Longtime South Carolina representative and former director of the College of Charleston’s Call Me MISTER Program Floyd Breeland died this week at the age of 87.

Breeland worked for 33 years as a career educator in South Carolina public schools before serving as the director of the Call Me MISTER Program in the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance from 2008 to 2018. He was also a member of the South Carolina Legislature, representing House District 111 – Charleston, from 1993 to 2007.

As a veteran educator, Breeland helped establish the College’s Call Me MISTER Program, a statewide program which supports male minority students who choose to major in education.

“The College of Charleston was fortunate to have him join our campus community of scholars in 2008 after is retirement from the S.C. House of Representatives,” said College of Charleston President Andrew T. Hsu in a Letter to the Editor published in The Post and Courier. “Under his guidance and influence, [the Call Me MISTER Program] grew and continues to flourish today as a signature program at the College of Charleston.”

RELATED: Read President Hsu’s Letter to the Editor honoring Rep. Floyd Breeland.

Breeland’s impact on the College’s Call Me MISTER Program and the young men it has shaped is immeasurable, said Dean of the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance Frances Welch.

“Because of his connections, tenacity, endless work and commitment to getting more men of color into teaching, we now have a very successful program,” said Welch. “I am very grateful to Floyd for his many accomplishments and for being my good friend and mentor.”

RELATED: Learn about the College’s Representative Floyd Breeland Scholarship for minority male students in the teacher education program.

Rénard Harris, CofC’s vice president for access and inclusion and chief diversity officer, said that Breeland’s care and kindness touched everyone he worked with, noting that his warm demeanor was a powerful motivator to all he met.

“The paths and opportunities he created for others are innumerable. A collective thank you from all those he assisted would be a resounding sound of love, appreciation and gratitude,” Harris said. “He carried himself with pride and his caring leadership enticed each of us to be his students. He had the ability to make your day better, he gave you a reason to smile, and knowing Floyd Breeland made you know everything was going to be OK.”

Memorial contributions to the Representative Floyd Breeland Scholarship may be made by visiting give.cofc.edu/Breeland.