Trinity Collegiate to have first Founder’s Day event

Trinity Collegiate School’s first Founder’s Day event will honor Rev. Charles Robert Nielsen, the school’s first headmaster, as well as the contributions of those who supported the school for the last 14 years.

On Monday at 9:30 a.m., invited guests, students and faculty members will come together for what will be an opportunity for students to learn about the school’s history and the people who were committed to starting the school.

“I feel that students really benefit from being educated about those people who made commitments to this institution and to quality of education in the past,” said Em Hubbard, the school’s headmaster. “In most cases, even before these young people currently enjoying the school were born, people were making plans.

“They were making contributions of time, talent, and money to create a school in the vision of Rev. Charles Robert Nielsen, the founder of this school,” he said. “I’m very pleased to be able to bring back to the campus the people who are instrumental in the development of this school from its origins and to tell the young people about the contributions of these individuals.”

Hubbard, who will discuss the future of the school, will be one of three speakers at Monday’s event.

The other two are Roger Schrum, vice president of investor relations at Sonoco Products Co. in Hartsville, who speak about the importance of Trinity Collegiate in the Pee Dee, and Jim Fort, a speaker on behalf of Nielsen’s family, who will discuss Nielsen’s passion for Trinity.

After the ceremony, invited guests will have to opportunity to see the unveiling of two portraits: one of Dr. Robert Veto, one of the school’s former headmasters, and the other of William Hayden and Helene Carpenter Blackwell. The Blackwells were two of many people who made significant contributions to the school.

Suzan Orrico, director of development, said she hopes the Founder’s Day event will be a meaningful experience for the students.

“I think it’s really meaningful for the kids to understand (what it takes to run a school and where everything came from),” she said.

The event also will be a great opportunity for supporters to stay connected to the school, Orrico said.

It was Nielsen’s vision to start a college preparatory school of academic excellence rooted in the faith, values and caring of the Judeo-Christian tradition, she said.

In 1995, Trinity Collegiate School was founded by a group of concerned parents who wanted to create this college preparatory school to help young people attain the qualities of intelligence, wisdom and moral commitment.

The school was originally located at a temporary location in downtown Florence for 2½ years, sharing a space with St. John’s Episcopal Church.

On Jan. 5, 1998, the school moved to its current campus in Darlington County.

On the Web

Trinity Collegiate School, http://www.tcstitans.org