Scholarship Continues Legacy of Making the World a Better Place

Hugh David Singleton ’87 had a zest for life that drew in everyone he encountered.

“Five to 10 minutes with David, and you felt you had a new best friend,” says his sister, Jennifer Singleton. “He was the wealthiest person in the world in that he lived every day with a lot of passion for life and people. He was a kind, warm-spirited person who unintentionally made a huge impact on this city.” 

That explains why it was standing room only at his 2013 funeral service at Grace Episcopal Cathedral, where people from all walks of life came to pay their respects. As his mother said, this beloved man from Conway, South Carolina, “had Charleston as his mistress.” 

And the reception emulated his famous vivacity. Stunning flower arrangements – a particular love of his – reached the ceiling, and the bounteous food buffet ranged from the gourmet to Piggly Wiggly fried chicken. 

“I feel humbled to be one of the many, many people whose lives he touched and who learned from him to live each day to the fullest,” says Fanio King, assistant to the dean and director of marketing and communications in the College of Charleston School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

After earning his degree in Spanish at the College, David left Charleston to pursue his M.Ed. from the University of South Carolina. When he returned, he did a stint working in the College’s Division of Student Affairs. He loved working with students and having an impact on their lives. His fascination with history ultimately lured him to the Historic Charleston Foundation, where he worked as an event logistics coordinator.

“Everyone who was caught up in his whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm grew to love him,” says King, who worked with David at HCF. “He brought joy and silliness to the office in the best way possible. If something good happened, David would ring a bell and we all cheered. If there was a work ‘emergency,’ he would press a button that mimicked a siren sound and twirl his office chair in a circle, arms in the air, to relieve any stress before we got down to business.”

Ever the entrepreneur, David also started a business called Event Sublime: Flowers and Events Planning, which showcased two of his major talents. 

“He made our workspace magical by surprising us with gorgeous flower arrangements throughout the office,” King says. “His lovely house was even more magical, as warm and welcoming as David himself. It was like a Fabergé egg – cozy in size yet exquisitely adorned.” 

David’s door was always open to his friends and family.

“David took me under his wing when I started in the food and beverage business in Charleston,” says Jason Guerra ’12, recalling his mentor and friend fondly. “He showed me how to plan and produce amazing events, something that helped me tremendously when I started at Moët Hennessy USA (a luxury champagne, wine and spirits company). I think about him every day and wish he could see the impact he had on me and our chosen family. We all agree he continues to watch over and guide us daily.” 

David’s chosen family decided to continue that impactful legacy when they came together to establish the Hugh David Singleton ’87 Scholarship for LGBTQ+ College of Charleston students with financial need and an interest in student leadership roles on campus.

“The scholarship is one way for everyone to remember my brother as I did,” says Jennifer, adding that the scholarship was endowed through part of her inheritance from their parents, Ronald E. and Vivian S. Singleton.

Giving students opportunities to study, learn and grow at the College and follow his spirit in joyfully making the world better place, the scholarship pays homage to David’s time as a student and community leader.

In Charleston, he was active in many organizations including the Alliance for Full Acceptance, Dining Out for Life, the ASPCA and the Wildlife Federation. At the College, he served in Student Government, Peer Mentors, the Student Alumni Association, the College Activities Board and Alpha Phi Omega. His leadership, energy and strong work ethic helped shape the College into a welcoming and dynamic educational “home” for students. 

The scholarship also serves as a tribute to David’s role as an activist in Charleston’s LGBTQ+ community.

“Knowing how much it came to mean for him to be gay and how much he cared about this community, we are certain that supporting students in college would be important to him,” says Jennifer, adding that David didn’t come out until after college. “He needed time. If he had support at college, things might have been different. I hope this scholarship in his honor will provide better opportunities for future students.”