Benedict College Alumni Celebrate a Decade of Achievement While Punching Above Their Weight

COLUMBIA, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 25, 2024--

Benedict Tigers across the world are celebrating a major milestone today. For the last 10 years, Benedict College alumni and friends have collectively pushed past their record-setting fundraising goals. The 2024 Annual Fund goal was $1.5M. The goal was surpassed by $230,000 for a total of $1,730,173.45.

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Benedict College President Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis is flanked by the Annual Giving Campaign Leadership team members and the volunteer leadership team from across the country. (Photo: Terrell Maxwell)

“Maintaining this incredible momentum of philanthropy since 2014 is no easy feat,” said Ada Brown Belton, Assistant Vice President for Benedict College. “A decade of overachieving our financial goal has been led by some remarkably dedicated alumni.”

Leading the record-breaking campaign this year were Chairwoman Dr. Elsie Hamler and Co-Chair Marlene McClerklin along with 10 devoted volunteers. “We applaud Hamler and McClerklin’s leadership and our phenomenal Benedict Tigers and friends for their commitment to helping deserving students who will benefit from this year’s fundraising success,” said Mrs. Cedelle E. Gates, President of the Benedict College National Alumni Association.

“Benedict College alumni consistently punch above their weight,” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “Although our alumni body is small in numbers, they are large in their giving and support of the College. Our alumni who contribute to the Annual Fund far exceeds the amounts given at larger institutions.” The average Benedict College gift is $1,444.

“Benedict College alumni club presidents have rallied their members to support their alma mater in a grand way,” noted Co-Chairwoman McClerklin. Of the 63 alumni clubs reporting 42 clubs or 67 percent met their individual goals during this record-breaking year.

Top 10 Alumni Clubs

Club Name

Club Ranking

2023-24 Giving

Columbia #2

1

305,092.02

Atlanta

2

100,537.03

Washington #46

3

93,166.59

Columbia #1

4

90,738.08

Progressive Club

5

88,687.00

Augusta

6

78,548.97

Greater Jacksonville

7

47,910.00

Tiger West

8

36,458.26

South Florida

9

34,650.00

Greenville

10

32,666.00

Click here for full Alumni Club listing.

“Bravo to all club presidents and members, reunion classes and the top ten clubs. Over the past 10 years, alumni have raised over $14,906,283 in support of Benedict College. Since the arrival of our 14 th president, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, Alumni have provided over $8,952,042 for the Alumni Campaign,” said Chairwoman Hamler.

The selflessness of the Benedict College Annual Campaign’s leadership and the devotion of the alumni has propelled these record-breaking contributions into a decade-long streak that well exceeded $1 million.

Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution offering 26 competitive baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from all 46 counties in South Carolina, 30 states across America, and 26 countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty deeply engaged in teaching, research, and service.

Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. Benedict College received the 2019 ACE/ Fidelity Investments Awards for Institutional Transformation and was named the HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest . Benedict College was listed among the top half of ranked HBCUs in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges by US News and World Report .

Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering, Studio Art, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.

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CONTACT: Kymm Hunter, Assistant Vice President

Kymm.Hunter@Benedict.edu | 803.705.4519

KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA SOUTH CAROLINA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER PHILANTHROPY OTHER EDUCATION CONTINUING UNIVERSITY PHILANTHROPY EDUCATION FUND RAISING FOUNDATION

SOURCE: Benedict College

PUB: 07/25/2024 11:00 AM/DISC: 07/25/2024 11:01 AM

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