Colleton County Alumni Chapter of SCSU National Alumni Association Celebrate Eighth Annual Scholarship Awards Banquet

Oprah Winfrey, media icon and philanthropist, overcame poverty through education; thus she so eloquently expressed to the world, “Education is the key to unlocking the world, a passport to freedom.” Her profound words highlight how learning can open doors to opportunities, independence, and empowerment, particularly for marginalized communities. Thus, the Colleton County Alumni Chapter of South Carolina State University National Alumni Association continues to support the education of deserving students in our community by annually awarding scholarships to those who apply and qualify, and will be attending this eminent institution of higher learning.

This year’s scholarship awards banquet was held at Mt. Zion AME Church in Round O, South Carolina where the Reverend Ricky K. Nesbitt, Jr., is the esteemed Pastor. Reverend Constance Nelson Barnes served as the Mistress of Ceremonies. Patricia A. Williams (’85) welcomed the guests and participants. After the introduction of the head table, Esther S. Black (’61) gave the invocation. Prior to the serving of the banquet meal, Cornelius Hamilton, Lowcountry Regional Director of the SCSU 1890 Program, shared comments about this special program. Sylvia Joy Williams (’07, ’10) and Life Member of SCSUNAA, introduced the esteemed keynote speaker of the evening, Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., who is a Former President of South Carolina State University (2003-2008), Orangeburg, SC; and President Emeritus of Alabama A&M University in Huntsville, AL, where he served as the President from (2009-2021). 

Dr. Hugine is a distinguished educator and visionary leader, whose career in higher education, spans nearly five decades. A native of Green Pond, South Carolina, he is the son of the late Reverend Andrew Hugine, Sr. and Mrs. Irene Short Hugine. He graduated with honors from Colleton High School and earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from South Carolina State University, followed by a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. 

His leadership and service have garnered national recognition, including being named HBCU Male President of the Year (2019), one of the Ten Most Visionary Leaders (2021), and among the Dominant HBCU Leaders (2022). He has received numerous honors, including recognition by Essence Magazine, Diverse Issues in Higher Education, and the M. Maceo Nance North Star Award for Education. A lasting legacy of his tenure at SCSU is the Andrew Hugine, Jr. Living Learning Complex, and at Alabama A&M University, the Andrew and Abbiegail Hugine Living Learning Complex, named in honor of Dr. Hugine and his wife.

Deeply committed to philanthropy, Dr. Hugine established the Miller Society at SCSU and the Normal Legacy Society at AAMU to recognize donors who have contributed $100,000 or more to the universities. He and his wife are proud members of both and have endowed scholarships at each university.

Having demonstrated a lifelong commitment to service through active participation in community, civic, religious, and professional organizations, he has held memberships in countless ones. He held full membership in his home church, Jerusalem AME, now White Hall AME, since the age of twelve. Currently, he and his wife attend Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in McDonough, Georgia. Dr. Hugine holds other memberships to include Life and 50-Year Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity®, Inc.; Life Member of NAACP and South Carolina State University National Alumni Association; 100 Black Men of America; Edisto Masonic Lodge (PHA); and Chair, SWAC Council of Chancellors and Presidents.

Dr. Hugine attributes his journey to faith in God and a strong educational foundation. Currently, he resides in McDonough, Georgia, with his wife, Mrs. Abbiegail Hamilton Hugine, of over 53 years. She is also a SCSU Alumnae. They are the proud parents of two children and loving grandparents of three grandchildren. “Honoring Our Past and Investing in Our Future” was the topic of Dr. Hugine’s timely message at this annual momentous affair.

Benjamin Franklin, one of our nation’s Founding Fathers expressed, “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Thus the Colleton County Alumni Chapter of SCSU awarded five scholarships in the amount of $1040.00 each to invest in these students’ education. Beverly Haynes (’80) introduced the scholarship recipients. They are as follows:

• Xiomara Oxner—Graduated in the top twenty percent of her class at CCHS; excelled both athletically and academically; served as a starting player on both basketball and softball teams since eighth grade; spent her summers volunteering with the Colleton County Summer Feeding Program; excited to continue a family tradition of attending SCSU, where more than five of her family members have pursued their education; plans to major in Cybersecurity at SCSU; career goal: Cybersecurity Engineer. 

• Nicholas Funches, Jr.— Born in Charleston, SC and raised in the Canadys/ Springtown community; known for his energy, enthusiasm, and willingness to help others; demonstrated a strong commitment to community service through volunteer work with Springtown United Methodist Church, the Beaufort-Jasper Economic Opportunity Commission Head Start program’s food banks and health fairs and various service projects sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; plans to major in Civil Engineering in order to pursue a career in engineering.
• Donnell Daniels—Takes pride in being self-motivated, hardworking, and dedicated to achieving his goals; values spending time with his family; has remained committed to his studies and worked diligently to maintain strong academic performance; eagerly looking forward to pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity.
• Brooklyn Holmes—A native of Walterboro; has always enjoyed spending time withfamily and friends; was an active participant in three varsity sports: volleyball,cheerleading, and softball; earned the role of softball team captain and received All-Region honors in softball; excited about continuing her educational journey at SCSU, where she plans to major in Business Administration; aspires to one day own and operate her real estate firm; describes SCSU as “the best HBCU in the world.”
• Christopher Platts—A proud member of the CCHS graduating Class of 2026 with the distinction as a Double Completer in Pre-Engineering; participated in basketball, baseball, and track and field throughout his high school career; was eagerly active in the Young Men of Hope Program; plans to major in Business Agriculture at SCSU; desires to make a meaningful impact in the agricultural business industry and beyond.

Closing remarks at the banquet were given by Brea Jobe, SCSU Director of Recruitment and Dual Enrollment; and Central W. Williams (’76), Colleton County Alumni Chapter President. The benediction was given by Herman G. Bright (’67), Co-Chaplain of the Colleton County Alumni Chapter. The banquet closed with the singing of the Alma Mater.

 Officers of the local chapter are as follows: Central Williams, President; Art Williams, Vice-President; James Rabb, Treasurer; Patricia A. Williams, Secretary; Esther S. Black, Co-Chaplain; and Herman G. Bright, Co-Chaplain. The Scholarship Awards Banquet and Planning Commitee consisted of Central Williams, Chairman; and Art Williams, Co-Chairman; Patricia A. Williams, James Rabb, Leila Wiliams, and Sylvia Williams. Acknowledgements were extended to Reverend Ricky K. Nesbitt, Jr., Mt. Zion AME Church Kitchen Staff, Mt. Zion Youth Department, Dr. and Mrs. Andrew Huigene, Jr., and Do-It-All Events. Anyone interested in becoming a member of this organization, please contact Central Williams or any other current member.