Sen. Lindsey Graham and Katherine Dunlap James F. Byrnes and his wife "Miss Maud" did not have children of their own. Instead, they "adopted" 30 young people, who had lost one or both parents. The Byrnes established a foundation providing scholarship money to make college possible for South Carolina students.

The noted statesman who served as U.S. Secretary of State, U.S. Supreme Court Justice, and South Carolina Governor said many times: "It's the most rewarding thing we ever did in life."

Last week at Columbia's Marriott Hotel, Byrnes Scholars celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Foundation. At their annual meeting, the 1949 Byrnes Scholars were recognized and current Byrnes Scholars were introduced.

Byrnes asked two things of those who were chosen as Byrnes Scholars: first, to become the very best people they could become in life, and second, to make sure their legacy of family continues for those who come after.

Byrnes once wrote: "Many foundations have given money for scholarships. We have never wanted to give only money. We hoped from the beginning by restricting the awards to orphans — one or two parents deceased — to try to take the place, in some measure, of the deceased parent; to try to give a young person the feeling that somebody cares for them, to try to give them freedom to appeal to us whenever we can help, not solely during those years in college but in all the years that follow, whenever they think we can be of any service."

James Byrnes with his wife Miss Maud More than 1200 Byrnes Scholarships have been awarded. Many have gone on to successful careers and the foundation is stronger than ever.

Senator Lindsey Graham gave the keynote address, and all others on the program were Byrnes Scholars: Natalie Owens, 1986 Scholar, president of the Byrnes Scholars Board; Dr. Bill Rowe, 1949 Scholar and chairman of the Foundation; Ms. April Garrett, 1999 Scholar and director of the Byrnes Scholars Board; Mrs. Paula Harper Bethea, 1974 Scholar, director of the Foundation; Brent MacDonald, 1998 Scholar, musician; Mrs. Carrie F. Pergerson, 1992 Scholar and past president of the Byrnes Scholars Board; Mrs. Lois Anderson, 1950 Scholar and director of the Byrnes Foundation Board; James Rhodes, 1993 Scholar and director of the Foundation; David Damon, 1983 Scholar and artist; and The Reverend Hal Norton, 1949 Scholar and chairman emeritus of the foundation.

Mary Magarahan and Katherine McCoy Dolly Wells and Linwood Hollingsworth John and Jeannette Cothran Dr. Roy Preston,