CENTRAL — Many of the area’s elected and appointed officials in federal, state and local government gathered Feb. 22 at Southern Wesleyan University to get updates on “town-gown” relations during a Legislative Appreciation Luncheon Feb. 22 at the Central campus.

The purpose of the annual luncheon is to show appreciation for government officials and to focus on positive relationships these leaders have forged with Southern Wesleyan and its students through their support of federal and state financial aid. Southern Wesleyan University President Todd Voss shared about the latest projects on the Central campus, which include the near-completion of the six-court Rev. Leroy C. Cox Tennis Complex and the Nicholson-Mitchell Christian Ministry Center. He also shared future plans, which include a retirement community and he reiterated how the surrounding community benefits from present and future projects. An example he gave was the tennis complex, which will be open year-round to area tennis enthusiasts and a new ampitheatre that will be open to the community for outdoor events. Voss also shared about future events, which includes hosting of the Area 14 Special Olympics April 6.

State Sen. Larry Martin (R-Pickens) makes comments about the leadership role of Southern Wesleyan University in the community during the university’s annual Legislative Appreciation Luncheon Feb. 22 in Central. Looking on at left is Emily DeRoberts, a Southern Wesleyan alumna and district manager of S.C. government and the community relations team at Duke Energy.

Erin Harrison, a freshman from Belvedere and a criminal justice major, spoke about how Palmetto Fellows and the S.C. Tuition Grant scholarships have made her college education possible and thanked state lawmakers for their support of state tuition assistance.

“Growing up in a working class family, this was extremely important to me. Scholarships were the only way for me to ever get higher education,” Harrison said. “I believe I was called here to Southern Wesleyan. There’s something special about this place.”

Melanie Gillespie, Southern Wesleyan’s director of financial aid, also emphasized the importance of support for tuition programs that benefit students choosing to attend a Christian college or university “so that they may grow in their faith as well as their learning.”

Mike LeFever, President and CEO of SCICU (South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities), pointed out how the state’s private colleges “are a reflection of our population,” noting how legislative support of state grants and other financial aid makes a positive impact.

LeFever noted that private colleges don’t receive direct state or federal aid, emphasizing that campus buildings and renovations come not from state appropriations but from alumni and benefactors showing how they want to invest in the next generation of students.

“The leadership role Southern Wesleyan is playing in this community is tremendous,” said State Sen. Larry Martin (R-Pickens).

Six Mile Mayor Roy Stoddard praised Voss for his vision for the university and community and “putting that vision to work.”