SC State inducts 24 into Thomas E. Miller Society
ORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University inducted 24 people -- eight couples and eight individuals – into the prestigious Thomas E. Miller Society on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
The 2025 honorees are:
- Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert D. Ayers Jr., SC State Class of 1958
- Charles H. Bowens, Class of 1966 (posthumously), and Barbara J. Bowens
- Barbara K. Brewer, Class of 1959
- Col. (Ret.) Alexander Conyers, Class of 1989 and Agatha Y. Conyers, Class of 1986
- Hope L. Doe, Class of 1996
- Dr. Deloris Frazier, Class of 1978
- Dr. Lillie Beasley Glover, Class of 1961
- Nathaniel Howard, Class of 1972, and Debra Howard
- Thomas L. Kennerly. Class of 1968, and Martha C. Kennerly, Class of 1969
- Connie H. Lawson, Class of 1966
- Julius A. Page, Class of 1951, and Linda G. Page, Class of 1969
- State Sen. John L. Scott, Class of 1975 (posthumously)
- Col. (Ret.) Charles E. Singley Jr., Class of 1979
- The. Rev. Dr. Charles E. Smith (posthumously) and Mrs. Faye F. Smith, both Class of 1969
- Frank E. Walker, Class of 1973, and C. Elaine Beasley Walker
- Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert B. Weeks and Mrs. Detroit G. Weeks, both Class of 1976.
SC State will induct the honorees in a 5 p.m. program at the Fine Arts Building’s Barbara A. Vaughan Recital Hall. The university also will honor the inductees during the annual Founders Day Program, which begins at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 2, in Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center. In conjunction with Founders Day, SC State will celebrate “1896 Day” by asking alumni and friends to support scholarships and other essential endeavors at the university.
For more information about SC State’s giving societies, including the Miller Society, visit www.scsu.edu/advancement/giving_societies.php .
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert D. Ayers Jr., SC State Class of 1958
As a distinguished SC State Army ROTC Bulldog Battalion graduate, he earned a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army in July 1958. Bob dedicated 20 years to the Army, serving in various capacities across the U.S., Korea, France, Germany, and Vietnam before retiring as a lieutenant colonel in 1978.
Following his military career, he devoted his life to serving the Hampton Roads community and his alma mater. He worked with disadvantaged youths and their families in several roles, including Head Start director for the S.T.O.P Organization in Norfolk, Virginia, and executive director of the Office of Human Affairs in Newport News, Virginia.
Bob has been involved with numerous boards and councils, including National Head Start Board of Directors, president of the Virginia Council Against Poverty, team leader of the Child Watch Coalition, chairman of the Hampton Preschool Initiative, president of the Downing-Gross Building Task Force, president of the C. Waldo Scott Center for H.O.P.E., Board of Directors, president of the Peninsula Institute for Community Health, and president of the Project Discovery of Virginia Board of Directors.
Bob is a life member of the SC State University National Alumni Association and was instrumental in establishing the Tidewater Peninsula Chapter in June 1975. He was named a Stellar Alumnus in 2010 and MEAC SC State Alumnus of the Year in 2020.
He is a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., the NAACP of the Hampton Branch, 100 Black Men of America, and Les Hommes Civic and Social Club.
Bob is married to the former Tonia Bailey. They have a daughter, a son, a granddaughter, and two grandsons. He resides in Hampton, Virginia.
Charles H. Bowens, Class of 1966 (posthumously), and Barbara J. Bowens
Charles was a native of Rock Hill, South Carolina. He graduated with a B.S. in education in 1966 from South Carolina State University. He earned an M.S. from Morgan State University and did postgraduate work at the University of Maryland.
Barbara graduated from Benedict College in 1966 with a B.A. in elementary education. She earned a master’s degree in reading from Morgan State University in 1979 and an administration certification from Bowie State University. She pursued additional study at Towson State University.
Barbara and Charles met in in Lancaster, South Carolina, where they both were teachers. They later resided in Glen Burnie, Maryland, and Severn, Maryland.
Charles continued his teaching career at Riviera Beach Elementary School, Old Mill Middle North, Harman Elementary School. He retired in 1999 as assistant principal of Germantown Elementary.
Barbara joined the Anne Arundel County Public School System in 1969. She worked as an elementary teacher, reading specialist, administrative intern, assistant principal and principal before retiring in 2002.
Charles was selected Man of the Year for Mu Rho Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and served as past president of the Baltimore South Carolina State Alumni Club.
He was selected as a 2023 Stellar Alumni of the SC State University National Alumni Association. He was a member of the SC State Jacksonville Alumni Chapter-River City Bulldogs and a life member of SCSUNAA.
Barbara is a life member of the Benedict College National Alumni Association (BCNAA) and served two terms as recording secretary. She received the BCNAA Distinguished Service Award and the Lula J. Gambrell Award, the BCNAA’s highest award.
The Bowens are members of Hopewell Church. They have one son, Charlton.
Barbara K. Brewer, Class of 1959
Barbara completed a B.A. in home economics and biology and later earned 30 hours above the master’s level in elementary education and reading.
She taught biology, home economics, and middle school science and mathematics, elementary corrective reading, night school adult education mathematics, science and basic garment construction. She also worked on formulating the curriculum for adult education in family living.
After 30 years of teaching and retiring, she pursued a second career in real estate where she received beginner, permanent and broker’s licenses. Today she works as a sales associate and does broker price opinions for firms and mortgage companies all over the U.S.
Work affiliations include the Orangeburg County Association of Realtors Inc., the Coldwell Banker Referral Network; Cable Vantage T.V. Channel 7; Realtors Political Actions Association, and the South Carolina Association of Realtors.
Her church auxiliary work includes delegate to the Mount Pisgah Union; advisor for the Youth and Young Adult for Mt. Pisgah Union; Mt. Pisgah Ladies Auxiliary; Mt. Pisgah Senior Missionary Publicity chairperson; delegate and member of the Orthodox Baptist Church Sunday School Convention; teacher for the Vacation Bible School; member of the Senior Ushers, and member of the Church Nursery Committee.
Her community involvement includes being a member of the Brookdale Civic Association; a Board Director of the Northeastern Corridor of Orangeburg Community Development Corp. in collaboration with South Carolina State University 1890 Research and Extension Program; secretary for the Palmetto State Law Enforcement Officers Association; and member Of Delta Chi Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. She received membership recognition for 20 years of outstanding and professional services by Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity.
Barbara and her late husband, Marion R. Brewer, were blessed with three children, Marion G. Brewer, Corine Brewer Nivens, and Baretta Brewer Wilson, and eight grandchildren.
Col. (Ret.) Alexander Conyers, Class of 1989 and Agatha Y. Conyers, Class of 1986
Alexander is SC State’s 13th president, briefly having served as interim president, acting president, and vice president for strategic alliances and initiatives.
He served over 28 years in the U.S. Army with several stateside and worldwide assignments. He completed his military career in 2016 after rising from private to colonel.
He served the Senior Executive Service as the deputy assistant secretary of the Army and led the Army Review Boards Agency.
A Manning, South Carolina, native, he holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from SC State, a master’s degree in corrections from the University of South Carolina, and a master’s degree in public administration from Troy University.
Alexander served as a member of the SCSU Board of Visitors. For the SCSU National Alumni Association, he was Student Relations Committee chairman, a Criminal Justice Advisory Committee member, and Washington, D.C., Chapter, president. He is an SC State ROTC Hall of Fame inductee.
Agatha is a Hampton, South Carolina, native. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from SC State and a master’s degree in human services from Liberty University.
She served as a senior manufacturing engineer at Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, patent examiner at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and liaison engineer at the Department of the Navy, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
She has served as a school board member, a Girl Scout troop leader, a flag football coach, a member of the Missionary Society, a Vacation Bible School leader, teacher, and a youth ministry leader.
She is a Diamond Life Member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She was inducted into the Alpha Xi Chapter at SC State in 1983.
Alexander and Agatha have two adult children, Alexander, an SC State graduate, and Alyssa, a student at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Hope L. Doe, Class of 1996
Hope has served on the SC State University Board of Visitors. She is is a life member of SC State University National Alumni Association, a former member of the Washington, D.C., chapter, and currently serves the Charlotte chapter as 2nd vice president. She is a member of the State Club, a life member and Silver Star of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and an active member of the Omega Tau Omega chapter.
Hope is an advocate for Big Brothers Big Sisters and has served as a Big Sister. She also tutored with Heart Math in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools. She’s a member of The Park Church in Charlotte.
Hope is an executive with a Fortune 500 financial services company. She has been an influential leader with a successful track record in the public and private sectors.
She is a daughter of the late Bennie and Juanita Doe and is blessed with wonderful siblings, Felicia Doe, Class of ’89 and Norman Doe, Class of ‘97. They share a special bond, as one of their favorite pastimes is supporting the Bulldogs. She’s a doting aunt to the reigning Miss SC State, Bailey Scott, and has a host of Bulldog friends and family a part of her village.
Hope credits her mother with instilling the importance of faith in God, love for others, and giving back as guiding principles. Investing in SC State is one way she makes a difference in the lives of others. She is a Loyal Daughter committed to honor, love and cherish the rich legacy of SC State.
Dr. Deloris Frazier, Class of 1978
She graduated from South Carolina Area Trade School, where she majored in commercial sewing, before earning a Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts from South Carolina State College in education. She completed a Doctor of Christian Humane Letters from the School of the Great Commission Theological Seminary.
She taught elementary school for 33 years in Orangeburg County District 5 and has been retired 14 years. She organized labor unions for many years in several states as an AFT member with the AFL-CIO.
Councilperson Frazier serves on the Orangeburg County Council representing District 6. She has successfully increased the resources provided through community outreach programs.
She spends her free time volunteering and lending a helping hand to her students. She can often be found working side by side with community members delivering food stuffs and much-needed items to the residents of the Orangeburg community and abroad.
Her desire to improve the community is evident by having streetlights installed on 301 South Highway, sewer systems put into homes where there were outdoor toilets, and gas lines for the chicken farmers.
Her philanthropic initiatives have also impacted the lives of many African students who found themselves in desperate need of a place to stay and assistance to continue their education. Her interest in the continent of Africa has taken her to many countries including Liberia, Ghana, South Africa, Malawi, Egypt, Nigeria, and Cameroon. She also has traveled to Sri Lanka, Nicaragua and Europe. Several local churches provide financial support and assistance to help her carry duffel bags filled with clothing, medical supplies, educational materials, money and food to the poor.
Dr. Frazier is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Mayfield (Annie Bell Sharperson) Frazier. Her sisters are Lillie M. Jones, the late Gloria J. Whitmore and Dr. Mae Helen Frazier of Charleston. Her brother is George Frazier.
Dr. Lillie Beasley Glover, Class of 1961
She earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics education with honors from South Carolina State College in 1961, a master’s degree in home economics and retailing from New York University in 1965; and a Ph.D. in home economics teacher education and family and child development from The Ohio State University in 1971.
Early in her career, she served as a high school and middle school teacher, a research associate, and a state supervisor with the State Education Department in Albany, New York.
She joined SC State as a home economics professor in 1974. During her 28 years at SC State, Dr. Glover served as program coordinator; academic advisor of students; thesis advisor; grants writer; 1890 researcher and principal investigator of numerous projects; department chairperson; assistant to the dean; and a member of several committees and councils. She retired from SC State with the designation of Professor Emeritus.
She is a life member of the SC State University National Alumni Association, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society.
As a member of the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) for 65 years, she has served in leadership positions on all levels. Other memberships include the STATE Club, International Federation of Home Economics, and Kappa Omicron Nu.
Her recognitions include SCSU/University Outstanding Alumna Award; Endowed Distinguished Faculty Chair (5 years); Teacher of the Year (2), Professor of the Year (2); and the AAFCS Leader Award, Distinguished Service and Legend Awards.
Dr. Glover established an endowed scholarship at SC State to assist students in family and consumer sciences business.
Dr. Glover is an active member of Williams Chapel AME Church and an affiliate member of Evening Light Church of God, Laurens, South Carolina. She was married to the late Maj. (Ret.) Herman W. Glover Jr., an SC State alumnus. She is the mother of the late Jacquelyn Renee’ Glover.
Nathaniel Howard, Class of 1972, and Debra Howard
Nate graduated from South Carolina State with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics in 1972. Following an early career as a middle school math teacher, he had 37 years of distinguished service in human resources and gas operations at Consolidated Edison Energy Company (ConEd). He was awarded the company’s highest honor, the ‘Living Our Values’ award, which is awarded to leaders who exemplify the company’s values.
He also served as an adjunct math instructor at NYU and earned a Master of Science in energy management from New York Institute of Technology. He was elected president of the South Carolina State University National Alumni Association in 2009, serving with distinction for four years. Nate is a proud life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.
Debra is a 1973 graduate of Brooklyn College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in early childhood education and a Master of Arts in education in 1977. She began her career as an NYC elementary school teacher before starting a 36-year human resources and operations career at ConEd, where she met Nate. She led many teams and programs to support corporate and organizational goals as a section manager.
Debra is a Certified Senior Resource Professional (SPHR). Equally committed to a lifetime of service, Debra is a member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness - Cobb County leadership team and has served for 25 years on the Brooklyn College Alumni Association Board of Directors, having served as secretary and treasurer and chaired the Financial Advisory Committee.
They are active members of various ministries at Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia. Nate and Debra were blessed with one daughter, Mia, who earned degrees from Vanderbilt University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Mia is Managing Partner at NewSchools Venture Fund and is engaged to her partner Joe, who has two children, Katelyn, and Erin.
Thomas L. Kennerly. Class of 1968, and Martha C. Kennerly, Class of 1969
Martha Cureton Kennerly was born and grew up in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She graduated from Carver High School in 1965, and from SC State in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.
Shortly after completing his bachelor’s degree, Thomas signed a free-agent contract with the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL. During this time, he was also drafted into the U.S. Army, where he spent two years serving stateside and in South Vietnam. After he was honorably discharged from the army, Thomas and Martha were married in 1970 and began residing in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Upon returning to Orangeburg, Thomas was hired by Orangeburg School District 5 where he coached football at Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School, He also served in the U.S. Army Reserve. He later changed careers which took him and his family to Columbia, South Carolina, where he worked with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. He retired from that agency in 2010 as a client services consultant.
Martha was employed in Orangeburg by the county Department of Social Services, starting as a case worker. Her career continued at the State Department of Social Services in Columbia as a program director. She retired from that agency after completing 30 years and 9 months of employment.
The Kennerlys are very loyal to and supportive of SC State. They provide an annual scholarship to two SC State students.
Thomas is a life member of the SCSU National Alumni Association, a member the Greater Columbia Alumni Chapter, and the State Club. Thomas is also a 2020 SCSU Football Hall of Fame inductee.
The Kennerlys are the parents of two wonderful children, Steven and Angela, and they have three beautiful granddaughters and a fine grandson. They love and enjoy spending time with their family.
The Kennerlys are dedicated Christians and attend church faithfully each week. They consider it an honor to serve on several boards and actively participate in several church ministries. Thomas and Martha recognize that all their blessings come from the Lord and are to be used to help and bless others.
“To whom much is given, much is required.”
Connie Hanton Lawson
She is a tenacious third-generation Bulldog and a Life Member of the South Carolina State University National Alumni Association. She has been a loyal daughter and a vibrant member of the Washington, D.C., SCSU Alumni Chapter since 1968, having served as chapter secretary and a Bulldog recruiter.
In 2023, Mrs. Lawson and her daughter, Dr. BerNadette Lawson-Williams, ‘95, established a scholarship that provides financial assistance to students majoring in physical education – sport communication and physical activity management, the two academic programs that Dr. Lawson-Williams developed as an assistant professor at SCSU.
Connie is a member of Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity, a member of the American Library Association, a Life Member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and a Life Member of the National Council of Negro Women.
After working as a librarian at the U.S. Library of Congress, she gained employment in the District of Columbia Public School System as a media specialist, where she worked for more than 30 years until her retirement.
Connie has devoted time serving various community organizations including the American Red Cross, Heartland Hospice Services, Palmetto Health Cancer Center, and the Ronald McDonald House. She also served as a voting poll judge for Prince George’s County and a Court Appointed Support Advocate (CASA) in Prince George’s County and South Carolina.
She is a member of Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Washington, D.C., where she has held multiple leadership positions. While residing in Columbia, South Carolina, she was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church, where she served as Vacation Bible School superintendent. As a member of the Women’s Missionary Society, she supported the Bantu tribe.
Julius A. Page, Class of 1951, and Linda G. Page, Class of 1969
Upon graduation, Julius was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He served in the Korean War and was awarded the Purple Heart. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service as a supervisor with 31 years of service.
Linda retired from the Social Security Administration after 42 years of service. She later returned to work for three additional years as a part-time employee.
Julius and Linda are active and dedicated members of Williams Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Orangeburg. Julius serves as a trustee and Linda as a stewardess.
Julius has life membership in Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He is also a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Linda has life membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary. Both are life members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and the SC State University National Alumni Association. They are members of The STATE Club, The R.I.S.E. Initiative and Champions Club.
Julius is a servant leader. He was elected to and served 35 years on the school boards for Orangeburg City, Orangeburg District Five and Orangeburg Consolidated School District Five. He served as chairman, vice chairman and secretary and volunteered as a Guardian ad Litem.
Some of Julius’ awards include:
- 2002 SCSU Athletic Hall of Fame inductee
- 2010 Orangeburg Branch of N.A.A.C.P. President’s Award
- 2016 SCSU Distinguished Community Service Award
- 2018 Orangeburg Branch of the N.A.A.C.P. Elected Official of the Year
Linda serves as secretary of the Orangeburg-Calhoun Free Medical Clinic Board. She volunteers as a poll manager for Orangeburg County.
The Pages take great pride in being loyal supporters of their alma mater and remain active in advocacy and activism in their community. They are dedicated to service and loyally adhere to their commitment to give back to the wider community. They are firm believers in serving in every way they can and doing that which broadly enhances the lives of others.
State Sen. John L. Scott, Class of 1975 (posthumously)
His service to South Carolina spanned more than 30 years. He served on the Richland County Council as its vice-chair for two years. In 1990, he was elected to the House of Representatives and served for 18 years before being elected as a state senator in 2008.
Being a strong proponent for education, he led the fight to secure funding for deteriorating buildings for K-12 Education, worked to secure a $15 million loan for South Carolina State University and fought and secured the first $1 million H.E.E.P. funding for South Carolina’s HBCUs.
In 2002, he was awarded South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, The Order of the Palmetto. He received a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Clinton College in 2018. He also received the Presidential Service Award in 2019. In 2020, he received an Honorary Doctor of Public Service from South Carolina State University and the Allen University Richard Allen Award.
In 2021, Scott’s vision came to fruition with the launching of South Carolina Institutes of Innovation, as he secured an $18 million appropriation for seven South Carolina HBCUs to assist them in developing innovative programs and partnerships with local and state businesses and industries.
He held a Bachelor of Science from South Carolina State University and graduated from the Diversity Leadership Academy at the Richard E. Riley Institute at Furman University.
Scott retired as a major general from the South Carolina Military Department Joint Service Detachment in 2019. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc.
He became a member of New Ebenezer Baptist Church at a very early age. He was a trustee for 20 years and served as an ordained deacon beginning in 2005.
Scott, who unexpectedly passed in 2024, was the founder, owner and broker in charge of J.L. Scott Realty Company Inc. and co-owner of the C & S Consulting Group Inc. along with his wife Joan.
The Scotts were blessed with one son, John L. Scott III.
Col. (Ret.) Charles E. Singley Jr., Class of 1979
He is a member of the South Carolina State Class of 1979 with a BA in Political Science. He was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps a day before graduating. He also has an MBA from Webster University.
He served in the Marine Corps for 26 years in various levels of increased responsibility during command assignments within the U.S. and OCONUS including Japan, Korea and Kuwait. His assignments included seven months supporting Operation Desert Storm and a joint task force regarding the 911 attack in Lower Manhattan.
Col. Singley is employed by AECOM Inc. as a senior director in Federal Contracts interfacing with various Department of Defense Clients concerning the spectrum of environmental and remediation services.
Initiated in 1977 at SC State, Col. Singley became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. He is a Grand Chapter Life Member, a Life Member of the Southeastern Province and a current member of the Greenville, South Carolina, Alumni Chapter.
Through the fraternity and other organizations, he has participated in and supported various mentoring activities for disadvantaged middle-school-age males to help provide a solid foundation for their future including being able to contribute to their communities.
Col. Singley supports various community-based, national and international organizations through advocacy, volunteering time, raising awareness and financial contributions. He is a Life Member of the SC State University National Alumni Association and a member of the association’s Greenville Alumni Chapter.
He has two adult sons, Charles Singley III, an SC State graduate, and Teron Singley, a Claflin University graduate. He is the proud grandfather of four grandchildren, Syana, Naylona, Chase and Ava, with whom he loves spending time, especially attending their sporting events.
Col. Singley is a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Simpsonville.
The. Rev. Dr. Charles E. Smith (posthumously), and Mrs. Faye F. Smith, both Class of 1969
Faye earned a B.S. Degree in library education from SC State and a Master of Education Degree in library education from the University of Georgia. She was initiated into Alpha Xi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and during her sophomore and junior years, she served as a student counselor in Bradham Hall.
Upon moving to Augusta, Georgia, she was employed as a media specialist with the Richmond County School System for 35 years. She served as a board member of the Augusta-Richmond County Public Library and was the first media specialist in Richmond County to receive the Channel 6 News Golden Apple Award, an award that previously had been exclusively for teachers.
Faye is a life member of the SC State University National Alumni Association and serves on the Nominating/Election and Awards Committees. She also serves as treasurer of the Greater Augusta Chapter and spends time working as a dedicated and loyal daughter of SC State. Additionally, one of her passions is sharing Bible study lessons with sick and shut-in members.
Charles earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from SC Stare and a Master of Education in counseling from the University of Georgia. He also earned a Master of Divinity and a Doctor of Ministry from Erskine Theological Seminary.
He taught gifted students in the Richmond County School System for 20 years. He first became the assistant pastor and then pastor of Elim Baptist Church, where he served for 23 years. His religious and community affiliations included the Housing and Neighborhood Development Citizen’s Advisory Committee, the Augusta Baptist Ministers Morning Conference, where he was a past president, and the Sand Hills Neighborhood Association, where he was an organizer.
The Smiths were blessed with two sons, Lt. Col. Charles E. Smith II (Layana) and Christopher E. Smith (Dr. Arianna) and four granddaughters, Nadia, Lauren, Georgia and Rue.
Frank E. Walker, Class of 1973, and C. Elaine Beasley Walker
Frank graduated from South Carolina State College in 1973 with a B.S. degree in business administration. He performed with the Henderson-Davis Players and joined Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. He completed the ROTC Program and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps. Frank served two years of active duty and six years of reserve duty, obtaining the rank of captain.
Frank worked in banking for nine years, serving as loan officer and branch manager for C & S Bank in Columbia and Sumter, South Carolina. While in Sumter, he served as a board member of the University of South Carolina, Sumter.
Frank was an agent for State Farm Insurance for five years in Sumter. He then moved into a managerial role, serving as an agency manager and an agency field executive. Frank retired from State Farm after 28 years of service in the Atlanta area.
Cornelia Elaine Beasley Walker, a native of Laurens, South Carolina, is the youngest daughter of C.D. and Lucinda S. Beasley. Elaine studied and graduated from Laurens High School, Presbyterian College with a Bachelor of Science and Clemson University with a Master of Education in reading. She taught elementary, middle, high school and adult education totaling 39 years of service in South Carolina and Georgia.
Elaine studied voice at Converse College and Presbyterian College. She has performed opera on many stages in Europe and the USA.
While living in South Carolina, Elaine was a funeral director, a member of the NAACP, and a Church of God choir member.
Frank and Elaine have been married for 48 years. They have three sons, Scott, Marcus and Taylor, and three grandchildren. They are members of First Baptist Church Atlanta.
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Robert B. Weeks and Mrs. Detroit G. Weeks, both Class of 1976.
Robert retired after serving 23 years in the Army. He spent the next 17 years working as a healthcare professional and manager in Gastonia, North Carolina. He credits his parents with a large part of his success for always encouraging him to believe in himself and assuring him he had the ability to succeed.
He served as president of the Charlotte, North Carolina Alumni Chapter, where he advocated for scholarships for under-resourced students to attend SC State. He was named a Stella Alumnus in 2017.
Robert served in the community and advocated for students and families. He has served on many community boards, including holding the position of board chairperson. He is chair of his church’s Seniors Ministry Council and advocates for Senior Citizens’ interests and goals. He is a life member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Xi Psi Chapter, and an active member of Pi Phi Graduate Chapter Charlotte.
Detroit retired after a full career in software development and systems analysis. She prides not only the educational development she received at South Carolina State but the nurturing environment and the lifelong friendships she formed there.
Detroit was the fifth of her siblings to receive an undergraduate degree from SC State. She is grateful for the vision of her parents that their children would go on to “work with their minds and not their backs.” She and Robert have continued that legacy by supporting their children in completing their undergraduate degrees.
With their contributions to SC State, they are encouraged and honored that other students will be afforded the same or even better opportunities than they received at their beloved alma mater. Detroit is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Alpha Xi, and an active member of the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter.
The Weekses reside in Charlotte, where they have been for 25 years. They have three children, Brian, Brandon and Angelique, who are all married and live in the Charlotte area with the Weekses’ six grandchildren.