June 19, 2025

USCB Receives 2025 Peach Belt Conference Award for Community Engagement

News Summary

The University of South Carolina Beaufort has been awarded the 2025 Peach Belt Conference Connecting Communities Award for its Flybrary Project, which promotes literacy among young travelers at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. The project, initiated by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, involved successful book collection events where 556 children’s books were donated. USCB’s dedication to community service is further highlighted as student-athletes plan to volunteer at the airport, reinforcing the university’s commitment to meaningful community relationships and literacy development.

Hilton Head Island, SC – The University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) has been awarded the 2025 Peach Belt Conference Connecting Communities Award for its outstanding community engagement efforts, specifically through its Flybrary Project. The award was presented during the annual Peach Belt Conference dinner held on Hilton Head Island, recognizing institutions that exemplify the NCAA Division II core value of community engagement.

USCB’s award-winning initiative, the Flybrary Project, supports a children’s book-sharing program located at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. This project focuses on promoting literacy among young travelers by providing access to various children’s books. The initiative was brought to life by USCB’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) during the spring 2025 semester, showcasing the commitment of the university’s athletes to community service and engagement.

Throughout the development of the Flybrary Project, USCB’s SAAC organized two successful book collection events on campus. The first event took place during a Sand Shark softball game on February 13, while the second followed at a basketball doubleheader on February 26. These events were enthusiastically supported by the university community, including student-athletes, faculty, staff, and local sports fans, who collectively donated a total of 556 children’s books.

The donated books were subsequently restocked on the Flybrary shelves at the airport, making them accessible to children traveling through one of the region’s busiest transportation hubs. The continuation of this project highlights USCB’s ongoing dedication to community service, as student-athletes plan to volunteer at the airport from September 6 to September 8, furthering their involvement in the Flybrary initiative.

This recognition marks the first time that USCB has received the Connecting Communities Award, an honor that underscores the university’s commitment to fostering community relationships and literacy development. The Flybrary Project not only serves to engage students in meaningful service opportunities, but it also enhances the experience of young travelers and promotes literacy in the wider community.

The Peach Belt Conference, which includes a variety of institutions committed to excellence in academics and athletics, introduced the Connecting Communities Award to highlight organizations that demonstrate significant impact in their respective communities. The criteria for this award emphasize dedication to community service and engagement in activities that benefit the public.

Through initiatives like the Flybrary Project, USCB continues to build meaningful relationships within the community, reflecting the university’s values and commitment to making a positive impact. As such projects evolve and grow, USCB stands out as a leader in community engagement within the Peach Belt Conference and the surrounding region.