Humanitarian of the Year

Suzan D. Boyd and M. Edward Sellers 

Signature Sponsor
Patrons
Bank of America, N.A.
BB&T
Benedict College
BlueCross BlueShield
of South Carolina
CCCF
Columbia College
Elliott Davis 
Grant Thornton LLP
Lexington Medical Center
Nexsen Pruet, LLC
Palmetto Health Foundation
Southeastern Freight Lines
SC Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
University of South Carolina/USC Research Foundation and Health Sciences South Carolina
Gold Sponsors
AT&T
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida 
Colonial Life
First Citizens
McNair Law Firm, P.A.
Publix Super Markets Charities
UPS 
Silver Sponsors
Carolina First
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLC
Palmetto Health
Sisters of Charity Providence Hospitals
On Thursday February 21, 2008, hundreds of people gathered at the South Carolina Convention Center ballroom to honor Suzan Boyd and Ed Sellers, the recipients of the United Way of the Midlands' Humanitarian of the Year award.
The event served as an excellent opportunity for leaders in the community to come together to celebrate the charitable contributions one couple has made to advance the mission of United Way of the Midlands—creating lasting changes in our community.
Joel A. Smith, a past Humanitarian of the Year award recipient, explained how special this couple truly is.  "These two people give a whole new meaning to 'top dog,'" he said.  "Instead of sitting inside and protecting their valuables, they are outside on the front porch hindering any trouble before it can get inside."
Making the occasion even more memorable is the fact that Ed and Suzan are only the second couple to receive the Humanitarian of the Year award in its 24-year history. 

"I think that says volumes about Ed and Suzan, because they have distinguished themselves individually and as a couple," said Mac Bennett, president and CEO of United Way of the Midlands. "Ed is a hard-charging CEO of a company in a very competitive business, and Susan is an academic, a researcher and a human service agent in our community who has really made a difference in the lives of thousands of children across SC. When you put that package together, you end up with a powerful product that South Carolinians have benefited from and will continue to benefit from years into the future."
With contributions to United Way of the Midlands, Habitat for Humanity, New Carolina, South Carolina's Council on Competitiveness, S.C. Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, the Columbia Museum of Art and much more, Suzan Boyd and Ed Sellers are certainly more than deserving of this recognition.  This influential couple has the unique talent of tackling complicated social problems by analyzing their components, finding working solutions, and building consensus and coalitions to turn these solutions into reality.
Established in 1984, the Humanitarian of the Year Award is presented annually to people who clearly demonstrate extraordinary leadership in philanthropic and human services. Highly selective criteria make it the single honor of philanthropic achievement in the Midlands. Among other criteria, nominees must provide outstanding leadership working with others over a sustained period.