higher education

“M” is for Miles, William Porcher (1822-1899). Educator, congressman. In 1880 Miles was named president of the South Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanics (the former South Carolina College).

“M” is for Miles, William Porcher (1822-1899). Educator, congressman. In 1880 Miles was named president of the South Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanics (the former South Carolina College).

“F” is for Furman University. The Furman Academy and Theological Institution, organized by the South Carolina Baptist Convention (SCBC) opened its doors in 1827.

“F” is for Furman University. The Furman Academy and Theological Institution, organized by the South Carolina Baptist Convention (SCBC) opened its doors in 1827.

“W” is for Wilkinson, Robert Shaw (1865-1932). College president. During the two decades that Wilkinson led the SC State, the college made the transition from essentially a primary and secondary school to a genuine college.

“W” is for Wilkinson, Robert Shaw (1865-1932). College president. During the two decades that Wilkinson led the SC State, the college made the transition from essentially a primary and secondary school to a genuine college.

“B” is for Bethune, Mary McLeod (1875-1955). Educator, social activist, government official.

“B” is for Bethune, Mary McLeod (1875-1955). Educator, social activist, government official.

The State House of Representatives this week voted overwhelmingly to replace and restructure the University of South Carolina’s governing board. The 113 to one vote follows a growing lack of confidence by many lawmakers in the current Board of Trustees. Those trustees are elected by the legislature, but botched presidential searches, million dollar payoffs to fired coaches, and public spats with some of the college’s largest donors led to the action on the bill.

A national nonprofit is giving more than $650,000 in grants to help five historically Black colleges and universities to help preserve their campuses. The National Trust for Historic Preservation this week announced the grants through its HBCU Cultural Heritage Stewardship Initiative. The Washington-based trust aims to help the institutions develop campus preservation plans. The grants are going to Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida; Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi; Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina; Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina; and Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina.