Honorary Scholars
The Honorable Linsday O. Graham, United States Senator from South Carolina, was named an honorary Byrnes Scholar at the 2009 luncheon. Pictured left to right, Foundation Director Paula Harper-Bethea, Scholars President Natalie Owens, Sen. Graham, and Foundation President Dr. Bill Rowe.
Honorary Byrnes Scholars are persons who have made special contributions to The Byrnes Foundation and who have been duly elected as Honorary Members by the Board of Directors of The Byrnes Scholars. Membership is extended only to those persons whose contribution has been accepted and acknowledged by The Byrnes Foundation.
The following persons are Honorary Byrnes Scholars:
- Willie Byrd, longtime chauffeur for Gov. and Mrs. Byrnes
- Margaret Courtney, The Byrnes Foundation Executive Secretary from 1973 to 1993
- Andy Courtney, the diligent man behind the successful woman
- Jean Elton, Executive Secretary of The Byrnes Foundation from 1993 to 1999
- Bob Elton, the diligent man behind the successful woman
- Lyle Burns, investment counselor for The Byrnes Foundation since 1975
- Mr. John Cothran, husband of Jeanette (1952 scholar), active involvement with the Byrnes Foundation since 1961; Co-Chair of Opportunity of a Lifetime Capital Campaign
- Mr. Michael Burns, investment counselor for The Byrnes Foundation
- Charlton F. Hall, Jr., benefactor of The James F. Byrnes Foundation and owner of Charlton Hall Antique Galleries
- The Honorable Lindsay O. Graham, United States Senator from South Carolina
Aïda Rogers has worked in journalism for about 27 years: in newspapers, television, magazines, and legal newsletters. Her articles have appeared in nationally circulated newspapers and travel publications. She wrote Byrnes Scholars – a very special family profile that appeared in the 1998 edition of the Sandlapper. She is also the co-author of Stop Where the Parking Lot’s Full, a guidebook to some of South Carolina’s best-loved restaurants. A Lexington native, she is back home at the Greater Lexington Chamber and Visitors Center. She earned a journalism degree from USC where she is a frequent guest lecturer. She is recently married to Dr. Wally Peters and is a loyal supporter and friend of the Byrnes Family. In honor of her devotion to promoting the purpose and history of the Byrnes Foundation, the Scholars Board hereby grants Aïda membership as an Honorary Byrnes Scholar.
Lucretia “Miss Lucy” Owens, mother of 1986 scholar Natalie Owens, has been a loyal member of our family for the past 25 years and can be counted on to provide assistance whenever she is called upon to do so. She provides delicious treats at all Byrnes functions. She has also catered the Friday Night Social for the past few years. She has “adopted” many scholars through the years and endeavors to provide love, friendship, advice, crochet lessons, and the occasional cooking tip or special recipe to her adopted brood. She has a true gift for hospitality and shares this generously with our group. She is a true example of what it means to go above and beyond for this foundation. To show our appreciation for her many good deeds, the Scholars Board has chosen to name “Miss Lucy” as an Honorary Byrnes Scholar.
Dennis McElveen, husband of 1984 scholar Pam McElveen, has been a long-time supporter of the Byrnes Foundation. He is instrumental in helping us coordinate Super Weekend each year. He is our go-to guy when we need assistance down at the beach. He can be counted on to serve in a variety of ways. Whether it is providing the singing at the chapel or telling an entertaining story about a guitar, he exemplifies what it means to be a loving spouse, devoted father, and dedicated supporter of the Byrnes Family. For all the things that he does to assist us, the Board is proud to name Dennis as an Honorary Byrnes Scholar.
