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College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

  • Nathan Maddox shakes hands with Scott Taylor Jr. next to Cocky the Gamecock mascot, celebrating his Statler Foundation scholarship.

HRSM and Statler Foundation partner to support future hospitality leader

Posted on: June 2, 2025; Updated on: June 2, 2025
By Allen Wallace, awallace@sc.edu

A new Gamecock will start his college career with an extra boost, thanks to the University of South Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management and the Statler Foundation.

Incoming freshman Nathan Maddox received a $10,000 scholarship from the College of HRSM by means of the Statler Foundation. USC School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Professor Scott Taylor, Jr. presented the award along with leaders from Dreher, Richland School District One and the Heyward Career and Technology Center. The ceremony came the day before Nathan graduated with honors from Dreher.

Nathan was an outstanding performer in the Richland One Heyward Career & Technology Center Culinary Arts program. The program combines rigorous classroom studies with hands-on training. He earned ServSafe Manager, and ServSafe Food Handler Certifications while excelling in his work with local restaurants to meet the program's work requirement.

"Nate has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to his studies and has shown remarkable initiative in engaging with the community," says Heyward Career & Technology Center Chef/Instructor John Lindower. "He possesses a unique blend of qualities that make him not only an outstanding student but also an exceptional leader. His natural leadership abilities, kindness, positive attitude, and can-do spirit are evident in all of his interactions. He is always willing to assist his classmates, demonstrating empathy and understanding while helping others succeed."

Group photo of scholarship recipient Nathaniel “Nate” Maddox standing with USC HRSM faculty, school officials, and community leaders in front of a colorful culinary arts backdrop, alongside a large inflatable Gamecock mascot.
Scholarship recipient Nate Maddox (center) stands with HRSM’s Scott Taylor, Eric Devan of De Van & Associates, and supporters from Dreher High School, Heyward Career and Technology Center, and Richland One, including Eugenie Parker, Robert Washington, John Lindower, Cindy Jowers and Chris Dinkins.

Nathan will begin his college career at USC with the 2025 fall semester, and plans to major in hospitality management. USC’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management is recognized as one of the best programs of its kind in the country, educating future industry leaders through innovative and experiential curriculum, research and community engagement.

"We are very excited about the partnership with the Heyward Career & Technology Center and the ability to provide such a deserving student with this scholarship," says Taylor, Jr. "Nate is going to make a great addition to the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management family as he clearly exemplifies what hospitality is all about. I look forward to seeing Nate continue to grow as a hospitality professional and a leader, and hope that he is the first of many Heyward Tech students that we can provide this scholarship to."

The Statler Foundation is a private foundation that supports students in a hotel/hotel management program. It was created in 1934 through the directives contained in the will of Ellsworth M. Statler, one of the most creative and resourceful hoteliers in history. The Foundation awards more than $1,000,000 annually in grants and scholarships.

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