Benedict College Alumni Celebrate a Decade of Achievement While Punching Above Their Weight
Benedict Tigers Surpass Their Fundraising Goal for the 10th Consecutive Year!
Benedict Tigers across the world are celebrating a major milestone today. For the last 10 years, Benedict College alumni and friends have collectively pushed past their record-setting fundraising goals. The 2024 Annual Fund goal was $1.5M. The goal was surpassed by $230,000 for a total of $1,730,173.45.
“Maintaining this incredible momentum of philanthropy since 2014 is no easy feat,” said Ada Brown Belton, Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement for Benedict College. “A decade of overachieving our financial goal has been led by some remarkably dedicated alumni.”
Leading the record-breaking campaign this year were Chairwoman Dr. Elsie Hamler and Co-Chair Marlene McClerklin along with 10 devoted volunteers. “We applaud Hamler and McClerklin’s leadership and the generosity of our phenomenal Benedict Tigers and friends for their commitment to helping deserving students who will benefit from this year’s fundraising success,” said Mrs. Cedelle E. Gates, President of the Benedict College National Alumni Association.
“Benedict College alumni consistently punch above their weight, said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “Although our alumni body is small in numbers, they are large in their giving and support of the College. Our alumni who contribute to the Annual Fund far exceeds the amounts given at larger institutions.” The average Benedict College gift is $1,444.
“For ten consecutive years, Benedict College alumni club presidents have rallied their members to support their alma mater in a grand way,” noted Co-Chairwoman McClerklin. Of the 63 alumni clubs reporting 42 clubs or 67 percent met their individual goals during this record-breaking year.
Top 10 Alumni Clubs
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“Bravo to all club presidents and members, reunion classes and the top ten clubs. “Over the past 10 years, alumni have raised over $14,906,283 in support of Benedict College. Since the arrival of our 14th president, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, Alumni have provided over $8,952,042 for the Alumni Campaign, said Chairwoman Hamler.
The selflessness of the Benedict College Annual Campaign’s leadership and the devotion of the alumni has propelled these record-breaking contributions into a decade-long streak that well exceeded $1 million.
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About Benedict College
Founded in 1870 by a woman, Bathsheba A. Benedict, Benedict College is a private co-educational liberal arts institution offering 26 competitive baccalaureate degree programs and two master’s degree programs. The Midlands HBCU welcomes students from all 46 counties in South Carolina, 30 states across America, and 26 countries around the world. The College also has a diverse faculty deeply engaged in teaching, research, and service.
Benedict College has been highly regarded and exceptionally ranked for its programs by several academic and traditional publications. Benedict College received the 2019 ACE/ Fidelity Investments Awards for Institutional Transformation and was named the HBCU of the Year by HBCU Digest. Benedict College was listed among the top half of ranked HBCUs in the 2022 edition of Best Colleges by US News and World Report.
Benedict College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees. Five of the College’s degree programs hold national accreditation: Social Work Program, Environmental Health Science Program, Environmental Engineering, Studio Art, and the Tyrone Adam Burroughs School of Business and Entrepreneurship.