 |
|
|
|
5.6.08
Drummond Center Executive Director Dr. Ashley Woodiwiss
Drummond Center namesake celebrated at sixth annual banquet
Nearly 300 people gathered at the Downtown Marriott in Columbia Monday night to celebrate the accomplishments of longtime State Sen. John Drummond during the sixth annual Drummond Center banquet.
U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham topped the list of dignitaries on hand to pay tribute to Drummond, who will retire from the General Assembly at the end of this term after more than 40 years of service.
Drummond was the inspiration for the Drummond Center at Erskine College, established to promote and perpetuate statesmanship in South Carolina through the encouragement of considered leadership, public service and personal excellence.
Paula Harper Bethea, chair of the Drummond Center board, told the gathering that the evening was designed to celebrate Drummond as well as the institution that bears his name. She said the Drummond Center is "not just an Erskine treasure, but a South Carolina treasure."
The evening featured an Erskine flair, as freshman vocal student Rebecca King opened the program with her rendition of the national anthem and Erskine College and Seminary President Dr. Randall T. Ruble offered an opening prayer. The Erskine Singers closed out the evening with two of Drummond's favorite songs, "Danny Boy," and "God Bless America."
Graham, who presented Drummond with a flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol, spoke of the influence of the senator on his own career in public service.
He recalled Drummond's words of encouragement and counsel since his election as the successor to the late U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond.
Graham also referred to Drummond's accomplishments as a war hero. "My dad was a World War II veteran," he said. "I can only imagine what it was like to live in that time.
It was people like John Drummond who left behind their families and went to the front lines to battle evil. It's because of you that I am standing here today and we're all enjoying our way of life."
The U.S. senator presented Drummond with a resolution from the U.S. Senate in honor of his accomplishments.
S.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Glenn McConnell, who succeeded Drummond in that position, was also present for the event.
"John Drummond has been our teacher and conveyed to us the institution of the South Carolina Senate," McConnell said. "The sad thing about this session of the General Assembly is that it is our last serving with you."
He presented Drummond with a resolution on behalf of the 46 members of the S.C. Senate.
Drummond's longtime colleague, State Sen. John Land, was next on the program and he spoke of meeting Drummond for the first time when he was a page in the Senate and making coffee for him.
Later, when Land was elected to the Senate, the two sat side-by-side but were on opposing sides on many issues. A gift of a shirt to Drummond from Land seemed to break the ice and the two have been friends and occasional roommates for years.
"You have taught me so much," Land said. "You've been one of the main forces behind the growth and progress that has been made in South Carolina."
He credited Drummond for the existence of four-year-old kindergarten in the public schools.
"He's been my leadership hero," Land told the audience. "He's a man who has made a difference in South Carolina. I love you, John Drummond, and God bless you for all you've done."
"Hero" was the word also used by Darla Moore, vice president of Rainwater Inc. and founder and chair of the Palmetto Institute, a nonprofit think tank aimed at bolstering per capita income in South Carolina, to describe Drummond.
Moore said the leadership exhibited by Drummond gives her hope that South Carolina can solve many of the problems that it faces. "We should demand more of our leaders," she said. "We should demand that they follow the example of John Drummond."
U.S. District Court Judge Matthew J. Perry Jr., a past Drummond Award winner, said although he has not served alongside Drummond, he has been an admirer of the senator for years. He recounted Drummond's many accomplishments, his service and awards. "I've come to appreciate you as a man of honor and a leader of our state," Perry said.
Once the tributes were completed, Drummond stood up at his table and told the group, "You're looking at a humbled man."
He recalled his mother and father, his education and his decision to go into the National Guard that led to his service in World War II.
"Both sides of politics have got to come together," Drummond said. "I never saw a young man die as a Democrat or a Republican, but as an American."
New Drummond Center Executive Director Dr. Ashley Woodiwiss, who serves as Grady Patterson Professor of Politics at Erskine College, said it is an honor to assume leadership of the center and assured the audience that he and the board would do everything possible to ensure that future programs and events honor Drummond's legacy.
Also honored during the dinner were Dr. Jay West, the former executive director and visionary of the Drummond Center who is now chief executive officer of the Partnership Alliance of Greenwood County, and Bethea for her years as chair of the Drummond board.
From left, Erskine President Dr. Randall T. Ruble,
State Sen. John Land and Land's niece,
Erskine student Rebecca Jackson.
S.C. Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Glenn McConnell
From left, Sarah Thullberry, Gabe Dix, State Sen. John Drummond,
Greg Payne, Jessica Gregg, and Alex Kessell.
Drummond Center Board Chair Paula Harper Bethea
|
