The School District of Pickens County (SDPC) is excited to announce that the initiative formerly known as Envision Pickens now has an official name: SDPC Gateway to Innovation. This major project, based in Pickens, is designed to prepare students for success in an evolving workforce. After months of collaboration and community input, the new name was chosen to reflect both Pickens County’s identity as the “Gateway to the Blue Ridge Mountains” and the district’s commitment to innovation, workforce development, and student opportunity.

The naming process was led by the Envision Pickens Committee, which gathered public input, reviewed submissions, and ensured alignment with the initiative’s mission. Originally, Envision Pickens served as a placeholder while the district and community shaped the project’s purpose and design. Over the past year, SDPC has worked closely with stakeholders to refine both the initiative and its new, lasting identity.

The SDPC Board of Trustees officially approved the name SDPC Gateway to Innovation during their February meeting, following the committee’s recommendation. In addition to naming the initiative itself, at the March meeting, the SDPC Board of Trustees approved the motion to name the campus of the SDPC Gateway to Innovation as the Dr. Mendel H. Stewart Campus in honor of Dr. Mendel Stewart, recognizing his lasting impact on education and economic development in Pickens County.

Dr. Stewart has been a pillar in the Pickens community for decades. He served as the principal of Pickens Junior High from 1972 to 1989 before becoming the director of the Pickens County Career and Technology Center from 1989 to 1991. He later served as superintendent from 1991 to 2006 and returned as interim superintendent in 2009. His contributions to education and the community have been widely recognized, including receiving the Order of the Palmetto, South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, in 2006. Dr. Stewart has also served on various boards and committees, including the Tri-County Technical College Board of Trustees, Pickens County Council, the Alliance Pickens Economic Development Board, and more.

Located on the site of the former Pickens Middle School, the Gateway to Innovation campus will feature:

● Innovative Career and Technology Education (CTE) pathways for 8th and 9th-grade students.

● On-site childcare for SDPC employees.

● A dynamic workforce development center in partnership with area colleges, universities, and businesses.

Opening is planned for August 2026, and the initiative will be fully funded through existing district resources without requiring any tax increases.

A groundbreaking and dedication ceremony for the SDPC Gateway to Innovation on the Dr. Mendel H. Stewart Campus is currently being planned. More details will be shared as arrangements are finalized.

School District of Pickens County

April 4, 2025

Published in The Pickens County Chronicle on Friday, April 4, 2025