A Letter From Our Reunion Chairman, Antonio Coleman
Greetings Fellow Classmates and Bulldog Family,
Hello! I hope this message finds you in good health. How have you been? Have you retired completely partially, or are you still working at a fast pace? Whatever your situation may be, I hope you are content with what you are doing. Finding joy in what we do is crucial at this stage of life.
As most of you know, it is a tradition to create a class gift on behalf of every 5th-year class reunion. Each year, the Office of Alumni Relations celebrates milestone reunions with a schedule of special events and opportunities to reconnect with classmates and the University. Classes of 1999, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1979, 1969, 1964, 1959, 1954, 1949, 1944, and the golden Class of 1974 return to our beloved SCSU campus for the 2024 Alumni Honors and Awards celebration during commencement weekend May 10 – 12, 2023.
It's hard to believe that 40 years have passed since we graduated from what was then known as South Carolina State College!
Strong alumni leadership, ambitious goals, and an enthusiastic sense of dedication to our beloved university are essential to a successful Reunion and Gift Giving Campaign. Our classmates who volunteered as members of the 35th Class Reunion Steering Committee have all returned to serve on the 40th. Wade Rice, Past Alumni President of the Jacksonville, Florida Chapter and host of a very successful 2023 SCSUNAA convention, joined the committee last spring. Our Steering Committee has been planning, coordinating, and organizing our events in addition to the many activities offered throughout the weekend by the University Alumni Relations Office.
SCSU, more than ever, needs you, me, our class, alums, and friends to provide our time, talent, and monetary giving. It’s no secret that when it comes to funding, HBCUs are given the short end of the stick. Our gifts will fund scholarships, upgrade facilities, or support research projects that benefit the university and its students.
Our class's Steering Committee has established the following important goals for our upcoming 40th reunion year:
We aim to raise a total of $180,000 for our reunion class gift.
We want to achieve a 60% commitment, participation, and contribution rate from the 270 members of our class.
Each of us contributes a baseline of $1,000.00.
Your gift, regardless of size, is an incredibly powerful statement that illustrates the value of your Bulldog experience. Even a small contribution to your Class Gift demonstrates that you are united in support of SCSU’s mission and its students, faculty, and legacy.
As we all know, having been out in the world for 40 years now, the tendency to play small is often rooted in our fears, insecurities, low self-worth, and scarcity mindset. However, as BULLDOGS, we strive to play big by pursuing activities that bring us deep satisfaction and fulfillment. To make giving more exciting, we have a friendly competition within the new culture of giving at SCSU.
Winning is something we all enjoy!
During the 2022 Gala, the Class of 1982 generously donated a gift of $111,000.00. In May 2023, the Class of 1983 donated $105,000.00. Class of '84, we can achieve this feat, too! At the 2023 Alumni and Awards Gala, I captured a significant quote by Mr. John Sally, Master of Ceremony and a Golden Class of 1973 member. He shared an Anne Frank quote that said: "No one has ever become poor from giving!"
This quote is the inspiration behind me asking you to seriously consider contributing to the highest level of your ability for a really special institution!
How to donate.
How to donate.
Below are the directions to guide you in making a donation.
Click the red “Donate” button below. Once you do you will see a new page with “Donate Now” in bold print. You will also see gift amounts and an “other slot” provided for customized sums.
Click the down arrow next to the designation button and select “Class of 1984.” It is critical to the success of our fundraising efforts that we accurately determine the correct designation. You may already support some of the other listed designations! But the Class of 1984 will only get fundraising credit for gifts donated to its designation.
You can start your giving, whether in lump sum or installments, right away by visiting this website or mailing a check payable to the "SCSU Foundation - Class of 1984" to the SCSU Office of Alumni Relations, Attn. Iva Gardner, PO Box 7056, Orangeburg, SC 29117.
Donations to the Class Gift are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. After making your gift, the University will send you an acknowledgment letter stating the amount given during the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). This letter will also contain an enclosure that provides information about other ways to give.
We also encourage you to check with your employer about a matching gift program, which can often double your original gift amount. If your employer offers a matching gift program, your matched donation will count towards the total given by a student.
Not ready to make a donation, but want to confirm your commitment? Tell us so using this Donation Pledge Form!
I look forward to the display of urgency and energy that we as a Class will rise to over the next few months and align our fundraising efforts with the impressive classes over the last two years! The Class of 1984 will, without a doubt, keep the momentum going and help galvanize this new mindset and culture of giving to our beloved SCSU!
Let’s be “The Class” that not only talks the talk but also walks the walk and makes things happen for SCSU – with swag! Join the 40th Reunion Steering Committee in our challenge to unite our illustrious Class of 1984 and achieve our goal. Consider contributing that will significantly benefit the lives of future Bulldogs.
Achieving a successful reunion is only possible through effective communication, ensuring accurate addresses, sending out invitations on time, and maintaining open communication between the alumni office, our class steering committee, and us, the 84 graduates. Let’s collaborate to organize a memorable event and give a meaningful gift to our beloved S.C.S.U!
With Bulldog Pride and Tenacity,
Keep record of your donations!
When you donate, be sure to save a copy of your donation letter for tax purposes, confirmation of reunion registration, and more! Watch this video to show you where to find your letter.