The SCC Economic Visionaries event raises $90,000+ from local companies to assist students in need
June 17, 2021
The Spartanburg Community College Foundation announced that 26 area companies have contributed more than $90,000 to a gap scholarship fund for students in need in lieu of sponsoring SCC’s signature Economic Visionaries event, which was canceled in March 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We missed celebrating together this year at our annual Economic Visionaries event, but we are thrilled that our loyal sponsors remain committed to our efforts to provide financial support to our students,” said Bea Walters Smith, executive director, SCC Foundation. “Many of our students have been under tremendous financial pressure this past year, trying to make ends meet while attending college. Some found it difficult to pay for books, required program supplies, and even registration fees for mandatory state, national certification exams critical to securing a job after graduating from SCC.”
Contributions to the Economic Visionaries 2021 gap scholarship fund assisted 180 currently enrolled SCC students. Gaffney native and SCC mechatronics student Daymon B. Phillips received a gap scholarship funded by The Timken Company.
“This scholarship is dearly important to me because many of my extended and immediate family have worked for The Timken Company for years. Timken has helped my family grow in life and allowed us to live the way we have for so many years. So, it is an honor to receive this scholarship from a company that has laid the foundation for not only my parents but for me and my siblings as well,” explained Phillips. “I am so thankful for this scholarship which will help fund my college career, and hopefully one day I can use the money that has been invested in me to return the favor ten-fold as a Timken Company employee.”
The SCC Foundation expresses sincere thanks to the following companies for their 2021 Economic Visionaries donations:
- Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System
- The Timken Company
- AFL
- Contec Inc.
- BMW Manufacturing Co.
- Duke Energy
- Piedmont Natural Gas
- JM Smith Foundation
- Milliken & Co.
- McMillan Pazdan Smith
- RedSail Technologies
- The Arkwright Foundation
- Cooper Standard
- Draexlmaier Group
- Polydeck
- AT&T
- Crow & Bulman Engineering
- First Citizens Bank
- Founders Federal Credit Union
- Kohler
- MAU Workforce Solutions
- Michelin NA
- Spartanburg Water
- Vic Bailey Automotive
- Pinnacle Financial Partners
- SC Department of Commerce
The next in-person Economic Visionaries event is scheduled for Thursday, March 17, 2022, at the Spartanburg Marriott in downtown Spartanburg. More information about the event, including company nominations, sponsorships, and past winners can be found here: www.sccsc.edu/EV21
About the Spartanburg Community College Foundation
The mission of the SCC Foundation is to generate resources of all kinds by building and strengthening partnerships to advance the goals of Spartanburg Community College. For more information, visit www.sccsc.edu/SCC-Foundation.
About Spartanburg Community College.
SCC offers more than 70 academic program offerings including associate degrees, diplomas and certificates, plus University Transfer opportunities to four-year colleges and universities. SCC provides flexible class scheduling including day, evening classes with multiple start dates and online through SCCOnline. Offering the lowest tuition in the region, convenient locations, and regional/national accreditations, SCC offers educational opportunities leading to high-growth, high-demand jobs. The SCC Corporate & Community Education Division provides job and career enhancement, workforce development and personal enrichment courses and training programs. For more information, visit www.sccsc.edu.
