Author: Sam Watson, Director of University Relations|Published: May 21, 2024|All News
Sharing Good News about Alumni of South Carolina State University!
U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn
Class of 1961
President Joe Biden awarded U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn the Presidential Medal of Freedom
on Friday, May 3, 2024.
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the Nation’s highest civilian honor, presented
toindividuals who have made exemplary contributions to the prosperity, values, or
security of the United States, world peace, or other significant societal, public,
or private endeavors.
“Words cannot express the profound honor and gratitude I feel upon receiving the Presidential
Medal ofFreedom. This recognition is not only a testament to my work, but also to
the countless individuals whohave supported my journey; the giants who fought alongside
me for justice, equity, and the pursuit of progress; and the support of my loving
family,” Clyburn said.
Clyburn is the U.S. Congressman representing South Carolina's 6th Congressional District
in the U.S.House of Representatives and Chairman of the Democratic Faith Working Group.
He previously served as Assistant Democratic Leader from 2011 to 2018 and 2023 to
March 2024, and House Majority Whip from 2019 to 2022 and 2007 to 2010, making him
the first African American to serve multiple terms as Majority Whip. Clyburn has represented
the state’s Sixth Congressional District since 1993.
He is a 1961 graduate of SC State.
Alongside his late wife. Dr. Emily England Clyburn, he has been a major benefactor
to his alma mater. The university's Transportation Center bears his name, while the Honors College bears hers.
Dr. Lathan E. Turner
Classes of 1980 & 1982
The Eastern Carolina University Staff Senate and the Department of Human Resources
bestowed emeritus status in April for 14 permanent status retired staff members who
have made significant contributions to ECU through a long and distinguished record
of service, dedication, leadership and innovation.
Dr. Lathan E. Turner was part of the Spring 2024 class. Turner was employed at ECU
between 2000 and 2022. He also served in higher education at NC State, and Piedmont
Technical College in Greenwood, SC. He is a native of Ninety Six, SC.
Dr. BerNadette Lawson-Williams
Class of 1995
The North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education,Recreation,
Dance, and Sport Management has named Dr. BerNadette Lawson- Williams the recipient
of the 2023 NC SHAPE College/UniversitySport Management Educator of the Year award.
Dr. Lawson-Williams is in her 19th year of professorial service at JohnsonC. Smith
University (JCSU), where she is a tenured full professor of sport management, along
with founder and coordinator of its Esports and Gaming Trifecta and fully online Sport
Management programs, both the first of their kind at an HBCU.
Lawson-Williams’ commentary regarding sport management and esports/gaming academia
has been presented at state, regional, national, international, and congressional-level
conferences, published in publications such as the Washington Post Inc. Magazine,
AndScape (formerly ESPN’s Undefeated), and televised onNBC, ABC, and CBS. She was
recently featured in an interview with Dr. Marc Lamont Hill on theGrio. Her research
on the esports industry is featured in the 7th edition of the Human Kinetics’ “Contemporary
Sport Management” textbook, which is widely regarded as one of the most popular introductory-level
sport management textbooks on the market, globally.
In 2020 and 2021, respectively, Lawson-Williams was named the recipient of JCSU’s
Lonnie Parker “Innovation” Award and the Sit Lux award for receiving the highest student
evaluation scores during the2020-2021 academic year. Last year, she was recognized
by the Black Society of Sport Professionals andSTRIDE (Tepper Sports & Entertainment
human resource group) for her contributions to the sport business community in Charlotte,
NC. Dr. Lawson-Williams is also the recipient of the Who's Who Among America'sTeachers
Award, the Who's Who in Black Charlotte Award, and the Health and Fitness Association's
YoungProfessional Award.
Lawson-Williams graduated cum laude with a B.S. degree in physical education. After
completing her M.S. in exercise and sport science with a concentration in sport administration
from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, she returned to SC State, where she worked
as an Instructor and assistant professor of physicaleducation.
She also developed academic programs in sport communication and physical activity
management, the first in the state of South Carolina. She was also twice named the
recipient of SCSU's Department of Health andPhysical Education’s "Teacher of the Year"
Award and in 2007, she was inducted into the Physical EducationHall of Fame.
Lawson-Williams is the author of two books “Blossom Bee’s Golf Adventures” and “I
Don’t Mean to SmashYour Tomatoes, Honey!” She earned a Doctorate with Honors in Sport
Management from the United States Sports Academy and has completed post-graduate coursework
at North Carolina Central University's prestigious School of Law.
Lawson-Williams is a proud fourth-generation SC State Bulldog. She recently established
the Dr. BerNadetteLawson-Williams Academic Excellence Scholarship Award to recognize
high-achieving students majoring in sport communication and physical activity management.
Jessica McCormick
Classof2012
Jessica McCormick has been named assistant principal at Orangeburg County's Mellichamp
Elementary School. McCormick has served the Mellichamp family for 10 years.
She received her Bachelor of Science in elementary education and Master of Arts degree
in counseling education from South Carolina State University.She also earned a K-12
school administration add-on from Gardner-Webb University.
At SC State, she was a member of the Marching 101 band. She is a member of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority Inc. and Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity.
Dr. Ernest Cooper
Class of 2023
Dr. Ernest Cooper, assistant principal at Lake Marion High School, willbecome the
Director of Lake Marion Technology Center in the Orangeburg County School District.
With a strong educational background and extensive leadershipexperience, Dr. Cooper
is well-prepared for his new role. Dr. Cooper received his doctorate in educational
leadership from South Carolina State University in December 2023. He also holds a Master of Science in leadership in education administration
from Capella University, an Educational Specialist Degree, a Master of Arts in criminal
justice from Troy University, and a Bachelor's degree from St. Leo University.
Dr. Johnny Murdaugh
Classof1991
Dr. Johnny Murdaugh, who has been the Director of Lake Marion Technology Center since
July 2019, will now take on the role of Director ofCope Area Career Center for the
Orangeburg County School District.
Murdaugh earned his Doctor of Education in education administration from the University
of Sarasota in December 2001. He also holds a Masterof Music with a focus on African
American music from Northern IllinoisUniversity and a Bachelor of Arts in music performance
with a minor in music education from South Carolina State University.
Eric Brown
Class of 1992
Orangeburg County School District is pleased to announce theappointment of Eric Brown
as the new Principal of Marshall ElementarySchool, effective July 1, 2024.
Brown brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of excellence to his
new role. He has been serving as the principal of Edisto Elementary School in OCSD
for the past four years.
A 1992 graduate of South Carolina State University, Brown holds a bachelor’s Degree
in marketing, amaster’s degree in elementary education, and a specialist degree in
educational administration, all fromSC State.
With 25 years of experience in education spanning primary, elementary, middle, and
collegiate levels,and 20 years in administration, Brown has led schools to achieve
significant state and national recognition.
Under his leadership, schools have won numerous awards, including the State of South
Carolina School of Promise Award, The State Department of Education Red Carpet Award
(twice), The State of South Carolina Single Gender Initiative Award, The Palmetto
Gold and Silver Awards, The National Associationof Professional Development Schools
Distinguished School Award, The South Carolina Exemplary Writing Award, and the prestigious
Carolina First Palmetto’s Finest Award.
Patricia Hampton
Orangeburg County School District is proud to announce the appointment ofPatricia
Hampton as the new principal of Edisto Elementary School, effective July 1, 2024.
Hampton brings a wealth of experience and a strong educational background to her new
role. She has been serving as the assistant principal of EdistoElementary School since
July 2019, where she has played a pivotal role inenhancing student success and maintaining
school safety. Her responsibilitieshave included conferencing with parents and guardians,
acting as Grade Book Administrator, Data Coach, and Benchmark Coordinator, as well as developing
and maintainingsafety procedures that meet the diverse needs of students.
Hampton holds an Educational Specialist degree in educational administration, a Master
of Education in counselor education, and a Bachelor of Science in elementary education
with a minor in special education, all from South Carolina State University. Her expertise
in effective communication, problem-solving, andclassroom observations has been instrumental
in improving teaching practices and student learning outcomes.
Marvin Taylor
Class of 2009
A new principal has been named at Flowertown Elementary School. Marvin Taylor was
approved by the Dorchester School District Two Board of Trustees as Flowertown's new
principal on May 13.
His prior role was assistant principal at St. Andrew's School of Math Science, and
he was previously a teacher at North Charleston Elementary School from 2009 to 2014,
assistant principal at Edmund A. Burns Elementary School from 2014 to 2018, and interim
principal at Edmund A. Burns Elementary from 2018 to 2020.
Taylor holds a Bachelor of Science in elementary education from South Carolina State
University and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Capella University.
Dr. Bethany Giles
Class of 2001
Dr. Bethany Giles has been named interim superintendent of the Georgetown County School
District effective July 1.
Giles currently serves as the Georgetown district’s deputy superintendent.
She has 23 years of experience in public education, all with GCSD. Prior to being
named deputy superintendent in October 2023, she served innumerous roles, including
assistant superintendent for academic and studentservices, executive director of secondary
schools and athletics, principal ofCarvers Bay High and Brown’s Ferry Elementary,
assistant principal of Rosemary Middle, and as a teacher at Rosemary Middle.
A native of Georgetown County and graduate of Andrews High School, Giles holds a bachelor's
degree in elementaryeducation from South Carolina State University, a master’s degree
from The Citadel with a specialization in educational leadership, and a doctorate
in educational leadership from SC State.
La’Kendra Garrett
Class of 2008
La’Kendra Garrett has been hired as the next principal of Robinson Elementary School
in Kirkwood.
Garrett’s hire, which was approved April 29 by the Kirkwood School District Board
of Education, is effective July 1.
Garrett has over 15 years of experience in education, and is currently serving as
the assistant principal at Old Bonhomme and Reed elementary schools in the Ladue School
District. She has also servedas the director of secondary summer school for Ladue,
overseeing program operations, staff recruitment and student progress monitoring.
Garrett was also responsible for providing educators with professional development,
instructional coaching and data analysis support. Prior tobecoming an administrator,
she was a classroom teacher.
Garrett holds a doctorate in leadership in teaching and learning from Missouri Baptist
University, and twomaster’s degrees from Columbia College and Capella University.
She also holds an educational specialist degree, and she earned her bachelor’s in
elementary education from South Carolina State University.
Mary Grace Wilkerson
Class of 1979
Mary Grace Wilkerson retired Dec. 30, 2023 from Winston-Salem (North Carolina) State
Universitywhere she held the position of assessment coordinator primarily supporting
educator preparation programs.
Send Us Your Class Notes!
Are you an SC State graduate with good news to share? Tell us about career changes,
promotions, awards, births of children and other important milestones. Email details
and a headshot to Sam Watson, SC State director of university relations: swatson2@scsu.edu..
