Sheriff's Department Golf Tournament Raises Money for Scholarship

Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts donated a $12,000 check to the James R. Metts Endowed Scholarship at Charleston Southern University.

The donation reflected proceeds from the ninth annual Sheriff James R. Metts Golf Tournament on Sept. 20.

Metts presented the check to Charleston Southern University President Dr. Jairy C. Hunter, Jr. during a dinner that Hunter hosted at the university Monday. Four students who currently receive scholarships through the endowed scholarship attended the event.

Two of the students plan to attend law school. One student plans to work as a victim assistance officer, and one student plans to work as a teacher at a correctional facility.

A total of 30 four-person teams competed in the Sheriff James R. Metts Golf
Tournament at the Country Club of Lexington, Metts said. All proceeds from the golf tournament benefit the James R. Metts Endowed Scholarship.

In awarding scholarships, the university gives preference to students from Lexington County. Metts said seven Charleston Southern University students currently receive scholarships through the James R. Metts Endowed Scholarship:

• Audrey M. Truesdale, of Lexington
• Gerald M. Butler, II, of Cheraw
• Thomasina N. Gary, of Greenville
• Richard G. Winesette, of Myrtle Beach
• Rashad L. Johnson, of Charleston
• Charlotte J. Allen, of Columbus, OH
• Jeffrey Gibson, of Portsmouth, OH

“As a former student who depended upon financial assistance in order to attend
Charleston Southern University, I understand the importance of providing scholarships to worthy young people who want to pursue careers in the criminal justice field,” Metts said. “I greatly enjoy reading the letters and seeing the photos that scholarship recipients send to me.”

“The committee that organizes the golf tournament does a superb job each year in conducting a fun event that benefits a great cause,” Metts said. “I know the endowed scholarship makes a difference in the lives of the students who receive scholarships.”

As a result of the generosity of business owners and golfers, a total of $176,115 has been donated since 2004 to Charleston Southern University for the endowed scholarship, Metts said. All of the money came from the annual Sheriff James R. Metts Golf Tournament.

“I am honored that businesses and golfers have so generously donated money to help us invest in the futures of worthy young people in Lexington County,” Metts said.

Metts serves on the Charleston Southern University Board of Visitors. Metts also serves as an adjunct professor in the university’s criminal justice program for graduate students.

Submitted by the Lexington County Sheriff's Department.