Cassidy Fae Pendley portrait unveiled Thursday; scholarship established in her memory

The College of Engineering and Computing unveiled a memorial portrait of Cassidy Fae Pendley during a ceremony Thursday (Aug. 28) in the Reading Room on the first floor of the Swearingen Engineering Center.

Pendley, a freshman chemical-engineering major and a Delta Delta Delta Sorority pledge, died in a house fire at Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., last October.

Pendley’s parents have established the Cassidy Fae Pendley Memorial Scholarship in Engineering Fund.

“We are doing this as a means of keeping our daughter’s spirit alive,” Howard Pendley said.

Dr. Michael Amiridis, dean of the College of Engineering and Computer, said most portrait unveilings recognize an individual’s career and achievements over a lifetime.

“Today, we celebrate youth,” Amiridis said before the unveiling of the portrait. “I am very grateful to the Pendleys for giving us this opportunity to establish a scholarship, and I appreciate the generosity and spirit of this family. Their support will enable future students to fulfill the dreams and aspirations that Cassidy had.”

The first recipient selected for the Pendley Memorial Scholarship is Stephanie M. Johnson, a biomedical-engineering major. She is the daughter of Donna P. Johnson of North Augusta.

For more information on the Cassidy Fae Pendley Memorial Scholarship in Engineering Fund, contact Deborah A. Wells, senior director of development at the College of Engineering and Computing, at 803-777-9017 or dawells2@engr.sc.edu.

For more information on the portrait unveiling, contact Dr. Michael Perkins, assistant dean of academic affairs, 803-777-4177 or perkins@sc.edu.