When students enroll at Wofford College, the college’s Office of Admission asks them why they chose Wofford. The “academic program” always takes the top spot on the survey. Some also attend because they are eager to become Terriers like their parents and grandparents. Others say yes because the campus community was welcoming and beautiful when they visited, or they were recruited to play NCAA Division I athletics. The college’s nationally ranked alumni network and its study abroad programs and opportunities to participate in campus performing arts, leadership, and fraternity and sorority life attracts others. Regardless of the reasons, we know that Wofford College retains students at a rate of more than 90%, and more than 80% of students graduate within four years — both statistics place us among the top liberal arts colleges in the country.
The type of education that Wofford provides is worth the price tag, but it’s still hard for many students and families to manage the cost. This is one of the reasons that Jerry Richardson’s gifts to the college over his lifetime are so important — from early gifts to the Terrier Club that helped athletics boosters chip away at scholarships for student-athletes, to the establishment of the Richardson Family Scholarship, to his most recent major gift of $150 million to the endowment, of which $110 million will be used forever to provide scholarships for students with financial need. Until Wofford College can give a life-changing scholarship to every student who enrolls, we will always need people such as Mr. Richardson, who gave throughout his life according to his family’s needs and growing success.
This issue was about to go to press when we learned of his passing. It was with great sadness, but also immense gratitude, that we celebrated his life on campus in the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium on March 18. We continue to celebrate him in this issue of Wofford Today and with every student who says yes to Wofford thanks to a scholarship provided through his wisdom and generosity.
Thank you, Mr. Richardson.
Nayef H. Samhat
11TH PRESIDENT OF WOFFORD COLLEGE