SC State honors St. Helena native
St. Helena Island native Joshua T. Singleton, a member of the Beaufort High School Class of 2022, was honored as a 2025 Shining Star Scholar at the 34th Annual South Carolina State University (SCSU) Foundation Scholarship Gala & Tribute on April 12, 2025, at the Greenville Convention Center in Greenville.
The SCSU Foundation Scholarship Gala & Tribute honors students of the University and community leaders who have gone above and beyond to exemplify service, integrity, and excellence. Singleton has maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout his three years at SCSU and is an active member in the Beta Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
As one of the gala speakers, Singleton emphasized that “investment [of family, friends, SCSU faculty and staff, and the SCSU National Alumni Association] into each and every of us matters.”
JPII honored again by Project Lead The Way
John Paul II Catholic School in Okatie has announced that it has once again been named a Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished High School and Gateway (middle school) School, marking the third consecutive year of national recognition for its excellence in STEM education and career readiness.
The PLTW Distinguished School designation is awarded to schools that demonstrate a strong commitment to expanding student access, engagement, and achievement in PLTW programs, including Computer Science, Biomedical Science, and Engineering. PLTW, a nonprofit organization empowering Pre-K through Grade 12 students across more than 12,200 schools in the U.S., equips students with in-demand knowledge and skills through hands-on, real-world learning experiences.
“This honor is a testament to the dedication of our outstanding faculty and our school’s mission to prepare students for the future through innovation, inquiry, and integrity,” JPII President David Lima said in a news release. “We are immensely proud of the impact these programs have on our students’ academic journeys and future success.”
Visit the admissions section at johnpaul2school.org to learn more, or contact Anne McClure, Admissions Coordinator, at 843-645-3838, ext. 109, to schedule a private tour.
USC Beaufort generates $141M in economic impact
The University of South Carolina Beaufort generates $141.3 million in statewide economic impact, a new study found.
The university is responsible, directly or indirectly, for 1,236 jobs and $63.6 million in labor income across South Carolina, according to the study conducted by USC’s Darla Moore School of Business.
USCB accounts for roughly 1 in every 51 jobs and $1 out of every $47 in labor income in Beaufort County.
“We have been a cornerstone of economic prosperity in the Lowcountry since our founding as a four-year university 20 years ago,” said USCB Chancellor Al Panu. “As we continue to grow strategically to meet the educational needs of the region, we anticipate even greater days ahead for our community.”
The findings showing USCB’s impact was part of a broader study examining the impact of the USC’s eight-campus system.
The USC system has a $7.4 billion annual impact on the state’s economy, growing by 35 percent since researchers first studied it eight years ago when it stood at $5.5 billion. A subsequent study in 2021 placed the system’s annual impact at $6.2 billion.
“Working together as a university system, we’re ensuring our students are career-ready while also producing significant economic benefits to the entire state,” USC Board Chairman Thad Westbrook said. “We look forward to doing even more in coming years and will continue to set the standard for what a strong university system can achieve for our local communities and beyond.”
