Columbia College announces the establishment of a new endowed scholarship giving preference to children of ministers. The Barbara Dennis Corley '49 and Denise Corley Godowns '73 Endowed Scholarship is named for a mother and daughter who both graduated from Columbia College. The scholarship represents deep family connections to the College, which include Barbara's parents, the late Reverend and Mrs. J. R. Dennis. Reverend Dennis was a Methodist minister who traveled the State with the College’s longest serving president, Reverend R. Wright Spears, representing the work of the South Carolina Methodist Conference and Columbia College.

Barbara Dennis Corley '49 majored in chemistry at Columbia College. While attending Columbia College, Barbara met her husband, G. Baylis Corley, while he was attending the nearby Lutheran Seminary. Barbara was a stay-at-home mom for several years before becoming a public school teacher. She taught science for 20 years in Cameron, S.C., and in Orangeburg, S.C., until she retired in 1983. Both of the Corley’s daughters have followed their mother’s footsteps to become educators. Reverend Corley last served Resurrection Lutheran Church and St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Cameron, until his retirement in 1989. Reverend and Mrs. Corley reside in Orangeburg.

Reverend and Mrs. Corley have endowed this scholarship with a significant gift which includes proceeds from Barbara Dennis Corley's parents’ estate. In addition, their daughter, alumna Denise Corley Godowns '73 has contributed to establish the scholarship endowment. Godowns teaches special education at Alief Independent School in Houston, Texas.

Because the late Rev. J. R. Dennis and Rev. G. Baylis Corley served in roles as pastors of local churches throughout South Carolina, the first preference for awarding this scholarship will be given to children of ministers wanting to attend Columbia College. Otherwise, any student who demonstrates financial need will be eligible to apply for this scholarship. This scholarship will be available starting with the 2011-2012 academic year.


Lisa Livingston, Columbia College’s director of alumnae relations, said, "The Corleys have been steadfast supporters of the College and along with their daughter Denise, represent the finest of family traditions that are ever-present throughout the College community."