COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) is pleased to announce Abigail McGillis, a North Greenville University (NGU) senior majoring in elementary education, as the 2023 McLean-Smith SCICU Student of the Year. The award was presented to McGillis at SCICU’s Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 10 at Anderson University.
Honoring the combined legacies of leadership at SCICU and the S.C. Tuition Grants Commission, the award recognizes academic achievement and campus/community involvement of S.C. Tuition Grants recipients. The award includes a $3,000 scholarship.
“I am very thankful for my S.C. Tuition Grant,” said Abigail. “The grant allows me to focus more on my education, extracurricular activities, and future plans, rather than worrying about finances.”
Along with maintaining a 4.0 GPA each semester at NGU, Abigail, the daughter of Justin and Michelle Wright of Columbia, has demonstrated significant personal and professional leadership in the classroom, in student leadership roles, and in the community. Her leadership roles include co-president of the Teacher Education Association, secretary for the Student Body Council, and secretary for Young Americans for Freedom.
Abigail merges her faith and her passion for education in her campus, local, and international mission work. Earlier in 2023, she taught English in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Her local ministry includes leading worship, teaching Sunday School, helping with Vacation Bible School, working with youth retreats, and more. Abigail is also involved with the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, Delight Ministry, and the NGU Homeless Ministry.
In addition to teaching elementary school, Abigail plans on pursuing a master’s and doctorate in educational leadership, both supporting her aspirations of founding a classical school for training students in the Trivium and Quadrivium.
“SCICU is proud to honor Abigail with the Student of the Year scholarship,” said Jeff Perez, SCICU president and CEO. “Her academic achievements and leadership in the community are an inspiration to all of us and demonstrate the superior preparation students receive at North Greenville and all SCICU member institutions.”
Each year the McLean-Smith SCICU Student of the Year scholarship recipient is selected from rising junior or senior applicants attending one of SCICU’s 21 member colleges and universities. All applicants must also be S.C. Tuition Grant recipients. Applications are accepted by the Center for Scholarship Administration in Greenville, and an independent three-person panel annually selects the student who will receive the SCICU Student of the Year scholarship.
The scholarship program honors J. Lacy McLean and Sterling L. Smith. McLean advocated for independent higher education in S.C. for over 34 years. Smith was instrumental in the development of the S.C. Tuition Grants program.