SUPPORTING
INNOVATIVE
LEARNING
in Beaufort County Public Schools
The Foundation for Educational Excellence seeks and sustains county-wide charitable and educational resources that support the mission and goals of the public schools of Beaufort County, SC.
Inspiration Award
The Inspiration Award celebrates an individual or group who is supportive of Beaufort County schools and has demonstrated extraordinary dedication, passion, and skills
that influence and inspire students.
Announcing
The 2025 PEGGY MAY INSPIRATION AWARD
Dr. Kathleen Corley
The Foundation for Educational Excellence has named Red Cedar Elementary School principal, Dr. Kathleen Corley as the 2025 “Peggy May Inspiration Award” recipient for her leadership and decades-long commitment to education in Beaufort County.
Dr. Corley was surprised with the award yesterday at a district-wide meeting of BCSD principals and administrative leadership. Beaufort County School District Superintendent Dr. Frank Rodriguez and Chief Instructional Services Officer Dr. Mary Stratos joined Dr. Jacqueline Rosswurm (2024 Peggy May Inspiration honoree) along with the Foundation Chair and several board members to present the award to Dr. Corley.
“Dr. Corley’s unwavering dedication to students, educators, and the broader community has had a transformative impact on education in Beaufort County,” stated Carole Ramsey, Foundation Chair. “Her visionary leadership, from opening new schools to mentoring future educators, reflects the very spirit of the Peggy May Inspiration Award. We are proud to honor Dr. Corley for her tireless commitment to excellence and her lasting legacy of inspiration in our schools."
Dr. Corley earned a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Illinois, followed by a master's degree from Roosevelt University’s Chicago Musical College. She later achieved her doctorate in educational administration from the University of Illinois. Dr. Corley began her career teaching music
in Palatine, Illinois, where she also served as an assistant principal. Her first principalship took her to Heritage Elementary School in Lynchburg, Virginia. She then played a key role in opening The Saltonstall School in Salem, Massachusetts, collaborating closely with a team of educators to bring the school to life. In 1999, Dr. Corley and her husband, Wayne, relocated to Bluffton, where she became the founding principal of Bluffton Elementary.
She later opened Red Cedar Elementary, where she has served as the school’s first - and only – principal since 2009. In 2024, Dr. Corley published her debut book, The Magical Place We Call School, a heartfelt exploration of the challenges and triumphs found in today’s classrooms offering thoughtful insight, humor, and real-world stories that illuminate both the power and complexities of education. Dr. Corley has been an assistant professor at Salem State University and continues to mentor principals.
PREVIOUS INSPIRATION AWARD RECIPIENTS:
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2024 Recipient: Dr. Jacqueline (Jackie) Rosswurm was honored for serving over 5 decades in almost every aspect of the public school system. She has been in the classroom teaching, leading schools as a principal, working “behind the scenes” as a chief administrative and human resources officer for Beaufort County schools as well as serving as acting superintendent in 2012. In 2020, as a member of the Board of Directors of Community Foundation of the Lowcountry she stepped in as Interim President and CEO of Community Foundation of the Lowcountry (CFL) and later as Chair of the Board of Directors. Another passion developed with sea turtles. Rosswurm helped set up the organizational framework for Turtle Trackers of Hilton Head Island and established the Sea Turtle Preservation Fund following their mission to build awareness and education about our local sea turtle efforts.
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2023 Recipient: Laura Bush Laura Bush of Bluffton was honored for over 50 years of public service, starting with aiding U.S. Sen. Fritz Hollings' Hunger Tour and addressing parasitic infections in local children. From humble beginnings, Bush dedicated her career to health care, education, and community support in the Lowcountry, earning the Peggy May Inspiration Award.
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2022 Recipient: David Lauderdale Beginning at The Packet in 1977 as reporter, Lauderdale worked his way up from news editor to managing editor to editorial page editor before retiring in 2020. Throughout his career, he has always been an advocate for the people of our community and his support has been evident in his inspirational writing that has touched the lives of so many.
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2021 Recipient: EVERYONE working in the Beaufort County School District during Covid-19 In a unique twist, the Foundation recognized everyone in each school for their efforts to keep students connected and involved, whether in person or virtually - over 3,000 educators, administrators, custodians, cafeteria workers, maintenance personnel, plus many, many more who labored behind the scenes to make the best of a difficult situation.
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2020 Recipient: Kathy Cramer While teaching special education in the Beaufort County School system, as well as acting as the Co-Director of Area 8 Special Olympics, she worked diligently to fulfill her dream of seeing Special Olympics categorized as a school sport. After 33 years of teaching, Kathy retired from the school system to dedicate herself full-time to providing recreational opportunities to those with special needs.
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2019 Recipient: Dr. Jane T. Upshaw, Distinguished Chancellor Emerita, University of South Carolina Beaufort, who has shown devoted leadership throughout her career for the advancement of education in the Lowcountry
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2018 Recipient: Dr. Emory Campbell, recognized for contributions in the cultural and environmental heritage of the Lowcountry
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2017 Recipients: The Esquivel Family, champions for the Latino community
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2016 Recipient: Dr. Narendra P. Sharma, the founder of the Neighborhood Outreach Connection
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2015 Recipient: Peggy May, a retired educator, former chair of the Foundation for Educational Excellence, and former county and state Director of Adult Literacy
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2014 Recipient: Candice Glover, 2008 Beaufort High School graduate, who rose through the ranks to become the 2013 American Idol on FOX
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2013 Recipient: Dr. Wayne Carbiener, former Beaufort County School Board member and avid supporter of the Foundation for Educational Excellence
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2012 Recipient: Orchid Paulmeier, accomplished chef, finalist of The Next Food Network Star television series and active parent volunteer at children's schools in Beaufort County
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2011 Recipient: David Vincent Young, renowned chef and entrepreneur and 1989 graduate of Hilton Head Island High School
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2010 Recipient: Jonathan Green, recognized as one of our nation's outstanding African American artists and 1973 graduate of Beaufort High School