Presbyterian College Honors Mary Hopper Staton Posthumously With 2014 Honorary Alumna Award

Presbyterian College presented the 2014 Honorary Alumna Award posthumously to Mary Hopper Staton, of Lexington, S.C. The award was accepted by Mary’s husband, Bob, on her behalf at the Alumni Association’s Award Celebration.

The Honorary Alumni Award is given to those who did not attend PC, but who have always treated PC like their own alma mater and have brought honor to the College by doing so.

During her lifetime, Staton was a true supporter of Presbyterian College. She and her husband have been long-time members of the Scotsman Club and PC Fund at the leadership level and created “The Staton Family Scholarship.”

The couple has made significant contributions to many areas of campus, including the construction of Spradley Hall and Lassiter Science Hall, the floor in Templeton Center, the D1 Athletic Scholarship fund and the locker room fund. Bob and Mary were members of the William Plumer Jacobs Society as Bell Tower Society level members.

In 1997, Bob and Mary created “The Staton Family Scholarship” in memory of Bob’s father, Emmett Staton. Their generosity extends to their contribution to the Summer Fellows program and the Cally Gault Scholarship Fund.

After a valiant third battle with cancer, Mary passed away this summer. Her fortitude and amicable persona are true examples for others. Mary and Bob had two children who graduated from Presbyterian College: Jason Cochcroft, Class of 1999, and Rob Staton, Class of 1997.

“Mary was a true Blue Hose supporter. The Board of Directors at its fall meeting voted unanimously to honor Mary’s faithful commitment to PC in this way. Mary’s death is loss to the entire PC family,” said John Jeselnik, President of the Presbyterian College Alumni Association.

For more information on the Presbyterian College Alumni Association Awards, please visit www.presby.edu/the-2014-alumni-associations-award.