Meet Jayrah Bostic, a new Clyburn Scholar at SC State University
The High School for Health Professions valedictorian and Orangeburg resident is majoring in nuclear engineering at SC State.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – Jayrah Bostic had already packed a lot of college-level experience into his education before he entered the nuclear engineering program at South Carolina State University.
As valedictorian of the High School for Health Professions Class of 2025, the Orangeburg resident graduated with a 5.08 GPA and simultaneously earned the Certificate of General Studies Curriculum Completion from Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College through the Early College Program.
With that résumé in hand, Bostic was a natural fit for SC State’s Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College. He was recently inducted as one of the college’s nine 2025 Clyburn Scholars. He is also an Honors College Presidential Scholar.
“Driven, disciplined, and deeply connected to his roots, Jayrah Bostic embodies the next generation of Bulldog Scholars, leaders who combine intellect, integrity, and impact to power a brighter future for South Carolina and beyond,” said Dr. William H. Whitaker Jr., the college’s dean.
Bostic’s passion for science and sustainable energy solutions was strengthened through his participation in the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics’ Accelerate Virtual Engineering Program, where he explored multiple engineering disciplines and developed a focused interest in nuclear energy. The experience, coupled with mentorship from Dr. Musa Danjaji, chair of SC State’s Department of Engineering, helped Bostic embrace his calling to become a nuclear engineer.
He aspires to contribute to advancements in sustainable energy while serving as a mentor for future STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) scholars.
Throughout high school, Bostic was a member of the National Honor Society and the Boy Scouts of America’s Pack 190, Troop 190, where he developed strong leadership, teamwork, and service-oriented skills. His academic excellence has earned him numerous distinctions, including the Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College Honor Roll, College and Career Ready Seals of Distinction, the South Carolina Governor’s School Certificate of Achievement, and recognition as a College and Career Ready Completer.
He has been recognized with several scholarships:
- The Palmetto Fellows Scholarship.
- The Rudolph Canzater Scholarship.
- South Carolina State University National Alumni Association Greater Orangeburg Chapter Scholarship.
- The Incoming Freshman Presidential Scholarship.
Bostic is also an incoming member of the American Nuclear Society and proudly considers the Honors College his academic home. He describes the Honors College as “a place where scholars become not just successful professionals, but upstanding citizens who give back to their communities.”
He is inspired by the many leaders who have come through the Clyburn Honors College and hopes to one day stand among them as a role model and advocate for innovation in nuclear science.
About the Clyburn Scholars Program
The Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College at South Carolina State University proudly celebrates the continued generosity of the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Endowed Honors College Scholarship Fund, an enduring endowment honoring Congressman James E. Clyburn and the late Dr. Emily England Clyburn.
Established to support high-achieving students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a passion for community engagement, the Dr. Emily England Clyburn Endowed Honors College Scholarship Fund has become a cornerstone of the Honors College’s mission to elevate student success and expand opportunity for South Carolina’s most promising young scholars.
“The Honors College is forever grateful to the Clyburn family for choosing to invest in the lives of some of our best and brightest students here at South Carolina State University,” Whitaker said. “These financial gifts are noble and profoundly impactful, ensuring that our scholars can focus on academic excellence without the barriers of financial hardship.
“We accept these gifts with humility and a renewed commitment to the ideals of leadership, service, and scholarship that the Clyburn name represents,” Whitaker said. “This scholarship does more than ease financial burdens. It inspires our scholars to lead lives of purpose and to give back to the communities that shaped them.”
For more information about SC State’s Dr. Emily England Clyburn Honors College, contact Dr. William Whitaker, the Honors College’s dean, at wwhitak3@scsu.edu or 803-533-3710, or Dr. Windy A. Mack Stephenson, the Honors College’s executive director, at wmack3@scsu.edu or (803) 516-4610.