[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 88 (Monday, July 11, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               TRIBUTE TO CAROLINE McKISSICK BELSER DIAL

  Mr. THURMOND. Mr. President, established in 1801 and located in the 
center of my State's capital city, the University of South Carolina is 
one of the Southeast's oldest and most prominent educational 
institutions. For almost two centuries, it has educated young men and 
women from not only South Carolina, but from throughout the United 
States and the world.
  The heart of the university is an area known as the Horseshoe. This 
is the site of the original campus and it contains a number of historic 
buildings that serve as dormitories, a library, and a museum. Also 
among these buildings is the beautifully restored president's house, 
where distinguished visitors to the university, including American 
Presidents and the Pope, have been entertained.
  The woman most credited with renovating the president's house is 
Caroline McKissick Belser Dial, who resided in those quarters with her 
then husband, President J. Rion McKissick, from 1936-44. Since her days 
as the first lady of the university, Mrs. Dial has always been known to 
South Carolinians for her devotion to Carolina, and she has been one of 
the university's strongest supporters over the years. I am saddened to 
report that this fine and gracious woman passed away last week at the 
age of 93, and while Mrs. Dial will be greatly missed by all those who 
knew her, she will never be forgotten. Her contributions to the 
University of South Carolina have forever strengthened that institution 
and have benefited my State.
  Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity to extend my 
deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Dial; and, to 
request unanimous consent that a copy of an article about Mrs. Dial 
that appeared in a recent issue of The State newapaper be included in 
the Record following my remarks.

             Former USC First Lady, Longtime Supporter Dies

                           (By Warren Bolton)

       Caroline McKissick Belser Dial was a University of South 
     Carolina Gamecock--one of the most graceful and supportive 
     ever--until her death Wednesday at age 93, those who knew her 
     say.
       Dial is credited with transforming the University of South 
     Carolina's president's house into a showplace for 
     entertaining dignitaries and other visitors while she was the 
     wife of the late J. Rion McKissick. McKissick served as USC 
     president from 1936 until his death in 1944.
       Even after McKissick's death, Dial, known as ``Miss 
     Caroline,'' continued to show her ardent love and support for 
     the university and was considered one of its most gracious 
     benefactors.
       ``She was somebody who was literally involved with the 
     university all of her life up until the time of her 
     passing,'' USC Vice Provost George Terry said. ``She was a 
     constant benefactor and supporter of the institution.''
       Born in Sumter on July 15, 1900, Dial was the daughter of 
     late George William and Caroline Hutchison Dick. After 
     McKissick's death, she married Irvine Belser. In 1976, she 
     married George Louis Dial.
       A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at 
     Rutledge Chapel at USC.
       As the wife of USC's president, Dial had a flair and polish 
     that impressed students and visitors when they came to the 
     campus, said Daniel W. Hollis, professor emeritus at the 
     university and Dial's son-in-law.
       He recalls being awestruck as a freshman in 1938.
       ``She was a very strikingly handsome lady, dressed 
     beautifully. She radiated style and class, particularly for 
     us bushers from the boondocks,'' Hollis said. ``She was very 
     popular with the students. We were all charmed by her.''
       Dial, an outgoing woman, decorated the president's home and 
     added the president's rose garden to the grounds. Many of the 
     functions held at the president's house today were started by 
     Dial, Hollis said.
       ``She was the first president's wife to open up the house 
     and make it the center of entertaining and welcomed students 
     and alumni in,'' Hollis said. ``She just opened up a new 
     dimension of the president's house.''
       Dial served the university and the public diligently, Terry 
     and Hollis said.
       In addition to making an untold number of visits to the 
     university to attend meetings and other functions, Dial also 
     made frequent stops at the South Caroliniana and Thomas 
     Cooper libraries to view her extensive gamecock collections.
       She collected everything from ceramics to photos, 
     ``literally anything with the picture of a gamecock,'' Terry 
     said. ``She had probably more gamecocks, more different type 
     gamecocks, than any person on the face of the earth.''
       The hood ornament of her car was a gamecock.
       Dial served on many boards at the university, Terry said. 
     She also was a leader in civic affairs around the state.
       Dial was chairwoman emeritus of the Board of Visitors at 
     her death. It was a position she held for decades. She was 
     the last living member of the founders of the South 
     Caroliniana Society. She funded a chair in the USC history 
     department.
       In 1947, she organized Palmetto Girl's State in South 
     Carolina on USC's campus, which introduces high school 
     seniors to public office.
       She was honored as a Distinguished USC Alumnus and awarded 
     an honorary doctor of laws degree from USC. In 1984, the 
     McKissick Library was rededicated as the McKissick Museum in 
     her honor to include her with J. Rion McKissick in 
     recognition of her contributions to the school.
       Dial, of 15 Heathwood Circle, graduated from Winthrop 
     College in 1921 and taught at several schools in North 
     Carolina and South Carolina.
       Surviving are stepsons, George Louis Dial Jr., and Irvine 
     F. Belser Jr.; stepdaughters, May Belser Douglass, Anne 
     Belser Boas, Catherine Belser Barnhardt, Harriet Belser Deas, 
     Peggy Belser Hollis and Mildred Belser Reid; nieces and 
     nephews.

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