ORANGEBURG, S.C. — The U.S coast guard is on a mission to inspire and encourage young people and that mission brought them to South Carolina State University.
The U.S coast guard touched down on Felton field at SC State University and the goal of their visit was to inform students on campus and in the surrounding schools about the possibilities and opportunities available to them within the branch.
SC State is partnering with the Coast Guard to provide stipends and scholarships for rising juniors.
The perks of the program will include 100% of the student's tuition being paid for in exchange for serving three years as an officer in the Coast Guard.
Alumni from the university Eric Jones, an executive director in the Coast Guard and graduated from the university over 20-years ago, was on site to encourage current students.
Jones says, "Anytime you can come back and relate to students because you can tell them 20 years ago I was in your shoes and I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up, but having the opportunity to be exposed to potential coast guard officers...prepared me. I feel as though that me coming back offering those same opportunities, is very beneficial to them."