Dalton and Linda Floyd Family gift to expand mentoring program at CCU
Coastal initiated the program three years ago, pairing university students with children from area public schools. The program aims to improve South Carolina's low high school graduation rate by connecting college students with children who may benefit from some extra encouragement. During the fall 2006 semester, more than 300 Coastal students are serving as mentors to fourth- and eighth-graders in 25 Horry County elementary and middle schools. Coastal's board of trustees recently voted to expand the mentoring program, making it a cornerstone of the university experience. The board's action indicates the institution's commitment to the program, and the Floyd gift will facilitate this initiative.
Floyd, a Surfside Beach attorney, served on the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education from 1996 to 2005. While he was chairman of the commission he championed the "mentoring" concept and was instrumental in starting the pilot mentoring program at Coastal in 2003. He believes in the program and feels that his family's gift is an investment in the future.
"It was understood in our family that we would give back, and that there were things that we could do to help those who could not help themselves," said Floyd, who was awarded South Carolina's highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto, in 2005.
The mentoring program is named for Floyd, his wife Linda, and children Terry Norwood, Blake, Brad and Ford.
To guide the Dalton and Linda Floyd Family Mentoring Program, an advisory board has been named. In addition to Floyd, members of the advisory board are:
Pete Barr, president of Glenville State College
Tommy Bouchette, regional president of South Carolina Bank & Trust
Ronald L. Carter, provost of Coker College
Donald Clark, retired attorney with Reed Smith
Trip DuBard, chairman of the board of The School Foundation
Carl Falk, president of the Falk-Griffin Foundation
Robert E. Jewell, president of Brookgreen Gardens
Jeff LeForce, chief commercial real estate officer with Burroughs & Chapin
Gerrita Postlewait, educational consultant
John S. Rainey, chairman of Callie & John Rainey Foundation
Inez M. Tenenbaum, South Carolina superintendent of education
Ex-officio members from Coastal Carolina University are: President Ronald R. Ingle; Provost David A. DeCenzo; and Emma M. Savage-Davis, director of the Center for Education and Community.