“Yesterday was a pivotal day in hitting and exceeding our fundraising goal at this fun event,” President B. Keith Faulkner said. “This was about $75,000 more than previous annual tournament efforts, and I am humbled and grateful for each volunteer, staff member, and donor who made this possible for students to achieve their academic goals without financial burden.”

More than 124 golfers in the sold-out flight of 31 teams began the day with a shotgun start in a 4-man scramble format. 

Tournament planning was led by Corey Addy, director of development, with the support of the university’s Office of Development. 

“It was great to not only see our previous supporters and teams step up to reach our goal but about 50% of the field were all new businesses and partners,” Addy said. “This is a testament to the tremendous growth we’ve experienced at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern.”

Sponsorships ranged from $350 to $15,000, from hole sponsorship to title. Seventy-seven businesses and individuals showed their support, including the following top-level sponsors:

• Huntington National Bank, Title Sponsor

• Carolina Chillers, Towel & Hat Sponsor

• Trident Construction, Putting Green & Golf Ball Sponsor

• United Bank, Driving Range Sponsor

• Enterprise Mobility, Food & Bev Sponsor

• Pinnacle Financial, Major Hole in One Sponsor

• Ecclesia Construction, Long Drive + Team Sponsor

The 2025 President’s Golf Tournament winner was Insurance Office of America’s team with a score of 52.

Those interested in tournament play next year and to learn about other opportunities to support student scholarships at CSU, go to or contact Corey Addy at caddy@csuniv.edu. 

Download tournament photos .

Fred Norris III and his wife, Tracy Compton Norris ’83, recently visited campus to deliver proceeds from The Frederick K. Norris Jr. and Mary Ann R. Norris Charitable Remainder Trust and the Fred K. Norris Jr. Charitable Remainder Unitrust.

The $321,507 gift will provide a Christian education to more young men and women. Fred and Tracy reflected on the legacy of Fred Norris Sr., Fred Norris Jr., and Mary Ann Norris. Fred and Tracy are continuing the family legacy through the Board of Visitors Scholarship Program and serving as stewards of the family trusts. 

“I’m blessed, so I’m led to give back,” said Fred. “Our desire is to better enable CSU to carry the light and hope of the gospel into this messed up world.”

The Norris family’s involvement began before Baptist College at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ (now CSU) was established. Baptists were raising money in the 1950s, and Fred’s grandfather, Fred Norris Sr., was involved in funding the school.

The family’s belief in the value of higher education was ingrained in Fred and his siblings by their parents, Fred Norris Jr. and Mary Ann Norris. Fred said, “My parents pushed to make sure we had the very best options in terms of education. We were fortunate to grow up with the faith aspect; my parent’s commitment to Jesus was unwavering. When you went home to St. Julien in Eutawville, you knew things would always be the same.”

Fred Jr. and Mary Ann met through the Baptist Student Union when Fred Jr. was a student at Clemson and Mary Ann was a student at Converse. Fred Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps of supporting BCC/CSU. He was elected to the Board of Trustees, and for the next 40 years he served numerous terms on the board.

“My parents were very committed to the school and made a lot of friends,” said Fred. “They brought us to BCC for concerts in the gym, such as Al Hirt, the Temptations, and the 5^th Dimension. Robert and I even went to the first BCC SPORTS CAMP.” 

Fred’s mother loved and encouraged the arts making sure her five children took piano lessons and were exposed to cultural events such as opera, symphonies, and ballet. Each of the children were given the opportunity to select which event interested them the most and would take the ride with mama and daddy to Township Auditorium in Columbia. “I think my father may have slept through some of the performances after a long day on the farm, but they were a team, so he was a good sport about it,” said Fred. Fred absorbed the music instruction and later found rock and roll and the guitar.

Fred said his father was a visionary farmer. He wasn’t afraid to try new ideas and was involved in the community. Fred Jr. joined a farming co-op, Gold Kist, eventually becoming a board member. 

“I grew up seeing how my father interacted with people,” said Fred. “My mother and father were comfortable in all kinds of settings. They had a relatability factor. My mother enabled us to be an encouragement to others.

“Every morning at breakfast the five of us kids would be together around the table as mama and daddy would read a devotional and then we would pray together. They steadfastly continued these devotionals their entire lives ending their morning prebreakfast time praying out loud for each of us. Our parent’s prayers of faith not only led the way for each of us to encounter Jesus but also empowered us to faithfully remain on the road of destiny He had for each of our lives.”

Tracy added, “Fred has done a good job representing the family. I feel like I still see Mr. Fred through traits my husband has.”

Fred and Tracy met at church and married. They decided they wanted to run a business together and bought a carpet cleaning franchise in 1986. Several years later, they transitioned into the restoration/mitigation business. As services expanded, the business became Disaster Plus from an idea suggested by their friend, the late Barry Shropshire ’79.

Disaster Plus provided mitigation work in Norris and Wingo Halls a year ago just before school started. “It was strange to be working there and reading about my grandfather, Fred Norris Sr. on the stairwell wall in Norris Hall,” said Fred. Norris Hall, originally was named the Fred K. Norris Hall – Library for Fred Sr.

Almost 40 years later, Tracy and Fred continue to serve in music ministry while still running the business together and helping people through some of the toughest times in their lives.

“Tracy is really good at having an ear and a sensitivity to pray for customers,” said Fred.

Looking back on their time in college, Fred and Tracy said you have to find the Lord for yourself. “You have to find your own relationship with Jesus – not your parents’ Jesus,” said Tracy. She continued, “Think of your Christian faith as an atomic bomb – that’s the power we have as Christians.”

Fred and Tracy are continuing to spread the legacy of Jesus through managing the Norris family trusts, in their business, and in their ministries.

Junior, senior, and graduate black women enrolled in computer science or a technology-related degree or a graduate program within the College of Math and Science with financial need may be eligible for a new scholarship, The NEXT IT GIRL in Memory of Karen Vaughn Endowed Scholarship.

Funded by alumnus Napiya Nubuya ’14 and her organization, The NEXT IT GIRL, the scholarship recognizes the efforts of the late Karen Vaughn, who helped start the organization.

While at CSU, Nubuya was inspired by Dr. Valerie Sessions, current director of graduate study in computer science, and the only female computer faculty member while Nubuya was in college. Sessions remains one of Nubuya’s most valued mentors in the field of computer science. Entering the workforce, Nubuya continued to see a need for women and people of color in the technical world. 

These experiences led her to form The NEXT IT GIRL organization and establish a scholarship at CSU.

To read more about why Nubuya established The Next IT Girl, read charlestonsouthern.edu/computer-science-graduate-comes-full-circle/

ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University announces the establishment of The Keith and Deborah Summey Family Endowed Scholarship to honor the Summey’s record of public service. Keith Summey is retiring this month after serving as Mayor of North ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ for 29 years.

The endowment will provide financial assistance to numerous students from the ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ tri-county region. The Summeys have long ties to ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern. Keith graduated from the-then Baptist College at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ in 1969, and Deborah graduated in 1970. 

“Mayor Keith and Deborah Summey are two of CSU’s most successful alumni,” said Dr. Jairy Hunter, president emeritus of CSU, and scholarship campaign chair. “The Summeys have provided dedicated leadership in the local community during the best years of their careers. I learned Mayor Summey was retiring in December, and I approached the president of CSU and requested that the Mayor speak at the Physician Assistant program graduation ceremony. We wanted to surprise Keith and Deborah at this time with an endowed scholarship in their honor. Due to the generosity of friends and donors, we are delighted to present these alumni leaders with the Summey Family Endowed Scholarship totaling $170,000. Annual interest income from this endowment will provide numerous scholarships for tri-county students in perpetuity.”

Keith took office in October 1994 as the third mayor of North ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ. He was reelected in seven consecutive elections. Under his leadership, North ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ was awarded the National League of Cities Award for Municipal Excellence and Home Depot Foundation’s Award of Excellence for Sustainable Community Development.

He previously served on North ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ City Council and on ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ County Council and in numerous civic capacities. ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern awarded him an honorary doctor of public service in 2006.

Deborah is a retired magistrate judge. She was appointed by the Governor of South Carolina in 1996 as a ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ County magistrate, where she served until 2012. She began the centralized criminal domestic violence court in ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ County. She has been a teacher and served on the North ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ constituent school board and also on the ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ County school board. She owned Aunt Beas Restaurant and East Montague Antiques. The Summeys were instrumental in the revitalization of the old village in North ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ.

The Summeys have two children and four grandchildren: Elliot Summey, wife Allison, and children Jackson and Harrison; and Annie Summey and children Rhett and Lizzie.

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Five trustees representing approximately 50 years of service completed terms on the CSU Board of Trustees. Gloria Thiem accounts for 30 of those years herself.

Thiem’s first term on the Board was from 1987-1991. In addition to serving on the Board of Trustees, she has been a member of the Board of Visitors Scholarship Program, is a member of the Legacy Society, and has assisted with numerous campus renovations through her business, Riverside Designers. CSU awarded her an honorary doctor of humanities in 1997. She is married to David Thiem, a 2005 CSU alumnus. Her two sons are also CSU graduates.

Frank Bullard has served two terms on the Board of Trustees and has been a member of the Board of Visitors Scholarship Program. The university awarded him an honorary doctor of business administration in 2018.

Judy Hetz completed her second term on the Board and served as chairman of the board during her most recent term. She has also been a member of the Board of Visitors Scholarship Program and the Buc Club. CSU awarded her the honorary doctor of science in 2007. 

James Davis, an attorney and head of Davis Law Firm in Salisbury, North Carolina, completed his first term on the Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the Board of Visitors Scholarship Program.

Linda Fick served her first term on the Board of Trustees and has been active with the CSU Women’s Council since 2008. Her late father, Earl Wheeler, had been a member of the Board of Trustees.

Recently, Hetz and Thiem spearheaded a project and raised funds to build Costin Plaza, a student gathering place next to the newly opened Intramural Field. The gathering space is named for CSU’s third president and first lady, Dr. Dondi and Vickey Costin.

Costin Plaza is named for Dr. Dondi Costin and his wife, Vickey, for their dedication to student-centered projects during their tenure as the third president and first lady of ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern. Joining the Costins in celebration were former President Dr. Jairy Hunter and his wife, Sissy, as well as CSU President B. Keith Faulkner and his wife, Patty. 

Faulkner said, “Dondi and Vickey’s hearts lie with students. They exemplify servant leadership.” 

The plaza welcomes students, employees, and alumni as a functional entrance to the intramural complex completed earlier this year. It hosts four fire pits with comfortable outdoor seating, permanent seating structures, a grill, picnic area, and a large porch to host small events and tailgates. 

“How grateful we are for CSU,” Costin said. “You molded us and loved us back. This plaza is exactly what we had in mind and then some.” Costin now serves as the president of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. 

Judy Hetz, Board of Trustees chairperson, and Gloria Thiem, a current trustee, headed the committee to build the plaza. “Today is a dream come true,” Hetz said at the event. “Students wanted more space to gather. Kristin Thiem [landscape architect and daughter-in-law to Gloria Thiem] took this space and made it spectacular.” 

This addition to the new intramural complex brings this long-awaited project to a close. The complex, with artificial turf and outdoor lighting, offers ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University students the opportunity to play in the evenings after class or on weekends. The $1.8 million project was placed as one of highest priority per the 2020-2025 University Strategic Plan, along with other student life-centered projects. The campus dedicated the field in the spring soon after it opened for student use. 

Two recent scholarship donations honoring family members will impact CSU students for years to come.

Johnny and Sandra Ward established the Johnny and Sandra Ward Family Christian Studies Endowed Scholarship in honor of their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The scholarship will benefit students enrolled in a major course of study leading to a degree in Christian studies or a church-related vocation.

The Ward family has been active at CSU for more than three decades. Johnny Ward has served several terms on the Board of Trustees, and he and Sandra are members of the Legacy Society. They have been members of the Board of Visitors Scholarship Program, and Sandra is a longtime member of the CSU Women’s Council. The university awarded Johnny an honorary doctor of public service in 2009.

The Ward daughters have also been CSU supporters and are both graduates. Terri Ward Austin graduated in 2000 and is currently serving on the Board of Trustees. Robin Ward graduated in 1991 and has been a member of the Board of Visitors Scholarship Program. Both have served on the Women’s Council.

Debbie Rooney Goulding, a 1976 graduate, and her husband, Dr. Fritz Goulding, established the Ellen Barnes Rooney Nursing Endowed Scholarship in memory of Debbie’s mother. The scholarship will benefit South Carolina students in the College of Nursing. Debbie graduated with a degree in nursing, and Fritz is a retired physician.

The gift of nearly $1.5 million from the late Barbara “Binky” Mead is the largest single gift to endow scholarships in the history of the university. Each year, multiple students will benefit from Mead’s generosity through The Barbara “Binky” C. Mead Endowed Scholarship.

At the time of her death in October 2021, Mead had worked at CSU, formerly Baptist College at ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ, for 55 years. Mead began her career in admissions in 1967, later becoming the assistant dean of students. In more recent years, as the associate dean of students, she oversaw the international student program, worked on major campus events, and taught dining etiquette.

Just after her passing, President Dondi Costin, said, “Barbara Mead represented the purest example of living one’s calling that I have ever seen. Because of her outside business interests, Binky never needed a job, never needed a paycheck, and never wanted recognition. But she wascompelled to serve the Lord by loving students in countless ways, always generously, and often anonymously. In a CSU career with service in seven different decades, Binky was driven to demonstrate this truth: ‘only one life will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.’ Andonly God knows the number of lives she impacted for good during her one full life.”

Tiffany D. Coleman, executive director of undergraduate admissions, said, “Ms. Barbara Mead will be remembered as a phenomenal woman who loved ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern and believed in making an impact. The Enrollment Team is honored that through Endowed Scholarships, Ms. Mead’s legacy will live on to provide limitless opportunities for students attending ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern. ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern is blessed to have had Ms. Barbara Mead for 55 years and will forever be grateful for her EPIC service.”

Endowing new scholarships is a key component of the university’s current Limitless fundraising campaign, and Mead’s gift will enhance the student experience for countless CSU students.Throughout her CSU career, Mead was a major donor, and established the P.O. Jr. and Margaret I. Mead Endowed Scholarship in memory of her parents. She was instrumental in establishing the Student Emergency Care Fund during COVID.

Retired Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Clark Carter said, “Ms. Mead dedicated her life to serving others. She always made people feel so special! She would spend hours talking with our international students and anyone else who might be struggling to ‘fit in’ at CSU. She loved our students so well that many of them called her Momma Mead.

Ms. Mead told me several times that when it came time for her to leave this earth, she wanted to make sure that much of her resources were left to helping students attend the university that she dedicated most of her life to – ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University. She was not really interestedwith investing in buildings, but in people.”Mead was a graduate of Furman University and The Citadel and was a licensed counselor.

American Cancer Society officials presented President Dr. Dondi Costin and Associate Director of Student Engagement and Chief Diversity Officer Tim Grant a token of appreciation for ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern University hosting the recent annual Relay for Life event.

The event, which features involvement from elementary school students through adults, has raised more than $67,000 this year with donations still coming in. Last year’s total was $50,000.

Tricia Bantz, senior development manager for the American Cancer Society, said ߣ�ѿ�Ƭ Southern students stayed behind after the event to help load the truck. “It is overwhelming how much you support us,” said Bantz.
Costin said, “CSU and the American Cancer Society are like-minded in so many ways. Students appreciate the event because they or their families have had experience with cancer.”

Grant said 14 CSU student organizations participated in the 2023 Relay for Life event.