AIKEN, S.C. – More than 5,400 students, parents, and educators gathered at the Augusta Convention Center on Sept. 11 for the Savannah River Site’s (SRS) CSRA College Night, the Southeast’s largest college recruitment event.
The evening highlighted educational opportunities, career pathways, and awarded $15,000 in scholarships to 15 local high school seniors.
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS), which has hosted the annual event since 1993, has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships to date while reaching nearly 176,000 attendees.
Cindy Hewitt, SRNS Education Outreach Specialist, said the program’s long-term impact has been profound, according to a press release from SRS.
“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,” Hewitt said. “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 floor was filled with recruiters from more than 125 institutions, ranging from local technical schools to nationally recognized universities, along with representatives from all four branches of the military.
One scholarship recipient, Bryona Bibbs of Mead Hall Episcopal School, shared her gratitude.
“I was so nervous accepting the scholarship on stage, but immensely grateful for the opportunity,” Bibbs said. “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.”
Colleges also valued the chance to connect with future students. “I’m hoping to connect with some amazing students and help them determine if Berry College is the right fit for them,” said Ellie Sherrod, admission counselor at Berry College in Rome, Ga. “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.”
2025 CSRA College Night Scholarship Winners:
With increasing demand for professionals in defense, cybersecurity, engineering and nuclear energy, the event supports workforce development needs for the Department of Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration, according to a press release from SRS.
SRNS Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Jim Dawkins noted the significance of investing in local students.
“This event demonstrates SRNS’ commitment to these students and recognizes them as the future of our workforce,” Dawkins said. “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.”
WFXG Chief Meteorologist Jay Jefferies, who has volunteered for over 15 years, reflected on its growth.
“This event eases the burden of rising educational expenses and gives each scholarship winner a small but significant break on tuition,” Jefferies said. “My favorite part is seeing students return year after year, their excitement building from ninth to twelfth grade.”
More than 150 SRS volunteers staffed booths, sharing information on financial literacy, admissions and career exploration. Allison Crow, a South Aiken High School counselor, emphasized the value of those conversations.
“This event helps students explore career options tailored to their personality and skills,” Crow said. “We aim to provide them with a clear understanding of potential career paths, including the necessary education and potential earnings.”
CSRA College Night was 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.
