Salley challenges alums to support SC State
Dr. James Salley’s generosity toward South Carolina State University is nothing new.
Having earned membership in his alma mater’s prestigious Thomas E. Miller Society, which recognizes benefactors who have given $100,000 or more to the university, Salley has been a regular contributor. He has endowed three scholarships along the way.
On March 3, as he concluded his keynote address for SC State’s annual Founders Day celebration, Salley surprised SC State President Alexander Conyers with his latest gift, a check for $10,000.
Quoting civil rights icon and SC State alumnus Benjamin E. Mays and Bible verses, Salley delivered a sermon-like challenge to Bulldog alumni to generously contribute to the university’s upcoming capital fundraising campaign.
“Whatever we do from this podium here, let’s make it a God-size vision and raise that $50 million-plus for South Carolina State,” Salley said. “Some of you millionaires, get up off of that money.”
“All that I am or could ever hope to be, I owe to God, family, the church and South Carolina State University,” he said before calling Conyers up to the podium. “This is a seed for that $50 million that you’re going to raise.
“Here’s the first gift for that campaign,” Salley said, pulling a check from his sport coat pocket. “Here’s a gift of $10,000.
“You don’t have to pay me,” he said, having joked earlier about not receiving an honorarium for his speech. “I’ll pay you. I still owe South Carolina State. All my life, I’ll be paying South Carolina State.”
Salley’s gift was immediately met with a standing ovation from the Founders Day audience, as well as a matching $10,000 pledge from his brother-in-law, Hubert Daniely.
To join Salley and Daniely in supporting SC State, visit scsu.edu and click “Give to SC State.”
Salley is president and CEO of Africa University, TN Inc. and associate vice chancellor for institutional advancement of Africa University in Old Mutare, Zimbabwe.
Salley is a native of Orangeburg and was educated in the public schools of Orangeburg and graduated from Wilkinson High School and South Carolina State University. He has done additional studies at Vanderbilt and Belmont Universities in Nashville, Tennessee and holds certificates in management and business studies and institutional advancement.
