South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities
A Voice for Independent Higher Education in South Carolina
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (courtesy converse.edu) — SCICU joins Converse University in mourning the passing of Dr. Jeffrey H. Barker, the 11th president of the university. Barker was appointed as Converse University president during the 2021-2022 academic year. President Barker passed away on July 21, 2021. The Converse Board of Trustees held an emergency executive session early …
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today (July 21), the board of trustees of the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities voted unanimously to approve the request of Bob Jones University to become a member institution. The SCICU board includes the presidents of the 21 member institutions and up to 42 at-large members who are community and business …
SPARTANBURG, S.C. (courtesy converse.edu) — On July 1, 2021, Converse College acknowledged its long-held university status with an official name change to Converse University, in a major step towards targeted growth and competitive advantage in South Carolina’s higher education market. “For more than 130 years, Converse has held true to its mission: to empower its …
HARTSVILLE, S.C. (courtesy coker.edu) — Coker University (Coker) and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Pharmacy have announced a new accelerated pathway partnership to help students become pharmacists more quickly and at a reduced cost. The program enables highly qualified Coker students to enter MUSC after their third year and complete their …
Coaching basketball is what dreams are made of for many college basketball players. At age 24, Brady Schuck is embarking on that dream upon being named the new head boys basketball coach at James Island Charter High School (James Island, S.C.) This appointment is especially meaningful for Schuck, as he grew up on James Island …
ANDERSON, S.C. (courtesy andersonuniversity.edu) — After a year’s hiatus, more than 500 of the most promising high school leaders from across South Carolina converged on the Anderson University campus for Palmetto Boys State June 13-19. Palmetto Boys State is a weeklong leadership development program for rising seniors sponsored by The American Legion. According to Jay …
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (courtesy claflin.edu) — Claflin University is one of 10 higher education institutions awarded a $5 million STEM grant by Google. The funding is designed to help create pathways and opportunities for increased diverse representation in the STEM industry. The one-time unrestricted financial grant will provide Claflin with financial support for scholarships, technological infrastructure …
Joy and excitement returned to commencement exercises in spring 2021 as SCICU colleges and universities persevered through the 2020-21 academic year and held in-person ceremonies for the Class of 2021 graduates. Fair weather allowed most colleges and universities to hold their graduation ceremonies outside, many on athletic fields with graduating students seated socially distanced on …
Message from SCICU President and CEO Jeff Perez – Though I have attended more than 30 graduation ceremonies in my career, hearing “Pomp and Circumstance” still brings a lump to my throat. I think of all the wonderful students I’ve known. Graduations are bittersweet – we must say goodbye to students we’ve mentored, but we …
