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Columbia World Affairs Council Names Paula Harper Bethea 2010 Global Vision Award Recipient Oct 28
COLUMBIA, SC - October 28, 2010 - The Columbia World Affairs Council has named Paula Harper Bethea its 2010 Global Vision Award winner. The award is presented annually to the individual, organization or business that has demonstrated a vision toward the advancement of international affairs in South Carolina. Bethea will be honored at a gala dinner on October 28, 2010 at the Columbia Marriott.
WHERE: Columbia Marriott Hotel
1200 Hampton StreetWHEN: October 28, 2010
RESERVATIONS: Individual Tickets: $100
Black-tie reception and dinner to begin at 6:30pm
Full-time Student Tickets: $50
For sponsorship information or questions, call 803.252.2197 or e-mail sabrinamandanas@columbiawac.org
"Paula's leadership and active contributions to our state, region and nation's civic and business communities represent the characteristics of a Global Vision Award winner" said Fred Monk, chairman of the Columbia World Affairs Council. "We are honored to present her with the 2010 award and know that she will continue to serve as a visionary for our state for years to come."
Actively involved in South Carolina's business, civic and education communities, Bethea serves as chair Emeritus of the United Way of America's Board of Governors, having been chair in 1996-1997. She was also the United Way Liaison to the NFL and a member of the Board of United Way International. In addition to her national leadership, she also serves as a former Chair of the United Way of South Carolina, and of the United Way of Beaufort County.
She is Chairman of the Board of First Financial Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiary, First Federal of Charleston, and she is a founding Board member of the Palmetto Institute where she serves as Secretary. Bethea is also the chair of The Caring Coins Foundation on Hilton Head Island and immediate past chair of the Hilton Head Hospital Board. She is a life member of Independent Colleges and Universities of South Carolina; a member of the board of the MCI Heritage Classic Foundation; a member emeritus of the board of the MUSC Foundation at the Medical University of South Carolina. Additionally, Bethea is vice-chairman of the board of Presbyterian College, vice-chairman of the board of the South Carolina Research Foundation, and was one of the nine South Carolinians chosen to establish the South Carolina Education Lottery.
She is a past chair of the board of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce and Columbia College (1998-2000) and of the Heart and Vascular Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. In addition, Bethea is a former board chair of the Hilton Head Island Chamber of Commerce; former member of the South Carolina State Ethics Commission. Bethea served as a member of the South Carolina State Chamber's Task Force for Restructuring State Government in 1991, and was a member and subcommittee chair of the Governor's Commission on Restructuring.
A recipient of the prestigious Order of the Palmetto, Bethea, along with her husband William L. Bethea, was named the 2006 South Carolina Business Leader of the Year. She is also a past recipient of the Zonta Club's Woman of the Year and Hilton Head Island's Citizen of the Year awards. In 1995, she was presented the South Carolina Jaycee's Outstanding Young American for Community Service Award as well as the South Carolina Women of Achievement Award. She was awarded the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 1998 by the University of South Carolina, and in 2003 was awarded the Columbia College Medallion – the most distinguished commendation bestowed by the College.
An honors graduate of the University of South Carolina, Bethea serves as the Executive Director of the South Carolina Education Lottery. Previously, she was the Director of External Relations for the McNair Law Firm, P.A.
About Columbia World Affairs Council
The Columbia World Affairs Council (CWAC) is dedicated to promoting international awareness in South Carolina by serving as a bridge between the local community and its global counterparts to enhance South Carolina in areas of international business, politics and culture. Columbia World Affairs Council strives to engage its citizens in projects to benefit the international community while recognizing the people who seek to understand and enrich this relationship between Columbia and the world. Columbia World Affairs Council amplifies networking efforts for the state by providing Columbia with direct contact with influential key figures worldwide. Council members are invited to participate in globally enriched programs such as evenings with an ambassador, the Distinguished Speaker Series, dinner with foreign diplomats, global connection receptions and conversation groups. As one of the 93 councils in the country, Columbia World Affairs Council is a member of World Affairs Council based in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit http://www.columbiawac.org/.
