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SYS Constructors, a Greenville-based construction company, voluntarily refurbished the house used primarily as a tutoring center for the CHAMPS program.

“It’s an honor that we participated in a refreshment of this house,” said President of SYS Constructors, Danny Schaaf. “(The construction is) only from the exterior. It’s the interior—the programs, staff—that make it a success.”

Schaaf first heard about the house and the CHAMPS program during a visit to PC last year. After touring the campus, Harry Workman, Director of Church Advancement, invited Schaaf to look at the small house located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and South Holland Street. 

“Little did I know that Harry kind of hit a weak spot in my heart,” Schaaf said, “and also a commitment of our mission statement—to outreach to our community.”

The refurbishment of the house is a “significant landmark in the history of the CHAMPS program,” according to CHAMPS Director Dr. Jerman Disasa.

“The actual location of this place carries with it an important significance,” Disasa said.

“For the college this has been where the college property ends, the edge of the community. For the community this has been a periphery where the community ends at the edge of the college. Now the periphery has become a center. When the periphery becomes a center, growth, expansion, and understanding are signified.”

Disasa added, “We will use this center to enable Presbyterian College and Laurens County public school students to meet and wrestle with academic challenges that carry with the social and spiritual implications. They will meet here to de-mystify higher education. And demystify some realities of America, such as poverty, growing up with a single parent, and finding happiness in simple living.”

CHAMPS stands for Communities Helping, Assisting, Motivating Promising Students. Begun in 1995, 30 middle school students from Laurens County public schools enter the program each year with the intention of preparing for higher educational opportunities.

CHAMPS mentors and volunteers carefully monitor, track, and assist students throughout their junior and high school years. Students are chosen from underprivileged family situations: low family income levels, low level of education attainment of the parents, large family size, and broken family structure.

CHAMPS supporters cut the ribbon at the dedication.

Danny Schaaf speaks as Dr. John V. Griffith looks on.	CHAMPS coordinator Walter Gary and Dr. Jerman Disasa pictured after the dedication.