CLINTON, S.C. — A Presbyterian College senior who leads the student body in Clinton has been named the top student among South Carolina independent colleges for 2026.
Alex Melgar received the 2026 McLean-Smith South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities Student of the Year award, a statewide honor for academic achievement, leadership, public service and commitment to community. The award comes with a $3,000 scholarship.
Melgar grew up in Lancaster and graduated from Lancaster High School. At Presbyterian he is working toward double majors in political science and public policy and in history. He serves as president of the Student Government Association and vice president of the Hispanic Appreciation Organization, and he has been active in Student Volunteer Services and PresbyFirst+, the campus community for first-generation students.
He arrived at the college as a first-generation student and has said his volunteer work links the campus with the wider Clinton community. He learned of the award while working an internship in Washington, D.C.
College President Dr. Anita Gustafson praised Melgar as an outstanding student who uses his leadership to serve others and said the college is proud to see him recognized statewide.
The independent college association created the award in 2016, when its board of trustees merged the J. Lacy McLean and Sterling L. Smith scholarships into one honor. McLean spent more than 34 years advocating for independent higher education in the state, and Smith helped develop the South Carolina Tuition Grants Program.
Nominees must be full-time rising seniors at member colleges and universities. The winner must be a South Carolina resident who receives a South Carolina Tuition Grant. The association recognizes faculty from each of its 20 member colleges and universities as well.
