Paying It Forward

Inspired by the Willard A. Silcox ’33 Memorial Scholarship that their daughter, Kellee Ann ’15, received while a student at the College, Scott ’83 and Janet Cracraft ’85 established the Cracraft Family Endowed Scholarship in 2015. 

It wasn’t the first time the family made an impact at the College. Among other positions at the College, Scott, co-founder of the Lynch-Cracraft Wealth Management Group, has served as vice president of the Alumni Association and a member of the Foundation Board and the Board of Governors for the School of Business.  

He and Janet established the Cracraft Family Endowed Scholarship specifically for first-generation students who maintain a 3.0 GPA and participate in at least two CofC organizations. 

Kionnie Epps ’20 certainly fits the bill – and then some. The Kingstree, S.C. native is president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.; vice director of Luminescent, Community Outreach Organization; a peer academic coach for the IMPACT Scholars; a Bonner Leader; an orientation intern; and a student ambassador. She is also a lead mentor at Kids on Point and a special projects coordinator at Palmetto Community Action Partnership. 

“Janet and I are so excited that Kionnie is the recipient of our  
scholarship,” says Scott. “We are happy we can assist this outstanding young woman in her academic endeavors. We are keenly aware of the difference a college education can have on the outcome of a person’s life. Kionnie is certainly going places, and we look forward to watching where she goes.” 

“I plan to continue my education, and that gets expensive,” says Epps, who aims to get her master’s degree in healthcare administration. “That’s why the Cracraft scholarship is so important to me – it has taken a lot of the financial stress off of me so that I can focus on my future.”– Alicia Lutz ’98