In Memory Of
Mom And Pop Byrnes

The James F. Byrnes Foundation Scholarships are living memorials to James Francis Byrnes and his wife, Maude Busch Byrnes. Since 1949 the Byrnes Foundation has awarded 1,184 scholarships for more than $6.9M total.

The Byrnes Scholars logo.

Website Updates

Catherine Ann DeYoung

Eastside High School, attending Clemson University

Mallory Lauren Garcia

Gaffney High School, attending Clemson University

Tyriq Christian Hamilton

Summerville High School, attending Winthrop University

Makayla Traci Wayua Hines

Dutch Fork High School, attending Winthrop University

Alina Claire Hornsby

James L. Mann High School attending USC Columbia

Nathaniel Joseph Inman

James F. Byrnes High School, attending Clemson

Jessica M. James

River Bluff High School, attending USC Darla Moore School

Georgia Brey Montondo

Myrtle Beach High School, attending College of Charleston

Lydia Christina Lou Owens

Woodmont High School, attending Anderson University

Drake Edward Pugh

Northwood Academy High School, attending USC Beaufort

Zoe Marie Wampler

Woodruff High School, attending Lander University

Anthony Acker

Education: Bachelor of Science, Health Science, Clemson University.

Achievements: Founded an Operation Smile Club, Vice President of Delta Chi Fraternity, Pre-dental club member, President`s List (2x), Dean`s List (2x).

Post-Graduation: Started dental school at MUSC on June 5th.

Alumni Foresight: I look forward to being a big brother!

John Acker

Education: Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, The Citadel – The Military College of SC.

Achievements: Served as Vice Chairman of the Honor Court, Ernest F. Hollings Fellow, President of the Political Science Honor Society, Kappa Alpha inductee.

Post-Graduation: Currently working at Ducks Unlimited as a Grassroots Policy Coordinator. I work to lobby and influence environmental legislation across the United States.

Alumni Foresight: I can`t wait to help future scholars as a big brother!

Stephen Canepa

Education: Bachelor of Applied Computer Science with a concentration in Cybersecurity, University of South Carolina Aiken.

Achievements: An internship at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions’ IT and Cyber Division.

Post-Graduation: Will work for a cyber company. Alumni Foresight: To pour into others, like my Byrnes Brothers and Sisters did for me.

Michelle Cody

Education: Bachelor of Science, Nursing, Clemson University (Will Graduate in December).

Achievements: Student Nurse`s Association, Oncology Nursing Society, Hospice, Palliative Care Nurse`s Association.

Post-Graduation: Will work as a Neonatal Care Nurse and attend Duke University for my Master`s degree to become a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

Alumni Foresight: I look forward to being able to share my experience with the foundation with new scholars.

Haven Curtis

Education: Bachelor of Science, Biological Sciences w/ minor in Spanish, University of South Carolina.

Achievements: Alpha Xi Delta Sorority, Member Development VP, USC Dance Marathon, Graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Post-Graduation: To attend medical school at UofSC School of Medicine-Greenville.

Alumni Foresight: To connect with other scholars, serve them as others in the foundation have served me. I want to stay connected to the foundation and become a familiar face to the scholars who come after me!

Rebecca Dooley

Education: Bachelor of Science, Business Management, Clemson University (Will Graduate in August).

Achievements: Kappa Delta Sorority, Peer Dialogue Facilitator for Clemson University, Women in Business Club, Served on the Girl Scout Committee organizing community outreach projects.

Post-Graduation: Accepted a position at ByFarr Design as an Operations Coordinator, working with Fig Magazine as client liaison and photo stylist.

Alumni Foresight: To being an older Byrnes sister to some of the recent graduates and furthering my relationship with my Byrnes family that has walking with me in this journey the past four years!

Jamari Evans

Education: Bachelor of Science, Landscape Architecture, Clemson University.

Achievements: ASLA (American Society of Landscape Architects) member.

Post-Graduation: Full-time position at Bolton & Menk, Inc., in Charlotte, NC.

Alumni Foresight: To interact with the younger generation.

Madison Godfrey

Education: Bachelor of Science, Psychology w/ a double minor in Biological Sciences & Sociology, Clemson University.

Achievements: Studied abroad in London and visited Scotland, Made memories attending concerts of a lifetime.

Post-Graduation: To work and volunteer within the mental health field for a year, To pursue a Master`s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Alumni Foresight: To become more involved in the foundation and grow closer to my Byrnes family! I look forward to being intentional on my time spent with everyone!

Kaitie Lawson

Education: Bachelor of Science, Conservation & Ecological Biological Sciences, Winthrop University.

Achievements: Freshwater Research, Received a grant from the SCDNR to conduct a survey for a foundation in Chester, SC (Work will be published).

Post-Graduation: Further my research in preserving wildlife and natural resources.

Alumni Foresight: To help and be there for the scholars like how I`ve been helped.

Isaac Manning

Education: Bachelor of Science, Graphic Communications, Clemson University.

Achievements: Graduated Magna Cum Laude, President of Clemson Wrestling, Placed 4th at Wrestling Nationals.

Post-Graduation: To work in sales and wedding photography.

Alumni Foresight: To be able to give back and come back to events.

Charlie Wieters

Education: Bachelor of Science, Childhood Education, College of Charleston.

Achievements: Teacher Leaders Program, Met with representatives from the Department of Education and members of Congress.

Post-Graduation: To teach kindergarten and eventually earn a Master`s degree in Educational Policy.

Alumni Foresight: I`m excited to experience the other side of Super Weekend.

2023 Fall Dinners Schedule

Fall Dinners are not just for our student scholars, they are for ALL SCHOLARS; we even have a dinner scheduled for out of state scholars, too! Fall dinners provide small group settings that give the students the opportunity to get to know each other.

Help us reach, connect, and reconnect with scholars who many not have attended a Byrnes event in a while. Contact scholars in your area and encourage them to meet you for dinner.

Monday, October 9 - Charleston Area Scholars at 6:30 p.m., Ms. Rose's Fine Food and Cocktails
Sunday, October 15 - Columbia Area Scholars at 6:00 p.m., home of Faith Waitman
Monday, October 16 - Greenville Area Scholars at 6:30 p.m., home of Racquel and Tony Wohlers
Sunday, October 22 - Rock Hill Area Scholars at 6:00 p.m., home of James and Sandy Dowdy
Sunday, October 29 - Clemson Area Scholars at 6:00 p.m., home of Dal and Jane Poston
Monday, October 30 - Out of state Scholars at 6:30 p.m., Zoom

Additional details to follow. If there are questions or concerns, please contact Kenya.

Our 2023 Scholars And Graduates

Tap or click the student image for a brief bio.

Scholars
Graduates

The Byrnes Scholars Site

The information concerning Byrnes Scholarships and The Byrnes Foundation is taken from materials developed by The Byrnes Foundation, especially the 1988 index to The James F. Byrnes Foundation.

The historical information on Mr. Byrnes was developed by The Byrnes Scholars under the editorial guidance of Neil Johnson and Matt Lockhart. The editors wish to thank David Damon, Rachel C. Drake, Johnna Ferguson, Dr. Sara Hollingsworth, Cal Johnson, Brad Jordan, Elaine Russell Matlock, Pam Galloway McElveen, Barbara Tartaglia, Margaret B. Walden and Charles Wall.

The Byrnes Scholars information is taken from various sources, including the organization's bylaws and various materials developed by The Byrnes Foundation.

2023 Application Process Closed

The application process for 2023 is closed. Scholarship announcements will be posted to the website in early June. The application for 2024 will be available December 2023. Please check back then.

Donate To The Foundation

In return for their generosity and support, Mom and Pop Byrnes asked only two things from us: become the very best people we could become in life, and make sure their legacy of family continues for those who come after us.

Please consider making a tax deductible contribution to the James F. Byrnes Foundation to secure its ability to invite more deserving young women and men to join the Byrnes family, both now and in the future. The Donate button will take you to the Paypal site where you can use your credit card or Paypal account to make a secure, one-time donation or set up a monthly recurring donation.

Join the Maude's Angels Network

Maude’s Angels is family helping family. It is a network of former Scholars who assist a current Scholar or Alumnus with a need for an item or service.

In Memory Of Mom And Pop Byrnes