College of Charleston graduate Cyrus Buffum is one of five finalists in GQ Magazine’s “Better Men Better World” contest. According to the magazine, the nominees have to be a “man who strives every day for the betterment of society through charitable work, volunteerism, and community involvement.”

Buffum attended the College of Charleston in 2002 and graduated with a degree in physics. After graduation, he traveled to Zimbabwe with The Elias Fund, a nonprofit, education-based organization. After returning to South Carolina, he read the book “The Riverkeepers,” by John Cronin and Robert F. Kennedy.

He confesses that that book changed his life.  After reading it, he decided to dedicate his life to clean water

In 2008, he organized the group Charleston Waterkeeper. The group is an environmental, non-profit organization designed to preserve and protect the integrity of Charleston’s waterways by defending against pollution and contamination.

Along with serving as a watchdog group over Charleston’s watershed, the group strives to empower people to take back public rights to clean water.

Buffum heads the organization.

He is one of 122 men around the nation nominated for GQ’s contest.

The public is being asked by the magazine to vote on the winner.  Voting beginning Aug. 5.

For more information, go to  thegentlemensfund.com/bmbw.