Local pastor adds to scholarship fund
Endowment in honor of son now valued at $60,000
By SCOTT POWELL Ledger Staff Writer spowell@gaffneyledger.com

Dunton United Methodist Church Rev. John Wesley Evans recently added $50,000 to a scholarship endowment he established at Claflin University in memory of his young son.

Evans presented the gift last fall. He attended a scholarship appreciation luncheon Jan. 31 at his alma mater Claflin University in Orangeburg. His gift increased the value of the Eric Evans scholarship endowment to $60,000.

His 5-year-old son Eric died in 1993 when he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle in the neighborhood where the family lived in Colleton County. Eric had just finished kindergarten at Bell Elementary.

Evans chose to honor his son's memory by establishing the Eric Evans Scholarship Endowment at Claflin University in 1995. Interest income from the endowment is used to award scholarships each year.

This year's scholarship recipient was Claflin University student Allegra Austin.

With his recent contribution, Evans said he hopes the endowment proceeds will help make college affordable for more students.

"I will always be appreciative to Claflin University for providing me with an education. This is a way that I can give back to my alma mater," Evans said. "As it continues to grow, I hope the endowment will be able to award scholarships to several students each year."

To be eligible for the scholarship, Evans said students must attend Claflin University and show evidence of good character through their community activities.

"My main concern is I want to make it possible for young people to get a college education," Evans said.