6 minute read
The Center for Philanthropy – A Place For Everyone
Honoring Dr. Gloria Close
The Spartanburg County Foundation is fortunate to work with amazing organizations, donors, and community leaders. Dr. Gloria Close is one such leader who’s passionate work highlighting and addressing the needs of the under-served in the community has left a lasting impact on Spartanburg. Dr. Close is celebrating her retirement after decades of service to the community and as the leader of Foundation initiative, Citizen Scholars, we honor and celebrate her amazing accomplishments.
Advertisement
DR. CLOSE'S LEGACY
Growing up in rural North Carolina, Dr. Gloria Webb Close was among the first generation of her family to attend college. Dr. Close's dedication to her education led her to graduate from UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina State, and attend Harvard University's Management Development Program.
Dr. Close's passion for education and community service has had a profound impact on Spartanburg's youth. Her role as Executive Director of Citizen Scholars, an initiative of The Spartanburg County Foundation that provides deserving youth with mentoring and program support designed to help college attainment, has impacted hundreds of students in every school district in Spartanburg county.
During her tenure as Executive Director, Dr. Close has continued the program's vision and mission: "To provide disadvantaged youth, through mentoring and program support, with the life skills, knowledge, and character development needed to obtain college scholarships, complete college, and become contributing citizens." Dr. Close relates to the underprivileged students, drawing on her own experiences of growing up in poverty, while her warm and compassionate personality helps them feel accepted and appreciated. This unique ability allowed her to grow the Citizen Scholars initiative from 59 students to 300 students per year across all seven school districts.
WORKING WITH C.A.S.T.
Beyond her involvement with Citizen Scholars, Dr. Close is also the founder of C.A.S.T. (Care, Accept, Share, Teach). This program aims to alleviate poverty by facilitating self-sufficiency. She calls the program "an initiative for the forgotten." She was aware of families living permanently in motels around the country, but it was not until she saw it firsthand as an educator in Spartanburg that she felt she needed to take action locally. C.A.S.T. provides families with groceries and meals, offers a three-week educational summer camp for children, and assists parents in finding employment and affordable housing. In recognition of her work with C.A.S.T., Dr. Close was the recipient of the 2017 Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change by The Spartanburg County Foundation.
Pauline Morrison
A woman helped by Dr. Close and C.A.S.T
Dr. Close's work with C.A.S.T., Citizen Scholars, and many other organizations has had a profound impact on Spartanburg. After decades of giving back, The Spartanburg County Foundation congratulates Dr. Close on her welldeserved retirement. She plans to enjoy this new chapter by spending more time with her husband of 43 years, Lee, their two children, two in-law children, and five amazing grandchildren.
Board of Trustees
JOHN E. BAUKNIGHT, IV - Chairman (2014-2020)
John Bauknight is an entrepreneur with 20+ years of experience in the real estate business. He is the co-founder of Longleaf Holdings USA, a Spartanburg based investment firm that oversees several business ventures. Bauknight is heavily involved in the entrepreneurial community, including helping to launch the Spartanburg Angel Network.
SHERYL M. BOOKER - Vice Chair
Sheryl Booker is the co-owner of One Acorn, LLC, a consulting firm she started with her husband in 2020. She formerly worked as a Professional and Executive Banker with Bank of America and later as a school counselor at Dorman High School. Her previous work experiences prepared her for her last position with the Spartanburg Academic Movement (SAM). Booker has served on several local boards and is an active member of the Spartanburg community.
NANCY B. COTÉ - Secretary/Treasurer
Nancy Coté received both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Converse College. She is an active community volunteer serving as a Bible Study small group leader and Sanctuary Guild member at First Presbyterian Church and on the boards of the Charles Lea Center Foundation and Mobile Meals. She is a member of Women Giving for Spartanburg, a sustaining member of the Junior League of Spartanburg, and a volunteer driver for Mobile Meals.
CATHY H. MCCABE - Trustee
Cathy McCabe retired as Spartanburg City Attorney where she worked since 2007, after serving nearly two years as Deputy City Attorney. In addition to her legal experience, McCabe was an educator for 12 years. She has served two terms as President of the Breakfast of Spartanburg Business & Professional Women and as President of the Piedmont Area Girl Scouts Council. She has served in various roles including Chair of Women Giving for Spartanburg and currently serves as a governorappointed Commissioner of Higher Education for USC Upstate, having previously served on the USC Upstate Foundation.
BERT D. BARRE - Trustee
Bert Barre is a principal of Colonial Trust Company, an independent wealth management firm. Barre has been actively engaged in the community for twenty years having served on numerous non-profit boards. In particular, Bert is past Chairperson of the Chapman Cultural Center Board, an Elder at First Presbyterian Church, a graduate of Leadership Spartanburg, and a member of the Rotary Club of Spartanburg.
VOLLIE (VIC) C. BAILEY, III - Trustee
Vic Bailey, III is the President and Chairman of Vic Bailey Automotive and serves on several boards that span a variety of community indicators. He is a graduate of Leadership Spartanburg and is a member of the Leadership Spartanburg Alumni Association. In addition to his extensive community involvement, he was named the 2012 South Carolina Time Magazine Dealer of the Year. He brings extensive knowledge, community leadership experience, and financial expertise to the Foundation Board.
RICKY RICHARDSON - Trustee
Ricky Richardson is a First Vice President and a Financial Advisor with The Richardson Group at Morgan Stanley in Spartanburg. Working with Morgan Stanley for 40 years, Mr. Richardson specializes in individual and corporate investment strategies, asset allocation, and advising plan sponsors on their fiduciary responsibilities. Mr. Richardson brings expertise in financial services and strategic planning to the Foundation board. An active member of the community, Mr. Richardson is a former board member of the United Way of the Piedmont and former Chairman of the City of Spartanburg Design Review Board.
ERIKA MCJIMPSEY - New Trustee
Erika McJimpsey serves as the Chief Municipal Judge for the City of Spartanburg where she started the first Homeless Court in the Upstate of South Carolina. She is the first African-American to hold the position of municipal judge for the City of Spartanburg. Much of Erika’s volunteer work has been directed towards serving children and families, including as a volunteer on the following boards and organizations: South Carolina Bar, National Bar Association, YMCA Black Achievers, Phyllis Wheatley Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Girls Scouts of South Carolina Mountains to Midlands, Spartanburg Methodist College Paralegal Advisory Board, and The Spartanburg County Foundation’s Community Leadership Committee. Erika is the founder of SOAR Leadership and Mentor Summit.
