Johnnie Baxley III ’92 came to the College in part due to the generosity of others. The scholarships he received made his education affordable and enabled him to continue on to law school and begin a successful legal career – in which he helped found his current law firm, which has grown to be one of the largest workers’ compensation firms in South Carolina.
Last year, he decided it was time to give back. Baxley and his wife, Michelle, have pledged up to $7,500 for each of the next five years as a challenge to match each year’s senior class contribution. Should each class answer the challenge, at least $75,000 will be raised for College scholarships and academic programs during this period of time.
The Class of 2013 has already done its part. About half the money it raised will go to the College of Charleston Fund, which supports scholarships, and the rest will go to Dean’s Excellence Funds. The Baxleys couldn’t be more pleased with the team effort to better the College.
“We believe it’s important to establish with graduating seniors the philosophy of philanthropy. Giving back to your alma mater, even in small amounts, gets each of us in the habit of making the College a priority with our charity,” says Baxley. “I was able to attend the College because previous alumni made it a priority to give back, and I believe in paying it forward.”
