UofSC Aiken Present Bill Tucker with Honorary Degree
Long-time Supporter, Donor, and Advocate for UofSC Aiken Receives Honorary Degree
Aiken, SC (05/07/2021) — The University of South Carolina Aiken (UofSC Aiken) is delighted and honored to name William H. Tucker as an USC Honorary Degree recipient for May 2021.
Tucker, along with his wife, Sandy, has been a long-time supporter, donor, and advocate for UofSC Aiken. Tucker has served two terms on the Aiken Partnership Board (the USC Aiken Education Foundation's governing body), including serving as Board President and member of the Planned Giving Committee.
Bill and Sandy are currently serving as the capital campaign Co-Chairs of the university's More Than a Game campaign to create a golf practice facility on campus that will also become the permanent home of The First Tee of Aiken. In that capacity, Tucker has led by example, making a leadership gift and doing everything from assisting in the creation of campaign materials to helping to host donor events, and most importantly, by connecting university staff and volunteers with potential doors and funding sources. To date, the campaign has raised approximately $1.5 million toward the goal. Tucker consistently supports UofSC Aiken's fundraising efforts touching on everything from the arts to athletics. He was not only a supporter of the successful All-Steinway campaign for USC Aiken, but he brought in other major donors as well. His outstanding work on behalf of UofSC Aiken led to his selection as the University's 2011 Distinguished Citizen.
Chancellor Sandra Jordan said she deeply values Tucker's judgement and friendship. "Bill Tucker has been a stalwart supporter of UofSC Aiken for decades. He has played many roles in service to the university: Aiken Partnership board member and chairman, donor, advisor, volunteer, champion, and fundraising leader. His tireless work on behalf of UofSC Aiken led to his selection as the university's 2011 Distinguished Citizen."
Tucker's civic-mindedness and commitment to service is not limited to UofSC Aiken. Early in his career, he served as Chairman of the Board of the Child development Center and led it through a merger with two other entities serving children and adults with disabilities to create the highly regarded Tri-Development Center. Today, Tri-Development is the preeminent disabilities services agency in the county with a mission to provide, promote and coordinate community services in Aiken County for individuals with autism, head and spinal cord injuries, and intellectual disabilities.
Tucker was among the leadership of the Campaign to Save the Woods, which successfully raised over $2 million to preserve Aiken's Hitchcock Woods. The Tuckers are still deeply committed to Hitchcock Woods' preservation and their son, Bennett, is the superintendent of the Woods.
Tucker volunteers for many organizations and his talents often land him in leadership positions. A long-time Rotarian, Tucker is a Past President and current member of the Rotary Club of Aiken, as well as a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International. He recently received the 2020 Aiken Rotarian of the Year. He is also a past board member and chairman of the Aiken Chapter of the American Red Cross; past board of directors member of the Commission on the Future of Aiken County; past board of directors member of Aiken County Junior Achievement; former president of the Aiken Steeplechase Association. Mr. Tucker is a trustee of the Phelps Foundation and current president of the Whitney Trust; and finally, Tucker is a current board member and past board chairman of the Community Foundation for the CSRA.
Bill has served First Presbyterian Church of Aiken many times as a deacon and elder and was one of the leaders of the capital campaign for the church's renovation. Presently, he serves as trustee for the church, as well as a member of the personnel committee.
A 1974 graduate of DePauw University and a 1978 graduate of the University of South Carolina Law School, he is an attorney with Hull Barrett Attorneys and a member of the American Bar Association. His volunteerism even extends to his leisure activities as Bill has served as member of the Board of Governors of the Green Boundary Club and past president of the Palmetto Golf Club Board of Governors.
Tucker credits both of his parents with instilling in their children the values of philanthropy, generosity and work.
Media Attachments
Left to right: Miles Loadholt, Bill Tucker, Cameron Howell (Acting Secretary, Board of Trustees) and UofSC President Bob Caslen.