Emerald student knows pressures of being governor of South Carolina

June 14, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood resident Shun Griffin knows what it’s like to be the governor of South Carolina. The 17-year-old Emerald High student got a first-hand look at the duties and responsibilities of the highest state official, after being elected governor last week during Palmetto Boys’ State 2005
Griffin was among the hundreds of rising high school seniors from South Carolina to participate in the educational government program, sponsored by the American Legion.
The week-long program, conducted at the University of South Carolina in Columbia, aims to teach students about the roles and duties of government officials at the city, county and state level, Griffin said. There is a similar program for girls conducted at the same time.
“It’s basically a mock-government program,” Griffin said. “Upon arriving, we were assigned to either the Federalist Party or the Nationalist Party, and we held elections and party conventions. We really got to see the government in motion. If you really love government, it gives you the opportunity to shine and to put your skills to use.”
Griffin, who was selected to attend the program by American Legion Post 224, said he has always been interested in political issues. He will be serving as student body president when he returns to Emerald in the fall.
“I’ve always joked with people that instead of watching ‘Barney’ and ‘Sesame Street’ when I was growing up, I watched C-SPAN and Fox,” he said, laughing.
He said he first had mixed feelings about attending the program.
“One part of me was thinking it was going to be great, but the other part of me was thinking it was going to be scary and challenging,” he said. “But once you get there, you meet people from all over the state, and you become familiar with them. It’s almost like you’ve known them for a lifetime.”
By the time he filed a petition to run for governor on the Federalist Party ticket, Griffin had already served as a mayor of a mock city.
When he stepped up to the microphone to deliver his gubernatorial speech, Griffin said he was excited and nervous. His platform, which dealt with education, economy and employment reform, was based on ideas he and his party researched before the election.
“There were over 1,000 people in the crowd. It was an amazing feeling, and it was a stressful feeling,” he said. “Once you have all the spotlights on you, you really can’t see the people. All you can see is your party cheering for you. When you see the opposing party also cheering for you, you know that what you are saying is going to make a difference.”
Griffin, who plans to study at George Washington University after graduation, said attending the Palmetto Boys’ State program has “reaffirmed” his life ambitions.
“The three goals I want to reach are to become a cardiovascular surgeon, be governor of South Carolina and be president of the United States,” he said. “Boys’ State put in place some assurance that it is still possible for me. Sixteen hundred Pennsylvania Avenue looks a little brighter now.”

Lander names softball coach

June 14, 2005

From staff reports


Lee Dobbins has been selected as the Lander Bearcats’ new head softball coach effective immediately, Lander athletics director Jeff May announced Monday.
Dobbins served as an assistant coach at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga for the past year and was an assistant coach at Tusculum College the previous two years.
“It is a great honor and privilege for me to start my head coaching career at Lander,” Dobbins said in a press release. “Lander is a great place and, hopefully, we’ll be able to do some great things on the softball field.”
Dobbins, who replaces the retiring Doug Spears, is pleased with the status that Spears left the program.
“It is not a complete rebuilding job,” Dobbins said. “Coach Spears has had a competitive program, but I want to expand on that. I want to recruit more on a nationwide basis, so we can be a nationally recognized program.”
A native of Soddy Daisy, Tenn., Dobbins earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and also attended Chattanooga State Tech College and Middle Tennessee State University.
Dobbins served as a consultant to the Spanish National softball team in preparation for the 2004 Summer Olympics.
He got his start as a student assistant coach at the University of Tennessee (1999-2001).
Dobbins has served as a camp instructor at Georgia Tech, the University of South Carolina, Florida State, University of Alabama, University of Georgia, University of Tennessee and the SEC Gray Hound Inner City Camp.

Opinion

State pricing education beyond reach for many

June 14, 2005

The state has provided many places of higher education for its young people. In fact, there are some who believe the state has too many higher education institutions. Now, it seems, lawmakers have to decide whether South Carolina has an obligation to make higher education affordable to all.
A trustee committee at the University of South Carolina, for example, recommends a 12 percent increase in tuition for undergraduate students. If approved by the board, it would come on the heels of an 11 percent increase last year.
In recent years, raising tuition has been the rule instead of the exception in all state colleges, including Lander University in Greenwood, Clemson, College of Charleston and others.
What’s the purpose of state schools in the first place? Weren’t they intended to be institutions of higher education that could and would offer opportunities for all students, especially those of limited means?

THERE ARE SCHOLARSHIPS available ….. and they help a lot of people. Nevertheless, they don’t provide the wherewithal for every student who cannot afford to go to college these days. Too many still “fall through the cracks.”
State colleges, of course, are funded by the Legislature. There is a problem, though. The Legislature doesn’t provide enough money to do the job. Colleges raise private funds, to be sure, but those funds are usually dedicated to building projects, not students’ college expenses. So, when there is a budget shortfall, as there has often been in recent years, there’s only one other place to cover the lack of funds. That’s student tuition.
So, back to the earlier question. Does the state have an obligation to fund public colleges so that every student who wants to attend can do so?

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN it was possible for almost any student to go to college, provided, of course, he or she could meet academic requirements. The GI Bill meant the difference for many veterans. Without it, many successful people today would never have had an opportunity to improve the lives of their families and the economy in general.
Even without that, though, many students could go to college because of lower tuition at public schools. Those who could afford it went to private and/or church colleges. Those who couldn’t, went to USC, Clemson, Lander and the others. These days, though, escalating tuition effectively denies a college education to many, no matter where.
The way we’re going, we’re penalizing ourselves by putting a college education out of reach for too many.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

James C. Dorn

James Carlton Dorn, 76, of 219 Pecan Drive, husband of Helen Smith Dorn, died Monday, June 13, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Washington, Ga., he was a son of the late Roy and Alma Dorn. He was owner and founder of Dorn Gutters and Siding and a corporal in the Army during World War II. He attended South Greenwood Church of God.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Kathy Kirby of Greenwood; a son, Tony Dorn of Greenwood; three sisters, Mamie Sisk and Margaret Davis, both of Greenwood and Frances Worley of Mount Pleasant; three brothers, Wallace Dorn of Florida, Billy Dorn of Moncks Corner and Arthur Dorn of Ladson; four grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Harley Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Jerry Lewis. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are J.J. Smith, Jerry Smith, Chuck Williams, Chris Smith, Mike Christian and Mark Falls.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of his daughter, Kathy Kirby, 1701 W. Alexander Ave.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 658, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Thomas L. Gilchrist

Thomas Lenwood “Whoot” Gilchrist, 57, of 122 Moss Creek Drive, died Monday, June 13, 2005 at the home of a sister.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of Lillie Mae Nelson Gilchrist and the late Roosevelt Gilchrist. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and an employee with Wal-Mart.
He was a member of Mount Herman Baptist Church, Bradley, the male choir and mass choir of the church and the “Golden Keys.”
Survivors include his mother of Greenwood; a daughter, April Gilchrist of Greenwood; five brothers, Fremon Gilchrist, Telpher Gilchrist, James Gilchrist and Tim W. Gilchrist, all of Greenwood and Nelson F. Gilchrist of Columbia; three sisters, Addie Goode and Ella Gilchrist Robinson, both of Greenwood and Neutrice Childs of Charlotte, N.C.; and three grandchildren. The family is at the home of a sister, Ella G. Robinson, 324 Possum Hollow Road.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@emeraldis.com

Furman Thompson

ANDERSON — Furman David Thompson, 84, of 106 Concord Ave., husband of Allie Mae Fleming Thompson, died Monday, June 13, 2005 at Richard M. Campbell Nursing Home.
Services will be announced by Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals.

Duong Quan

Duong Van Quan, 76, of 211 Alabama Ave., husband of Nu Lac Quan, died Sunday, June 12, 2005 at his home.
Born in China, he was a son of the late Van Dai Quan and Chi Thi Truong Quan. He was retired from Greenwood Mop & Broom Co. and was former owner of a hardware store in Vietnam.
Survivors include his wife of the home; two sons, Tuong Quan and Duc Quan, both of Greenwood; a sister, Thuc Quan of South Vietnam; and two grandchildren.
Graveside services are 10 a.m. Friday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, conducted by the Rev. Milton Hannah.
Visitation is 6-8 Thursday at Harley Funeral.
The family is at the home.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Dudley Wright

GREENWOOD – Benjamin Dudley Wright, 75, resident of 213 Virginia Avenue, husband of Estelle Taylor Wright, died June 12, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, May 25, 1930, he was a son of the late Bruce and Lucia Davis Wright. He was retired from Abney Mills-Grendel Plant and was an avid gardener. Mr. Wright was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are two daughters, Mrs. George (Nancy) Ferqueron and Mrs. Tony (Judy) Dorn, both of Greenwood; a sister, Florilla W. Powell of Greenwood; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mr. Wright was predeceased by two sons, Benjamin D. “Ben” Wright, Jr. and Mike Wright, five brothers, James Wright, Orel Wright, Roland Wright, Wade Wright and Etherl Wright, three sisters, Mildred Wright, Doris Laughlin and Modena DeYoung.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 PM Tuesday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Alvin Hodges and Rev. Craig Hughes officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Roger Craven, Chan McCutcheon, Jack Reid, Tanner Hall, Jimmy Wright, Bruce Wright, William Kinney, Larry Wright and Wade Wright, Jr.
The family is at the home on Virginia Avenue.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE WRIGHT FAMILY.
PAID OBITUARY