SCASA’s Foundation announces $100,000 donation to capital campaign

The South Carolina Foundation for Educational Leadership announces a significant gift to their recent capital campaign, Building a Foundation for School Leadership.

The Foundation was formed in 1991 to support the capital improvement and programmatic needs of the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA). Today, the Foundation serves as the financial support for the recently established Center for Executive Education Leadership (CEEL).  In the new state of the art leadership development facility, secured by the Foundation, school leaders from South Carolina will have a “home” to meet, collaborate, develop, and enhance their leadership skills.

This past March, the capital campaign kicked off with an inaugural gala honoring seven distinguished public school graduates including Secretary Dick Riley and Alex English.  This month, Mrs. William B. Royster, of Anderson, S.C. donated the largest individual donation the campaign has received.

“The South Carolina Foundation for Educational Leadership and Center for Executive Education Leadership (CEEL) are deeply honored by the gracious and generous philanthropy of Mrs. Betty Royster, who has chosen to honor the legacy of her late husband Dr. William B. Royster,” says Dr. Scott Turner, Co-Chair of the capital campaign and Superintendent of Spartanburg County District Five Schools.  “Her $100,000 donation will benefit generations of South Carolina school leaders who impact children and families. Dr. Royster’s enduring legacy of exemplary leadership at the local, state and national levels will be memorialized and serve as an example to subsequent school and district leaders.”

A former Anderson School District Five Superintendent for 16 years, Dr. William B. Royster, served public schools in South Carolina for more than 36 years.  He also served as President of the American Association of School Administrators, the only South Carolinian to do so.

“I am so pleased to be able to honor Bill’s memory with this gift. It is particularly meaningful that the space at the new SCASA Headquarters, named in his memory, reflects his lifelong commitment to developing and enhancing the skills of leaders in public education,” Mrs. Royster said.  “His service as President of the American Association of School Administrators, the SC Association of School Superintendents, his mentoring of aspiring school leaders and his active involvement in multiple professional organizations evidenced strong commitment to continuous professional growth. It is most fitting that the opportunities offered in this facility by the Center for Executive Leadership reflect his commitment and will profoundly and positively impact the future of public education in our state.”