance/goals, and related funding needs.

Professional review of the submissions is conducted each year by a committee composed of SCICU institution faculty members with backgrounds in the subject areas of the submitted research proposals. Once the review committee selects projects for the research program, funding is distributed to the provosts at the participants’ respective colleges. Students are allowed to start research at that time (usually late March or early April), and must complete their research by a mid-December deadline. One-page abstracts are due for submission to SCICU by late January. Student researchers and their faculty mentors then convene in late February to present the results of their respective research projects at the annual SCICU Research Symposium.

The annual SCICU Research Symposium is the culmination of the undergraduate research program. It features multimedia oral and poster presentations by student researchers. This opportunity provides students the professional experience of crafting research proposals with a faculty mentor, conducting research, and presentation of findings.

In 2017, SCICU funded a total of $90,000 for 31 undergraduate student research proposals. These 31 research projects involved 41 students and 32 faculty members from 11 SCICU member colleges and universities. The 2017 research projects were celebrated at the 2018 SCICU Research Symposium held at Milliken and Company’s corporate headquarters on February 22, 2018. The news release regarding the 2018 SCICU Research Symposium may be read here.

In early 2018, SCICU, through generous donor support, funded another $90,000 towards undergraduate student research projects at SCICU member institutions. Student researchers and their faculty mentors are busy conducting research this summer. These students will finish their 2018 research by mid-December, and will present their findings at the 2019 SCICU Research Symposium scheduled for February 21, 2019 at Milliken & Company’s corporate headquarters in Spartanburg.

SCICU is thankful for the donors who, along with the Milliken Foundation, believe in the significant value of undergraduate student research. SCICU still has additional opportunities available for supporting undergraduate research at the twenty member colleges and universities during the 2018-19 academic year.

Please consider providing financial support for the 2018-19 SCICU Undergraduate Student/Faculty Research Program. The deadline for 2018-19 academic year donations is August 31.

Donations to the SCICU Undergraduate Student/Faculty Research Program can be made electronically/directly at www.scicu.org/donate. Or if you would like to learn more about how your donation would positively impact student researchers at SCICU member colleges and universities, please call Eddie Shannon, SCICU Executive Vice President, at 803-799-7122.

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/.

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.

COLUMBIA, SC — The South Carolina Higher Education Tuition Grants Commission honored SCICU President and CEO Mike LeFever with a Certificate of Appreciation at the commission’s June board meeting.

Katie Harrison, Executive Director of the SC Tuition Grants Commission, cited LeFever’s many years of advocacy and support for tuition grants and for other programs benefiting students attending independent colleges and universities in South Carolina.

LeFever has served as President and CEO of SCICU for more than 10 years. 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.

Other recent honors recognizing LeFever’s many accomplishments in support of independent higher education and to the State of South Carolina include presentation of a framed resolution by the South Carolina Senate, awarding of an honorary Doctor of Humanities by Wofford College, and a special award from the SCICU Chief Academic Officers.

LeFever has announced a retirement date of August 21, 2018 (end of SCICU’s 2017-18 fiscal year). A presidential search committee is working to identify the best candidate for SCICU’s next President and CEO. Updated information regarding the search may be read here.

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.

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.