April 20, 2012
Carolina's Promise Campus Launch Party 'Served'
Carolina students, faculty, and staff enjoyed a “family gathering” April 17 for the campus launch of the Carolina’s Promise Capital Campaign.
Guests lined up for ice cream sundaes served by University vice presidents and deans. The event was held on the Horseshoe, where onlookers also enjoyed receiving “I am Carolina’s Promise” T-shirts, Frisbees, and campaign buttons.
University President
Harris Pastides provided an update: The $1 billion campaign currently stands at $556 million. The best is yet to come when Carolina’s Promise “launches worldwide, planet-wide” in 28 cities May 10.
He encouraged staff and faculty to contribute to the campaign through
The Family Fund, while students can participate through
SPURS—Students Promoting the University’s Reach for Success.
“I have been asked: ‘What does Carolina’s Promise mean to you?’ Well, it means that I am part of a family—an educational family, a traditional family, and a modern and contemporary family as well,” Pastides said. “But we have lots of needs, and Carolina’s Promise will allow us to increase funds for scholarships, to endow professors, to improve our facilities, and to further advance our renowned programs, like University 101, the Honors College, the Arnold School of Public Health, the Darla Moore School of Business, USC Athletics, on and on.”
Other speakers were
Melissa Moss, an associate professor of chemical engineering;
Chase Mizzell, new Student Body vice president and SPURS member; and
Novella Beskid, director of fellowships and scholar programs.
“For me, Carolina’s Promise is multidimensional,” Beskid said. “It means nurturing and embracing the whole student, the whole faculty or staff member, the whole of our alumni. By meeting each of us where we are in our educational and professional journey, Carolina’s Promise will challenge us all to be more than we thought we could be.
Freshman
Derrick Morris of Greenville said he learned of Carolina’s Promise through fliers distributed around campus. It’s good to see the campaign past its halfway point of $1 billion, he offered, adding, “The promise of our alumni is pretty much what this University is about. It’s great to see them come back to their roots and contribute to the University as a whole.”
Julie Morris, director of undergraduate research, said a successful Carolina’s Promise campaign is highly important, as it will provide new funds for scholarships and undergraduate research among its many objectives. She directs the Magellan Scholars program for undergraduate students.
By giving today, your support will help increase our campaign momentum. Each gift enhances the University's efforts to create educational opportunities, advance discovery, and improve communities in South Carolina and throughout the world.
– Larry Di Giovanni, Development Communications
