Bob Williams’ parents loved music and the arts. To honor them, the 1962 alumnus gave generously to PC to help students pursue their love of music.

In 2012, Williams established the John H. and Dorothy H. Williams Music Fund to support students majoring in one of the fine arts. Preference is given to music majors. Initially established as a bequest gift, in 2019, Williams decided that he wanted to begin funding the award so that he could witness, during his lifetime, the impact that the scholarship would have on young people.

Jenna Seubarran ’21, of Greenville, S.C., was the first-ever recipient of the Williams Award. Music factored into her decision to attend PC.

Seubarran began singing and playing the viola as a child and knew she wanted to study music in college. But she also wanted to study medicine. PC allowed her to do both.

“The biggest thing about PC is that they allow the time in your schedule to do both of the things that you love and especially want to major in,” Seubarran said in a previous article in the PC Magazine. “I don’t think there’s been any overlap for me yet, in having to choose whether or not I need to take this biology class with this music class.”

Last year, Williams, a Guardian of PC, passed away before he was able to meet the first recipient of the John H. and Dorothy H. Williams Award. However, his legacy at Presbyterian College will live in perpetuity because of the $1.4 million estate gift he generously gave to support talented young students.

Guardians of PC are those who have designated Presbyterian College as a beneficiary in their will or estate. Such gifts might include:

• a bequest
• appreciated securities
• gifts of retirement accounts
• gifts of life insurance and/or charitable income gifts, such as charitable gift annuities, charitable remainder unitrusts, charitable remainder annuity trusts

Seubarran, who majored in biology as well, says the combination prepared her for life after PC.

“There are those stressful times,” she said, “but … I think about the fact that it’s enjoyable, and it’s going to lead to a degree and a bigger purpose in life. I try to hold onto that and the end-game aspect of it.

“Med school and any graduate school, in general, is tough business, so I feel like the classes at PC are tough enough to prepare me for what is to come next.”