Anderson University President Dr. Evans P. Whitaker has been appointed by Governor Nikki Haley to represent independent colleges and universities on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. His appointment was confirmed by the State Senate on March 26, 2015

 

Dr. Whitaker has served as president of Anderson University since 2002. He is a member of the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees and a past chair of the SCICU Council of Presidents. Dr. Whitaker also serves as a Trustee of the Commission on Colleges of The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, which is the regional accrediting body for educational institutions in the South.

 

Located in Anderson, South Carolina, Anderson University is a selective, comprehensive university offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus and online. Students can choose among 36 majors, 38 concentrations, and 25 minors, and AU is ranked as one of the best regional colleges in the South by both U. S. News and World Report and The Princeton Review.

 

The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education is governed by a board of 15 members who are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the State Senate. The commission serves as the coordinating board for the state's 33 public institutions of higher learning and provides statewide policy direction, management, and oversight of the state's higher education enterprise. 

  

Representative James H. "Jay" Lucas of Hartsville was named the 2015 SCICU Legislative Champion by the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities for his untiring support of independent higher education throughout his distinguished career.

 

Rep. Lucas' career is marked by his interest and passion for education. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee prior to his election to House leadership positions, Rep. Lucas supported a reasonable and balanced approach to the incredibly complex funding issues in the rapidly changing world of higher education.

 

A member of the State House of Representatives since 1999, Rep. Lucas was elected Speaker Pro Tempore in 2010 and Speaker in 2014. He represents House District 65 which includes parts of Chesterfield, Darlington, Kershaw and Lancaster counties.

 

As a life-long resident of Hartsville, Speaker Lucas is a strong and loyal supporter of hometown Coker College. His mother, Shirley, attended Coker College from 1950-1951, and Speaker Lucas was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2010.

 

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of South Carolina, Speaker Lucas received his bachelor's degree in political science in 1975 and a master's in public administration degree in 1981. He graduated from the USC School of Law in 1987 and is a partner in the law firm of Lucas, Warr and White.

 

Students from SCICU member schools will gather at the State House for Independent Higher Education Day on April 15. At that time, Speaker Lucas will be presented with the 2015 SCICU Legislative Champion Award. 

 

SCICU's Executive Vice President, Eddie Shannon, has been invited to serve on CIC's State Fund Members Advisory Council for a three-year term beginning July 1, 2015. 

 

CIC's State Funds Members - SCICU and the other state-based fundraising associations - are an important component in CIC programming. The Advisory Council serves as the principal source of advice to the CIC President, CIC Board of Directors, and the Executive Director for State Fund Programs on matters pertaining to the State Funds. The main focus of the Advisory Council is to assist in the development of forward-looking programs and services. The Advisory Council works closely with CIC staff to generate fresh ideas for services to members and to explore new ways to strengthen the State Funds.

 

Congratulations to Eddie Shannon for being invited to serve on this advisory council to the CIC Board of Directors. 

The South Carolina General Assembly and Gov. Nikki Haley recognize the week of April 13-17, 2015 as Independent College and University Week and April 15, 2015 as Independent College and University Day.

On Tuesday of Independent College and University Week (April 14), SCICU celebrates the outstanding professors at our member colleges with the 10th Annual Excellence in Teaching Awards Dinner. Refer to our website on Monday, April 13, when we will reveal the award winners with online profiles honoring their achievements. Award recipients along with their guests, colleagues, SCICU staff and board members, and a number of state legislators will attend the banquet held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.

 

On Wednesday (April 15), SCICU students and faculty/staff will gather at the historic Trinity Episcopal Church across from the State House for a breakfast and orientation before the day's events. Afterward, the students will walk to the State House to meet and thank their representatives for supporting Independent Higher Education in South Carolina.

This year's SCICU Legislative Champion is Representative Jay Lucas. He will give an address to the students and take photographs with each institution's participants. We look forward to sharing photographs and articles related to these key SCICU events in next month's newsletter.

Developed by SCICU in 1995, the Student/Faculty Research Program is designed to strengthen educational programs for students attending member institutions by providing quality undergraduate research experiences. 

 

This year, SCICU received 43 research proposals from 12 member colleges. The proposal requests totaled $172,619. SCICU was able to fund 32 of these projects, using its available $98,763 in research funds.

 

Students who receive the grant must conclude their research by December 4, 2015 and make a presentation at the annual SCICU Research Symposium which will be held the following February.

 

Congratulations to the students and their faculty sponsors! 

  

 

Thank you to those who have contributed to the CIC Challenge Grant:

 

Amy Love

Bill Beaty

Blue Cross/Blue Shield of SC
BMW 

Brenda Torrence

Brent Weaver

Cary Smith 

Clyde Bess

Cox Industries

Derial Ogburn

Eddie Shannon

Erwin Maddrey

Hans & Stephenie Helland

Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd  

Henri Baskins

HRP Associates

Jennet Alterman

Jim Fort

Jim Reynolds

Kathy McKinney

Lonnie Emard

Lucy Grey McIver 

Malloy Foundation

Metromont Corporation

Mike LeFever

Milton Kimpson

Minor Shaw

Sanders Family Foundation

SouthState Bank

TD Bank

Walsh Consulting, LLC
 Williams Family Foundation

SCICU's online network of providers offers goods and services to the independent higher education community in South Carolina.

The Business Partners program provides a convenient marketplace where SCICU member colleges and universities can preview offerings from some of the top companies in the country. 

We are pleased to announce the following companies have joined us as a business partners:    

  eDocHome.com

The following companies have renewed their partnership:    

  Professional Insurance & Investment Associates

UnitedHealthcare Student Resources