Columbia, S.C. - Benedict College will host its 18th Annual Charter Day 2008 Awards Dinner featuring Mr. John E. Pepper, Jr., former CEO Procter & Gamble and current Chairman of the Board, The Walt Disney Company, as the keynote speaker.

The black tie event will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Columbia, SC. on Wednesday, April 2, 2008, and includes a VIP Reception, dinner and entertainment. The VIP Reception starts at 6:30 p.m. and the Awards Dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. The cost of the event is $150 per person.

Mrs. Cynthia Pryor-Hardy, a popular voice in the community and radio personality will serve as Mistress of Ceremonies. She is Co-Owner, Maxim Communications Group, Inc.

To celebrate the occasion, the Benedict College Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Herman Jones, will provide entertainment, and will dazzle the crowd with rhythm and blues jazz. The world-renowned award-winning Benedict College Gospel Choir, under the direction of Mr. Darryl Izzard, will also perform.

The proceeds from this fund raising event will support scholarships for deserving students, and all contributions are tax deductible.

This is an annual event that commemorates the chartering of the College by the South Carolina Legislature on November 2, of 1894. It is an occasion to collectively acknowledge the corporations, businesses, and individuals whose generosity has provided a valuable service to Benedict College in its role of providing a quality education to thousands of women and men.

The keynote speaker, Mr. Pepper, served as Vice President of Finance and Administration at Yale University from January 2004 to December 2005.

Since 1963, he has served in various positions at Procter & Gamble, including Chairman of the Board from 2000 to 2002; Chief Executive Officer and Chairman from 1995 to 1999; President from 1986 to 1995; and director from 1984 to 2003. Mr. Pepper serves on the board of Boston Scientific Corp. and is a member of the Executive Committee of the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative.

For additional information on the event, please call (803) 705-4809 or (803) 705-4366. Tickets can be purchased online at www.benedict.edu. Many levels of sponsorship are available. If you are interested in being a sponsor, please contact Ms. Walletta Moore at (803) 705-4606.

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