Drummond Center Chair Paula Harper Bethea

Erskine Hosts Drummond Center Inaugural Meeting

Erskine College hosted the inaugural meeting Monday of the Founders Board of the John Drummond Center for Political Leadership, designed to perpetuate statesmanship in South Carolina.

The Board combines the talents of 35 political and business leaders — including six former governors — and honors a man recognized throughout the state for his political integrity.

Board Chair Paula Harper Bethea — Director of Client Relations and Business Development for Bethea, Jordan and Griffin, P.A., in Columbia and former Chair of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce — said, "This Board is comprised of leaders from a wide variety of backgrounds who are all coming together for a new sense of political discourse."

The Board includes former governors David Beasley, Carroll Campbell, James Edwards, Robert McNair, Richard Riley, and John West.

"We must restore public confidence in public service and the political process," Bethea said. "We need a new appreciation for the role of statesmanship. We need a new sense of morality and sensibility.

"The direction is up to us," she said. "We are harnessed only by our own expectations."

Erskine conceived the Drummond Center, according to Vice President for Church and Corporate Relations Dr. Jay West, "to make a contribution to our state and develop political leaders.

"This is not a rubber stamp board," West said. "We are going to focus on issues that affect South Carolina. Erskine is committed to what this all about."

Erskine President Dr. John Carson said the Board is diverse, with Republicans, Democrats, Caucasians, African Americans, males and females. But, the group also has common threads, including a relationship with John Drummond, a relationship with the state of South Carolina, and the ability to make things happen.

"Perpetuating statesmanship in South Carolina is an idea whose time has come," Carson said.

Bethea said that Erskine has been celebrating integrity and values for more than a century and a half. She said Erskine’s mission of combining knowledge and morals fits Drummond’s vision of honesty and integrity in politics.

"This is a serious and solemn undertaking," Bethea said.

Drummond, who is recovering from a recent operation, could not attend the historic meeting, but sent a letter to the Board that said, "Thank you for the time and commitment you are devoting to the creation of the Drummond Center for Political Leadership at Erskine College.

"I am honored and flattered to be associated with a cause which has attracted the support of such a distinguished group of South Carolinians," Drummond said.

"I am also encouraged on behalf of our state that you are coming together with the leadership of Erskine College to do something which can have such a good long-term effect on the political health of South Carolina," Drummond said. "As you know, I have been concerned for a long time about what I consider to be the dangerous decline of political life in our state.

"We are deeply divided among ourselves, and we find public interest and public respect for the workings of government so low as to threaten the democratic process itself," Drummond said. "I have always believed politics to be an honorable activity, and I take great heart that the work you are undertaking will restore it to a place of dignity, honor and integrity in our state."

Drummond, a state senator representing Abbeville and Greenwood Counties, served his country in WWII as a decorated fighter pilot. Upon his return to South Carolina, he established himself with a thriving oil company in Greenwood and was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives and soon thereafter the South Carolina Senate.

Known for his leadership and integrity, Drummond was elected President Pro Tempore of the Senate by his colleagues in 1996. He continues to serve the senate today as President Pro Tempore Emeritus.

Legendary U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond from South Carolina spoke to the board via video, and said, "John Drummond is considered one of the most influential individuals in South Carolina politics. It is fitting that Erskine College name this facility, which will promote bipartisanship, after John Drummond.

"John’s rich history of public service has made him an institution in our fine state," Thurmond said. "I am pleased to see that he is receiving this well-deserved recognition for his dedication to the people of South Carolina."

The Board began its work by announcing that Fuji Film Incorporated will be a founding partner for the Drummond Center.

Fuji’s Craig White, a member of the Board, was named chair of the bylaws committee, former Wofford President Joe Lesesne was named chair of the program committee, Sam Tenenbaum was named chair of the development committee and Minor Mickel Shaw was named chair of the awards committee.

The Board discussed:

• giving an annual Drummond Award to a legislator or business person exhibiting statesmanship;

• setting up forums for legislators from both parties to discuss issues central to South Carolina two or three times a year;

• setting up orientation programs for newly-elected legislators to emphasize the importance of statesmanship;

• setting up lectures given by members of the Board;

• setting up retreats for state and local governments;

• establishing a think tank;

• settingup a student government leadership conference; and

• setting up an internship program for college students at the State House.

Erskine officials displayed plans for a facility to be constructed on campus to house the Drummond Center, discussed a staff position that would be dedicated to coordinating all functions of the center, and discussed approved plans to hire new faculty members in politics and economics that will be associated with the center.

(left to right) Erskine President John Carson, Drummond
Center Co-Chair Senator Darrell Jackson, and Robert Barber

(left to right) Senator Ralph Anderson, Ruth Lesesne, Robert
Barber, Ron Oakley, Dr. John McCallister, and Trish Edmonds

(left to right) Betty Teachey, Hartley Powell,
Margaret Pope, the Rev. George Meetze, Phil Grose