USCB_Receives_Regional_Economic_Impact_Civitas_Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 21, 2011 MEDIA CONTACTS: Blakley Williams Interim President / Director of Member Services 843.525.8527 blakelyw@beaufortsc.org Candace Brasseur USCB Public Information Director 843-208-8030 brasse@uscb.edu

USCB Receives Regional Economic Impact Civitas Award Beaufort, SC- June 17, 2011- The University of South Carolina Beaufort was honored by the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce with its Regional Economic Impact Civitas Award. The Civitas Awards celebrate leadership in various community sectors.

The Latin word "civitas" means "the condition of the citizenship". Since 2002, the Beaufort Regional Chamber has recognized excellence and leadership in the Lowcountry with the Civitas Awards.

In recognizing The University of South Carolina, the chamber lauded USCB as being one of the largest and fastest growing knowledge-based businesses in Beaufort County.

“USCB is a driver of the success of many local firms--and in attracting new firms to the region.”

The University of South Carolina Beaufort’s application for the Regional Economic Impact Civitas Award points to the pride the college has in its educational mission of replanting local citizens back in the county as more professional, highly skilled employees and more reflective citizens. New firms considering relocation or start-ups in our region are looking for quality health care. USCB’s B.S. in Nursing program is critical to developing the nursing leaders of the future in local hospitals. In addition, new firms locating in Beaufort County are concerned about education. USCB's nationally accredited Education Department gives the local school system practicum teachers and well qualified prospective teachers who know the Beaufort County system and want to

be employed locally. A local university gives Beaufort County students who need to remain at home for farm, family, business or financial reasons more commitment to completing their high school degree--since continuing to university locally is now possible.

USCB also attracts retirees to the region, who value access to a university--for lifelong learning, the arts and sports events. When Beaufort was chosen as one of the top 25 towns for retirement last year, the Osher Lifelong Learning program in Beaufort was cited. Over 1300 citizens are members of OLLI--with classes equally spread between Beaufort, Bluffton and Hilton Head. Membership more than doubled in the last 5 years, putting USCB's OLLI program in the top 10% in the nation.

“We’re honored to receive the Chamber’s Regional Economic Impact Civitas Award,” said USCB Chancellor, Jane T. Upshaw, PhD. “The Regional Economic Impact Civitas Award recognizes The University of South Carolina Beaufort’s dedication to our community both educationally, and economically. We’ve become a full-service university in less than 10 years--a transition that many of our peers took 30 years to accomplish. The change has been accomplished by strong Beaufort and Jasper County leaders who were willing to fight to bring access to public baccalaureate education to our region. The region's leaders have built a university with a level of quality that sets the standard for the future. USCB's success is the story of Beaufort County's leadership and vision.”

In 2004, USCB offered 5 degrees. Today, USCB offers 14 degrees, 9 concentrations, 16 minors and 6 pre-professional advising tracks. In 2007, USCB began intercollegiate athletics with 2 sports: golf and cross country. In 2011-12 academic year, the University will field teams in mens and womens golf, cross country and track, as well as baseball, softball, and women’s soccer USCB continues to be the fastest growing member of the USC system. Enrollment has increased by 10% on average since 2002, when baccalaureate status was announced.

USCB Chancellor, Dr. Jane Upshaw, accepting the award.

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ABOUT THE BEAUFORT REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The vision of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce is to be recognized as the premier voice of commercial interest throughout the Beaufort region. The mission is to lead the enhancement, expansion and diversification of the business community throughout the Beaufort region.

ABOUT USCB Located in the heart of the Carolina Sea Islands, the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) is a senior institution of the University of South Carolina system serving the southeast coast of Georgia and South Carolina. USCB has been the fastest growing baccalaureate institution in the USC system since becoming a four year university in 2002.The university has two campuses which serve a diverse student body of more than 1750 students. The Historic Beaufort campus, located on Beaufort’s downtown waterfront, houses an innovative baccalaureate studio arts program in close proximity to the Beaufort’s many art galleries. The Hilton Head Gateway campus in Bluffton, S.C., offers cutting-edge Computational Science and Nursing laboratories and is the home to Sand Shark athletics. USCB offers students an exceptional place to learn and live in an environment focused on growth, preservation and opportunity. For more information about the University of South Carolina Beaufort, please visit www.uscb.edu online or call the university’s Office of Public Information at 843-2088030.