Category: Press Releases

Kenny Here… Check this out guys… this Press Release just came in and I absolutely love seeing people get to continue on with their education:

USC Aiken Students Receive P.E.O. Program For Continuing Education Grants

Aiken, S.C. – Two students from the University of South Carolina Aiken received a grant from the P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE).  Senior nursing major Christy Swearingen received a $1,800 PCE grant and Donna Bannister, another senior nursing major, was awarded a $2,000 PCE grant.

“I feel blessed and very fortunate.” said Swearingen, who plans to use the money to assist with childcare while she studies. Bannister said, “I’m very honored and grateful to Dr. Benton, Dr. Campbell, and the P.E.O. It’s rare for an organization to help out so much.”

The P.E.O. is a Philanthropic Educational Organization with chapters in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in six Canadian provinces. There are several chapters in the Aiken area. The P.E.O was founded in 1869 and is one of the pioneer societies for women.

“The P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education (PCE) presents need-based grants to women in the United States and Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to complete their education to better support themselves and/or their families,” said Dr. Liz Benton, a member of Chapter B, South Carolina, which sponsored Swearingen and Bannister and their grant applications to the P.E.O. International. “Our P.E.O. chapter makes sure we stay in contact with the students until they graduate. We’re always happy to help them finish their education.”

The primary mission of P.E.O. is to promote educational opportunities for women. P.E.O. maintains six educational projects which include ownership of Cottey College in Nevada Missouri, scholarships for high school seniors, educational loans, awards for graduate studies, international peace scholarships for international women students to pursue graduate study in the United States and Canada, and the grants awarded through the Program for Continuing Education.

The Program for Continuing Education (PCE) was established in 1973 to provide need based grants to women in the U.S. and Canada whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves and/or their families. The grants cannot be used for living expenses as the intent is to provide financial assistance with educational expenses. Each grant recipient must be sponsored by a local chapter. Local chapter members work with the students to assist them with their grant applications.

“What the P.E.O. does for students in need, the fact that they contribute so much to their completion of school, is outstanding,” said Dr. Sara Campbell, Dean of the School of Nursing.

About the Author: "The General"

Kenny is "The General" of the AC Army. Transplant to the Augusta Area in 2009, he and his wife decided to create this playground for the citizens of the CSRA! He also likes to talk... a lot!