2026 Kauffman Remembrance Day and Award

In a tradition going back to 1992, a luncheon is held each year to honor the memory of Dr. Earl Kauffman, the driving force behind the creation of the Center for Lifelong Learning's predecessor organization in 1989, and the beginning of senior education in Aiken. The 2026 Kauffman Remembrance Day luncheon was held May 4 in the lobby the Etherredge Center at USCA.

The luncheon is funded in part by an endowment from the family of late USCA Professor James Kauffman to perpetuate the memory of his father. The event is open to all current registered members of the Center for Lifelong Learning and invitees.

Center for Lifelong Learning Advisory Board President Jim Tisarrani's opening remarks highlighted the Center's successful 2025-26 academic year. He reported the offering of a record number of quality courses that were attended by nearly 1000 combined students over the two semesters, saying "It's like a good wine, we're getting better, and better, and better".

The keynote speaker was USC Aiken Chancellor Daniel Heimmermann. His talk gave an update on the current state of the University and its place in the community. He provided a look into developments at the USCA campus like the Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative partnership with the US Department of Energy and the upcoming South Carolina National Guard DreamPort Cybersecurity Center.

This year CLL again sponsored two scholarships to USCA LIFE, a post-secondary program that teaches employment and independent living skills to college students with intellectual and development disabilities. Program Director Melissa Martin introduced this year's recipients, Audrey Latham Blessing and James Hutchinson, who attended the luncheon along with their families.