This year marks the fourth year of the 1967 Legacy Program. The incoming 1967 Legacy Scholars continue to be an asset to the campus community.
“When I think of these four cohorts of talented and ambitious Legacy Scholars, these 39 leaders of tomorrow, I am beyond thankful for the College of Charleston family of faculty, staff, alumni, donors and administrators who have supported them every step of the way,” says Valerie Frazier ’91 (M.P.A. ’94), associate professor of English and director of the 1967 Legacy Program. “These Legacy Scholars have exceeded our wildest dreams. Their futures look very bright!”
Below is a brief overview of four of the 10 Class of 2028 students to join the 1967 Legacy Program this year.
Otis Franklin, North Charleston, S.C.
Recipient of the 1967 Legacy Scholarship
Otis Franklin chose CofC first because everyone in his family went to the University of South Carolina and he wanted to build his own path. His second reason is because William Jenkins ’27 told him about the 1967 Legacy Program and all it could offer.
Franklin participated in the SPECTRA program over the summer and enjoyed the opportunity to meet other students, build community and get ahead of classes before he officially started. Already having two classes under his belt before starting his first year built his confidence.
What Franklin loves most about the College is the atmosphere. “It took me no time to feel comfortable and accept the College as my home thanks to the school’s size and welcoming community. Already the 1967 Legacy Program is like a family.”
Franklin plans to obtain an internship correlating to his computing in the arts major and hopes to get involved in the Black Student Union and intramural sports, particularly basketball and baseball.
Gabrielle Mann, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Recipient of the 1967 Legacy Scholarship and the Ward B. Miller ’76 Scholarship
After attending the Academy of the Arts, Sciences and Technology in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Gabrielle Mann decided she wanted to major in computing in the arts, with the goal of getting into UX/UI design.
As she looked at colleges, she remembered her parents’ advice: “Choose whose choosing you.” The College chose her.
During the SPECTRA program, Lancie Affonso, Honors College faculty fellow, director of the Entrepreneurship Living-Learning Community and senior instructor of computer science and of management and marketing, told her that if she took a course on data camp, he would give her an internship. Mann did it and will be one of two students to have an internship. Affonso told her that he made the offer to 200 students and only she and one other student took him up on it.
In addition to joining the Black Student Union, Mann is involved in Sustainable Fashion, Spanish Club and Film Club. She is also trying to do different things outside of the College. For example, she auditioned for Charleston’s Fashion Week and was selected to walk.
Ramsey Ray, Bowie, Md.
Recipient of the R. Keith & Melissa Sauls Undergraduate Scholarship and the College of Charleston Foundation – 1967 Legacy Scholarship Unrestricted
Ramsey Ray came to the College of Charleston because of the wonderful location, the soccer program, small class sizes and what he heard about the professors.
Ray spent his summer in pre-season training for the men’s soccer team, where he plays outside midfield. Right before training, he participated in MOVE (Multicultural Overnight Visiting Experience), which helped him connect with other students and staff of color.
“The most exciting aspect of being at the College so far is the many people from many different backgrounds I’ve met,” says the education major. “I’ve always believed that it is important to surround yourself with people different from yourself, while also balancing that with people you have things in common with. This way you are more likely to learn of new experiences and hear different viewpoints that may be different from your own or the popular viewpoints in your hometown.”
Trinity Metcalf, Greenville, S.C.
Recipient of the 1967 Legacy Scholarship
Trinity Metcalf is a legacy scholar in more than one way. Not only is she a 1967 Legacy Scholar, but she is following in the footsteps of her mother, Tina Hall Metcalf ’88. Her mom played on the women’s volleyball team and graduated with a degree in elementary education.
When looking at colleges, Honors College student wanted one with diversity. While the College didn’t have the level of diversity she wanted, she decided it was the best place for her because of SPECTRA and the 1967 Legacy Program.
“I appreciate the bonds I have been able to make with SPECTRA and the 1967 Legacy Program,” says Metcalf, a biology major who plans to be a pediatrician. “Getting to know people at a different level is teaching me even if I don’t realize it.”
Metcalf is running to be the first-year representative for the Black Student Union. She wants to be part of the progress the College is making in the area of diversity.
“Diversity needs improvement, but I know the College is trying,” she says.
For certain, Metcalf and her cohort of 1967 Legacy Scholars will help the process along.