Presbyterian College will host its annual donor appreciation event for the members of the William Plumer Jacobs (WPJ) Society on Friday, April 1, in Greenville at Genevieve’s at The Peace Center.

The PC Board of Trustees established the WPJ Society in 1982 to recognize and honor those individuals, churches, foundations, and corporations who have made gifts to the College of $100,000 or more. Named for the founder of the College, the society celebrates annually with the trustees, faculty, and administration. The celebration provides an opportunity for PC to express appreciation for the generosity of society members and to welcome new members to the group.

The new members of the WPJ Society include: the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, a foundation designed to promote the humanities and arts; Bob and Betty Strock, a former football coach at PC and an educator in the Clinton school system; Cassius Bailey Dixon, a longtime supporter of the College; James ’68 and Laura ’71 Powell, founder, director, chairman, and CEO of Highland Commercial Bank in Marietta, Ga., and homemaker; Justin Bethel ’12, cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals; and Patrick ’62 and Elizabeth Kelly, a retired from ExxonMobile Corporation and community volunteer.

In addition, the College is honoring the memory and legacy of Putsy Silas “Si” Bailey ’26. Bailey, who served both on the Clinton City Council and as mayor, also served on the PC Board of Trustees. He served as chair of the building committee raising $1 million to build Bailey Hall and Douglas House. In 1951, PC presented him with the Gold P Award, the College’s most prestigious award, given annually to an alumnus who has made outstanding progress and achievement in his profession. His daughter, Emily Bailey, will be present to accept the award on his behalf.

Bailey’s contributions to the Clinton and PC communities live on today in the form of the buildings that carry his name and two scholarships that were named in his memory: The P. S. Bailey Scholarship, established in 1964 by his wife, is awarded to students majoring in business administration. The Putsy Silas Bailey Memorial Athletic Fund was established by the Bailey Foundation in 1981 and supports the PC athletic program. Nearly 60 years after his passing, Bailey’s generosity is still giving back to the College and community that he loved.

The night will begin with a welcome by Presbyterian College President Bob Staton ’68; student comments by Elizabeth Silcox ’16, a senior business major from Atlanta, Ga., and a recipient of the P. S. Bailey Memorial Scholarship. WPJ member and distinguished member recognition will be given by Staton and G. Patrick Phillips ’71, chair of the PC Board of Trustees. Phillips will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the event.

The PC String Quartet will play during the evening and includes the following students: Marshall Davidson ’17, Hannah Garber ’16, Sarah House ’19, and Collin McKinnon ’19.

For more information on the William Plumer Jacobs Society and how to give, contact Alex Scull, director of annual giving at akscull@presby.edu.

Presbyterian College is located on a striking 240-acre campus in Clinton, between Columbia and Greenville, S.C. Offering challenging academics and a culture of honor, ethics, and service that prepares students to be leaders in communities, PC offers its students the benefit of engaging with an exceptional faculty who take individual interest in their students’ well-being, both personally and in the classroom. The Presbyterian College School of Pharmacy opened in 2010, and is dedicated to the ideals of leadership, honor to the profession, and service to the community. For more information about Presbyterian College, visit www.presby.edu.