Charles Fugo first came to the University of South Carolina 42 years ago as a graduate student at Indiana University, preparing for his first job in academia. The School of Music was his first interview.

Dr. Fugo has remained here at USC as professor of piano, and he has positively impacted countless students, faculty and staff. His devotion to the School of Music has translated into a considerable bequest that will endow an existing fund, the Charles L. Fugo Scholarship Fund. One million dollars will go to establish an endowment fund through his testamentary trust that will provide scholarships to undergraduate music majors of all disciplines at USC.

"What Charles Fugo is doing here with this vital and substantial gift is entirely consistent with his presence in the School of Music for many years. Charles has been a great champion of student accomplishment and of high expectations for musical growth and achievement. He demonstrates this allegiance not only in the attainments of his current, former, and future students, but also in the commitment of his own time to their pursuits and to the high value he places on modeling outstanding music performance in his own work for all of them to observe and emulate. Now, because of his significant generosity, students across the firmament of musical contribution will be able to benefit from that same devotion in perpetuity. We are all so grateful to Charles for the gift and for his years of tireless and dedicated service and superior musicianship." – School of Music Dean Tayloe Harding

Dr. Fugo, recipient of the 2008 Cantey Outstanding Faculty Award given by the School of Music, teaches applied piano and coaches chamber music.