Quentin Seegars, a senior business administration major at Claflin University, was announced as the 2021 McLean-Smith South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) Student of the Year. The prestigious award includes a $3,000 scholarship that will assist Seegars with continuing his education.
“I am extremely grateful to the SCICU for this award and for providing me the opportunity to further my education,” said Seegars, a native of Florence, S.C., who also has a minor in accounting and finance. “I attend the renowned Claflin University as a first-generation college student, and I will be the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree. “I wanted to set the bar high. This award and the scholarship have enabled me to do that.”
“Mr. Seegars is an extremely talented scholar who achieved a 4.0 grade point average during multiple semesters. His outstanding academic accomplishments placed him on the President’s List and the Dean’s List,” said Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, president at Claflin University. “He displayed his leadership skills with the BB&T Emerging Leaders Institute, as a Peer Mentor for Panther STEPS, and as the business manager for Cultivating Kings, a campus mentoring group. He is eminently deserving of this award.”
The McLean-Smith SCICU Student of the Year recipient is chosen from rising junior or senior applicants attending SCICU member colleges and universities. All applicants must also be S.C. Tuition Grant recipients.
“SCICU is pleased to honor Claflin senior Quentin Seegars with the 2021 McLean-Smith SCICU Student of the Year scholarship,” said Jeff Perez, SCICU president and CEO. “Quentin’s academic achievements and leadership in the community are an inspiration to all of us and demonstrate the superior preparation students receive at Claflin and all SCICU member institutions.”
The scholarship program honors J. Lacy McLean and Sterling L. Smith. McLean advocated for independent higher education in S.C. for more than 34 years. Smith was instrumental in the development of the S.C. Tuition Grants program.
“This scholarship gives me value as a student,” said Seegars, who aspires to become a certified public accountant. “I plan to attend graduate school to earn a master’s in accounting or business administration. I want to continue to set the bar, to be the example - and continue to brighten my future.”