People and Events

By Jim Faile

Published: September 24, 2008

GSSM Foundation invites donors, supporters to 20th anniversary celebration

The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) Foundation will hold its Third Annual Donor Appreciation Reception on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 5-7 p.m., at its Hartsville campus.

At the same time, the foundation will celebrate the residential School’s 20th anniversary.This drop-in style event will feature students, faculty and staff, and GSSM President Dr. Murray Brockman will make brief remarks at 6 p.m.

Members of the community are invited to join in the festivities of the 20th anniversary celebration and should RSVP by emailing or calling (803) 252-9152.

Located in Hartsville, the South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics is a public, residential high school for academically talented juniors and seniors.
Since 1988 the Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics has been making a difference in the lives of motivated high school juniors and seniors from across the state.

Now, 20 years later, the positive impact on the South Carolina economy is evident, and it’s time to say thanks to the community of supporters who never stopped believing in the power and potential of our small but mighty school.

Rubenstein honored as Friend of CERRA for commitment, dedication

ROCK HILL— Dr. Joseph Rubenstein and Dr. Patricia Graham were recently honored as Friends of CERRA for their more than 40 years of combined service to the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement.

CERRA recognizes outstanding members of the education community who have contributed time, energy, and guidance to the organization. The 2008 recipients of the Friends of CERRA award reflect those very ideals in every day of their work.

Rubenstein, a professor of education at Coker College in Hartsville, is a charter member of the CERRA Board of Directors, serving in that capacity from 1986 to 2008. His commitment and dedication to the organization can be seen through his guidance and direction provided throughout the past two decades.

CERRA, an independent state agency located on the campus of Winthrop University, is the oldest and most established teacher recruitment program in the country. The purpose of CERRA is to provide leadership in identifying, attracting, placing and retaining well-qualified individuals for the teaching profession in South Carolina. CERRA’s programs have been adopted at school, district and state levels in more than 30 states in the United States.

Tranzy O’Neal earns President’s Club Award

Tranzy O’Neal, Trust Company of South Carolina, Hartsville, earned the number 24 position in Auto-Owners Insurance Company’s 2007 President’s Club.
The President’s Club honors the top 25 agents for Auto-Owners whose life insurance production is the highest for the company in a calendar year. 

Auto-Owners, a Fortune 500 company, currently has more than 17,500 agents authorized to produce life and life-related business in 25 states. This is the first time O’Neal has been a President’s Club member.

O’Neal’s agency, Trust Company of South Carolina, has represented Auto-Owners Insurance Company for over seven years. This has been a winning partnership for Auto-Owners, the agency, and the many customers O’Neal serves.

Spratt says farmers can apply for disaster assistance

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. John Spratt, D-S.C., announced Wednesday that South Carolina farmers can be considered for federal disaster assistance due to losses caused by drought and excessive heat this year.

Spratt said the U.S. Department of Agriculture determined that production losses were sufficient to trigger secretarial disaster designations statewide.

“These designations make farmers eligible to be considered for low-interest emergency loans from the FSA,” said Spratt. “Farmers who would like to apply should contact their local FSA office.”

McLeod Family Medicine Darlington welcomes new family nurse practitioner

Drs. Thomas Dickinson, Thomas Hokanson, Parker Lilly and Jeffrey Scharstein have announced that Ashley Reeves has joined their staff as a family nurse practitioner.
Reeves earned her Master’s of Science in Nursing degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. She completed her Associate Degree in Nursing from Trident Technical College, also in Charleston.

Reeves has served as a staff nurse in the McLeod Regional Medical Center Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit since December of 2006.  She also previously worked as a nurse practitioner at Walterboro Family Practice along with Internal Medicine of Walterboro.

Reeves said she is excited to work as a nurse practitioner again and offer complete care to the Darlington community and surrounding areas. She is now accepting new patients. To make an appointment with Ashley Reeves or for more information, please call (843) 391-2016.