AIKEN, S.C. – Over 5,400 attendees filled the Augusta Convention Center on September 11 for the Savannah River Site’s (SRS) CSRA College Night, the Southeast’s largest college recruitment event. Fifteen local high school seniors were awarded scholarships totaling $15,000.
Since 1993, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) has proudly presented this marquee event, awarding over $400,000 in scholarships and impacting 176,000 attendees. Cindy Hewitt, Education Outreach Specialist for SRNS, emphasized the event’s significant impact over the past three decades.
“College Night is a remarkable opportunity for high school students to explore a wide array of higher education options and get a head start on their future careers,” said Hewitt. “With 125 colleges and universities, $15,000 in scholarships, and valuable resources like financial aid information and career counseling, we aim to inspire and empower the next generation to achieve their educational and professional goals.”
The convention center buzzed with excitement as students and parents visited recruitment booths from hundreds of colleges and universities, representing local technical schools and prestigious institutions from across the country, as well as four branches of military.
Among the scholarship winners, Bryona Bibbs, a senior at Mead Hall Episcopal School, shared her excitement. “I was so nervous accepting the scholarship on stage, but immensely grateful for the opportunity. I’m exploring colleges today to see what they have to offer, especially those within one to two hours from Augusta. My goal is to pursue a degree in Nursing and eventually become a travel nurse.”
Ellie Sherrod, an Admission Counselor from Berry College in Rome, Georgia, expressed the event’s importance for their institution. “I’m hoping to connect with some amazing students and help them determine if Berry College is the right fit for them. We specialize in STEM majors, animal science, and have 27,000 acres of extensive exploratory land. Having attended this event for a few years, it remains a priority for us due to the strong turnout. It keeps our name out there and ensures students find the right place for their future.”
With the rising demand for skilled STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) professionals in defense, engineering, cybersecurity, and nuclear energy, College Night plays a crucial role in meeting workforce needs for the National Nuclear Security Administration and Department of Energy.
“I am excited to be part of an event where we hand out scholarships to well-deserving high school seniors,” said Jim Dawkins, SRNS Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. “This event demonstrates SRNS’ commitment to these students and recognizes them as the future of our workforce. It also opens their eyes to the multitude of paths available to them, including opportunities at SRS, which has provided long lasting careers for over 75 years. It’s a chance for students to discover, connect, and get guidance, paving the way for long-term opportunities that can also support their families.”
“For over 15 years, I’ve volunteered for College Night and witnessed its remarkable growth from just four to five local colleges to now over 125 colleges and universities,” said Jay Jefferies, WFXG Chief Meteorologist. “This event eases the burden of rising educational expenses and gives each scholarship winner a small but significant break on tuition. My favorite part is seeing students return year after year, their excitement building from ninth to twelfth grade.”
Over 150 SRS volunteers come together each year to make the event possible, providing students and parents with information on college admission requirements, financial literacy, scholarships, and potential career paths.
“This event helps students explore career options tailored to their personality and skills,” said Allison Crow, a South Aiken High School Counselor who volunteers at the Career Exploration booth. “We aim to provide them with a clear understanding of potential career paths, including the necessary education and potential earnings, helping them make informed decisions about which colleges to connect with.”
SRNS continues to enhance talent retention by strengthening connections between local students, industry, and federal partners, maintaining a sustainable workforce pipeline, and bridging opportunity gaps through this free, public event. CSRA College Night is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy-Savannah River Operations Office, SRNS, SRS Centerra, SRP Federal Credit Union, Aiken County Public School District, Public Education Partners of Aiken County, and iHeart Media Augusta. For more information, view the CSRA College Night Overview Video.
| 2025 CSRA College Night Scholarship Winners | |
| Name | School |
| Lakendra Ford | Denmark-Olar High School |
| Akilah Kennedy | Lucy C. Laney High School |
| Tate Dorsey | Lakeside High School |
| Quinton Armstrong | North Augusta High School |
| Madison Sullivan | South Aiken High School |
| Ocean Blackwell | Midland Valley High School |
| Joshua Davenport | Hunter-Kinard-Tyler High School |
| Bryona Bibbs | Mead Hall Episcopal School |
| Mileaha Johnson | Denmark-Olar High School |
| Arijana McDaniel | Grovetown High School |
| Loralei Goebel | North Augusta High School |
| Syriah Scurry | South Aiken High School |
| Emily Newman | Burke County High School |
| Athena Washburn | South Aiken High School |
| Aisha Brunson | Cross Creek High School |
*Awards are pending qualification based on scholarship rules and eligibility requirements.
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, a Fluor and HII partnership company, is responsible for the management and operations of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, located near Aiken, South Carolina.
SRNS-2025-1678