kimpsonfoundation
BC Purple with Gold 01

OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING

The Kimpson Foundation Establishes Endowed Scholarship in Honor of Melton and Ruth Kimpson

Sharecroppers’ Dream Becomes a Reality at Benedict College Columbia, SC – February 4, 2019, Benedict College is pleased to announce The Kimpson Foundation, Incorporated has recently established the Melton and Ruth Kimpson Endowed Scholarship with an initial contribution of $15,000 and a commitment to grow the fund in the future. The need-based scholarship is available to Benedict College students in good standing from one of the following South Carolina counties: Calhoun, Barnwell, Bamberg, Orangeburg, Lexington or Richland County. “We are immensely grateful to the Kimpson Family for their generosity and commitment to higher education, said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College.  “As one of our treasured Legacy Families, this is the second endowed scholarship that members of the Kimpson family have established at Benedict College.” In the 1950s, sharecroppers, Melton and Ruth Kimpson from Calhoun County successfully sent their four children, Jestine Kimpson Utsey, Milton Kimpson (Benedict College Trustee Emeritus), Joseph E. Kimpson, and Rudean Kimpson Bush to Benedict College. In honor of their parent’s dream of obtaining a higher education degree, the family presented a check to President Artis to help a deserving student. “As a family we’ve been saving for years…no presents for birthdays or Christmas just saving. It was my father’s parents dream to attend college but they couldn’t. They had to work on the Marion Gressette farm in the field,” commented Senator Marlon Kimpson of District 42, Charleston and Dorchester. “But now, I’m pleased to announce the Melton and Ruth Kimpson Endowed Scholarship Fund at Benedict College, named after my grandparents whose four children are all Benedict College graduates. And by the way, their grandson now has a Senate office in the Marion Gressette Senate Building.” Pictured in photo #1 – front row (L-R)Maya C. Mack, Joseph E. Kimpson (Benedict Alumnus), Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College; Dr. Milton Kimpson (Trustee Emeritus and Benedict Alumnus), and Wilhelmina Kimpson.  Back row- Pamela Kimpson, Crystal Kimpson Roberts, Leandra Hayes-Burgess, Vice President for Institutional Advancement for Benedict College; Milton G. Kimpson, Audra Kimpson, and Marc Kimpson. Acr312419734976 19882430Photo #2Senator Marlon Kimpson, District 42

###

  About Benedict College Founded in 1870, Benedict College is rapidly approaching its 150th year of providing high quality academic programs to students who desire to pursue their program of study in a diverse academic environment.  While its history is laudable, Benedict’s present focus and strategic trajectory are its priority. Benedict College is a BEST in class academic institution that offers its students transformative academic programs, in an innovative, technology enhanced, student focused, culturally sensitive learning environment.  The College is committed to preparing students to enter the global marketplace with exceptional cultural and professional competencies that will enable them to contribute to the sustainability and economic growth of their communities. For eight straight years, Benedict College has been ranked one of the top baccalaureate colleges in the nation by Washington Monthly Magazine for creating social mobility and producing cutting-edge scholarship and research. Benedict offers 24 high demand academic programs, including, Computer Science, Engineering, Cyber Security, Mass Communication, Sport Management, Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Biology and Education. Moreover, over the past ten years, sixty (60%) of BC alumni have pursued graduate or professional study. In addition to its academic programs, Benedict College is home to a standard-setting Career Pathways Program that is strategically designed to prepare Benedict College students for success in a rapidly changing, highly competitive and technology driven workplace. The Program’s mission is to transform student scholars into focused, highly skilled critical thinkers, who are experts in their field of study and, more importantly, are intellectually adept and resilient enough to assume jobs that do not yet exist!

Share this post

About

Programs and Initiatives

News

Events and Workshops

Success Stories

Resources