Swanson Pledges $2.25 Million to Establish New Merit Scholarship at College of Charleston
July 23, 2012
CHARLESTON, SC – July 23, 2012 – Charleston entrepreneur Steve Swanson ‘89 and his wife, Emily ‘89,announced a $2.25 million gift to support merit scholarships for TheHonors College of the College of Charleston.
“Ireceived a full scholarship to the College. So, it seems utterlynatural to give back to the school that gave me so much,” Swanson says.“The College of Charleston changed our lives, and Emily and I hope tochange the lives of these students through our scholarships.”
Distinguishedby extraordinary academic talent, leadership potential, and communityservice, the inaugural class of Swanson Scholars has an average S.A.Tscore of 1480 and an overall average weighted GPA of 4.69. The classincludes a No. 1 regionally-ranked varsity tennis captain, a member ofthe Tennessee Governor’s cabinet, a junior board member of the AtlantaMission, and a member of the nationally–ranked South Carolina Math Team.
“The SwansonScholarships will provide a vital recruiting tool for the College toattract the best and brightest students from all over the country,” saidPresident George Benson. “We are extremely grateful to Steve and EmilySwanson for their generosity and leadership. Their investmentdemonstrates confidence in the direction of our Honors College and ourentire university.”
All SwansonScholars are members of the William Aiken Fellows Society, an elite groupof the College’s top scholars. They will participate in a rigorousacademic curriculum and a variety of summer enrichment programs,leadership courses,one-on-one faculty mentoring, public serviceactivities in the United States or abroad, as well as research orbusiness internship opportunities across the globe.
TrishaFolds-Bennett, associate dean of The Honors College, says, “Arrivingwith a foundation to excel, these bright and accomplished students willset the intellectual pace for the campus and energize our culture ofinquiry.”
About the Swansons
Steveand Emily Swanson graduated from the College of Charleston in 1989.Steve, a scholarship recipient, was a mathematics major and a graduateof the HonorsCollege, while Emily was a biology major. Emily has had asuccessful career as an investigator with the U.S. Food and DrugAdministration. In 2001, Steve became CEO of Automated Trading Desk(ATD), which was acquired by CitigroupInc. in 2007. Swanson stayed onwith Citigroup for many years. He is now focusing on new ventures.Swanson is currently a member of the College of Charleston FoundationBoard, a member of the School of Business Board of Governors, and was onthe Honors College Steering Committee.
Swanson Scholar Bios
AbigailAsper of Franklin, Tenn., was involved in student government, foundedthe Poetry Club of Independence, and recently discovered a love forphysics and astronomy. Asper will pursue her passion for the stars atthe College.
Parks Barroso ofKnoxville, Tenn., attended Tennessee Youth in Government for three yearsas a delegate and served as a member of the Governor’s Cabinet. Barrosowas editor of the school paper, attended American Legion Boys’ State,is an AP Scholar with Distinction, and a National Merit Semi-Finalist.
AslanBishop of Boca Raton, Fla., participated in art and creative study withtheNational Art Honor Society, interned at the Norton Museum of Art,directed the fashion section of the school newspaper, and is completing atwo-year IB Art portfolio. Bishop hopes to pursue art history andhistoric preservation at the College.
SchylarBrock of Lawrenceville, Ga., has acted in drama productions since theninthgrade and even had the starring role in Once Upon a Mattress.” She participated in varsity lacrosse and the National Honor Society andStudent Government. Brock also serves on the Junior Board for AtlantaMission working with men at the homeless rehabilitation center.
OliviaCohen of Columbus, Ga., enjoys debate and writing, and she has beendancingsince she was four year old. She was also a member of NationalFrench HonorSociety and the National Honor Society. Cohen plans ondouble majoring in international studies and English at the College.
PatriciaCooney of Huntsville, Ala., has been involved in music and theperforming arts, including piano, show choir, choir, musical theater,and song writing. Cooney also enjoys biology, calculus, physics,economics, and literature. Cooney intends to study music and biologywith a concentration in neuroscience.
Eileen(Ellie) Flock of Mobile, Ala., has been highly involved in service,leadership, and theatre programs both at UMS-Wright Preparatory Schooland in the Mobile community. As a member of the Girls’ Interact Club andthe SGA VP of Service, Flock participated in and organized many serviceprojects to aid others locally, nationally, and internationally.
OliviaGhiz of from Medway, Mass., was very active in school community,serving asvarsity soccer captain and student body treasurer for herjunior and senioryears. Ghiz won a silver medal in National SpanishExaminations and a gold and silver medal in National Latin Examinations.She was also a member of the National Honor Society.
ChristopherJackson of Huntersville, N.C., competed in swimming year-round on U.S.Steams, his high school team (where he was team captain), and as a swiminstructor. Jackson’s true passions lie with language and travel. Herecently traveled to South Korea on a CIEE scholarship and over the pastfive years has been self-studying Japanese and Turkish.
MalcolmKates of Beaufort, S.C., competed on the Beaufort High School varsitytennis team for six years, and served as captain for four years whileplaying in the No. 1 singles and doubles position. Malcolm heldleadership positions in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society,Rotary Interact, and StudentGovernment. Kates’ primary interests at theCollege will be medicine/science and international studies.
JohnZeringue of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., played saxophone in the S.C. All-StateBand and was in National Honor Society, Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta and amember of the South Carolina Math Team. Zeringue hopes to pursuemathematics or computer science at the College.
