Ann “Tunky” Riley, a distinguished graduate of McClenaghan High School in Florence, advocate of quality education, and former First Lady of South Carolina, was honored for her efforts in support of education at this year’s School Foundation Celebration, the annual fundraiser for the endowment supporting Florence School District 1.
Among the many extraordinary measures for education she has championed, the Florence native and University of South Carolina graduate, and her husband, the Honorable Richard W. Riley, former Governor of South Carolina and U.S. Secretary of Education, created the Dick and Tunky Riley School Improvement Award. It was created to recognize the significant contributions made to public education by the more than 17,000 School Improvement Council members who volunteer in every public school in the state.
Guest Speaker Lindsey Graham, the distinguished U.S. Senator from South Carolina, further enlivened the evening. A native South Carolinian, Graham grew up in Central, graduated from D.W. Daniel High School, and earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
The Honorable Richard W. Riley also took the podium in honor of his wife, this year’s “Foundation's Distinguished Graduate Award” recipient.
The event, which drew more than 1000 people, was held for Friday, Sept. 22 at the Florence Civic Center. It, along with “The Harry Carson Celebrity Golf Classic”, is the primary fundraiser for The School Foundation, which supports the 14,000 public school students in the greater Florence area.
The Foundation has raised nearly $1.5 million as an endowment for the public schools, and is the largest endowment for any public K-12 school system in South Carolina. It recently awarded a $71,500 grant for “Arts, Audio Visual Technology or Communications” career cluster, one of many career clusters required by the state in last year’s Education and Economic Development Act.
As an outstanding advocate of quality education, former First Lady of South Carolina Ann “Tunky” Riley graduated with a BS degree in Business Administration from the University of South Carolina and began her career as a volunteer coordinator in the Greenville County Schools. Tunky’s extensive contributions in the education field led her to serve as a board member and active participant on the Citizens Participation for Education Task Force to establish new educational goals and challenges for South Carolina’s young people.
During 1983 and 1984, Tunky worked for passage of the most comprehensive education reforms in South Carolina, the Education Improvement Act. She made numerous appearances throughout the state to speak to organizations promoting citizen participation in education.
In addition to her extensive involvement in education, Tunky Riley is active in many organizations related to health, the arts, gardening and historic preservation. As a mother of four and grandmother of 11, she has enjoyed community service in a variety of fields.
She presently serves on the Board of Directors of Spoleto Festival, U.S.A., Meridian International and the U.S. Botanic Garden Fund. She also has served on the S.C. State Museum Foundation, YWCA, United Way of Greenville, the Hollings Cancer Center, Junior League of Greenville, Peace Performing Arts Center, Alliance for Quality Education, Wildflower Alliance of S.C., Cities in Schools, Inc., South Carolina PTA and the Dorothy Haynsworth Garden Club.
Tunky was born in Florence, S.C. and now lives in Greenville, South Carolina with her husband, former S.C. Gov. Richard W. Riley, formerly Secretary of Education for U.S. President Bill Clinton.
Riley will receive the Foundation's Distinguished Graduate Award; previously awarded to Wilson High School Principal Allie Brooks, Jr.; Harry Carson, Florence native, successful businessman and nine-time Pro Bowl linebacker; Marva Smalls, a Wilson High School graduate who is now a vice president of the Nickelodeon television network; and former state Supreme Court Chief Justice David Harwell, a graduate of McClenaghan High School.
For ticket information to next year's event, contact The School Foundation at 843-662-9996 or visit its website at www.theschoolfoundation.org.
Individual Tickets $100 District 1 Employees $75
Sponsored Tables for (8) begin @ $1,000.
Money raised by The School Foundation
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Impacts quality with innovative grants of $10,000 or more.
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Does not go to normal district operating expenses.
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Targets student academic achievement and good citizenship, teacher quality, school safety and district leadership.
To View the Brochure and Event Registration Form, click here
Donations supporting Florence School District 1 can be made online at the foundation's Web site, www.theschoolfoundation.org, or by mailing to the foundation, 320 W. Cheves Street, Suite 171, Florence, SC 29501. For more information, call (843) 662-9996.
