Steele’s Mechanical, a mechanical contracting firm based in Lancaster, S.C., presented the Central Piedmont Foundation with a $50,000 gift on Dec. 19, to support scholarships for student veterans at the college. Steele’s Mechanical President Dan Bailey, a Central Piedmont alumnus and U.S. veteran, visited the college’s Central Campus to present the check to Dr. Kevin McCarthy, vice president for institutional advancement, and Aimee Brunton, director of development for Central Piedmont.

“As a U.S. veteran, I understand the financial difficulties student veterans face when trying to identify the funding needed to pay for college,” said Bailey. “When I was a student, I saw several of my fellow veterans leave school because they couldn’t afford it – even with GI Bill® assistance. That’s why Steele’s Mechanical decided to host a charity golf tournament this fall, to generate the scholarship funding needed to ensure Central Piedmont’s student veterans receive the financial aid they need to complete their education without worrying about going into debt.”

The monies gifted to the college were raised during the company’s inaugural Nov. 6 charity golf tournament, held at Springfield Golf and Country Club, in Fort Mill, S.C. More than 120 players attended the event, which raised $25,000 for student veteran scholarships. Thanks to Steele’s Mechanical overall gift match, the final gift totaled $50,000.

Bailey and his family have a rich history with Central Piedmont. Bailey’s father, James, was an employee at Central Piedmont from 1977-2012. It was this early exposure to Central Piedmont that spurred Bailey to enroll at the college in 2010 after serving as a construction engineer and paratrooper in the U.S. Army from 1999-2005. As a member of the student body, Bailey was active in the college’s student veteran’s association, serving as its president in 2010 and 2011; participated in Phi Theta Kappa; and coached Central Piedmont’s soccer team. He graduated from Central Piedmont in 2012 with an Associate in Applied Science degree.

“It’s rewarding to see alumni, like Dan, giving back to their alma mater in such a meaningful way,” said McCarthy. “His company’s gift will help our student veterans overcome the financial barriers that stand in their way of achieving the personal and professional success they deserve.”

To learn more about giving opportunities at Central Piedmont, please visit cpccfoundation.org/giving/ways-to-give-outright-gifts.