Rippy makes historic scholarship gift

Barbara Harter Rippy sure knows how to leave a mark.

The noted Union, South Carolina, philanthropist has just created a first-of-its-kind endowed scholarship at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Pharmacy. The new scholarship is designed to become the college’s first full-ride scholarship, the college announced today.

In Spartanburg, S.C., on Tuesday, MUSC College of Pharmacy Dean Philip D. Hall, Pharm.D., presented Mrs. Rippy with a plaque honoring her and her groundbreaking commitment.

“It is an honor and a privilege to recognize Mrs. Rippy, who is such an inspiration in her fearless embrace of a good idea, her resolve to take action and her predilection for making a lasting mark on everything and everyone she touches,” Hall said.

Totaling $750,000 in current and planned gifts, this endowed gift will fund a full ride for deserving students, preferably from Union, S.C.

“Pharmacy was a great career for us, and, thanks to God, allowed Bobby and me to help so many people,” said Mrs. Rippy.

For 34 years, Bobby Gene Rippy, a graduate of the CODM Class of 1963, and his wife owned and operated Smith Drug Store on Main Street in Union. “Pharmacy school changed Bobby’s life, and I want to give that same opportunity to a new generation.”

Her name has already become a byword at the MUSC College of Pharmacy, where every student enjoys the state-of-the-art Bobby Gene ‘63 and Barbara Harter Rippy Lecture Hall in the college’s new pharmacy building, which opened in April, 2023. The college named the lecture hall in appreciation for Mrs. Rippy’s leadership support, including a $1 million commitment to the College of Pharmacy, supporting the mission and the vision of the college.

“Mrs. Rippy’s financial support has been vital to the college, but she is beloved by the MUSC pharmacy family for much more than that,” Hall said. “She has an unquenchable spirit and an irresistible personality.”

Hall explained that Mrs. Rippy made a big impression on the MUSC community at the formal dedication of the new pharmacy facility, where she made some impromptu remarks at the podium that delighted the crowd.

The creation of a new endowed scholarship puts her at the forefront of a strategic shift in philanthropic priorities for the college, which is targeting scholarship support and reduced student debt as its primary fundraising objectives now that the building campaign is complete.

Bobby Gene and Barbara Harter Rippy

In 1959, Bobby Rippy enrolled at the MUSC College of Pharmacy while Barbara Rippy continued to work, supporting the family until her husband earned a pharmacy degree that would eventually enable them to buy Smith Drug Store in 1969.

The Rippys became community leaders and benefactors, supporting civic and church organizations as well as sponsoring a Dixie Youth baseball team for 44 years. They retired in 2004 and continued to be vibrant and active parts of Union civic life, participating in and supporting more than a half dozen organizations. Bobby Rippy passed away in 2012.

The Rippys have long been known for their generosity of spirit; they were giving back when they barely had anything to give. Barbara Rippy credits God first for her ability to give so generously.

“The Rippys exemplify the best characteristics of independent community pharmacy ownership,” said Dr. Hall. “Trusted caregivers, community leaders, dedicated to customers, good businesspeople and great models for our students. We’re delighted the Rippy name has such a prominent place at MUSC.”

 

About MUSC

Founded in 1824 in Charleston, MUSC is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system, with a unique mission to preserve and optimize human life in South Carolina through education, research and patient care. Each year, MUSC educates more than 3,200 students in six colleges – Dental Medicine, Graduate Studies, Health Professions, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy – and trains more than 900 residents and fellows in its health system. MUSC brought in more than $298 million in research funds in fiscal year 2022, leading the state overall in research funding. MUSC also leads the state in federal and National Institutes of Health funding, with more than $220 million. For information on academic programs, visit musc.edu.

As the health care system of the Medical University of South Carolina, MUSC Health is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality and safest patient care while educating and training generations of outstanding health care providers and leaders to serve the people of South Carolina and beyond. Patient care is provided at 16 hospitals (includes owned and affiliated), with approximately 2,700 beds and four additional hospital locations in development; more than 350 telehealth sites and connectivity to patients’ homes; and nearly 750 care locations situated in all regions of South Carolina. In 2023, for the ninth consecutive year, U.S. News & World Report named MUSC Health University Medical Center in Charleston the No. 1 hospital in South Carolina. To learn more about clinical patient services, visit muschealth.org.

MUSC has a total enterprise annual operating budget of $5.9 billion. The nearly 26,000 MUSC family members include world-class faculty, physicians, specialty providers, scientists, students, affiliates and care team members who deliver groundbreaking education, research and patient care.