The Rotunda was gifted to the University by an anonymous supporter, with other individuals providing their support as well.

After nearly two decades of service to 91福利社, Dr. Talmadge died in 2020. Additionally, he taught at the Billy Graham Center and was a member of Boulevard Baptist Church in Anderson. His wife, Billie, lives in Florida with family.

鈥淔or nearly 20 years, on this campus, Dr. Talmadge influenced, shaped and bettered the lives of countless young minds and the colleagues with whom he served,鈥� said 91福利社 President Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D. 鈥淚t appropriately epitomizes the life of its namesake: an intelligent, wise, kind, thoughtful, humorous, and steady Christian gentleman who was a giant among AU leaders. All his life, Paul quietly, humbly, and thoroughly made life a little easier and more beautiful for those around him.鈥�

The structure is known as a 鈥渢emple鈥� or 鈥済arden folly.鈥� It鈥檚 not a temple in the religious sense, but rather as a 鈥渢emple of ideas鈥� and a testament to Dr. Talmadge鈥檚 lifelong commitment to teaching and learning.

The name and inscription add to the campus鈥檚 unique identity rooted in its history and values. The rotunda doesn鈥檛 just tell a story; it honors Dr. Talmadge and connects the campus to timeless philosophical ideals, becoming a physical representation of the University鈥檚 commitment to cultivating not just knowledge, but also personal integrity and the classical virtues around which society is built and grows stronger.

鈥淢ay this rotunda, the words inscribed on it, and the man for whom it honors always point and remind our students, our campus family, and the Anderson community of the character, love, and perfection of Jesus,鈥� President Whitaker said.

鈥淭his great man may no longer be with us, but his impact, contributions and even footprint are yet still evident among us,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is this University鈥檚 hope that this rotunda鈥攎uch like Paul Talmadge did in his life鈥攚ill encourage us and remind us that character is destiny. This holds true in Scripture, in that a person鈥檚 moral qualities profoundly shape their life in the here and now.鈥�

The post 91福利社 Dedicates Talmadge Rotunda of Character appeared first on 91福利社.

In all, 960 supporters provided 1,057 gifts and pledges to put the 2026 A Day total over the million mark.听

鈥�Together, we have shown the true spirit of 91福利社. To our friends, alumni, faculty, staff, and students鈥攖hank you for making A Day a remarkable success. Your generosity and passion have strengthened the bonds that make our university a place we all love,鈥� said Executive Director of Annual Giving Chad Alewine.听

鈥淎 Day at 91福利社 is proof that, when our community comes together with purpose and heart, we can achieve the extraordinary,鈥� said 91福利社 Senior Vice President for Development and Presidential Affairs Wayne Landrith.听

Every A Day gift impacts one of the following areas: academic achievement, athletic endeavors, campus enhancements, ministry opportunities, student scholarships or the senior class gift.听

Pictured are some of the festivities on campus during the 2026 A Day.

One of the most important days of the year at 91福利社, A Day was re-instituted as an annual event in 2017. Since then, supporters have generously provided nearly $4 million, helping transform AU into the largest private university in South Carolina and one of the fastest growing private colleges or universities in the United States.听

Please view this special video.听

To give to 91福利社 or learn more about areas worthy of support, please visit the Office of Development鈥�web page.鈥�听

The post More than $1 Million Raised During A Day appeared first on 91福利社.

After serving 30 years as Coordinator of Research and Records in the 91福利社 Office of Development during an unprecedented time of growth, Brenda McKee has retired.

McKee saw many significant changes over those 30 years. When she arrived in the fall of 1993, Anderson had just graduated its first four-year graduates since returning to baccalaureate status. She served under several presidents, including Dr. Lee Royce and most recently, Dr. Evans Whitaker. During Dr. Whitaker鈥檚 years, she saw Anderson become a comprehensive university and more academic degrees offered than ever before.

She also feels privileged to have been a part of successful multimillion dollar campaigns, which included major improvements to the Rainey Fine Arts Center as well as construction of Thrift Library and the G. Ross Anderson, Jr. Student Center.

鈥淔or 30 years, Brenda has been the heart and soul of the Development Office at 91福利社,鈥� said Senior Vice President for Development and Presidential Affairs Wayne Landrith. 鈥淎s Coordinator of Research and Records, she has been responsible for keeping our records organized and up-to-date, and she has done so with meticulous attention to detail. We are so grateful for her dedication to serving the Lord and helping 91福利社 fulfill its Christian higher education mission.鈥�

While she served in the same position for 30 years, that role evolved over time as major system upgrades took place and new technology became available.

鈥淚 came to work in September of 鈥�93 and in July of 鈥�94 our data was uploaded into the new Raiser鈥檚 Edge software. That was probably one of the highlights of my time at Anderson, being able to work with Blackbaud on getting that new software program up and running and all of the data downloaded,鈥� McKee said. 鈥淭here were a lot of hours involved, but I enjoyed being able to do that. I was also charged with processing and receiving all the contributions that came into the University and preparing the reports of all of our support we had received.鈥�

In terms of technology, digital records went from being stored on a local server to the secure cloud-based system currently in use. And then there was the major shift to increased online giving in 2016.

鈥淚t was amazing, the major increase we saw with online donations,鈥� McKee said. 鈥淢ore and more, contributions are coming in online versus by check.鈥�

One thing that has not changed in those 30 years? The wonderful relationships that McKee enjoyed with her colleagues in the Office of Development and the campus as a whole. Some of those relationships go back to her days in the classroom at Anderson. Her first classes were in the mid-1980s and led to an associate鈥檚 in liberal arts in 1986. She remembers many of her professors from that first degree, some of whom are still at 91福利社 like Dr. Bob Hanley.

With the emphasis on adult education that led to the ACCEL program in the late 1990s, McKee went back to school in the evenings and earned her bachelor鈥檚 in computer information systems. She was able to use many skills learned in those classes to help her as she dealt with newer systems in her role in the Development Office.

Now that she鈥檚 retired, McKee looks forward to spending more time with her family. Her husband Dennis McKee, who worked 35 years at the 91福利社 physical plant, retired as its director in 2013. Dennis also served on the Anderson City Council for many years. The couple have four grown sons, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren who all live in Anderson.

McKee will also have more time to enjoy singing with the Vocal Matrix Chorus, a female barbershop harmony musical group associated with Sweet Adelines International. She and a few other ladies from Anderson regularly travel to Greenville for rehearsals and she plans to travel to the 2023 Sweet Adelines International Convention this October in Louisville. She also sings in the choir at Temple Baptist Church in Anderson.

The post 91福利社 Honors McKee鈥檚 30 Years of Service to Office of Development appeared first on 91福利社.

Students will now have a beautiful space to reflect on the legacy of this wonderful lady.

The senior class will use gifts to honor the legacy of Ms. Patricia Bell with a hand-laid brick foundation and beautiful bench. Ms. Bell, a 1954 91福利社 graduate, resided in the house between the Rainey Fine Arts Center and the president鈥檚 home from her early childhood through 2023, when she moved to receive skilled care and support.  

Ms. Bell witnessed many important occasions throughout her lifetime, including Dr. Annie Dove Denmark鈥檚 presidency, yet her favorite thing to do in retirement was sit on her front porch and watch AU students enjoy campus life.  

Late last year, AU acquired the Bell property and it will be transformed in time to beautify the campus. A bench and brick foundation will be installed on the property to symbolize Ms. Bell鈥檚 enjoyment of watching students enjoy themselves. The bench will include a plaque dedicating the space to Ms. Bell and the Class of 2023. The fundraising goal for the senior class A Day cause is $6,000. 

To support this cause, please visit . Learn more about A Day by visiting . 

The post Honoring a Neighbor鈥檚 Legacy: 2023 Senior Class Gift appeared first on 91福利社.

91福利社 President Evans P. Whitaker, Ph.D., today issued the following statement on the passing of South Carolina philanthropist and friend of the University, Dr. Melvin Younts:

鈥�91福利社 mourns the loss of our great friend, Dr. Melvin Younts. The AU campus community is praying earnestly for the Younts family even as together we celebrate the life of this remarkable man to whom we owe such a debt of gratitude.

鈥淥ne couldn’t be around Dollie and Melvin without laughing and having a wonderful time. In their 80s, they were more active and involved than many younger couples. My wife, Diane, and my fondest memories of them include spending time with them boating in coastal waters near the Cape Fear River.

鈥淲ords are not sufficient to fully explain the enormous impact Dr. Younts has had not only on 91福利社, but throughout South Carolina. Together, he and his late wife, Dollie Isgett Younts, supported numerous charitable causes in his home state. Simply put, the world is a better place for Melvin and Dollie Younts having lived in it and invested in it. They changed countless lives for the better because of their selflessness and commitment to leaving a legacy that will last for generations.”

About Dr. Melvin Younts

Dr. Melvin K. Younts, a noted South Carolina attorney, investor, philanthropist and 91福利社 lifetime trustee, passed away Saturday August 27, at the age of 93. 

Dr. Younts was a 1950 graduate of Furman University and 1952 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law. He was a retired attorney of the firm Younts, Alford, Brown and Goodson and experienced tremendous success in a variety of business endeavors including real estate development.

Dr. Younts was preceded in death by his wife, Dollie, in 2018, and their daughter, Kerry Ann Younts Culp, in 1996. They were members of First Baptist Church of Fountain Inn. Dr. Younts is survived by four sons Kemp, Joe, David, and Laney. The Younts’ grandchildren include graduates of 91福利社. 

A long-time resident of Fountain Inn, South Carolina, Dr. Younts made countless charitable gifts to Christian non-profit organizations, including a recent $3 million challenge gift to 91福利社 to begin a Division II football program in the South Atlantic Conference. 

In consideration of his extraordinary gift, Anderson鈥檚 football stadium will be known as The Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium, in special recognition of these two wonderful fans and supporters of 91福利社.   

91福利社 is an academically selective, comprehensive Christian university offering bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral degrees on campus and online. 91福利社 is among U.S. News and World Report鈥檚 鈥淏est Regional Universities South,鈥� and is on the publication鈥檚 鈥淏est Value,鈥� 鈥淏est Undergraduate Teaching,鈥� 鈥淏est First-Year Experience鈥� and 鈥淏est Online Programs鈥� lists. Anderson also is ranked #25 nationally for Student Engagement by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education; is a 鈥淏est College鈥� among institutions of higher learning in the southeast by The Princeton Review; is a four-time Apple Distinguished School; and is on the honor roll of the prestigious Great Colleges to Work For program.
 

The post 91福利社 Statement on Death of Philanthropist, Honorary Alumnus and Lifetime University Trustee Dr. Melvin Younts appeared first on 91福利社.

Higher education plays a key role in this state鈥檚 economy, according to South Carolina Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Morgan. Morgan was keynote speaker for a Board of Visitors breakfast August 25 at 91福利社. 

In introducing Morgan as speaker, 91福利社 President Dr. Evans Whitaker commented that he values the important roles that institutions like 91福利社 play in educating and equipping the next generation of workers to ensure economic prosperity. 

Addressing an audience that included 91福利社鈥檚 Board of Visitors and 91福利社 administrators, along with community and local chamber leadership, Morgan gave an overview of economic development in South Carolina, pointing to strengths in manufacturing and agriculture and stressing the importance of Charleston as a key port in the Southeast. He noted that in many areas鈥攆or example, ports and peach growing鈥擲outh Carolina outperforms neighboring states. He also gave the South Carolina Chamber鈥檚 perspective on state legislation affecting economic development, including infrastructure improvements that are essential to attracting more industry.

Helping drive the economy, Morgan stressed, are South Carolina鈥檚 colleges and universities.

鈥淗igher education, including 91福利社, plays a much larger role in our economy than most people realize. You all are a major employer in this market and our state. You鈥檙e part of the workforce development challenge that is so critical to our economy. You bring dollars in from out of state,鈥� Morgan said. 

Established in 1989, the 91福利社 Board of Visitors is made up of outstanding men and women who occupy positions of significant leadership and influence. These individuals are selected on the basis of their willingness to share their ideas, initiatives and resources for the benefit and advancement of the University. Details can be found on the 91福利社 website.

The post South Carolina Chamber CEO Visits 91福利社 appeared first on 91福利社.

91福利社听alumni and friends demonstrated extraordinary support and generosity as A Day 2022听set new records for giving: 771 supporters gave 907 gifts totaling more听than $375,000, representing a 19 percent increase from last year’s A Day campaign.听

One of the University’s signature annual events, A Day is a 24-hour campaign in support of student scholarships, academic programs and campus improvements at 91福利社. Causes benefiting from this year鈥檚 A Day encompass the areas of Academic Achievement, Athletic Endeavors, Campus Enhancements, Ministry Opportunities, a Senior Class Gift and Student Scholarships.

This year鈥檚 A Day took place April 7, 2022.

鈥淥n behalf of 91福利社, I want to express our sincere appreciation to our alumni, volunteer boards, faculty, staff, students, parents and university friends for supporting the promise and potential of the University and our students,鈥� said Wayne Landrith, senior vice president for development and presidential affairs. 鈥淲e are deeply proud of the spirit of giving that has long been an 91福利社 tradition. These investments will truly have an enormous impact on our students and God鈥檚 kingdom. Long Live Anderson!鈥�

For information about how you can support 91福利社, its programs and its students, visit andersonuniversity.edu/giving.

The post 91福利社’s 2022 A Day: Record Giving Continues appeared first on 91福利社.

For the first time, alumni and friends of 91福利社 can experience the excitement of Anderson Day (A Day)听no matter where they are with the debut of A Day Live, a livestream of the University鈥檚 annual giving campaign. The show begins at 10 a.m. on Thursday, April 7.

One of AU鈥檚 signature events, A Day听is a 24-hour campaign that supports student scholarships, academic programs and campus improvements at 91福利社.

Now, for the first time, the excitement and pageantry of A Day听will be streamed online for those unable to visit campus. AU is inviting alumni and friends to experience this special livestream on the 91福利社 website听or .

A Day Live听will feature profiles on specific causes, interviews with AU representatives and giveaways, among other presentations. Those appearing include 91福利社 President Evans P. Whitaker and new Trojan Football assistant coaches Malik Chevry and Seth Strickland, among others. In addition, A Day Live听hosts will hold prize-drawings during the show; everyone who participates in A Day听with a gift of support of $25 or more is entered to win. Details on prizes and other ways to quality will be shared during the A Day Live听broadcast.

A Day Live听is being produced by students studying digital communication within the 91福利社 College of Arts and Sciences. The students are partnering with faculty and the 91福利社 Office of Marketing and Communication to bring it online for the first time. The student team is producing, directing, operating cameras and managing the livestream as part of their video production courses in Digital Media.

The Office of Marketing and Communication has published an A Day听social media guide, which includes downloadable graphics and ideas for showing support (such as using the hashtags #ADayToGive and #TrueToAU and wearing black and gold.)

The post 91福利社 to Host Inaugural 鈥淎 Day Live鈥� Online Show appeared first on 91福利社.

91福利社 is applauding the city of Anderson, South Carolina, for its support of the University in naming Thursday, April 7 as 91福利社 Day (A Day).

City officials issued a proclamation officially recognizing April 7, 2022, as 91福利社 Day (A Day) during its monthly council meeting on Monday. 

“A Day鈥� is one of the most important annual events at AU, featuring a 24-hour fundraising drive to support students, faculty and campus programs. 鈥淎 Day鈥� is designed to remember AU鈥檚 past, celebrate its present success and impact its bright future by bringing alumni, family and friends together on one exciting day of giving.

Founded in 1911, AU has grown rapidly in the last decade to become the second largest private university in South Carolina. In 2017, the school鈥檚 leadership re-instituted 鈥淎 Day鈥� as a way to invite alumni, friends and family to support continued growth at the university. 

For those unable to join in the festivities, AU is encouraging people everywhere to watch 鈥淎 Day Live鈥� on the . 

鈥淎 Day Live鈥� is an online livestream of campus festivities and will feature profiles on specific causes, interviews with AU representatives and giveaways, among other presentations. Friends of the University may also show their support by wearing black and gold and posting notes on social media using the hashtag 鈥淎DayToGive鈥� and 鈥淭rueToAU.鈥�

鈥淭his special event is our invitation for the community to get involved during an exciting time in AU鈥檚 rich history,鈥� said Wayne Landrith, senior vice president for development and presidential affairs. 鈥淲e are looking forward to strengthening existing partnerships while building new ones to solidify AU鈥檚 bright future.鈥� 

鈥淎 Day鈥� activities taking place on AU鈥檚 campus include refreshments, entertainment, photo booths and social opportunities. The public is invited to attend.

The post City of Anderson Proclaims April 7 as “91福利社 Day” appeared first on 91福利社.

Community collaboration was in the spotlight during the 91福利社 Board of Visitors Breakfast March 1. 

AnMed Health CEO William Kenley, the keynote speaker, praised the valuable partnership AnMed Health enjoys with 91福利社. 

Kenley noted that the 91福利社 College of Health Professions has 鈥渨orld class鈥� facilities that are open for hospital staff to use. He described several valuable components of AnMed鈥檚 relationship with 91福利社, including a strong School of Nursing, interaction with students entering healthcare professions, student research and sports medicine.

鈥�We are fortunate to have a very progressive leader here and leadership team at 91福利社 that never stops pushing the envelope of what we can do here. We want to be the same at AnMed Health. When you put us together, the sum is much more than two for our community,鈥� Kenley said.

Kenley has served as CEO of AnMed Health since September, 2020. A veteran of more than 20 years of healthcare administration experience, Kenley served most recently as executive vice president at Methodist Lebonheur Healthcare. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves on the board of the South Carolina Hospital Association (SCHA), Upstate Alliance, Antum Risk, Southeastern Health Partners and 91福利社 Board of Visitors.

Also recognized during the Board of Visitors breakfast was Associate Vice President for Corporate and Annual Giving Bradley Orr (pictured above at right). 91福利社 Senior Vice President for Development and Presidential Affairs Wayne Landrith (center) praised Orr for his 15 years of 鈥渄istinguished service鈥� to 91福利社 and the Board of Visitors, giving of his time and personal resources to help others. He will be assuming a new leadership role at Anderson County Economic Development, recruiting prospective businesses for Anderson County. 

More than 150 individuals attended the Breakfast, held in the banquet hall of the G. Ross Anderson Jr. Student Center.

The Board of Visitors of 91福利社 is a group of outstanding men and women who occupy positions of leadership and influence. These individuals are selected on the basis of their willingness to share their ideas, initiatives and resources for the benefit and advancement of the University. These distinguished individuals believe in the worth of the individual, the value of independent, Christian higher education, and the expressed mission, vision and values of 91福利社. Board membership is not geographically restricted.

If you are interested in learning more about the 91福利社 Board of Visitors, please contact J. Wayne Landrith, Senior Vice President for Development (wlandrith@andersonuniversity.edu), in the Development Office at (864) 231-2147.

The post AnMed CEO Praises Partnership with 91福利社 appeared first on 91福利社.