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05.16.05 From left, Dr. John L. Carson, Sen. John Drummond and House Rep. Paul Agnew Erskine College and Seminary family bids farewell to Carsons Bowie Arts Center on the Erskine College and Seminary campus was packed Friday as Board of Trustees members, faculty, staff, alumni and friends paid homage to outgoing President Dr. John L. Carson and his wife Sarah Ellen. Carson, who has served as president for seven years, announced in January that he would return to teaching and preaching June 30. Board Chairman John Moore presided over the reception and talked about the Carson connection to Erskine. Carson's grandfather (Dr. R.W. Carson), grandmother (Enola Crawford Carson), father (Everette C. Carson), brother (Everette "Rhett" Carson), wife, three daughters (Marana Tha Carson Basie, Emma Ruth Carson Pike and Rebekah Jean Carson) and son (James "Rhett" Carson) graduated from Erskine College, Erskine Theological Seminary or the Due West Female College. Carson himself, an E.B. Kennedy scholar, graduated from Erskine College in 1967 with his wife and was an associate professor of historical theology at the seminary from 1985-94. "A total commitment is what John and Sarah Ellen have made to Erskine College and Seminary," Moore said. S.C. Sen. John Drummond and Rep. Paul Agnew presented Carson with a joint resolution from the General Assembly for his service to Erskine. Drummond thanked Carson for introducing him to the Erskine family. The Drummond Center is named in honor of the senator from Ninety Six. "This crowd is here for you," Drummond said. "I'm happy to be a member of the family here at Erskine." Senior David Dangerfield of Moncks Corner, this past academic year's student body president, talked about what the Carsons have meant to students. "There's a certain rite of passage (for students) to have dinner with the Carsons at their home," Dangerfield said, adding that a student had told him recently, "For me, the Carsons are Erskine College." Dr. Howard Thomas, college faculty chairman for 2004-05, spoke on behalf of the faculty and staff. "From a faculty perspective, there are three benchmarks that should embody the president of Erskine College and Seminary," Thomas said. Those benchmarks are a dedication to the mission statement, "Christian Commitment and Excellence in Learning"; respect for academic freedom and standards; and leadership in fund-raising and support of students, all of which the Carsons embody, he said. Thomas cited the unprecedented growth of the seminary, record enrollment at the college, increased faculty and programs and the college’s pursuit of its largest ever fund-raising effort, the $36.7 million Gold Campaign, through which about $27.5 million has been raised so far. "The faculty and staff thank you for everything you've done," Thomas said. Alumni Association President Westley McAllister talked about the transformation of a number of volunteer groups that support the college. "The Carsons have attended many chapter meetings, alumni meetings, Alumni Day, Homecoming and other events," he said. "We've had record attendance because of the Carsons' belief in the importance of these events." Carson said anything that has been accomplished during his seven-year tenure has been a team effort. "This has been a family effort — everyone has been so generous," he said. "There are so many people who love this place." Most of all, Carson said, it has been amazing to watch God work. "It was God who brought me here — it's been Him, it hasn't been me," the Erskine president said. "To God be the glory."
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