Announcement

Feb. 11, 2022

SC State welcomes Adrian Scott as chief development officer

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Adrian L. Scott has been named chief development officer at South Carolina State University.

”I am thrilled to have Mr. Scott leading fundraising initiatives for the university,” said Sonja Bennett-Bellamy, SC State vice president for institutional advancement and external affairs. “He comes to us at a time when SC State is well positioned to elevate to a more heightened level of prominence in the higher education arena.”

Scott is no stranger to SC State, as he served the Division of Institutional Advancement from 2007-2013 as a donor coordinator and special assistant to the vice president.

“I am excited to return to a place where I consider home,” Scott said. “Orangeburg was where my professional career started, and I am blessed that I have had a chance to travel and learn other operations.

“I look forward to leading the fundraising efforts of SC State while working with such a solid base,” he said.

Scott is a native of Manning, South Carolina. After graduating from Manning High School,

Adrian L. Scott

he earned his Bachelor of Arts in history from Clemson University and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University with a concentration in human resource management. Scott also has completed courses with the Fundraising School at Indiana University and courses toward becoming a certified fundraising executive.

Scott began his fundraising career over 20 years ago with the United Way of South Carolina. After taking the helm at the Edisto United Way of Orangeburg and Calhoun Counties, Scott became the youngest and first African American to lead a United Way in South Carolina.

Following United Way, Scott began his career in higher education where he served in various leadership positions building and strengthening alumni giving and participation, major gifts, foundation giving, corporate partnerships and planned giving. The highlight of Scott’s career was serving as the Chief Development Officer of his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha. where he secured six-figure gifts from Walton Family Foundation and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Over the span of his career, he has been responsible for or assisted with raising nearly $30 million.

“I am extremely excited to join the team at SC State under the leadership of Sonja Bennett-Bellamy.,” Scott said. “This position will allow me to create many fundraising opportunities for the University through previous relationships and to grow new ones. I hope to use all I have learned from my career for this great University and the stakeholders we serve.”

Scott has been a member of the Orangeburg Rotary Club, Orangeburg Community of Character and 100 Black Men of West Alabama; chair of the Project Life Positeen Board of Directors; and a mentor with local school districts.

He is a current member of the Motivated Woman Board of Directors, a health magazine led by alumnus Teesa Brunson. He also is a graduate of Leadership Orangeburg (2003) and Leadership South Carolina (2013).

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Media Contact

Sam Watson

Public Information Officer

South Carolina State University

swatson2@scsu.edu

803-747-1223 (Cell)

About South Carolina State University

Founded in 1896 as a land grant institution with a mission of providing service to the citizens of the state, South Carolina State University has evolved from a small teachers’ college into a major University center of learning and research. Located in Orangeburg, S.C., South Carolina State offers more than 50 different fields of study on the undergraduate and graduate levels. South Carolina State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools.