Callawassie couple pledges $50,000 to USCB

A Callawassie Island couple has pledged $50,000 over five years to establish a fund supporting experiential learning opportunities for University of South Carolina Beaufort students.

Kathleen and Jim Jordan created the Experiential Learning Fund to help students gain practical experience through activities such as research, clinical placements and internships.

“Experiential learning is an exciting advancement in higher-level education,” Kathleen Jordan said. “This program enables USCB students to relate their course work to the real world and better prepare them to face the challenges and seize upon the opportunities of the workplace upon graduation.”

According to the university, about 70% of USCB’s more than 2,200 students currently participate in at least one experiential learning opportunity during their college careers.

“Our goal is for all USCB students to benefit from experiential learning,” Dr. Kim Dudas, provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, said in a statement. “Learning beyond the classroom in a real-life setting is an essential part of a purposeful college experience and this gift from the Jordans will help make that possible for our students locally, nationally and globally.”

The Jordans have lived on Callawassie Island for 30 years following careers in corporate and international finance. Kathleen Jordan serves on the board of the USCB Education Foundation and on the curriculum committee of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at USCB. Jim Jordan is an author and historian.

The university said the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute will present a program this fall for its members to learn more about experiential learning and hear from USCB students about their experiences.

For more information about creating opportunities for USCB students, contact Tim Daniels at 843-208-8258 or tdaniels@uscb.edu.