Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Ever since taking over as owner of the Carolina Panthers, David Tepper has embraced the community in a big way and made it his home. Now, just months after making one incredible donation to fight COVID-19, Tepper is helping future generations at the University of South Carolina.
While Tepper might have grown up in Pittsburgh, he is quickly making an impact in South and North Carolina. On Monday, USC announced it is establishing the “Nicole and David Tepper Scholars Program”, which will be a part of the school’s department of sport and entertainment management.
As part of the new scholars program, Tepper will be gifting more than $567,000 over the next three years to help provide scholarships to students and create opportunities for them to excel. All Tepper Scholars will receive $10,000 each year toward their education with access to unique opportunities to improve their skills. The program will pick out its students based on academic merit, while also embracing diversity and considering first-generation students.
“The University of South Carolina is deeply grateful for David and Nicole Tepper’s leadership in supporting education excellence and opportunities across the Carolinas and here in Columbia,” USC’s president Bob Caslen said, via statement. “This transformative and generous gift will make an immediate and lasting impact on the personal and professional success of the next generation of sport and entertainment management leaders.”
Tepper previously donated $2.65 million through his foundation in March to help local communities fight COVID-19. A month later, he provided more than $20 million to help provide food and financial support to those in need.
It’s evident that Tepper is quickly becoming a beloved figure in the community by using his resources to help others. If he can also help the Panthers become a consistent winner in the NFL, he will be appreciated even more.