By ANNA BROWN

LOCKHART — Billie Rae Burns and her daughters Adair and Melanie have something in common and they are proud of it.

All three attended USC-Union.

“That school has helped so many people and meant so much,” said Mrs. Burns, a retired third grade teacher at Monarch Elementary School. “It has meant so much to this community and this county — people from everywhere have gone there. It would be a shame and a disgrace to shut it down.”

Mrs. Burns was 33 years old and working as the secretary for Lockhart Schools when she decided to return to college when USC-Union was newly opened. She thanks her husband, LeBron, and her mother, the late Willie Cobb, for helping take care of her daughters while she attended classes.

Having a college conveniently located in Union County was the reason Mrs. Burns decided to follow her dreams.

“If it hadn’t been for USC-Union I wouldn’t have gotten to go back,” she said. “It was just a wonderful atmosphere. All of the professors were so helpful.”

She remembers that the other younger students accepted her and were friendly and her instructors were caring and helpful She later transferred to Winthrop College (now Winthrop University) where she earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in elementary education. She said the years she spent attending college and teaching school were the happiest of her life.

Both Adair and Melanie began classes at USC-Union after graduating from Lockhart High School but waited until later to earn their degrees. Adair holds two associate degrees from the school, which she earned in the spring of 2008.

“When I went back, the professors were just so helpful and accommodating,” Adair said.

Melanie graduated in 1994.

“I loved it,” said Melanie. “I had good teachers. I especially loved Dr. (Allan) Charles. Everybody talked about how tough he was and I got A’s in his classes.”

Adair said she can’t understand the reasoning of those who want to close USC-Union, particularly in these hard economic times.

“There are no jobs in Union and now he (Gov. Mark Sanford) wants to close the university,” she said.