COLUMBIA — A $79,200 gift from the Duke Energy Foundation to South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. (SCICU) will provide higher education scholarships and undergraduate research opportunities to deserving South Carolina students.
“Education has always been a focal point of our commitment to corporate giving,” said Kodwo Ghartey-Tagoe, Duke Energy’s state president in South Carolina. “We are proud to continue our decades-long partnership with SCICU – and organization that continues to make a difference in the lives of so many students in the Palmetto State.”
The $79,200 gift will provide $1,200 scholarships in 2017-18 in the name of Duke Energy to 66 students at SCICU’s eleven member colleges located in the Duke Energy service area.
“Duke Energy has been a supporter of South Carolina’s independent colleges and universities for 62 years, and we are extremely grateful to receive such a generous gift to provide scholarships to talented students with financial need,” said Eddie Shannon, executive vice president of SCICU.
The Duke Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to address the needs of the communities where its customers live and work. The foundation provides more than $30 million annually in charitable gifts.
The foundation’s education focus spans kindergarten to career, particularly science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), early childhood literacy and workforce development. It also supports the environment and community impact initiatives, including arts and culture.