Scholarship Empowers Students to Learn Differently

Sabine Lang has seen numerous people struggle with dyslexia and come out on top.

“Dyslexia is probably one of the most misunderstood conditions in our society,” says Lang. “It is not a disability; it’s a learning difference. Many highly successful people are dyslexic, so it’s clearly not an academic liability.”

That’s why Lang created the Sabine Lang Honors Success Scholarship: to support highly intellectual students who work harder because society is not set up to support certain learning differences. Lang points to left-handed people who have few accommodations – just try finding left-handed scissors. Through her scholarship, Lang applauds the adaptability, intelligence and perseverance of students with learning differences.

“I want to support students who have overcome challenges that society has imposed on them,” she explains. She also hopes that her scholarship will empower students to embrace their difference and not hide or view their condition as inferior.

For the first recipient of the scholarship, Abby Flynn ’27, the scholarship proves that barriers to learning can make stronger, smarter students.

“I learned quickly that I would much rather be the hardest working student in the classroom,” says Flynn, a biology major at the Honors College who plans to enter the medical field. “Eventually when we aren’t being graded but are actually working in our fields, the ones who learned to persevere and adapt will be the strongest performers.”

Flynn chose the College of Charleston for its sense of community.

“The size of my classes allows for more individual attention, which is something that is super important to me,” she says. “Having relationships with my professors and classmates will be a huge help when entering such a challenging major. The College of Charleston offered so many extracurriculars too – such as philanthropy, sustainability club and even a Taylor Swift club.

“I really am honored to be receiving the Sabine Lang Honors Success Scholarship,” adds Flynn. “It means a lot to be recognized for the challenges I have worked to overcome. I plan to continue to apply myself and to find ways to give back to my new school community.”