Greenville Technical College honors Unsung Heroes Peg and Harry van Bergen

Peg and Harry van Bergen, residents of The Woodlands at Furman, were recently honored by Greenville Technical College (GTC) as Unsung Heroes for their dedication to education and community service.

The couple established the Harmannus H. van Bergen Endowed Scholarship in March 2019, giving preference to students who are employed at The Woodlands at Furman. Harry, who arrived in the United States as an immigrant child speaking no English, credits his success to his education and his determination to improve his situation. He hopes to light a spark in the recipient by offering this opportunity for advancement.

Peg and Harry met in Greenwood, South Carolina, where she taught French and he worked as a member of the van Bergen family bell and carillon business. They married, raised a family, had successful careers in Georgia and South Carolina, and retired to Greenville, South Carolina, where continuing education and community involvement keep life interesting.

Peg and Harry both believe in working hard, the importance of education, and giving back to the community. “We often see hardworking people who deserve the chance for an education. We see Greenville Tech as the perfect venue offering so many courses with real life practical applications. Everyone needs someone to believe in them even if they don’t know each other’s name,” said Harry.

Today, Peg and Harry continue to encourage potential students to find their paths at Greenville Technical College as well as encouraging others to support scholarships through their charitable giving.

During the GTC Convocation ceremony, Dr. Keith Miller, president of Greenville Technical College, presented the Unsung Hero Award to Peg and Harry. In his remarks, Dr. Miller said, “Peg and Harry are true community heroes. They have dedicated their lives to education and giving back to others. We are grateful for their support of Greenville Technical College and our students.”