Dear Friends of South Piedmont Community College,
Your generosity during Fiscal Year 2025-26 made a meaningful difference for South Piedmont students and our community. Because of your support, students are gaining access to education, overcoming financial barriers, preparing for in-demand careers, and building brighter futures for themselves and their families.
Last year, the South Piedmont Community College Foundation raised more than $1.4 million through the generosity of individuals, businesses, employees, foundations, and community partners. Every gift represents something greater than a dollar amount. It represents an investment in a student, a career, our local workforce, and the future of Anson and Union counties.
As South Piedmont continues to grow, philanthropy plays an increasingly important role in helping the College meet the needs of our students and communities. As the second-fastest-growing community college in North Carolina, South Piedmont is serving more students than ever before. That growth brings tremendous opportunity, but it also creates greater demand for scholarships, student support, academic and workforce programs, modern learning environments, and resources that extend beyond what traditional funding alone can provide. Philanthropic support helps South Piedmont respond to that growth today while preparing for the needs of tomorrow.
We are deeply grateful to the donors and partners who believe in South Piedmont and the potential of our students. Thank you for being part of a community that believes education can change lives and strengthen our region.
With gratitude,
Cyndie Truax
Vice President of Institutional Excellence / Chief Development Officer
Laverne White
Chair, South Piedmont Community College Foundation Board of Directors
2026 Impact
Total Dollars Raised
Community College in North Carolina
Scholarships & Emergency Assistance Awarded
Employer Partners Across the Region
Aspen Prize-Eligible Community College
Economic Impact
South Piedmont Impact Stories
Partnership in Action
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Invests in the Future of Biopharma
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals is helping South Piedmont prepare the next generation of pharmaceutical manufacturing professionals through an investment of more than $2.7 million in equipment and training materials for the College’s new Aseptic Training Facility. Glenmark also provided technical guidance and helped shape curriculum and long-term program planning. The partnership gives students access to hands-on training while strengthening the skilled workforce needed to support the growing life sciences industry in our region.
A Legacy of Investment
Honoring L. Carlton Tyson Through Ascend704
The generosity of the Tyson family is helping create a new home for entrepreneurship and innovation at South Piedmont. The L. Carlton Tyson Ascend704 Coworking Space, named in honor of longtime South Piedmont supporter and local businessman L. Carlton Tyson, will bring entrepreneurs, business owners, students, and community leaders together in a 49,000-square-foot space designed for collaboration, learning, and growth. The facility continues the Tyson family’s legacy of investing in South Piedmont and in the economic future of Union County.
A Legacy of Learning
The Mary Cornelia Burton Parks Community College Scholarship
Mary Cornelia Burton Parks believed deeply in the power of education and lived that belief herself, earning an associate degree in Human Services at age 65. Today, her granddaughter and namesake, Dr. Mary Lindsay-Barber, honors that legacy through the Mary Cornelia Burton Parks Community College Scholarship, which supports South Piedmont students, particularly women from underrepresented communities. The scholarship carries forward Mrs. Parks’ lifelong encouragement of education by creating opportunities for a new generation of students to pursue their own goals.
Investing from Within
Faculty and Staff Support South Piedmont Programs
South Piedmont faculty and staff do more than serve our students every day. They also choose to invest in the programs and opportunities that help students succeed. During FY 2026-27, more than 150 employees contributed over $40,000 through the Employee Giving Campaign, supporting scholarships, academic programs, student needs, and other priorities across the College. Their generosity reflects a powerful commitment to South Piedmont’s mission and sends a clear message to our students and community: we believe in the programs we support, the students we serve, and the future we are building together.
Help when it matters most.
Emergency Assistance Helps Whitney Montgomery Keep Going
When Medical Sonography student and mother Whitney Montgomery had to reduce her work hours to keep up with the demands of her program, everyday expenses became increasingly difficult to manage. A $500 Student Emergency Assistance award from the South Piedmont Community College Foundation provided help at a critical moment and allowed Whitney to stay focused on completing her education. Today, Whitney is a South Piedmont graduate, a powerful reminder that sometimes a relatively small amount of assistance can make the difference between stopping and reaching the finish line.