Wanda Beatty, Historian​

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• The Greater Columbia Chapter has been an active non-profit organization as early as December 12, 1978. Originally known as the SC State College Alumni Richland County Chapter, it became a Charter member of the National Alumni Association on February 5, 1980 as the Richland County Chapter of SC State College Alumni Association. The Charter was presented to members in the March 19, 1980 Chapter meeting held at Columbia Mall's Community Room located between Ford Store and Magnavox Store. Over the following year the Chapter then proceeded to develop its "By-Laws" in harmony with that of the National Association. And, on February 19, 1981 the Chapter changed its name to SC State College Alumni Association, Greater Columbia Chapter, as noted in its newly adopted By-Laws.
   

• Alumni and supporters have sustained the Chapter. You are invited to share your experiences, pictures, old programs, and documents to help build our history. Lok back to this page for updates but, for now, let's fast forward to recent times.
   

• In 2008, the Chapter under the National Alumni Association became a 501 (c) (3) organization, approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a federally tax-exempt charity established for educational purposes. In 2009, the Chapter was registered with the State of South Carolina as a public benefit charity established for the same purposes. While there are many types of tax-exempt designations, donations to 501(c) (3) organizations are federally tax-deductible. With this in mind, please know that all donations made to the Greater Columbia Chapter benefits initiatives and scholarships that enforce and support the mission of South Carolina State University. Learn more about Chapter activities below.
   

• The Greater Columbia Chapter supports and enforces initiatives of SC State University Foundation, Club 1000, student textbooks and financial aid initiatives, S.T.A.T.E Club, Adopt-a-Learning Center, Institutional Advancement surveys, sporting events, departmental initiatives, National Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, Commencement Weekend and Class Reunions, Founder's Day activities and more. In 2009, the Chapter hosted the 20th Annual National Alumni Convention.
   

• Dating back to the 1980's, the Chapter has held many major fundraising events to support scholarships at SCSU. These events were delivered as the Scholarship Dance, Scholarship Gala, or President's Dinner. In 2008, the Chapter hosted an inaugural The Garnet & Blue Gala (TM) to support all of its efforts, especially academic and needs-based scholarships. The Chapter increased its two scholarships to the amount of $1000 each and in 2009 embraced student-based requests for textbooks and other resources once provided by individual Chapter members. However, these individual gifts not only continued but increased! (See "Chapter of the Year" below!) And, in 2009, the Chapter adopted the SCSU Andrew Hugine Living and Learning Center (student complex), donating a lockable display case for student communications and donated many professional garments and accessories to the students who call these suites their on-campus housing.
   

• For many years, the Chapter sponsored High School Night, a college career and recruitment event held in partnership with representatives from the University and local Columbia Area high schools. At this event, seniors with their supporting documents could be accepted to the University onsite. In 2010 this event evolved into the South Carolina State University Night which is held twice per year in the month of April and again in September/October at the Columbia Marriott Hotel, Downtown. At these events, a Vice President of the University serves as keynote speaker and highlights SCSU from his/her perspective, and the Vice President for Institutional Advancement is always invited to request gifts tot he University. University and Chapter staffs are present to provide supporting services to students, parents and guests in the areas of admissions, enrollment, Q&A, and scholarships. Students can be accepted and awarded scholarships onsite. The Chapter recruited more than 500 students in the two academic years 2009-2011.
   

• The SCSU Youth & ROTC Day and Open House experience exposes middle school students from the Greater Columbia area to the college environment and SC State University, including championship Bulldog Football. The Chapter has supported this event for many years and between 2009-2011, the Chapter sponsored more than 350 students for this event in partnership with several charities. The Chapter provided a meal and game tickets, originally, to each student. Now, with increasing parental and charities/schools support for this experience, the Chapter now provides tickets only. The Chapter is a charity that supports other charities for students.
   

• Since 2003, the Chapter has leveraged its Web presence and massive email distribution lists to inform the community of institutional advancements. And, an online payment option on the website allows connection with alumni and supporters in new and exciting ways. Alumni support for these services has increased dramatically. They can vote, pay membership, purchase Gala tickets, donate funds, provide feedback, RSVP, promote the University and local student-family activities, receive educational materials, and become engaged in the mission of South Carolina State University. Starting in 2011, potential sponsors can register on the Chapter website to become a member of the Chapter's "Vendor Registration and Directory Program" - a new program in which certified businesses of any size can become benefactors (direct donors) to SCSU.
   

• Professional diversity and volunteerism are strong characteristics of the Chapter. Members are actively engaged throughout the community and are committed to ensuring the well-being of young people. The Chapter can be found in all systems and its efforts are supported by a wealth of friends, enthusiasts, and benefactors.
   

• The Chapter has sustained a committed and varied membership since its founding in the late 1970s. It operates on a lean annual budget of approximately $40,000, an increase from about $30,000 in 2009. Chapter members report thousands of dollars in direct givings to the University with a member giving a life-time cummulative total of more than $100,000 in fiscal year 2010 and a couple endowing $300,000 in 2011. In 2009-2011, the Chapter completed 50 mission-centered events and members gave more than $62,562.24 in cash donations directly to the SCSU Foundation. The Chapter began the fiscal year 2012 with a gift of $3000 for student scholarships. Members give to various SCSU causes such as Class Reunions/Alumni Weekend, Lift-A-Bulldog, Club 1000, Building the Wall, Capital Campaigns, SCSU Foundation, Student Textbooks Program, Music Programs, and so forth. Non-monetary and indriect gifts included 97 books in 2010 for the Dr. Seuss Day books for Orangeburg schools and all expenses for hosting the series of SCSU Nights at the Marriott Hotel, Columbia SC, and the additional gifts cited above and below.
   

• In 2010 and 2011, South Carolina State University selected Greater Columbia Chapter as Chapter of the Year!
   

• 2010 Chapter of the Year - On Saturday, May 9, 2010 at the SCSU Alumni Honors & Awards Banquet, Chapters were honored for their continued support to SC State University. The University recognized three chapters -one in each of the following Tiers: Tier I (50 members or less), Tier II (51-100 members), and Tier III (101 or more members). Greater Columbia is a Tier III Chapter. Points were awarded in the following categories and reviewed by a panel of judges to determine the honorees: (1) Contributions made directly to the University from July 1, 2009 to May 1, 2010; (2) Number of students recruited and enrolled for the 2009-2010 school year; (3) Number of scholarships awarded for the 2009-2010 school year; (4) Chapter Activity- Local/state/national recognition received as a chapter and local events that are used to recruit students, engage alumni, or raise scholarship dollars for the University. Each chapter was required to complete and submit the University's information request form in its entirety by Friday, April 30, 2010 for consideration.
   

• 2011 Chapter of the Year - On Saturday, May 7, 2011, The Greater Columbia Chapter was once again selected "Chapter of the Year" by South Carolina State University. This time the Chapter was recognized for all that it does to support and enforce the mission of South Carolina State University: leading Web presence and services, SC State University Night, donations and scholarships, students/parents advocacy and mentoring, parents/students retention efforts, selection by SCSU students for a national case study on alumni associations, volunteerism, student recruitment, alumni engagement, support of SCSU initiatives, SCSU involvement and National alumni involvement, liaison activities with the University, and more.
   

• With your ongoing support, the Chapter is able to continue to help maintain highly competitive educational standards which help to produce generation after generation of leaders in every walk of life. As a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity and a registered charity with the State of South Carolina, the Chapter greatly appreciates alumni, sponsors, and communities linking with the vision to provide for students in need of help. To that end, Chapter Presidents have been most appreciative and respectful of all donors and their willingness to selflessly give to Dear Alma Mater. On a daily basis donors can identify South Carolina State University's impact in every community and the World. Donors give because they aspire for the Greater Good. Currently, the Chapter is exploring new opportunities to support recruitment and retention of SCSU students. There is a place, here, for you! Join the Greater Columbia Chapter and make a difference! See our Membership page.