Conyers’ 60 for 60 campaign nearly doubles goal, providing $50,000 to SC State Concert Choir’s Carnegie Hall debut
The campaign also resulted in 60 scholarships — one for a student from each of South Carolina’s 46 counties and 14 out-of-state students — at $1,000 each.
ORANGEBURG, S.C. — South Carolina State University President Alexander Conyers and First Lady Agatha Conyers are devoting $50,000 from the proceeds of the university’s “60 for 60” campaign to help send the SC State Concert Choir to Carnegie Hall.
Launched in celebration of President Conyers’ 60th birthday, the campaign set a goal of raising $60,000 for student scholarships. Supporters ultimately contributed $110,000. The university awarded 60 scholarships — one for a student from each of South Carolina’s 46 counties and 14 out-of-state students — at $1,000 each.
President Conyers emphasized that all campaign donations directly benefited students.
“Every penny that alumni and friends donated will go to students, including this $50,000 for the choir's travel and the other 60 scholarships," he said. "That’s what I really want this to be about.”
The $50,000 will support the Concert Choir’s travel for its upcoming debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In June 2026, the SC State Concert Choir will perform Adolphus Hailstork’s sacred cantata, “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes,” at the iconic New York venue.
“It will be the first time ever that our choir will have performed in New York City at Carnegie Hall,” President Conyers said.
First Lady Agatha Conyers thanked everyone who contributed to the 60 for 60 campaign, noting the widespread generosity shown by alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the university. She also gave special recognition to Angel Pointer, SC State’s director of community service, for helping spread the word and build momentum around the campaign.
Investing in a national platform for the arts
“These students work just as hard to represent the university as any other students,” President Conyers said. “So, I feel it is important that we ensure these students do not have to do too much to raise this money. I'm fully committed to helping them get the money that they need to go to New York City, and Agatha and I plan to be there with them.”
The Concert Choir has experienced remarkable growth and revitalization in recent years under Dr. Johnnie Felder’s direction — expanding from just a handful of members to a group now 40 strong.
President Conyers said that like SC State’s athletics programs and the Marching 101 Band, the Concert Choir plays an essential role in how the university is represented to the Orangeburg community, the state and across the nation.
“We have seen this choir change overnight as a result of Dr. Felder bringing his professional skills to this,” President Conyers said. “Whether it's our marching one-on-one band, but this choir is very, very important to me. And when I got here, I saw the size of the choir and I immediately said, ‘Well, I’m going to invest in this choir.’”
In addition to the campaign contribution, the Conyerses are encouraging others to support the choir’s fundraising campaign through the university’s Big Bulldog Give initiative (www.thebigbulldoggive.com.) Contributions to the choir’s campaign may be made here.
A gift that raises morale and expands opportunity
Felder recalled receiving the news from the president while on the phone with Dr. Damon H. Dandridge, a 2001 SC State music education graduate who will conduct the choir’s Carnegie Hall performance. The two were discussing logistics for an upcoming recording project. Felder, 12 members of the Concert Choir and Dandridge are recording the music of African American composer Eva Jessye this week.
“It means the world to us honestly because the students have been working very, very hard,” Felder said of the donation. “Sometimes they feel like they get overlooked sometimes, and it’s nice to just be seen and heard and celebrated. It’s going to help the overall morale of the music department of the choir and of the students who we serve and the ones who sing as well.”
Felder noted that national visibility will strengthen SC State’s position in the arts while programs at other colleges and universities struggle.
“There are schools that are closing,” Felder said. So, it’s really a blessing to be able to serve these students and give them experiences and opportunities that will help them become better human beings and better musicians.”
A bucket list dream comes true
Latwanna Flake, a music education student and member of the choir, said the experience fulfills a lifelong dream.
“It’s actually on my bucket list,” she said of performing at Carnegie Hall. “It’s one of those places that I hope to one day grace the stage, but you know what? I’ll take it. I get to go and share this experience with other amazing people. So it’s just amazing."
Flake, a nontraditional student who transferred to SC State from Columbia College, said she is grateful to be part of the Bulldog community.
“South Carolina, I’ve been here for 19 years, so it’s home, and I’m really excited about being at an HBCU,” she said. “It’s just an amazing time to be here.”
She said the surprise announcement from President and First Lady Conyers meant a great deal.
“The fact that he and his wife thought enough really, you know, First Lady, she thought enough to basically take advantage of an opportunity to fundraise through his party,” Flake said. “It just shows us how much we mean to them and how much they care for us. And so, we definitely want to represent them and make them proud.”
A call to help bring the choir to Carnegie Hall
Dr. M. Evelyn Fields, dean of SC State’s College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, said the Conyerses’ generosity opens the door to a life-changing opportunity for SC State students.
“This tremendous act of support opens the door to an unforgettable opportunity for our students, and we are honored to represent SCSU on such a prestigious stage,” she said.
Fields encouraged the broader SC State community to join in making the dream a reality.
“The road to Carnegie will be paved with experiences our students will carry with them for a lifetime,” she said. “I encourage all faculty, staff, students, alumni, and members of the Orangeburg community to contribute — no matter the size — to help ensure our talented students take their rightful place among the voices of Carnegie Hall.”
For more information about the Concert Choir and SC State’s other music programs, visit www.scsu.edu/music.
SC State’s music programs are offered through the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, a unit of the College of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences.