The South Carolina State University Foundation will celebrate the achievements of students at the 32nd annual Scholarship Gala & Tribute on Saturday, April 22, 2023, in Greenville, South Carolina.

The black-tie formal affair at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, 220 N. Main St., Greenville, will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour followed by the main event at 7 p.m. Tickets for the event are available on the foundation’s website at www.scstategives.com. Proceeds support the foundation’s scholarship fund.

The event will be hosted by television personality Ashlei Stevens. Entertainment will be provided by the band Jukebox featuring Kermit Quinn, former member of R&B groups Blackstreet and Intro, and DJ Shakim, a 1996 SC State graduate who has toured with R&B supergroups New Edition and Bell, Biv, Devoe.

“The SCSU Foundation Scholarship Gala & Tribute is an opportunity for donors, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members to come together in support of SCSU students,” Foundation President Stephen Beatty said. “This prestigious event provides scholarships to deserving students from all backgrounds who demonstrate a commitment to service, integrity and excellence.

“Your generous donations will help us provide these deserving scholars with the resources they need to achieve their academic goals,” Beatty said.

Over the years, the South Carolina State University Foundation Gala & Tribute has raised more than $4.5 million to fund need-based and merit-based scholarships for deserving students, many of whom are first generation college students.

This year’s event is moving from Orangeburg to the Upstate in hopes of increasing fundraising capacity in a venue suited for the occasion.

“As the gala is the premier fundraising event for the SC State Foundation, it is important that the gala grows each year to help meet the increasing scholarship need of our students,” Beatty said. “Moving to a larger venue will provide us the capacity to raise more money. We’re looking forward to hosting a great event for our donors and supporters in Greenville.”

In the early years, the gala was held in other venues in the Orangeburg community, but it has been held in Smith Hammond Middleton Memorial Center for most of its history. The gala has been a huge success during that time.

The SC State University Foundation raised more than $249,000 via the gala in 2022, and Beatty expects the new venue to be even more conducive to the effort. The Hyatt Regency offers a premium hospitality experience featuring fantastic guest room accommodations. The elegant ballrooms will enhance the overall experience of donors and sponsors.

“The SC State University Foundation is excited to offer its guests ‘An Evening Among the Stars’ while increasing their ability to provide needed scholarships to deserving students,” Beatty said.

Honorary co-chairs for this year’s gala are renowned SC State alumni Donnie Shell (Class of 1974) and Armstrong Williams (Class of 1991).

Even if you cannot attend the Gala & Tribute in person, you can still support the foundation by purchasing virtual tickets to join the festivities online.

You can also support the foundation’s efforts by donating anytime. Visit the foundation’s website to learn more about giving to university programs, scholarships and athletics programs.