Chris Campbell of Columbia Awarded Inaugural S. Hunter Howard Jr. Scholarship at Chamber’s Annual Summit

ISLE OF PALMS, SC — November 17, 2008 –  The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce honored Chris Campbell, a graduate of Irmo High School, as the recipient of the inaugural S. Hunter Howard Jr. Scholarship Award, presented at the South Carolina Chamber’s 29th Annual Summit, The Future of Business, on November 13.

The $5,000 S. Hunter Howard, Jr. Scholarship Award, which recognizes a Business Week student who consistently demonstrates exceptional leadership abilities, was introduced this year in honor of S. Hunter Howard Jr., retired president and chief executive officer of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce. Campbell is a freshman the University of South Carolina and plans to major in international business. 

In high school, Chris held many leadership roles and honors. He served as vice president of the Irmo High senior class, president of the Bands of Irmo and clarinet section leader. Chris was also the Wendy’s High School Heisman winner, which is awarded to seniors who display leadership, academic excellence, community service and athletic skill. 

In his remarks to more than 200 of the state’s most prestigious business leaders, Campbell said, “Once I was informed that I was the winner of this inaugural award, I took a moment to reflect on what this accomplishment signified. It meant that the Chamber saw in me characteristics that were portrayed in Mr. Howard himself, his love and dedication to his craft, his regal sense of honor, integrity and ethics and his principles of hard work that have gotten him to where he is today, and that will undoubtedly guide him in his future endeavors.”

The annual South Carolina Business Week program teaches principles of the American free enterprise system through collegiate-caliber classes, computer simulation, and other engaging activities. Close to 200 high school students from across the state attended the program, which recently celebrated its 25th year.

The 2008 South Carolina Business Week was presented by the South Carolina Cable Television Association and sponsored by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the SC Association of School Administrators, SC Department of Education, SC Council on Economic Education and the SC Manufacturing Extension Partnership. 

Chris Campbell is presented the 2008 S. Hunter Howard, Jr. Scholarship Award by Hunter Howard, retired South Carolina Chamber president and CEO, and Robbie Barnett, associate vice president of workforce development and education at the Chamber.

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce

The South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s first state chamber Accredited with Distinction by the U.S. Chamber, is the state’s largest statewide broad-based business and industry trade association representing more than 6,500 member companies and more than 600,000 member employees, with 90 percent of membership comprised of small businesses. As the unified voice for business and industry, the Chamber is a catalyst for increasing per capita income and enhancing the state’s global competitiveness in order to improve the quality of life for all South Carolinians.

For more information, go to www.scchamber.net  .