SC State Honors College receives $20,000 gift from alumna Cheryl Irvin
The donation supports scholarships and honors the Houston attorney’s late father’s legacy of service.
The donation is designated for student scholarships and reflects Irvin’s personal commitment to higher education and her family’s legacy at SC State.
“Supporting education — especially at institutions that molded me — is one of the greatest privileges I have,” Irvin said. “My father attended SC State, and from the time I was born, it was understood that I would follow in his footsteps. I never considered going anywhere else. This gift is in honor of him, of my family, and of every student who dares to dream bigger.
Irvin is the founding partner of The Irvin Law Firm PLLC in Houston, Texas, and a graduate of SC State. Her father, the late Rev. Dr. Nathaniel Irvin Sr., earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from South Carolina State College. He served for 54 years as an educator, principal, pastor and civil rights advocate in South Carolina and Georgia, and he was awarded an honorary doctorate by Morris College.
He died in 2016 at the age of 87.
University officials say Irvin’s donation comes at a pivotal time in the Honors College’s growth, supporting high-achieving students who demonstrate financial need. The scholarships will help students access opportunities such as study abroad, undergraduate research, civic engagement and leadership development.
“This generous gift will open doors for some of our most talented and deserving students,” said Dr. William H. Whitaker Jr., dean of the Honors College. “We are deeply grateful to Attorney Irvin for investing in the future of SC State scholars and helping us remove financial barriers to academic success. Her gift affirms that our alumni believe in the power of the Honors College and its mission to cultivate the next generation of visionary thinkers and leaders.”
Dr. Frederick M.G. Evans, provost and vice president for academic affairs, noted the long-term impact of such gifts.
“This kind of alumni generosity is a reflection of the transformative power of education at SC State,” Evans said. “Attorney Irvin’s support helps ensure that our Honors students can fully engage in rigorous, life-changing academic opportunities without the burden of financial insecurity.”
Dr. Windy Stephenson, executive director of the Honors College, added that the gift reinforces the college’s core values
“Attorney Irvin’s donation is more than a gift — it is a statement of belief in our students, our mission and our collective future,” Stephenson said. “It affirms our efforts to build a vibrant honors culture rooted in academic rigor, social impact and student empowerment.”
The Honors College will formally recognize Irvin’s contribution in its annual report and major events. She will also be welcomed as a distinguished member of the Honors College’s Circle of Friends donor society.
To learn more about the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College, visit www.scsu.edu/honors-college.php. To learn more about giving to SC State, visit www.scsu.edu/give.
For more information about SC State’s Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College and future opportunities, contact Dr. William Whitaker, dean, at wwhitak3@scsu.edu or 803-533-3710.