SC State reunion classes contribute record $2.3M during Alumni Reunion Weekend

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Sharon Johnson Brunson knew she wanted to be a speech pathologist while she was in high school and soon found the pathway to a more than 30-year career in the field with a foundation laid at South Carolina State University.

She was among the hundreds who gathered at the university during Alumni Reunion Weekend May 8-10 to share Bulldog pride, connect with classmates and raise funds to help the university continue its mission of academic excellence and leadership development.

“It’s good to be back home, especially since I moved away. It is good to reconnect with people, and it is important to give. At a time such as this, it is very important that we return what has been given to us. That could be through mentoring, tutoring, teaching and finances,” Brunson said. 

That spirit of giving translated into significant financial support for the university, with reunion classes contributing a combined $2.3 million during the weekend. Combined with the more than $1.4 million raised during the Garnet & Blue Extravaganza on April 18, the reunion contributions added to a strong spring fundraising season in support of SC State students and university priorities.

“Alumni Reunion Weekend demonstrated the enduring connection our graduates have to South Carolina State University and to the generations of students who will follow them,” SC State President Alexander Conyers said. “These gifts represent more than financial support. They reflect a belief in the mission of this university and a commitment to helping SC State continue to grow, lead and serve.”

A member of the Class of 1991, Brunson and her classmates were among the reunion classes honored during the Alumni Honors & Awards Banquet held Saturday, May 9, at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. Among those who attended was 100-year-old Eliza H. Cave, Class of ’51. 

The event recognized the milestone reunion classes of 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976 (Golden Class), 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001 (Silver Class). Each reunion class presented the university with financial gifts totaling $2.3 million:

• Class of 1951 — $39,950
• Class of 1956 — $40,856.70
• Class of 1961 — $207,702.84
• Class of 1966 — $262,247.53
• Class of 1971 — $502,045.32
• Class of 1976 (Golden Class) — $716,742.37
• Class of 1981 — $140,340
• Class of 1986 — $177,801.68
• Class of 1991 — $70,265.88
• Class of 1996 — $127,229.22
• Class of 2001 (Silver Class) — $36,143.62
• Class of 1975 — $27,000 (not in reunion, but contributes annually)

Total - $2,348,325.16

The strong fundraising momentum builds on the public launch of SC State’s “The Power of SC State” capital campaign on May 6. The campaign focuses on student success, scholarships, academic excellence, campus enhancements and long-term institutional growth as SC State approaches its 130th anniversary. The comprehensive campaign carries a goal of $41.2 million, with more than $17.1 million raised in the campaign’s silent phase.

Brunson reflects on mentorship

An Orangeburg native, Brunson now lives in Columbia, South Carolina. She recalled the encouragement she received from Dr. Harold Powell, who was then chairman of the speech department at SC State. 

“When people found out in high school that I wanted to be a speech pathologist and stay in speech pathology, I got a letter from Dr. Powell. I was still in high school,” she said. “People who were products of the campus who came out of this program started sending me things. One thing Dr. Powell always taught us was that we had to know our stuff.”

Brunson is passing those gifts along to current students.

“We also have to train the next people. So as a result, I’ve helped practicum students, student teachers from the campus, people getting ready for their national certification (as speech pathologists). Dr. Powell always said we’ve got to give back, we’ve got to teach the next one. This is year 34 for me,” she said.

Alumni speak on the Power of SC State

Evalena B. Flournoy, 72, is a member of the SC State Golden Class of ’76, whose class drew more than 100 members to alumni weekend activities. 

“It’s good to make these connections because we’re all in the business of making sure the next generation is prepared. The year that I graduated, I stepped into the world equipped. I had confidence that whatever I did, I was going to be good at it because South Carolina State has a reputation of turning out an excellent product,” she said.

Flournoy graduated with a double major in early childhood education and home economics.

“I went from one level of excellence to the other, and it’s because I came out with the confidence that, number one, the school had so much to offer me. I was able to take advantage of the academic program and the other curriculum activities. It made me a well-rounded person and ready to face the world,” she said. 

Flournoy is proud of her family history at SC State.

 “Since then, I’m the fourth generation to have come here. We own a foundation, and now we’re giving back on a whole other level. So, I learned the importance of being able to make that connection. Once you have accomplished, there is a strong desire to give back and help those who are in need,” she said.

She said she enjoyed reconnecting with her classmates over the weekend and giving back.

“This is a much-needed reunion. We’ve come back and seen how we’ve gotten a chance to spread across not only the United States, but countries, and we’ve done well,” Flournoy said. “We’re still giving, and this is just a time to laugh, reminisce and look back and say, ‘The story was a good story.’ We’ve still got so much to share with the world.”

Warren Robinson of Columbia is a member of the SC State Class of 1996. 

“I felt the need to give back because this university gave me an opportunity in the professional arena of what I wanted to be in life. I decided that it was very important for me to give back to the university because they took a chance and gave me an opportunity to explore my career path, which was civil engineering technology,” he said. 

“It’s been a joy just to hang out with my classmates. Not all of them showed up, but I was able to reunite with the ones who did come to see what their journey is like and where they are in life. Hopefully we can get some more individuals to come out the next time we have the reunion,” Robinson said. 

Flora Foreman-Watson of North Augusta, South Carolina, is a member of the SC State Class of 1971. She majored in political science and moved to New Jersey upon graduation. 

“It makes me feel real good to be here. The Class of ’71 is still here 55 years later,” she said.

Foreman-Watson said it was important to give back to the university.

 “We’ve got to. We’ve got to uphold our university. With the way things are going now, where will your great-great-grandchildren go? I think we’re kind of moving back,” she said, noting that she had fun reconnecting with her classmates.

“I have no problem with any of them. We didn’t roll like that. It’s been an excellent weekend,” she said.

Joyce Franklin of Clinton, South Carolina, is a member of the Class of 1966 whose brother, Lumus Byrd Jr., was a former SC State Board of Trustees chairman. She said it was important to help build up the university.

“We look at the places we come from, and we have to help build it up because there’s other people coming up, too. We have to paint that picture of how to make it through life. We have to not only paint that picture through them seeing us, but we have to express it and help them to make that choice,” Franklin said.

She said SC State prepared her for success.

“It’s prepared me for a whole lot because I’ve learned some new things. I left my hometown and came to live here. It was a good thing my brother was here because he could look after me, but it was about just coming and learning new people, new ideas and things of that nature,” said Franklin, who enjoyed spending time with her classmates. 

“It’s been very inviting and uplifting, too. When you chat about some of the things that happened to you while you were in school, it’s just uplifting to know that you’ve come a long way,” she said.

Awards presented

 The event also featured the induction of the Golden Class of 1976 into the Half Century Club; induction of the Silver Class of 2001 into the Quarter Century Club; reunion class gift presentations; and SC State National Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni recognitions, including past and current Alumnus of the Year, Young Alumnus of the Year; and the crowning of Ms. SCSUNAA. 

The SCSUNAA distinguished alumni awards included:

• Alumnus of the Year — Arthur L. “Art” Williams, Class of ’92.
• Young Alumnus of the Year — James C. Burgess II, Class of ’08 and ’12.
• Ms. SCSUNAA — Pamela R. Butler, Class of ’89.