New members of the William Plumer Jacobs Society

Presbyterian College celebrated loyal and dedicated donors at the annual William Plumer Jacobs Society dinner on April 21 at the downtown Hyatt Regency in Greenville.

The society inducted eight couples and four individuals for contributions totaling more than $100,000.

College president Dr. Matthew vandenBerg thanked donors for helping PC build a more distinctive identity and plot a course for a prosperous future.

PC president Dr. Matthew vandenBerg

“Distinction has been a central driving theme for your college’s work over these past few years, and you, our most generous investors and benefactors, have been on the ground level of this work,” he said. “Thanks to your thought partnership, your leadership, and your investment, we have secured our identity and a bright future for PC as America’s Innovative Service College. We’re the college of service-based innovation that tackles societal challenges head-on and at the root causes.”

President vandenBerg also thanked those who champion PC’s commitment to the Presbyterian Church.

“PC is establishing itself as America’s Presbyterian College – the flagship college for the Presbyterian Church,” he said. “There are 54 Presbyterian Church USA colleges and universities in our country. As I like to say, 53 of us have an affiliation. One of us has a brand.

“Presbyterian is the name on our door, and we own, and we live into, and we use our heritage as a source of strength.”

 As a result of PC’s faith-inspired efforts, the college is gaining national attention, including an appearance in a forthcoming documentary hosted by actor Dennis Quaid.

vandenBerg pointed to the philanthropic efforts of PC alumni Chad ’02 and Pam ’02 Prashad to distinguish the college in higher education. Their gifts established two unique programs –  the nationwide Service Entrepreneurship Competition and the Jacobs Scholars Program for students impacted by foster care.

PC freshman Maggie Judd won the college’s inaugural service entrepreneurship case competition and, as a result, earned a full four-year scholarship that includes support for her plans. In response to her mother’s crippling neurological disorder and the needs of medically underserved people in her community, Judd established a program to provide free and reduced-cost medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and breathing apparatus.

She is now an 18-year-old executive director of her own nonprofit organization.

Judd thanked PC donors for supporting her and others with their gifts.

“When I learned about the Service Entrepreneurship Competition here at PC, I immediately knew that this was the place that would be perfect for me,” she said. “I’m so grateful for everything y’all have done to give students accessibility to higher education and specifically to PC.”

Vice president for advancement Francis Schodowski

President vandenBerg also shared with the WPJ Society several other triumphs over the last several years, including an $8.3 million investment in athletic facilities, new scholarships and endowed positions, the renovation of a new restaurant and social hub in downtown Clinton, the establishment of the Center for South Korean and East Asian Studies, a partnership with Fellowship Camp and Conference Center on Lake Greenwood, and the restoration of the Capitol Theatre in Laurens as a new restaurant, performance hall, movie theater, and home of PC’s esports program.

“You, the champions of PC – our donors, our faculty, and staff, our alumni, and our friends – made these and many other things happen,” vandenBerg said.

Vice president for advancement Francis Schodowski closed by telling members of the WPJ Society that he has witnessed students do many remarkable things in the past year – perform, compete, work, study, and play.

“Because of you, they are able to come to PC and do all of the amazing things I’ve seen them do,” he said. “We are grateful. Thank you.”

New Members

• Andy ’68 and Patricia Barnett
• John ’94 and Stephanie Edwards
• Roger ’99 and Meredith ’99 Foltynowicz
• Lyman ’73 and Lee Hamrick
• Charley ’59 and Joann Hughes (In Memoriam)
• Billy Kee ’40 (In Memoriam)
• Butch ’69 and Diane ’67 Kirven
• Mike LeFever ’69 and Malissa Burnette
• C. Mauldin ‘00
• Foster McKissick
• Chad ’02 and Pam ’02 Prashad (also joined the 1880 Society)
• Bob Smith ‘61

Advancing Members – President’s Society ($250,000 to $499,999)

• Steve ’84 and Gayla ’85 Smith
• Russell Vance
• Price ’84 and Tammy ’86 Woodward

Advancing Members – Bell Tower Society ($500,000 to $999,999)

• The Fullerton Foundation
• Wes ’86 and Dawn Nalley
• The Presbytery of New Harmony
• Carson Rhyne ‘70
• Steve and Louise Slater

Advancing members of the William Plumer Jacobs Society