Scholarship inspired by fallen officers awarded to graduating senior, Kylie Burns

About 160 runners gathered on Homecoming Day, Feb. 21, for the third annual USCA Spirit 5K Run. The event supports the Sandy Rogers and Scotty Richardson Memorial Scholarship, named in honor of the two fallen law enforcement officers who lost their lives in the line of duty within months of one another in 2011 and 2012.

The Spirit Run brings together students, faculty, staff and community members each year to raise funds for the scholarship, which supports sociology and criminology students whose academic interests center on public service and criminal justice.

“This year's race felt especially energizing and community-centered,” said DeAnna Gore, chair of the sociology department at USCA. “Peyton Theuerl, who was the first scholarship recipient last year, recently started his career with the Aiken Department of Public Safety, and ran in the race with his fellow cadets in the police academy. It was inspiring to see so many people come together in support of our students and in memory of Sandy Rogers and Scotty Richardson.”

Kylie Burns, a senior double majoring in sociology with a concentration in criminology, criminal justice and communication and a minor in African American studies, is the second student to receive the scholarship since its endowment in 2023.

Originally from Winnsboro, South Carolina, Burns chose USCA for its close-knit campus environment and strong liberal arts focus. She first learned about the scholarship through conversations in her sociology classes, where faculty discussed its history and purpose around homecoming events. “Once I understood who it was in memory of and why it exists, it meant a lot to me,” she said.

The scholarship honors the legacy of Rogers and Richardson, and Burns said that connection resonates deeply with her academic path. As a student focused on criminology and sociology, she views the scholarship as meaningful recognition and motivation.

“It’s intentional that it’s awarded to sociology majors,” she said. “It gives me comfort financially in my final semester, but it’s also motivating to know it’s in honor of someone else. It pushes me to really put my best foot forward.”

Dr. Melencia Johnson, an associate professor of sociology at USCA, praised Burns’ success as a student. “Kylie is the type of student most professors want in class. She is curious, prepared, and engaged. Beyond the classroom, she embodies the principles of sociology through her commitment to service.”

In addition to her academic excellence, Burns is involved in several organizations, including the USCA Chapter of the NAACP, Confident Unique Regal Leading Society (C.U.R.L.S.), the Alpha Kappa Delta Sociology Honor Society and was inducted into the Lambda Pi Eta National Communication Honor Society.

“Her leadership in the NAACP and C.U.R.L.S. has helped sustain impactful programming for several years. I have also seen her diligence and integrity inspire those around her, in class and through her leadership,” Johnson added.

Burns will graduate from USCA on May 6 and is applying to graduate programs in criminology and higher education administration. While she is still deciding between career paths, she hopes to one day work in higher education or become a sociology professor, roles inspired by the faculty mentors who have shaped her time at USCA.

She’s also participated in undergraduate research, presenting a project on labeling theory and new religious movements at a regional academic conference in 2025.

“I’ve felt so supported here,” she said. “The small classes, knowing my professors personally, and seeing people who genuinely care about students made a huge difference. I want to be that person for someone else one day.”

For Burns, the Spirit Run and the scholarship represent more than a campus tradition; they are a true honor. “It all kind of ties together, my studies, my background, and the opportunities I’ve had here,” she said. “Receiving this scholarship feels like an honor and a responsibility.”

Gore hopes recipients understand that faculty recognize and appreciate the hard work they have invested, and that this acknowledgment will give them added confidence as they move forward in their careers.

“Our goal in the coming years is to award this scholarship to multiple students annually. The continued growth and support of the race make that possible and reflect a strong commitment from our campus and broader community to investing in students' futures,” Gore said. “It reminds us that we honor this legacy not only through remembrance, but by creating meaningful opportunities.”

The Spirit Run also generated local press coverage from outlets such as the Aiken Standard.

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