A $600,000 real estate gift from Tom and Wrenzie Rice of Myrtle Beach will give Coastal Carolina University a permanent band building. The building and 4.3 acres, valued at $1.1 million, are located on Winyah Road off U.S. 501 near the campus. Coastal paid $500,000 toward the property, with the Rices making a gift of the remaining balance.

A tax attorney with Rice, MacDonald, Winter and Breeden, P.A., Rice grew up in Myrtle Beach. He earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in accounting from the University of South Carolina and a law degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. For two semesters he served as an adjunct professor at Coastal Carolina University, where he taught taxation.

Wrenzie Rice grew up in Charleston. She earned a bachelor's degree in industrial management from Clemson University. She owns Rice Leasing, a commercial real estate brokerage and property management firm in Myrtle Beach.

"Coastal Carolina University is a tremendous asset for our entire community and for the state," said Tom Rice. "We are glad to do what we can to help support it."