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TO HONOR FRANK WIDEMAN III ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS PRESIDENT OF THE SELF FAMILY FOUNDATION AFTER TWENTY-SEVEN YEARS OF COMMITTED SERVICE AND TO WISH HIM MUCH HAPPINESS IN HIS HARD-EARNED RETIREMENT.
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate are pleased to pause in their deliberations to recognize Frank Wideman III, who is retiring after twenty-seven years as president of the Self Family Foundation; and
Whereas, Frank Wideman joined the Foundation as president in 1993, after retiring from the United States Army as a lieutenant colonel; and
Whereas, organized in 1942, the Self Family Foundation improves the lives of the residents of Greenwood and the Palmetto State by awarding grants, primarily in the areas of education, community wellness, arts, culture, and history. During Mr. Wideman's tenure, the Foundation transitioned from a single grant-maker organization to a true multigenerational family foundation; and
Whereas, under his leadership, the Foundation's accomplishments have been many, including the expansion of Montessori education in the public school system; Clemson University's "Call Me Mister" program, which is designed to increase the number of African American male teachers in the state's public schools; a two million dollar grant to repurpose the former federal building in downtown Greenwood into an arts and cultural district, which revitalized the economic life in Uptown Greenwood and beyond; and the Greenwood Promise, which guarantees "last-dollar" funding for two years of tuition at Piedmont Technical College for any student who graduates from a Greenwood County public or private high school; and
Whereas, J.C. (Jay) Self III, chairman and trustee of the Foundation, said of Mr. Wideman, "Frank has been a great asset to our organization and our family. He has represented us well in the community, the State, and the Southeast, including his leadership roles in many industry organizations, like the Southeastern Council of Foundations"; and
Whereas, Mamie Nicholson, the organization's director and incoming president effective July 1, 2020, echoed the praise, when she described their relationship as "one of the best teams in the world of philanthropy with us having this long tenure with the Self Family Foundation" and added, "It was a wonderful opportunity to work with him for all these years and to have him mentor me into this role"; and
Whereas, upon his retirement, Frank Wideman plans to continue his involvement on several community boards and looks forward to traveling with his wife and spending time with their grandchildren. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate, by this resolution, honor Frank Wideman III on the occasion of his retirement as president of the Self Family Foundation after twenty-seven years of committed service and wish him much happiness in his hard-earned retirement.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Frank Wideman III.
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