COLUMBIA, SC – The Duke Energy Foundation has renewed its commitment with SCICU to fund merit scholarships for students who attend the 11 member colleges and universities in Duke Energy’s service area in South Carolina. This $79,200 total scholarship commitment is the largest award by a single entity in SCICU’s Named Scholar Program. Duke Energy has supported South Carolina independent higher education via SCICU since 1956, and has participated in the present SCICU scholarship program since 2005.
“Education has always been a focal point of our commitment to corporate giving,” said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy’s state president in South Carolina. “We are proud to continue our decades-long partnership with SCICU – an organization that continues to make a difference in the lives of so many students in the Palmetto State.”
“Duke Energy has been a supporter of South Carolina’s independent colleges and universities since 1956, and we are extremely grateful to again receive such a generous gift to provide scholarships to talented students with financial need,” said Eddie Shannon, executive vice president of SCICU.
The $79,200 gift will provide $1,100 scholarships in the 2018-19 academic year in the name of Duke Energy to 66 students attending SCICU’s eleven member colleges located in the Duke Energy service area.
Duke Energy’s SCICU scholarship program is designed to help students who are majoring in math and/or science, have a permanent residence in the company’s South Carolina service area, and attend one of the 11 SCICU colleges and universities in the service area.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of communities where its customers live and work. The foundation contributes more than $33 million annually in charitable gifts. The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career – particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) – as well as early childhood literacy and workforce development. The foundation also supports environmental projects and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.
The 11 SCICU member colleges and universities in the Duke Energy service area include Anderson University, Coker College, Converse College, Erskine College, Furman University, Limestone College, North Greenville University, Presbyterian College, Southern Wesleyan University, Spartanburg Methodist College, and Wofford College.