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ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Retired state official Harrison Rearden, a 1958 graduate of South Carolina State University, has donated $100,000 in unrestricted funds to the university.
“I’m just a country boy from Edgefield, South Carolina,” Rearden said. “My home consisted of two wonderful, God-fearing and spiritually anchored parents and a brother.
“While matriculating in the public school system of Edgefield County, all I heard from my parents was, ‘When you go to college,’ not if you go to college,” he said, adding that SC State was the subject of those discussions. “I thank God for enabling me and for the spirit of giving back to ensure others will have opportunities to get a quality education.”
Rearden is retired from the South Carolina Department of Social Services, where he served as executive assistant to the state director, chief of staff, ombudsman and deputy director.
He and his wife, Alethia, visited SC State President Alexander Conyers this week to present the gift to the university.
“I thank Mr. and Mrs. Rearden for their generous expression of love for South Carolina State University,” Conyers said. “It’s obvious they consider this university to be part of their family, and that devotion is cherished by all of us who work and study at SC State.
“Without the efforts of loyal Bulldogs like Harrison Rearden, we could not support our students’ dreams of success. Like Mr. Reardon, the majority of our students come from humble beginnings, and an SC State education is what will propel them to achieve their goals,” Conyers said.
The president emphasized that Rearden placed no restrictions on how the funds would be used at the university, giving the administration the flexibility to target areas of the greatest need.
“Unrestricted giving is essential in helping us best serve our students as challenges arise on the campus,” Conyers said. “Scholarships are extremely important, and these funds certainly will make a difference in direct aid to students, but there are other demands that must be met if SC State is to continue to thrive.
“I can assure Mr. and Mrs. Rearden, as well as all our donors, that we will be excellent stewards of their generosity and they will receive a full account of how their contributions are allocated,” Conyers said.
A member of the Greater Columbia Chapter of the SC State University National Alumni Association, Rearden said he realized the elevating costs of retaining SC State’s status in South Carolina, so he was pleased to contribute $100,000 to the effort as a member of the Class of 1958.
“I commend and support President Alexander Conyers and the staff of SCSU as they continue to advance the college’s legacy of excellence in education,” Rearden said.
Rearden’s career spanned more than 45 years, including experiences as a secondary school teacher, district manager in the life insurance industry, sergeant with the U.S. Army Reserve for 10 years, and 29 years in state government.
He is dedicated to public service, which began with his participation in the Civil Rights Movement. He has served on the Richland-Lexington County Airport Commission, the South Carolina Department of Transportation as a commissioner from the Sixth Congressional District, the Central South Carolina Alliance, Action Council of South Carolina, the South Carolina State Employees Association and several other community organizations.
To donate to SC State’s Annual Fund, visit scsu.edu, click “Give to SC State” and select “Annual Fund” from the dropdown menu. You may also email Adrian Scott, SC State’s associate vice president for development, at ascott64@scsu.edu.
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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.
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