NOW: Seizing the moment, transforming the future

In honor of MUSC’s Bicentennial Celebration, “Then… Now… Next,” the MUSC College of Pharmacy takes a three-part, then-now-next look at Alycia Araneo Craft and her impact. Her support has made this time a pivotal moment in the college’s history.

Part II: Now.

In 2019, Alycia Araneo Craft cemented the legacy of the Craft-Araneo name in perpetuity. She made a substantial donation in current and planned gifts to the MUSC College of Pharmacy such that, upon realization of Craft’s estate gift, the college itself will be named in recognition of the Araneo-Craft family’s generosity. The MUSC Araneo and Craft College of Pharmacy will be only the second named school at MUSC.

Her journey and arrival at this moment would make father Michael P. Araneo proud. After all, she inherited his ability to make bold decisions and take risks. A native of Charleston, she graduated from Bishop England High School, attended Coker College for one year, and later earned an associate’s degree from a business college in Charleston.

She embarked on a career with Pan American World Airways. Her life in aviation took her around the world, provided her with independence, and was filled with excitement. During her 36 years of flying, she experienced a hijacking, two genuine bomb threats, and several more incidents and accidents.

These extraordinary events are typical of her extraordinary life. A riptide swept her out to sea on her second honeymoon. As a child her brother was shot and killed in an accident; a second brother was murdered two decades later. But Alycia Craft has weathered every storm and, with a hands-on approach to her investments, been highly successful.

She married another remarkable human being in Robert “Bob” Craft, a war hero with two tours in Vietnam piloting 1,172 missions in a C 130. He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross, six Air Medals (one of which he earned the same day as the Distinguished Flying Cross), the Air Force Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Outstanding Air Award and National Defense Ribbon. 

A 30-year career pilot for Delta Air Lines, he was the captain of Delta Flight 109 and in the air during the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001. He was the first United States commercial airline pilot allowed back in the air. Generations of his family have served in the military dating back to the Revolutionary War.

Alycia Craft’s extraordinary generosity helped make possible the new pharmacy facility and established a new student scholars program, both of which will shape what’s “next” for many pharmacists… and for the College of Pharmacy.

Read about the impact of Alycia Araneo Craft Part III: Next.

Alycia Araneo Craft Part I: Then

 

The Araneo Craft Story

Naming of Michael P. Araneo Building

Celebration of Michael P. Araneo Building

Michael P. Araneo Lobby

Alycia Craft gift

Araneo Craft family

Alycia Craft and the Heart of Philanthropy