Tom Upshaw honored with Order of the Palmetto and named USCB scholarship
June 18, 2014
CHARLESTON, SC – Tom Upshaw, Palmetto Electric Cooperative President and CEO, was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and honored with a $100,000 endowed scholarship in his name at the University of South Carolina Beaufort Tuesday night. Palmetto Electric Cooperative provided $50,000 and Palmetto Electric Trust awarded the other $50,000 for the endowment.
In awarding the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest citizen honor, Gov. Haley recognized Tom Upshaw’s 33 years of community service. “While your success in the business world contributes so much to the vitality of the Palmetto State, it is your passion for serving individuals in need and charitable organizations that sets such a high standard for others,” said Haley. Bill Miles, president of the Hilton Head Island /Bluffton Chamber, where Upshaw currently serves as board chairman, made the presentation.
The G. Thomas Upshaw Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of South Carolina Beaufort was given to honor Upshaw upon his retirement, effective June 30, by Palmetto Electric Cooperative and Palmetto Electric Trust. The scholarship will support veterans of the United States military residing in Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties in South Carolina who attend USCB.
Upshaw has served as president and chief executive officer of Palmetto Electric for 30 years. He has overseen the dramatic growth of Palmetto Electric as it tripled in size to more than 68,000 consumers. He has been instrumental in developing Palmetto into an electric cooperative that is recognized statewide and nationally for its innovative products and services including the nationally recognized program “Operation Round Up”.
Tom Upshaw honored with endowed scholarship fund at USCB. (L to R) Buddy W. Heirs, Tom Upshaw, USCB Chancellor Jane Upshaw and Jeremiah E. Vaigneur
Other awards presented to Upshaw include a commendation from Mayor Drew Laughlin and the Town Council of Hilton Head Island. Mayor Lisa Sulka of the Town of Bluffton also presented a resolution designating June 30 as G. Thomas Upshaw Day.
“The G. Thomas Upshaw Endowed Scholarship given by Palmetto Electric and Palmetto Trust to USCB is an extraordinary honor. I am humbled that this scholarship will be given in my name in perpetuity. I received my college degree after having served in the US Navy Submarine service. The scholarship’s target of veterans is especially heartening,” said Upshaw. “I am also extremely honored to receive the Order of the Palmetto from Governor Haley and to be recognized by the Town of Hilton Head Island and Town of Bluffton.”
The G. Thomas Upshaw Endowed Scholarship Fund at USCB was announced by Palmetto Electric Cooperative Board Chairman, Jeremiah E. Vaigneur and Palmetto Electric Trust Board Chairman, Buddy W. Heirs at a retirement celebration for Upshaw on June 17 at Berkley Hall Clubhouse in Bluffton. USCB Chancellor Jane Upshaw received the scholarship on behalf of USCB.
“It is a wonderful surprise to receive the G. Thomas Upshaw Endowed Scholarship funded by Palmetto Electric Cooperative and Palmetto Electric Trust. The legacy of Tom’s leadership is his commitment to excellence. There is no better way to honor that example and ensure that legacy in our region than to perpetuate Tom’s commitment to excellence with scholarships to deserving USCB students,” said Chancellor Upshaw.
ABOUT PALMETTO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE:
Palmetto Electric Cooperative is a non-profit electrical distribution utility that is owned by the members it serves. The Cooperative serves over 68,000 consumers in southern Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties. Palmetto Electric’s mission is to provide diversified, innovative energy and related services to its customers consistent with sound business practices, while always acting in a community-building leadership role. For more information, visit www.palmetto.coop or call 843-208-5551.
Palmetto Electric is also a member of Touchstone Energy, which is a national alliance of local, consumer-owned electric cooperatives providing high standards of service to customers large and small. More than 742 Touchstone Energy cooperatives in 46 states are delivering energy and energy solutions to approximately 40 million customers every day. Touchstone Energy cooperatives serve their members with integrity, accountability, innovation and a longstanding commitment to communities.
ABOUT USCB:
Located in the heart of the Carolina Sea Islands, the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) is a baccalaureate member of the USC system, serving the southeast coast of South Carolina and Georgia. Since 2002, USCB has tripled its academic degree programs, doubled its FTE enrollment, opened its first on-campus housing (now serving 565), joined the NAIA Sun Conference, and fielded conference and national award-winning Sand Shark athletes in nine sports. The university’s two campuses serve a diverse student body of 1,822 students. The Hilton Head Gateway campus in Bluffton offers cutting-edge Computational Science and Nursing laboratories. The Historic Beaufort campus, located on Beaufort’s downtown waterfront, houses an innovative baccalaureate Studio Art program in close proximity to Beaufort’s many art galleries. Students enjoy opportunities on Hilton Head Island, including the USCB Center for Event Management and a Coastal Ecology research partnership with Vagabond Cruise. USCB serves 1,500 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) members, who participate in more than 1 million course hours annually, placing OLLI at USCB in the top 10 in the country. The University of South Carolina Beaufort offers students an exceptional place to learn and live in an environment focused on growth, preservation and opportunity.
ABOUT ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS AT USCB: Endowed funds are held by the institution and invested in order to provide a legacy of support in perpetuity. Individuals interested in providing additional support for the G. Thomas Upshaw Endowed Scholarship Fund may contact the Development Office at USCB at843-208-8236 or e-mail [email protected].
