Columbia, S.C. – Senator Darrell Jackson of Columbia was named the 2014 SCICU Legislative Champion by the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities for his untiring support of independent higher education throughout his distinguished career.
Elected to the State Senate in 1992, Senator Jackson’s career is marked by his interest and passion for education, particularly higher education. He is a member of the Higher Education subcommittee of the Senate Education Committee and an advocate for a reasonable and balanced approach to incredibly complex public policy issues in the rapidly changing world of higher education.
Senator Jackson is also a member of the Higher Education subcommittee of the Senate Finance Committee where he is a staunch supporter of funding for the Higher Education Tuition Grants program and the state’s merit scholarship programs. In 2003, he was the primary sponsor of a bill that established the Higher Education Excellence Enhancement Program to provide additional assistance to institutions with an enrollment predominately of low‑income and educationally disadvantaged students.
Jackson has degrees from two SCICU member institutions: a BA in Political Science from Benedict College and a MA from Columbia International University. While at Benedict College, he was president of the Student Government Association and recipient of the Most Distinguished Student Award. In 2002, Senator Jackson was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree by his undergraduate alma mater.
Senator Jackson’ passion for public service extends beyond the State Senate. He is the Senior Pastor of the Bible Way Church of Atlas Road, a nondenominational independent mega church of over 13,000 members founded by his father, the late Bishop Andrew Charles “A.C.” Jackson. As a businessman, Darrell Jackson, Sr. is the founder and owner of Sunrise Enterprise of Columbia, South Carolina’s oldest African-American owned public relations firm, and Sunrise Family Health Benefit Services.
Students from SCICU member schools will gather at the State House for Independent Higher Education Day on April 9. At that time, Senator Jackson will be presented with the 2014 SCICU Legislative Champion Award.
