Sharon Johnson Brunson knew she wanted to be a speech pathologist while she was in high school and soon found the pathway to a more than 30-year career in the field with a foundation laid at South Carolina State University.
She was among the hundreds who gathered at the university during Alumni Reunion Weekend May 8-10 to share Bulldog pride, connect with classmates and raise funds to help the university continue its mission of academic excellence and leadership development.
“It’s good to be back home, especially since I moved away. It is good to reconnect with people, and it is important to give. At a time such as this, it is very important that we return what has been given to us. That could be through mentoring, tutoring, teaching and finances,” Brunson said.
That spirit of giving translated into significant financial support for the university, with reunion classes contributing a combined $2.3 million during the weekend. Combined with the more than $1.4 million raised during the Garnet & Blue Extravaganza on April 18, the reunion contributions added to a strong spring fundraising season in support of SC State students and university priorities.
“Alumni Reunion Weekend demonstrated the enduring connection our graduates have to South Carolina State University and to the generations of students who will follow them,” SC State President Alexander Conyers said. “These gifts represent more than financial support. They reflect a belief in the mission of this university and a commitment to helping SC State continue to grow, lead and serve.”
A member of the Class of 1991, Brunson and her classmates were among the reunion classes honored during the Alumni Honors & Awards Banquet held Saturday, May 9, at Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. Among those who attended was 100-year-old Eliza H. Cave, Class of ’51.
The event recognized the milestone reunion classes of 1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976 (Golden Class), 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996 and 2001 (Silver Class). Each reunion class presented the university with financial gifts totaling $2.3 million:
• Class of 1951 — $39,950
• Class of 1956 — $40,856.70
• Class of 1961 — $207,702.84
• Class of 1966 — $262,247.53
• Class of 1971 — $502,045.32
• Class of 1976 (Golden Class) — $716,742.37
• Class of 1981 — $140,340
• Class of 1986 — $177,801.68
• Class of 1991 — $70,265.88
• Class of 1996 — $127,229.22
• Class of 2001 (Silver Class) — $36,143.62
• Class of 1975 — $27,000 (not in reunion, but contributes annually)
Total — $2,348,325.16
The strong fundraising momentum builds on the public launch of SC State’s “The Power of SC State” capital campaign on May 6. The campaign focuses on student success, scholarships, academic excellence, campus enhancements and long-term institutional growth as SC State approaches its 130th anniversary. The comprehensive campaign carries a goal of $41.2 million, with more than $17.1 million raised in the campaign’s silent phase.
Brunson reflects on mentorship
An Orangeburg native, Brunson now lives in Columbia, South Carolina. She recalled the encouragement she received from Dr. Harold Powell, who was then chairman of the speech department at SC State.
“When people found out in high school that I wanted to be a speech pathologist and stay in speech pathology, I got a letter from Dr. Powell. I was still in high school,” she said. “People who were products of the campus who came out of this program started sending me things. One thing Dr. Powell always taught us was that we had to know our stuff.”
Brunson is passing those gifts along to current students.
“We also have to train the next people. So as a result, I’ve helped practicum students, student teachers from the campus, people getting ready for their national certification (as speech pathologists). Dr. Powell always said we’ve got to give back, we’ve got to teach the next one. This is year 34 for me,” she said.
Thomas Brown (left) and Lt. Col. (Ret.) Lloyd J. Brown Jr. (right) present SC State President Alexander Conyers a check for $716,742.37 at the Alumni Weekend Banquet on Saturday, May 9, in Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.