Each Homecoming we bestow alumni awards to alumni and other PC faithful for their contributions to the College. Steve Churm ‘78 is the 2018 Mike Turner Scotsman Club Service Award recipient. The award recognizes an alumnus or alumna for sustained efforts and devoted leadership as a Scotsman Club member and scholarship patron.

Churm, the president of the Scotsman Club Board of Directors, and his wife, Alison ‘81, have been part of the PC family for more than 40 years.

“The ROTC program set me on the path for what I’ve done as my life’s work,” Churm said. “But the relationships with people– with my teammates, my fraternity brothers, my classmates– prepared me to grow up and be a responsible and productive member of society.”

Churm was a multi-faceted student while at PC, receiving football and academic scholarships. He earned a degree in English and was an active member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. Churm was selected to be in Blue Key men’s honor society and was also named a Distinguished Military Graduate.

He earned seven varsity athletic letters in all, including three in football and four in golf. As a starting guard on the football team, he was named to the All-District team and was an Honorable Mention on the NAIA All-American team. He was selected as team captain of the golf team during his senior year.

Once he graduated, Churm was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army. He served assignments in Texas, Georgia, Indiana, and Germany. While on active duty, he rose to the rank of Major. He served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his achievements in combat. He served 15 years on active duty and retired in 1998 from the US Army Reserve with more than 20 years of service.

Churm is the director of operations for the Athena Technology Group. He supports the U.S. Army staff in the satellite communications field, focusing on the design of future communications satellites for the Department of Defense.

Churm takes the time to serve others while also enjoying one of his favorite parts of PC: football.  Churm is a volunteer offensive line coach for Clover (SC) High School football team.

“Dum Vivimus Servimus, or ‘While We Live, We Serve,’ was instilled by my parents, but that was significantly reinforced at PC,” Churm said.

Churm has served on the Alumni Board, Board of Visitors, Parents Council and is currently the past president of the Scotsman Club Board. He was awarded the Mary F. Lehman Alumni Service Award in 2010.

The Churms have three children, Ashley (Clemson ‘05), Dr. Anna Brooks Holcomb (PC ’08) and Will (PC’11) and three grandchildren.

For a list of all of this year’s award recipients, visit the Alumni Awards Recipients page.