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Columbia Business Monthly

The Business Narrative: BlueCross Blue Shield Creates Scholarship Program

Jul 29, 2022 09:22AM ● By Donna Walker

BlueScholars Program Supports Benedict, Claflin Students

BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina is partnering with Benedict College and Claflin University to give more students an opportunity to pursue an education while getting a head start on their career paths.

The BlueCross BlueScholars program will select four students from each institution to receive a full four-year scholarship that covers tuition and room and board.

“We are committed to supporting students of our state’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs),” said BlueCross President and CEO Mike Mizeur.

“Early during the pandemic, BlueCross made a significant investment in several South Carolina HBCUs, and we aim for our support to extend beyond students’ academic careers. The BlueScholars program creates a pathway for students to hold leadership roles within our company after graduation. We are committed to support their educational pursuits and their place as future leaders in our workforce.”

The eight students selected for the inaugural BlueScholars program will participate in career development workshops and will be able to engage with BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina representatives during panel discussions and summer internships.

These events are designed to prepare the students for employment opportunities at BlueCross.

“Benedict College is pleased to partner with BlueCross on the development of the BlueScholars program, which provides much needed financial support for our scholars,” said Benedict President and CEO Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis.

“Additionally, and perhaps equally important, BlueScholars will receive ongoing professional development and highly coveted summer internship placements with BlueCross, one of our state’s premier employers. These students will have the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment and gain valuable professional experiences that will place them on a path toward a meaningful and rewarding career.”

Students selected as BlueScholars will have summer internship opportunities at BlueCross beginning the second year of the program.

Lincoln Avenue Capital Acquires Columbia Apartment Community

Lincoln Avenue Capital (LAC), a mission-driven acquirer and developer of affordable housing, announced that it acquired Wyndham Pointe Apartments and will continue to reserve 100 percent of the units for low-income residents in the Columbia community.

“Lincoln Avenue Capital is proud to continue growing our nationwide affordable housing portfolio in communities where quality, sustainable homes are needed,” said LAC CEO Jeremy Bronfman.

“This acquisition preserves affordable residences and improves the environmental profile of Wyndham Pointe.”

Columbia has limited affordable housing options for individuals and families. The statewide affordable housing crisis has created long waiting lists for housing relief and a financial burden for residents whose wages have not kept pace with escalating rents in South Carolina.

Data shows that the cost of a one-bedroom apartment in Columbia increased 21 percent over the course of a year.

“Our investment will preserve the affordability of Wyndham Pointe for generations of Columbia residents to come,” said LAC Associate Brian Moloney.

“We are excited to use this opportunity to create a more sustainable property.” 

As part of Lincoln Avenue Capital's commitment to sustainability and green building practices, the team is incorporating water saving fixtures into Wyndham Pointe. The upgraded water fixtures will reduce water usage on the property by up to 40 percent.

LAC worked with the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority (SC Housing) to ensure a safe transfer of ownership for long-term quality homes.

The acquisition was financed through a loan from the National Equity Fund, which has supported previous LAC acquisitions across a wide range of national markets.

The property, originally built in 2007, includes 180 units and offers community amenities including an exercise room, clubhouse, and swimming pool.

Motto Mortgage Opens Office in Greenwood

Motto Mortgage, the national mortgage brokerage focused on transparency and compliance, has a new office in Greenwood, S.C. 

Motto Mortgage Action will serve all markets throughout the Palmetto State.

Motto Mortgage Action is a full-service mortgage brokerage established by Jennifer Meredith Johnston and Thomas H. “Bubba” Harvin Jr., who are lifelong residents of Greenwood County.

Harvin, who has been a Realtor for 44 years, is the broker owner of RE/MAX Action Realty. He will remain focused on RE/MAX Action Realty while Johnston will manage and operate Motto Mortgage Action.

Johnston, who will also serve as a mortgage loan originator for Motto Mortgage Action, previously served as vice president/mortgage banker with Countybank Mortgage.

Loan originators in the Motto Mortgage network have access to competitive loans from various wholesale lenders and work hard to give homebuyers choices. A digital mortgage experience is available for borrowers who would prefer to conduct business remotely.

Ovarian Cancer Coalition to Hold Butterfly Release

The Ovarian Cancer Coalition of Central SC (OCC) will hold the annual butterfly release for ovarian cancer at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at the S.C. State House to raise awareness of this deadly disease.

The Cathy B. Novinger Butterfly Release for Ovarian Cancer is named for the organization’s founder, who lost her life to the disease in 2016.

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. Participants will release hundreds of butterflies in memory or honor of a relative or friend who has been affected by ovarian cancer and other female-related cancers.

Each year, almost 20,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer, and of those, more than 14,000 will lose their lives. One in 78 women will develop some form of ovarian cancer in their lifetime.

Ovarian cancer is called “the disease that whispers” because women may not recognize the symptoms that signal the onset. It is one of the deadliest cancers among women, often detected too late to be cured.

If detected early, ovarian cancer has a 93 percent five-year survival rate. The survival rate drops below 25 percent for five-year survival for those who are in stage 3 and 5 percent for those diagnosed in stage 4. Ovarian cancer is not detected through pap smear examinations.

Proceeds from the event help further the organization’s mission of educating women in the Midlands about ovarian cancer. For more information or to purchase a butterfly, go to www.ovariancancermidlands.org.


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