The Mike Muth Basketball Scholarship Fund, is a nonprofit organization established in 1995 by friends and family of Mike Muth after his death in 1994. Muth was a standout student-athlete at Palmetto High School (PHS), in Williamston, South Carolina and at Furman University in the 1960s. The Fund’s primary purpose is to provide financial support for college tuition and the necessary related expenses required by institutions of higher learning. This support is provided to PHS students who participate in basketball activities and seek to further their education after high school graduation. Consideration is given to students with demonstrated financial need. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please review the information under the Requirements page.
Except for ancillary expenses, all contributions to the scholarship fund are used to offset the costs of the recipient’s college tuition.
Please send correspondence and contributions to:
The Mike Muth Basketball Scholarship Fund, Inc.
2 Camelia Circle
Williamston, SC 29697
Gertrude Muth, an architect of the Fund along with Marion Middleton, fell and broke her hip last October. Following a stint in rehab, she recovered and was released to come home. In March, Mrs. Muth was able to join the entire Scholarship Board in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Fund during a beautiful celebration held in Williamston. It truly was a magical event with many friends of the Williamston community as well as numerous past scholarship recipients in attendance. Sadly, Mrs. Muth became ill shortly after the anniversary event and passed away in early June at her beloved beach house in Garden City. She lived a happy and wonderful 94+ years, and she will be greatly missed by the many people whose lives she touched over the years
Current Board Members:
– Michael Muth, Chairman
– Greg Muth, Vice Chairman
– Jennifer Jansen, Treasurer
– Heather Thompson, Secretary
– Dale Bell
– Jerry Atkins
– Chrishton Owens
– Larry Holcombe
Advisors:
– Guidance Counselors Mrs. Pat Washnock, Mrs. Lisa Wardlaw, Mr. Weston Scroggs
– Principal Mr. Robert Roach
– Palmetto High School Coaching Staff
– Butch Blume
History of the Scholarship Fund
The Mike Muth Basketball Scholarship Fund (Fund) is administered by a volunteer board of directors. The Fund relies solely on individual donations to enable it to provide scholarships. Since 1995 the Fund has received over $200,000 in donations from the community thus enabling it to provide 31 Palmetto High School graduates with scholarships as of 2015.
Mike Muth died in October of 1994. In November of that year Marion and Betty Middleton called Mike’s mom, Gertrude Muth, to say that with her permission they would like to establish a basketball scholarship fund in Mike’s memory. Mrs. Muth was humbled, surprised and delighted by their thoughtfulness. So the process of establishing the Fund began by setting it up as a 501(c)(3) entity under the federal tax code. Dan Collins, an attorney in Greenville and a former Palmetto High School classmate of Mike’s, volunteered to handle the required legalities. Elisabeth Pickelsimer, a long-time friend and former student of Mrs. Muth’s, lead the effort to develop the criteria to receive the scholarship.
In addition to Marion, Dan, Elisabeth and Mrs. Muth, Dale Bell, Walter Trammell, Jr. and Benny Smith, also former Palmetto High School classmates of Mike’s, formed the first Board of Directors. Later Dickie McClelland, who has since passed away, was added to the Board. Marion Middleton has become Chair Emeritus. Today’s Board consists of Mike’s three sons, Michael (Chair), Greg (Vice Chair), as well as Dale Bell (Co-Treasurer), Larry Holcombe (Co-Treasurer), Jerry Atkins, Chrishton Owens, Heather Jackson Thompson, and Jennifer Higgins Janssen who was recently elected to the Board. Chrishton was a 2013 Scholarship Recipient, Heather a 1997 Scholarship Recipient, and Jennifer was a 2001 Scholarship Recipient. The Board is so fortunate to have these three former recipients helping guide the Fund as it moves forward.
The first $1,000 scholarship was awarded at the end of the 1994-1995 school year and was renewed annually provided the recipient maintained the appropriate grade point average at a post-secondary school. With the cost of tuition continually increasing, the board made an effort to increase the award to $2,500 and remains renewable annually. This change goes into effect in 2020. Of the 35 recipients who have earned the scholarship, nearly 75 percent have successfully completed their post-secondary education.