Communicating Success

He never worked as a journalist, but Rocky Harwood credits the School of Journalism and Mass Communications with nurturing his communication skills, which have bolstered his success and happiness as an investment advisor over the past 45 years.

That's why Harwood decided to endow a scholarship in the College of Information and Communication, earmarking it speciÿ cally for students from his home state of North Carolina.

Having served for several years as president of the Piedmont Triad Gamecock Club and remembering the close relationship he cultivated as a student with the legendary Coach Frank McGuire, Harwood had always contributed to the Gamecock Club.

"I had always been a big supporter of Carolina athletics, but while I was serving on a fundraising committee during the Bicentennial Campaign, I began to consider how much I owed my success to what I learned as a student at the University of South Carolina," says Harwood, who graduated in 1970 and now works for Wells Fargo Advisors. "If I hadn't enrolled at Carolina, I wouldn't be who I am today."

Harwood's endowed gift, which he made over the course of several years, was matched, in part, by Prudential Securities, his employer at the time. "Being able to complete the gift over time along with the matching component from my employer made it a no brainer," Harwood says. "There have been a number of recipients of my scholarship over the years, and I've enjoyed receiving thank you notes from many of them. It's a pleasure and an honor to know that my humble contribution will serve students from North Carolina who choose to attend the University of South Carolina for years to come."