“Celebration of Life” planned for USC University Foundations director – January 23

Russell Harold Meekins, executive director of the University’s Educational and Development Foundations, died December 23, 2017. A public “Celebration of Life” memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at the USC Alumni Center on 900 Senate Street. Parking will be available in the Park Street Garage on the corner of Park and Pendleton Streets. Shuttles from campus will also be available.

The service will feature music and special tributes from university and community leaders with a reception following. Attendees will have the opportunity to complete memory pages, which will be bound and presented to Meekins’ family. In his honor, the Foundation Boards will establish the Russell H. Meekins Carolina Scholar Fund to which memorial donations can be made.

The mission of University Foundations is to support the University of South Carolina in all of its educational, research, instructional, scientific, literary, service, charitable and outreach endeavors. University Foundations aids the university in achieving its mission as the state’s flagship institution of higher education.

Meekins earned degrees in accounting and finance from Carolina before obtaining his CPA license. A lifelong Gamecock, he was the chief financial officer of the University Foundations from 1997-2012 and its executive director from 2013 until his passing. While at the Foundations, he was instrumental in developing the Inn at USC, the Children’s Center at USC, the Gamecock baseball stadium, and the 650 Lincoln student housing development.

For more information, contact the Office of Special Events at 803-777-3235.