Coastal Carolina University Creates Scholarships in Honor of Slain South Carolina Senator

CONWAY, SC – Coastal Carolina University (CCU) will offer two new scholarships beginning in the fall 2015 semester that honor the memory of South Carolina Sen. Clementa Pinckney, according to a recent announcement by CCU President David A. DeCenzo.  Pinckney was slain in the June 17 mass shooting in Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church.

The $2,500 scholarship will be awarded annually to one male and one female from South Carolina’s District 45, which Pinckney represented in the state senate. The district includes parts of Allendale, Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. Approximately 340 current CCU students are from the district.

“Senator Pinckney worked hard to advance educational opportunities in his district and throughout the state,” says DeCenzo. “He understood that education was the means to a better future for all South Carolinians, and he was dedicated to helping people achieve their dreams through knowledge.”

Eligibility for the Senator Clementa C. Pinckney Memorial Scholarship will be determined by specific criteria including demonstrated financial need and the maintenance of at least a 3.0 grade point average. The award can be renewed for up to four years.

“In the midst of this tragedy, the university recognizes the work of Senator Pinckney as an activist for justice and individual rights,” says Travis Overton, CCU’s vice president of student rights & responsibilities/dean of students. “In honor of his service, this scholarship will assist students from District 45 to pursue higher education. The tragedy has affected several students in our community, and the establishment of this scholarship focuses on the true meaning of Senator Pinckney’s work.”

Coastal Carolina University is a dynamic, public comprehensive liberal arts institution located in Conway, just minutes from the resort area of Myrtle Beach, SC. The university offers 67 areas of study toward the baccalaureate degree, eight master's degree programs and a Ph.D. program in Marine Science: Coastal and Marine Systems Science.
For more information about the scholarship, contact CCU’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at 843/349-2313 or email [email protected].

Featured

  • University of Illinois Moves Forward with College Sports’ Largest Digital Scoreboard

    The University of Illinois in Champaign, Ill., recently announced a series of upgrades to Gies Memorial Stadium that will include the largest scoreboard in college sports, according to a news release.

  • Illinois State University Breaks Ground on College of Fine Arts Transformation

    Illinois State University in Normal, Ill., recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts transformation project, according to university news. The series of new constructions and renovations will upgrade spaces in Centennial East, the Center for the Visual Arts, and the Center for the Performing Arts, as well as replace the existing Centennial West facility with a new Commons Building.

  • Wisconsin District Breaks Ground on New Elementary School

    The School District of La Crosse in La Crosse, Wis., recently broke ground on a new elementary school that will consolidate the students and staff of two existing schools, according to local news. Funding for the school comes from a $53-million referendum approved in 2024.

  • Houston-Area High School Breaks Ground on 117,000SF Multi-Use Facility

    North Shore Senior High School, part of Galena Park ISD in Houston, Texas, recently broke ground on a new multi-use facility for student extracurriculars, according to a news release. The North Shore Multi-Use Facility will include dedicated practice and training space for the school’s athletics and fine arts programs.