SouthState Becomes the Founding Sponsor of IRSC Veterans Center of Excellence Wall of Honor

November 10, 2021 Robert Lane

IRSC Announces Collaboration with SouthState Bank During November 10 Veterans Celebration at Pruitt Campus

PORT ST. LUCIE—Demonstrating a commitment and profound appreciation of veterans, SouthState—one of the leading regional banks in the Southeast—has become the Founding Sponsor for the Indian River State College (IRSC) Veterans Center of Excellence (VCE) Wall of Honor. The commemorative wall will provide a permanent place to honor and recognize veterans at the VCE’s home on the IRSC Pruitt Campus in Port St. Lucie.

The sponsorship agreement between SouthState and the VCE was announced at the College’s annual Veterans Celebration held on Wednesday, November 10 at the IRSC Pruitt Campus in Port St. Lucie. The occasion recognized all students, staff, faculty, and community members who are veterans.

“SouthState is proud to partner with the Indian River State College Veterans Center of Excellence as the founding sponsor for the Wall of Honor. We are deeply appreciative of our veterans’ service to our country and our community and are honored to be able to give back to support them as they grow professionally and personally,” shares Brett Barnhardt, SouthState Treasure Coast Division President. “We strive to be the employer of choice in the Southeast, and we are also committed to developing a diverse workforce, which includes providing career opportunities for our veterans.”

“This founding gift distinguishes our Veteran's Center of Excellence as a true community partnership,” shares Michael Hageloh, Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives for IRSC. “My sincere thanks to Brett and the entire SouthState family for this investment in IRSC and the new Center."

IRSC currently serves more than 500 student veterans each year. Through enhanced services and physical space at the VCE, IRSC aims to increase enrollment among veterans and improve the retention and completion rates of IRSC student veterans.

“Service and support for veterans is a top priority of Indian River State College, and I’m proud that the IRSC Veterans Center of Excellence calls Pruitt Campus home,” states Andy Treadwell, Pruitt Campus President. “IRSC is fortunate to have SouthState Bank as a dedicated community partner. Their generous support enables us to better assist our veteran students and provides supporters a place to honor the veterans in their lives.”

For more information on IRSC Military and Veterans Services or the Veterans Center of Excellence call 772-462-7443 or email veterans-info@irsc.edu.

About Indian River State College

A leader in education and innovation, Indian River State College transforms lives by offering high-quality, affordable, and accessible education to the residents of Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties through traditional and online delivery. The College—ranked second-most-affordable in the nation—serves 26,000 students annually and offers more than 100 programs leading to Bachelor's degrees, Associate degrees, technical certificates, and applied technology diplomas. It is a recipient of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation's signature recognition of high achievement and performance among America's community colleges. Learn more at irsc.edu.

About SouthState Bank
SouthState Corporation (NASDAQ: SSB) is a financial services company headquartered in Winter Haven, Florida. SouthState Bank, N.A., the company’s nationally chartered bank subsidiary, provides consumer, commercial, mortgage and wealth management solutions to more than one million customers throughout Florida, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia. The bank also serves clients coast to coast through its correspondent banking division. Additional information is available at SouthStateBank.com.