GSSM and Duke Energy Continue Partnership with a $5,000 Grant to support STEM Summer Programs

Back Row Left to Right - George Curtis (Plant Manager, Robinson Nuclear Facility) and Randy LaCross (Senior Vice President for Outreach and Global Initiatives)

Front Row - Beth Dindorff (Executive Director of GSSM Foundation), Lauren Griggs (District Manager-Government and Community Relations Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, and Marlboro Counties), Susan Engelhardt (GSSM's Outreach Director of Summer Programs), Joe Vargas (Duke Energy Senior Nuclear Engineer and GSSM Parent C/O 2026), Danny Dorsel '90 (GSSM's President). 

HARTSVILLE, S.C. (August 12, 2024) – The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) is pleased to announce that it has received a $5,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation. This generous donation has provided scholarships for students from surrounding areas to attend GSSM's summer programs.

Duke Energy's dedication to education and community development played a crucial role in enabling young minds to explore their academic interests and future career paths. This grant specifically supported students from Darlington, Dillon, Chesterfield, and Marlboro Counties who attended GSSM’s STEM summer camps.

“Duke Energy is proud to partner with GSSM for their GoSciTech Summer Camps,” said Lauren Griggs, District Manager for Government and Community Relations in Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, and Marlboro Counties in South Carolina. “These camps are important for capturing students’ attention and engaging their minds at a young age. We hope that by supporting opportunities such as this, students’ interest in STEM-based careers will be sparked in the future.”

GSSM's summer programs offer students unique opportunities to engage in immersive and hands-on educational experiences across various subjects. These programs expose students to innovative teaching methods and cutting-edge technologies, fostering their curiosity and passion for science, technology, mathematics, and engineering. 

“Duke Energy has always been a staunch supporter of GSSM and our efforts to reach as many students as possible,” said GSSM President Danny Dorsel ‘90. “With their financial assistance, our STEM educational experiences are accessible to more students and families. We are grateful for Duke Energy’s commitment to GSSM.” 

The grant from Duke Energy allowed GSSM to offer scholarships to students who may not otherwise have had the means to participate. By removing economic barriers, Duke Energy's support increased access to GSSM's transformative summer programs. 

“Duke Energy has supported GSSM and its Outreach Center for many years in our development and delivery of outstanding summer STEM education learning experiences. The company and its leadership understand the benefits of investing in programs that positively impact young scholars who will become our next generation of STEM leaders and our future workforce,” said Randy LaCross, GSSM SVP for Outreach & Global Initiatives. “We are thankful for this award from the Duke Energy Foundation that provided the opportunity for students.”

Duke Energy’s gift and ongoing partnership with GSSM underscore a shared commitment to equipping the next generation with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in STEM fields, contribute to community growth, and foster a bright future for South Carolina and beyond. For more information on GSSM, please visit www.scgssm.org or call 843-383-3901.