Portorreal’s contribution also reflects her confidence in the university’s current direction.
“I am very happy to see how well the university has performed under the leadership of President and First Lady Conyers and endeavor to remain a strong supporter of the institution’s commitment and service to the people of the community,” she said.
She praised the couple as a team whose shared vision is shaping SC State’s future.
“To President Alex Conyers and First Lady Agatha Conyers, I am here today to simply say, a grand thank you,” Portorreal said. “Thank you for the very hard work that often goes unseen in the quiet hours of the morning and late into the night.
“Thank you for your tireless dedication — a dedication not to a job, but to a mission — a purpose ordained for two of the best people I know,” she said. “You both embody the spirit of honor, of service, and you give not just a part of your lives to this great institution, but your whole hearts.”
She called Conyers a “visionary leader” whose “professional representation on every stage” ensures SC State’s reputation “soars to new heights.”
She described the first lady as “the epitome of what class looks like in public,” noting her role as a role model for women, her influence on
students and her behind-thescenes contributions that “are the bedrock upon which so much of this progress is built.”
Portorreal said her parents would have wanted their gift to contribute to the progress being made at SC State.
“Their legacy lives on in the students, the faculty, and programs they championed, and it is my hope that this gift adds to the wonderful contributions, hard work and dedication by the present President and First Lady Conyers as they continue to advance the university even further,” she said.
Gifts made in memory of loved ones help preserve important legacies while opening new opportunities for students. Alumni and friends interested in making similar contributions can learn more at www.scsu.edu/give
