Economic Visionaries Donations Raise More Than $90k
June 17, 2021
The Spartanburg Community College Foundation is pleased to announce that 26 area companies have contributed more than $90,000 to a gap scholarship fund for students in need in lieu of sponsoring SCC’s signature Economic Visionaries event, which was canceled in March 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We missed celebrating together this year at our annual Economic Visionaries event, but we are thrilled that our loyal sponsors remain committed to our efforts to provide financial support to our students,” said Bea Walters Smith, executive director, SCC Foundation. “Many of our students have been under tremendous financial pressure this past year, trying to make ends meet while attending college. Some found it difficult to pay for books, required program supplies, and even registration fees for mandatory state, national certification exams critical to securing a job after graduating from SCC.”
Contributions to the Economic Visionaries 2021 gap scholarship fund assisted 180 currently enrolled SCC students. Gaffney native and SCC mechatronics student Daymon B. Phillips received a gap scholarship funded by The Timken Company.
“This scholarship is dearly important to me because many of my extended and immediate family have worked for The Timken Company for years. Timken has helped my family grow in life and allowed us to live the way we have for so many years. So, it is an honor to receive this scholarship from a company that has laid the foundation for not only my parents but for me and my siblings as well,” explained Phillips. “I am so thankful for this scholarship which will help fund my college career, and hopefully one day I can use the money that has been invested in me to return the favor ten-fold as a Timken Company employee.”
The next in-person Economic Visionaries event is scheduled for Thursday, March 17, 2022, at the Spartanburg Marriott in downtown Spartanburg. More information about the event, including company nominations, sponsorships, and past winners can be viewed at www.sccsc.edu/EV21
The SCC Foundation expresses sincere thanks to the following companies for their 2021 Economic Visionaries donations:
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
The Timken Company
AFL
Contec Inc.
BMW Manufacturing Co.
Duke Energy
Piedmont Natural Gas
JM Smith Foundation
Milliken & Co.
McMillan Pazdan Smith
RedSail Technologies
The Arkwright Foundation
Cooper Standard
Draexlmaier Group
Polydeck
AT&T
Crow & Bulman Engineering
First Citizens Bank
Founders Federal Credit Union
Kohler
MAU Workforce Solutions
Michelin NA
Spartanburg Water
Vic Bailey Automotive
Pinnacle Financial Partners
SC Department of Commerce